Religion: The Natural System of Justice and Balance

I would like to say that today the world is in grave need of such an enlightened approach. We, who are members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at, also practice and preach such an approach and we always abide by these principles, which is the reason why we constantly raise the slogan of ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’.

As a basic principle we believe that there is certainly no harm in having differences of opinion and religion. With reference to religion itself, I would say here that religion is a personal matter for every individual to decide for himself. No one has any right to interfere in this process.

It is the right of every person to follow their religion according to their own personal beliefs and in a way they desire. They should be able express their religious beliefs and rituals freely and openly and should be able to inform others of their own religious beliefs without any apprehension.

From time to time, some people and certain groups, particularly in the West, become fearful when they hear the view that people should be completely free to practice and preach their religion. In particular, when the religion of Islam is being discussed, this fear and panic increases dramatically.

The fear is based upon the theory that if the population of Muslims increases to a large extent, then the Western countries may also become immersed in disorder, just as certain Muslim countries are. Without doubt, the Islam portrayed by certain extremist Muslim groups means that in certain cases such apprehension is completely justified and understandable.

However, if we look at the history of all religions then we soon realise that never has the founder of any religion taught that his followers should usurp the rights of others or should act in a cruel manner. In fact, the purpose of every religion has been to bring man closer to God and to establish human values.

Let us look at what Islam really represents. The meaning of the word ‘Islam’ itself means peace, love and security. Thus, if anybody portrays Islam as an extreme and violent religion filled with teachings of bloodshed, then such a portrayal has no link with the real Islam. From cover to cover the Holy Qur’an teaches love, affection, peace, reconciliation and the spirit of sacrifice.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community propagates this very message, which is perhaps why our community has become a target to the vicious and cruel actions of extremists.
However, despite this persecution Ahmadis,in whichever country they live in, never take the law into their own hands nor do they ever create disorder.

The Founder of the Ahmadiyya Community, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (on whom be peace), taught us exactly this, that we must discharge the rights due to God and also the rights due to God’s people. We are taught that you should never respond to cruelty by taking revenge through being cruel yourself.

[Extract from the keynote address delivered by His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad]


The Green Party of the provincial assembly, Hamburg organised a special function on 14th June 2011 at the historic Hamburg Town Hall—the seat of government of Hamburg—under the title “inter-religious dialogue”, in honour of Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(aba), Khalifatul Masih V, Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim community,who was invited by the Green Party of Germany to deliver the keynote address. Over 50 people attended the event, among them politicians, professors, jurists, religious leaders and journalists.


Source/Credit: The Review of Religions. Vol 106, Issue Eight. August 2011