Advice for Muslims in India

Since Hadhrat Khalifat al-Masih the Second (RA) was the Spiritual Leader of a religious organization he was reluctant to indulge in the political affairs of the country. But owing to his immense love for the Muslims of India, and since politics exerted strong influence on the general welfare of the Muslims, he felt that it was incumbent on him to guide the Muslims on all sensitive and vital issues. Here are some examples.

1. In 1921 some Muslim leaders started the Migration Movement urging Muslims to immigrate to Afghanistan because the Englishmen who were unbelievers ruled India. The Khalifat al-Masih foretold that this movement would fail and its failure would have negative repercussions on the Muslims of India. The movement failed as predicted by him. Those who did emigrate from India were dejected & forced to return home after incurring huge losses.

2. Hindu scholars started to write such biographical works that vilified the Holy Prophet of Islam (SAS). It offended Muslims deeply. Riots and clashes ensued between Hindus & Muslims at several places. Hadhrat Khalifat al-Masih II suggested to the government that a law be enacted protecting the honor of all the founders of principal faiths. His strenuous efforts in this respect bore fruit and a law was passed protecting the honor of all religious founders.

3. Hindus overshadowed all walks of life in India, causing Muslims harm in many ways. On top of that Muslims were divided, they could not put up a united front against the Hindu majority. Hudhoor tried to unite the Muslims by suggesting that despite various religious beliefs, any person who calls himself a Muslim should be considered a Muslim. So let all Muslims strive hard to unite and work together.

4. In 1928 Hudhoor (RA) proposed to conduct public lectures on the life of Holy Prophet of Islam (SAS). He proposed that once a year a series of public meetings be held throughout India on a given date inviting Muslims and decent non-Muslims to speak on the life of the Apostle of Allah (SAS). The first public meeting (Yom Seerat al-Nabi) was held on June 20th, 1928. The initiative was a big success. It removed misunderstandings about Islam, many non-Muslims started to show respect for the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace & blessings of Allah be on him.

5. From 1928 to 1931 the British government suggested making amendments to the Indian Act so as to get the Indian citizens involved in the governing process. In this respect many conferences took place in which Hindu as well as Muslim representatives were consulted. Hudhoor wrote several booklets in order to protect the rights of Muslims i.e The Solutions to the Political Problems of India. Muslim political figures including Sir Zafrulla Khan benefited profoundly from these proposals. In this way Muslims of India were on the whole protected from many inherent pitfalls.

6. A large majority of the population in Kashmir is Muslim. A Hindu Maharajah who was a tyrant suppressed the rights of Muslims in Kashmir. Over time these atrocities became unbearable. Hudhoor was deeply touched by the plight of Kashmiri Muslims & decided to help them. Because of his sustained efforts Kashmiri Muslims were stirred into action and jumped headlong to fight for the political rights. At the time when Hudhoor was guiding them in their political struggle, prominent Muslims leaders of India formed All India Kashmir Committee. Hudhoor was elected its president on July 25th, 1931 with many leading Muslims including Sir Muhammad Iqbal its members.

   The committee won many battles under his vibrant leadership. The Maharajah was compelled to grant civil rights to Muslims which they had been deprived of previously. Distinguished Muslim leaders from Kashmir, like Shaikh Muhammad Abdullah frequently visited Qadian to seek political advice. They acknowledged orally as well as in writing that Hudhoor came to the rescue of Kashmiri Muslims when help was needed desperately.

   As you know, dear children, enemies of Ahmadiyyat are everywhere. These enemies had taken notice of the fact that Ahmadis were becoming popular among Muslim masses. This included some eminent Muslim leaders who were seeking advice from the Spiritual Head of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat. These leaders often followed his advice exactly as told. This situation made others mad with jealousy. They raised the theological issue of who is an Ahmadi and who is a non-Ahmadi among the members of the committee. They incited Muslims against the members of the Jamaat.

   Realizing their wickedness, Hudhoor handed in his resignation as President of the All India Kashmir Committee. Nevertheless he continued his relentless support for the cause of Kashmiri Muslims.

7. History bears ample testimony to the fact that Ahmadiyya Jamaat was at the forefront for the creation of Pakistan. When the British decided to partition the sub-continent into two independent states, Hudhoor made useful suggestions toward safeguarding the interests of Muslim community. In view of the disagreements amongst the Muslims of India, Qaide Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had taken up permanent residence in London. Through his representative in London Maulana A.R. Dard, Hudhoor urged Mr. Jinnah to return to India to lead the Muslims in their political struggle.

   In March 1933 Maulana Dard met Mr. Jinnah in his office in King's Bench Walk, London and invited him to the Mosque in order a give a talk on the "The Future of India". Maulana Dard succeeded in getting a promise from Mr. Jinnah to return to India and resume the leadership of Indian Muslims. Upon his return he started the movement for the creation of Pakistan by uniting the Muslims under the banner of All India Muslim League. By the grace of Allah Mr. Jinnah's efforts were blessed with astonishing success. Hudhoor gave moral, constitutional, and financially support to Mr Jinnah in carving out a homeland for the Muslims now called Pakistan.