Question
I am working in Singapore as an IT Professional. This was my first experience to come out of Pakistan. Now I have come to know that Ahmadis are really strong in publicizing their beliefs and it is a great danger to Islam.
What is the solution to their propaganda?
Answer
I do not agree with the statement that Islam is in any sort of danger due to the effective work of propagation done by the adherents of other religions. However, I would think that it is the Muslims, rather than Islam, who face the great danger of being answerless on the Day when the Almighty asks them regarding their efforts in the promotion and propagation of His message.
Ahmadis, like the adherents of other religions, are doing what they ought to do – i.e. promote the beliefs and the ideas that they hold to be true. After all, what else would you expect them to do? The efforts and the ‘propaganda’ of the Ahmadis, as well as that of the adherents of other religions, hurt the Muslims not because they (i.e. the Ahmadis) are doing the unexpected, but, on the contrary, because the Muslims, themselves, are not doing the expected.
During the past few years, I have heard a lot of complaining about the ‘propaganda’ of the Ahmadis. However, I have never heard anyone suggest that we – the Muslims and the adherents to God’s truth – should learn a few lessons of effective propagation from these Ahmadis. Why is it so, one asks, that falsehood is taking a successful run, while the truth still searches for its stockings? The fault, whether we like it or not, lies not with the adherents of falsehood, but with those who have been bestowed with the invaluable treasures of the truth.
You ask:
What is the solution to their propaganda?
In a state of complete and blinding darkness, a small flickering candle may easily be considered a great blessing and an indispensable source of light. However, as soon as the sun lights-up the earth, all candles lose their importance and are put to sleep. This indeed is precisely what they deserve. Nevertheless, till the sun rises and illuminates the earth, the candles are not likely to be replaced.
The ‘propaganda’ of the Ahmadis continues to be effective because the Muslims do not allow the world to benefit from the Sun of God’s guidance. As long as Islam is kept hidden from the world, the world will continue to benefit from whatever gives it any ray of hope for success. However, to help the world overcome its dependence on such rays of hope, it is essential that the Sun be allowed to shine and give its light to the whole world.
The solution to the ‘propaganda’ of the Ahmadis, in my opinion, is nothing but to present the truth of God in the most effective and understandable manner. The day that the Muslims understand this phenomena; the day that they stop blaming others for their own incompetence and shortcoming; the day that they realize their mistake in not contributing their part in introducing the world to the truth of God, that day all ‘propaganda’ shall itself be rendered ineffective.
September 19, 2000