Prayer is a powerful weapon against war and injustice | Opinion

By Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

Editor’s Note: This article is a condensed version of the Friday Sermon delivered by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, on October 13, 2023. There is an active Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Central Pennsylvania.

I wish to make an appeal for prayers relating to the conditions of the world today. Over the past few days, the war between Hamas and Israel has been ongoing, due to which civilians on both sides, including women, children, and the elderly, are being killed or have already been killed without distinction.

Even in times of war, Islam does not permit the killing of women, children, or anyone that is not engaged in the fighting. This is something which the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has very clearly and strongly forbidden.

The world is saying, and certain evidence also shows, that Hamas initiated this war and is guilty of killing Israeli civilians indiscriminately. Even though the Israeli army has previously killed many innocent Palestinians in this manner, Muslims however must still act according to Islamic teachings. The Israeli army is responsible for their own actions, and other peaceful methods could have been adopted to resolve the issue.

Thus, the actions of Hamas are to be strongly condemned and have caused immense harm. Nonetheless, the response to what occurred and the present conflict, should have remained limited to Hamas and that is what would constitute true bravery and courage. However, now the actions being taken by the Israeli government are also very dangerous.

It seems as if there is no end to this situation in sight. The innumerable number of innocent lives of women and children that will be lost is unfathomable. The Israeli government claimed that they would completely raze Gaza to the ground, and for this they have already dropped many bombs. They have reduced the city to rubble.

The latest circumstances are that they have said more than a million people should leave Gaza, and some have indeed started leaving. Thankfully, as weak as it may be, the United Nations has raised its voice to some degree, saying that this would be a violation of human rights and it would be wrong. As such, Israel should reconsider this order. Rather than firmly saying that this is wrong, the United Nations is merely making a request.

The innocent who are not engaged in the war are not at fault at all. If the world considers Israeli women, children, and ordinary citizens to be innocent, then the Palestinians are also just as innocent. The teachings of the People of the Book also state that such killings are impermissible. If the actions of the Muslims were deemed wrong, then such people should reflect on their own conduct, as well.

If true justice were to be established, such things would not transpire. If major powers did not have double standards, such restlessness and warfare in the world could never happen.

If these double standards were eliminated, it would bring an end to such wars. The major powers have put justice aside and are uniting in taking harsh measures against Palestinians. Images of the victims are shown to depict the atrocities being perpetrated, and false reports are shown in the media. At times, there will be news about the condition of Israeli women and children and their dire circumstances they are facing, yet, later, it turns out that they were not Israelis but, in fact, Palestinians.

However, some media does not take any accountability for this, and there is no sympathy expressed for them. These people simply follow the rule of “might is right.” They will bend before anyone who has worldly wealth.

The major powers are bent on fanning the flames of war, rather than putting them out; they do not wish to end warfare. After the First World War, the major powers created the League of Nations to bring an end to wars. However, due to not fulfilling the demands of justice, and failing to establish its authority, it proved unsuccessful. Consequently, the Second World War broke out, and it is said that more than 70 million lives were lost. The same is happening now with the United Nations. It was created to establish justice in the world, support the oppressed and to try and bring an end to wars. However, these are all far from being reality. Everyone is simply concerned with their own interests.

The average person cannot even fathom the harmful consequences of the war that will result from these injustices. However, all the major powers are aware of the grave consequences. Despite this, there is no attention given towards establishing justice.

At the very least, Muslim nations should come to their senses. They should set aside their differences and establish unity. To better their relationships with the People of the Book, if Allah has given the commandment to the Muslims: “Come me to a word equal between us and you.” (The Holy Qur’an, 3:65), i.e., by uniting over the Unity of God, then Muslims who have the exact same creed should unite among themselves even moreso.

Muslims must ponder over this and establish unity. This is the only way to eradicate disorder from the world. They should unite and raise a resounding voice for justice and the rights of the oppressed, wherever they may be. If they unite as one, there will also be strength in their voices. Otherwise, Muslim governments will be responsible for the loss of innocent Muslim lives.

All we truly have is the weapon of prayer. So, we must pray:

May God grant understanding to the Muslim world, so they do not become responsible for the cruelties inflicted on their own people, nor should they commit injustices against anyone. Enmity for another nation should not lead us away from acting justly. This is God’s command.

May God enable the major powers to establish justice on both sides and thereby establish peace. It should not be that they lean towards one side and thus usurp the rights of the other side. May they not commit injustices and cruelties. May God grant them reason and understanding so that rather than leading the world to destruction, they seek to save the world from destruction.

May God grant Muslim governments reason and understanding and enable them to unite and establish justice.

May God grant us the opportunity to witness peace and security in the world.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad is the International Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community