True Khilafat compatible with Democracy – Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad explains true teachings of Ahmadiyyat during audience with Indonesian guests
On 28 September 2013, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, His Holiness and Fifth Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad held an audience with more than twenty Indonesian guests representing various media, educational institutions and think-tanks at the Taha Mosque in Singapore.
During the 70minute question and answer session, His Holiness explained the true teachings of Islam and clarified various misconceptions concerning the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat.
Speaking about the fact that some non-Ahmadi clerics deemed Ahmadi Muslims to be non-Muslim, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“The Holy Prophet taught that no one has the right to call any person who utters the Kalima to be a non-Muslim. The truth is that no human being or power has the right to deny what is in the heart of another person.”
Speaking about the progress of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Immense goals and objectives cannot be achieved overnight. However we believe that if not in this generation, then in future generations, we will win the hearts of people across the world in vast numbers. It will be a long process but no doubt we will be successful.”
Upon being asked whether there could be more than one Khilafat within Islam, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“There cannot be a Khilafat in each sect of Islam. If Muslims wish to progress then they have to unite upon the leadership of one person in accordance with the prophecy of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who said that the Institution of Khilafat will be established within the community of the Promised Messiah. Certainly, you will not find any other Islamic community that is united like the Ahmadiyya Community. Wherever our members are in the world they act in the same way and have the same beliefs.”
In answer to a question about whether Khilafat and democracy are compatible, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Khilafat has no relation to government or politics. When Ahmadiyyat spreads far and wide the Khilafat will play no role in government and will never interfere with matters of State. We have no political ambitions or desires. We believe entirely in a separation of religion and matters of State.”
The Khalifa was also asked why Ahmadi Muslims were against violent Jihad. In response, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad explained that the circumstances in which the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was permitted to wage a defensive war in order to protect all religions. He said no such conditions existed in today’s world.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Today religious wars are not being waged against Islam. Rather, Islam is being attacked in the media and in print. Thus, the Jihad of today is to publish literature and books in favour of true and peaceful Islam. That is what the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat is doing – we are publishing literature in various languages explaining the true teachings of Islam.”
Concluding by speaking of the transparent nature of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“All of our teachings and all of our beliefs are clear and open. They can be easily accessed in our literature and on our websites. Our missionaries are ready to answer any question at any time. We have never hidden any of our beliefs and we never will.”