The Murder of Tahir Naseem

Charged with the offence of 'blasphemy' and facing legal proceedings for the last two years in Pakistan, Tahir Ahmad Naseem was murdered by a fanatic youth on Wednesday, 29 July 2020. Apparently, the assassin was able to sneak inside a Peshawar courtroom where a judge was presiding over the case, and  shoot the victim down at point blank range, to silence him forever. Media reports testify that while the gunman Faisal Khan was immediately apprehended by the police; the murder is being openly celebrated as a 'victory of Islam', with many Mullahs competing among themselves to declare the murderer a 'Ghazi' - soldier of Islam-, turning a horrific murdered into national hero! 

‘Release Nasir Ahmad Sultani’

In his Friday Sermon of 11 May 2018 (24 Shabaan 1439 AH), Hadhrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (atba) of Mauritius gave a profound discourse on the significance of the Holy Month of Ramadan to the fortunes of the Muslims. Drawing on episodes of sacred history, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) surveys the great obstacles early believers had to confront to establish Islam in its Arab heartland, especially in Ramadan of the years after the Hijra. Indeed the narratives of history testify that the companions of the Holy Prophet (sa) were fasting in Ramadan even as they were winning critical battles against the forces of evil and oppression in the land. Hunger, thirst, sex- no basic human needs could come in the way of great striving in pursuit of lofty responsibilities.  

Only those who know the past can shape the future. Through the vital lessons in sacred memory, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) calls our attention to the grave responsibilities of today. To confront the challenges being mounted by anti-Islam forces in the world and to create a just world where the Muslim Ummah as a whole can flourish, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) provides important advices and insights for the Muslim leaders of today. The spiritual discourse underscores the need for fostering the spirit of unity within the Ummah. This unity can only be forged by showing healthy respect for the diversity of thoughts and ideas among the various strands of Muslims today, especially by their States in their administrative and governance frameworks. Fundamental human rights such as freedom of speech and expression should be institutionally protected, with no one being allowed to sit in judgement over the faith/beliefs/convictions of others.  Pointing to the prevailing scenario of bewildering disunity, deepening sectarianism and intolerance, creeping injustice and social strife in the ‘Islamic’ world, Hadhrat Saheb (atba) exhorts the Muslims and their influential leaders to rise above their sectarian perceptions/ ‘majoritarian’ prejudices against their brethren in faith and to ensure justice for everyone regardless of their identity or personal beliefs.  

Illustrating his point, Hadhrat Saheb (atba) notes the searing irony of a State (Pakistan) claiming to profess ‘Islamic’ values in its Constitution and the Laws and yet denying the freedom of conscience and of expression to its own citizens. Unfortunately for the hapless people of Pakistan, the deadly poison of competitive politics over religious/sectarian identity has cast its long shadow over the integrity and fairness of the nation’s governance structures. Of late, the national criminal law is being wantonly and rampantly misused by thuggish/fascist elements in society to curtail human rights in the land- they seek to intimidate religious minorities- including the ‘Ahmadis’; arrest and imprison contrarian individuals for their personal opinions. Nasir Ahmad Sultani, the Pakistani Muslim citizen of Ahmadi sect who claims to be a recipient of Divine revelations in this era, has been arrested by the authorities under the notorious ‘Blasphemy Law’ and he remains imprisoned even after a year. This is a clear case of abuse and excess of the legal process. For, the State and the Law should have no business curtailing the freedoms of thought, belief, conscience, speech, expression of any individual. It is indeed the responsibility of the State and the Law to protect the various manifestations of free speech so long as there is no direct incitement to imminent violence. How should we look at a Law/State that behaves like a predator than a protector of human rights?

In a society that has politically sanctioned the murder/lynching of innocents in the name of ‘Allah’/ ‘Honour of the Holy Prophet’, etc., the imprisonment of a man for his opinions might seem trifle. The administrative/judicial measure of a period of imprisonment for the accused in ‘Blasphemy’ cases was apparently to ‘protect’ the ‘accused’ from the blood-thirsty Mullahs who are baying for human blood in public meetings! Such is the dire state of affairs in Pakistan that the country sits on the brink of losing its original moorings.

Hadhrat Khalifatullah’s timely appeal for justice and respect for human rights also contains within it a Divine warning for the Pakistani society. A society that does not tolerate religious diversity and respect freedom of conscience of individuals only ends up challenging Allah’s Grand Order of Things. In the name of their mundane power to define ‘legitimate religiosity’, they are playing ‘God’ and denying justice and rights of people! When a nation’s leaders exceed the bounds, they ignore common sense and the lessons of history, only to write its destiny in bloody conflicts and thereby they finish peace (‘Islam’) in the land with their own hands- see the fate of ‘Islamic’ nations in our times- Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, etc. Indeed it is for the righteous people-sincere believers- to stand up for the type of society they want to be, in Pakistan and beyond.

Mubahila: Khalifa Sani and the Ahmadiyya Sects

Today, among the followers, or those who have accepted the claims, of the Promised Massih Hadhrat Ahmad (as) in the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, one can count six different, denominational sects: Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Qadian, Anjuman Ahmadiyya Lahore, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Al Muslemun, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Islah Pasand, Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam and the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Haquiqui. 

The recent Mubahila between two of the Ahmadiyya sects- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam and the Jamaat-e- Ahmadiyya Islah Pasand is entering into a different stage now, with the Mujaddid claimant Abdul Ghaffar Janbah Sahib and his Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Islah Pasand declaring for himself a “clear victory” through his recent speeches. The boastful claims from the Janbah Sahib came after the completion of two years of publishing/uploading the official Mubahila Document in the respective official websites.

In contrast to the approach of the Janbah Sahib, Hadhrat Imam Muhyi-ud-Din Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba)  and the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam  has taken the position that the Janbah Sahib is gravely mistaken in his approach and perceptions and also in his appreciation for himself in the context of the Mubahila. Janbah Sahib is ignoring a profound fact about the situation: he had entered into the Mubahila, half-hearted and reluctant, as is so apparent from the way he conducted himself and his failure in fulfilling the simple procedural requirements in their full measure. He should not have abused the fact that Allah (twa) is compassionate and overlooks the mistakes and sometimes extends the days of people in His Wisdom. Insha Allah, the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam is certain to serve the purpose of renewal of faith in our times, and there are glad tidings for those who are steadfast and do good deeds in the path of Allah.

The result/consequences of the Mubahila is itself a trial for the believers, especially for all Ahmadis found in the various sects of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya today. Given that all parties to the Mubahila are alive and positive factors that give personal and subjective satisfaction can be, and had been, shared from both ends, whose claims of decisive victory needs to be accepted may yet remain shrouded for many believers, especially those who have veils over their eyes which haze their spiritual vision. In his Friday Sermon of March 21, 2014 the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius spoke about the questions that are most relevant for those who analyse the Mubahila situation.

Mubahila Statement on Nasir Ahmad Sultani

In the Friday Sermon of May 31, 2013, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius invited Dr. Nasir Ahmad Sultani Sahib of Jamaat-e- Ahmadiyya (Haqiqi) to a Mubahila duel to finally determine the truthfulness of their respective claims. In the aftermath of the Speech, the Sultani Sahib issued his response on June 1, 2013. In the response statement, the Sultani Sahib maintains and continues with his earlier stand of rejecting and vilifying the viewpoint of Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) and his claims. Yet, the Sultani Sahib has refused to come in the field of Mubahila now, by raising a revolving door-set of arguments.

Sultani Sahib is absolutely certain that the duration of the Mubahila, according to Islamic teachings, “should be fixed 1 (one) year”.  According to him, if the period of Mubahila is varied from one year- for instance: say, any period more than one year, including two years- by the parties to the Mubahila for any reasons whatsoever, it would not be permissible under Islamic law nor acceptable to Sultani Sahib. Further, Sultani Sahib considers such a variation of period “a wrong condition” of Mubahila. Although Sultani Sahib did send an official e-mail on 12 December 2011 whereby he “accepted the Challenge” of Mubahila made by Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba), he did not complete the minimum requirements for the world to know that he is indeed in a Mubahila (such as signing the Mubahila document and notifying the world by publishing it in his website). At least, now we know: the ‘reason’ for not joining in the Mubahila challenge at that point of time was this “wrong condition”!

Sultani Sahib now refuses to join the Mubahila Challenge with Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba). This is because of the presence of the 2-year Mubahila between Hadhrat Sahib (atba) and Abdul Ghaffar Janbah Sahib of Germany.  According to Sultani Sahib, the Islamic period of the Mubahila-“one year”- is over and both have been proved to be “liars”! If the ‘result’ of the (non-Islamic) Mubahila between the two is crystal clear to the “Mujaddid of 15^th Century of Islam”, why should he wait for a longer period to prove his own truthfulness!??

In a special Booklet issued on June 2, 2013 the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) has prepared and personally signed an Official Mubahila Document with “ONE YEAR” as the limitation period. Dr. Nasir Ahmad Sultani Sahib has now the option to “come forward and sign” or move away and “keep quiet” on the matter! 

Read the Official remarks and Mubahila Statement:

Mubahila Challenge to Nasir Ahmad Sultani

As the Mubahila between the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius and Abdul Ghaffar Janbah Sahib of Germany (and the respective Jamaats) enter into its second year, believers are patiently awaiting the Great Divine Decree to reveal and unravel itself in the cause of truth and His Truthful Messenger. Yet, there are others (outside the two Jamaats) who are keen to know the outcome of the Mubahila and are turning impatient. The Ameer of “Jama'at e Ahmadiyyah (Haqiqi)” NASIR AHMAD SULTANI SAHIB, who is also a claimant of “Mujaddid 15th century of Islamic Calendar” recently declared that since all the parties are still alive even after a year of Mubahila, it only means/proves that they are all liars. Thus, Sultani Sahib declares himself the winner in a contest he was not even party to!

In the aftermath of these developments, the Messenger of Allah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius has decided to respond. In his Friday Sermon of May 31, 2013 the Khalifatullah clarifies that it is permissible for parties to a Mubahila to agree upon the time period of Mubahila. Drawing upon the experiences/practices of the Promised Massih Hadhrat Ahmad (as), the Khalifatullah (atba) points to the instances in which there were Mubahilas with greater time periods. Finally, in a language that can penetrate and crack the hardest of rocks, the Lion of Allah challenges Sultani Sahib to show some spine and come to the court of Allah in the cause of truth by entering into a Mubahila.       

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:

Recently, I have received some correspondences which relate to Mubahila and especially concerning the Mubahila which I invited Abdul Ghaffar Janbah Sahib and his Jamaat (and specifically also one of his disciples Mansoor Ahmad Sahib) to accept. The thing is, instead of waiting for the specified two years limit mentioned in the Mubahila, some people like Mushtaq Malik Sahib and another claimant of divine vicegerency, Nasir Ahmad Sultani have made some comments to which I must respond.

Nasir Ahmad Sultani and the Intoxication of Death

Where angels fear to tread, troublesome Satans rush in. It is often the intoxication of death that drives them blindly to the wilful suspension of spiritual logic and the consequent attempted subversion of the Divine Plan, leaving a trail of Signs and proofs in favour of the truth and veracity of the chosen Messenger of Allah.

As we have reported, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib recently rendered a word of advice and warning to the Mujaddid claimant Nasir Ahmad Sultani of Pakistan. [This advice/warning is available here: http://sahih-al-islam.blogspot.com/2011/10/warning-to-nasir-ahmad-sultani.html ]. In the aftermath of this advice by the Khalifatullah, Sultani Sahib rushed to describe Hadhrat Sahib a “liar” (God Forbid). In his Friday Sermon of December 16, 2011, Hadhrat Sahib responded to the comments of Sultani Sahib.

Calling the bluff of Nasir Ahmad Sultani’s pretence that he is the chosen one of this era, the Khalifatullah in the speech invites him to a Mubahila Duel.  The recent Mubahila Challenge issued by Hadhrat Khalifatullah, though primarily addressed to Abdul Ghaffar Janbah Sahib of Germany, is for all those who consider him a liar. Nasir Ahmad Sultani has now a golden opportunity to walk his glib talk: “come to the Court of Allah and officially sign and date the document; come in the Court of Allah, accept this Challenge of Mubahila”, exhorts the Khalifatullah.

Read the extracts from the Friday Sermon:

A Warning to Nasir Ahmad Sultani

Nasir Ahmad Sultani, the founder of Jama’at Ahmadiyya (Haqiqi) claims that Allah Almighty has appointed him as Mujaddid for 15th century of Islamic calendar on March 31st 2011. His group and he himself had been claiming as their “speciality” that he “has live contact with Allah Almighty” and that no other religious leader of this age can compete with him in this. 

In recent comments published at the official Blog of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement on October 19, 2011, Sultani Sahib made sweeping statements: 

“Live contact with Allah Almighty is the main objective of a religion. Every religion and nowadays Islam must provide opportunity to connect people to their Creator. But there was none. I have searched and challenged all over the world. There is none of the followers of Islam who has his own presentable live connection with Allah Almighty.

There are some people who are claiming. But if you see minutely, you will know easily that they are not on the right path. Like Munir A. Azim sb., A. Ghaffar Janba sb. and Zafarullah D. sb. These claimants are not believers of Khatm-e-Nabuwat. They think that Khalifas of Mirza Mahmood sb. are true Khlifas although Janba sb. has some disagreement. Munir sb. thinks that Mirza Mahmood sb. was Musleh Maud. Munir sb. is claimant of Ummati Nabi as well…”

In his Friday Sermon of October 28, 2011 the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib of Mauritius has taken serious note of these statements of a claimant to an august office who has no qualms about judging the faith of others. Hadhrat Sahib noted:

“You are labelling this humble self as false, that I am not a Muslim. Have you got the patent to judge the faith of others? Nabi Kareem (sa) himself did not possess the patent to judge the faith of others, so then who do you think you are?

You are trying to extinguish the Light of Allah with your mouth, but let me tell you that Allah Almighty shall persist to perfect His Light, even if this is not to your liking (despite your recriminations). It is Allah alone who has sent His Caliph (Khalifatullah) with guidance and the religion of truth, to make it shine over all other religions and even over your Jamaat, even if it this does not please you at all.