Burning Scripture: An Act of Hatred, Not Harmony

His Holiness Khalifatul Masih V, Mirza Masroor Ahmad

Burning the Holy Qur'an would be a most provocative act and would achieve nothing but cause distress and anger to millions of peace-loving people worldwide. We believe that burning any religious scripture is directly contrary to the teachings of not just Christianity, but of all of the world's major religions.

Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. (Psalm 97:10) 

Be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another...(Ephesians 4:32)

Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. (Proverbs 20:22) 

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:17-18)

The Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, has said that religious extremism of all kinds must be eradicated:

Religious extremism, be it Christian extremism, Muslim extremism or any other kind is never a true reflection of the religion. Indeed a number of churches have condemned this act. There is nothing wrong with intellectual or theological debate but this should be conducted within the bounds of decency and tolerance. Instead what we are seeing is hatred being spread.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has always expressed deep concern that some so-called Muslims have tarnished Islam's name with their cruel and hate-filled acts. Those who perpetrate such acts fail to realize the true teachings of Islam. The Holy Qur'an was sent as a gift to mankind, and its teachings are filled with love. tolerance and respect. It is through such attributes that we can achieve peace, an objective that His Holiness has repeatedly emphasized:

The world needs peace, love and brotherhood. The world needs an end to wars, Instead of walls of hatred being erected we need peace to prevail and for this to occur people of all faiths must join together. As I said there is nothing wrong with debates but they should take place in a peaceful and respectful environment.

We would like to reiterate that Islam categorically rejects and condemns every form of terrorism. It does not provide any cover or justification for any act of violence, whether committed by an individual, a group or a government. According to Islam, no religion can sanction violence and bloodshed of innocent men, women and children in the name of God, since all religions came from God Who sent His prophets to create peace.


The Holy Qur'an champions the sanctity of life:

...whosoever killed a person - unless it be for killing a person or for creating disorder in the land - it shall be as if he killed all mankind; and whoso gave life to one, it shall be as if he had given life to all mankind. (5:33) [Translated by Maulawi Sher Ali]

This verse leaves no doubt that in Islam there is no justification whatsoever for terrorism.


We invite the world to open a civilized dialog and to study Islam firsthand in light of its true teachings and in light of a community that reflects its most peaceful message.


The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community champions "Love for All, Hatred for None" - a peaceful and inclusive motto that extends to our Christian and Jewish brothers and sisters and indeed all of God's creation.


We hope that by engaging in civilized dialog we can build bridges, remove misunderstandings about Islam and Christianity and lead the way together to create a more peaceful and harmonious society.

All Biblical references are from the King James Version.


This article is authored by Navida Sayed

PRESS RELEASE

AHMADIYYA MUSLIM COMMUNITY CONDEMNS PLANS TO BURN HOLY QUR’AN IN UNITED STATES

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community condemns in the strongest terms reports that the Dove World Outreach Center, based in the United States, is planning to burn copies of the Holy Qur’an on 11 September. This would be a most provocative act and would achieve nothing but to cause distress and anger to millions of peace loving persons worldwide. Burning any religious scripture is a horrific act and is directly contrary to the teachings of all the world’s major religions.

Speaking about this issue from London, the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that religious extremism of all kinds had to be eradicated. He said:

“Religious extremism, be it Christian extremism, Muslim extremism or any other kind is never a true reflection of the religion. Indeed a number of churches have condemned this act. There is nothing wrong with intellectual or theological debate but this should be conducted within the bounds of decency and tolerance. Instead what we are seeing is hatred being spread.”

It is most unfortunate that some so called Muslims have tarnished Islam’s name with their cruel and hate filled acts. Those who perpetrate such acts fail to realise the true teachings of Islam. The Holy Quran was sent as a gift to mankind and its teachings are filled with love, tolerance and respect. However the evil acts of the extremist minority have led to a belief that it teaches hatred, killing and intolerance.

His Holiness continued:

“The world needs peace, love and brotherhood. The world needs an end to wars. Instead of walls of hatred being erected we need peace to prevail and for this to occur people of all faiths must join together. As I said there is nothing wrong with debates but they should take place in a peaceful and respectful environment.”

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad also spoke with regret of the killings of two innocent Ahmadi Muslims in Sindh Province earlier this week. Dr Najam al-Hasan and Pir Habib-ur-Rehman were both martyred due to their faith. Thus the number of Ahmadi Muslims killed in Pakistan so far this year is 95.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community expresses its hope that the Dove World Outreach Center withdraws its plans to burn copies of the Holy Qur’an. If they fail to do so then it is hoped that such an act is not allowed to take place by local authorities.

If however the event does take place the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will conduct its protest in a peaceful and law abiding manner. Fanaticism should not be responded to in a like manner but instead in a reasoned and peaceful way.

End

Further Information:

Abid Khan press@ahmadiyya.org.uk