The Afghan Martyrs — Page 148
"To every persuasion the government has granted full freedom to preach one's belief. Hence an opportunity has been afforded for followers of all faiths to scrutinize and assess the principles on which various faiths are based. . . . . . . for this reason again and again in my writings and my speeches I have been making a mention of the favours of the British Government. II (Rooyedad-e-Jalsa Doa) In the explanation that we see in the book Tohfa Qaisariyya written by the Promised Messiah (pBUH), the issue becomes even clearer. He writes: "The other task that I have been entrusted with concerns rectification of the fallacious interpretation of "Jehad" which is current amongst some naive Muslims. The Almighty has given me to understand that the current interpretation of the concept of "Jehad" is totally contrary to the Quranic injunctions. In the Holy Quran, there is an injunction relating to armed conflict, but that is a lot more reasonable and amiable than the injunctions under which Moses and Yashoo bin Noon had to fight their battles. Basically, use of force was permitted only against those who unjustly killed Muslims or persecuted them beyond limits. Even then, the injunction was not nearly as harsh as that under which Moses had to fight his battles. If an Arab accepted Islam or if a non-Arab sought refuge and agreed to pay Jazia the punishment was set aside. . . . . . When one lives under the canopy of a just government like the realm of our Empress, contemplating a revolt, is certainly not "Jehad". Instead, it is a barbaric and an unenlightened act. Where one can live with freedom, there is rule of law and one is permittee to satisfactorily carry out one's religious responsibilities, any act against the government, with an ill intent, is a crime and rt. I t "J h iI" ce am y no e". . . . . . . 148