The Promised Messiah and Mahdi — Page 160
THE PROMISED MESSIAH AND MAHDI "The Jihad of this age is to strive in upholding the word of. Islam, to refute the objections of the opponents, to propagate the excellences of the Islamic faith, and to proclaim the truth of the Holy. Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, throughout the world. This is Jihad till God Almighty brings about other conditions in the world. " (Letter addressed to Mir Nasir Nawab Sahib). Prominent Scholars of Muslims who were his contemporaries. held the same view about Jihad by fighting not being sanctioned against the British. They had the same views as the Promised Messiah. in this respect. This includes names of such prominent scholars as. Maulvi Muhammad Hussein Batalvi, Sir Sayyed Ahmad Khan. . Allama Shibli Naumani, Khawja Hasan Nizami and Maulvi Nazir. Hussein Dehalvi. . Hadhrat Sayyed Ahmad Brelvi, the Reformer of 13th century. of Islam had declared: "Our true purpose is the propagation of the Unity of God and the revival of the practice of the Chief of the Prophets, and that we carry out without hindrance in this country. Then why should we fight the British Government and shed the blood of both sides contrary to the principles of our religion?" (Biography of Hadhrat Syed Ahmed by Maulana Muhammad Jaafar Thanesar). Maulana Ismail Shaheed had similar views. (Biography of. Hadhrat Syed Ahmad, p. 57). It is worth remembering the following words of Maulana. Maudoodi: "When the Muslims were defeated and the British. Government was established and the Muslims were content to live in this country with freedom to practice their personal law, this country ceased to be a country at war. (Book on Interest, p. 1). Another aspect of this subject is that at that time many sects. of Islam were expecting a bloody Mahdi and a bloody Messiah to come and convert non Muslims to Islam using force and the sword. . Such an idea of Jihad is a blot on the fair name of Islam according to which there is no compulsion in religion. Islam upholds freedom of conscience. The Promised Messiah declared that he had no sword or 160