Truth About Ahmadiyyat — Page 90
90 way but here Jihad by fighting was also added. Let us now consider the attitude of the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, towards Jihad by fighting. During his time British rule had been established over the subcontinent of India, also comprising what today is Pakistan. Before the British this part of the country was subject to the rule of the Sikhs who had abolished all religious freedom, especially for the Muslims, for whom it became difficult even to carry out Divine worship freely. In this connection the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, has stated : The Muslims have not yet forgotten the time when, at the hands of Sikhs, they were condemned to a blazing oven and not only was their world in ruins but their religion was even in worse case. It was difficult for them to carry their religious obligations, so much so that on one occasion a Muslim was killed for calling out the Azan (call to Prayers). (Announcement of 10 July 1900) It has been observed that the Sikhs were inspired with great hatred of the Muslims. Muslim men, women and children were mercilessly slaughtered; their villages were ruined; their women were dishonored and thousands of mosques were demolished. ( Encyclopedia of Sikh Literature, p. 1127). After British rule replaced Sikh rule in this part of the country a darbar was held in Allahabad on I November 1858 in which it was announced on behalf of Queen Victoria: We proclaim that it is our royal will and pleasure that