The British Government and Jihad — Page 11
11 literature, which has been distributed by them in India, Punjab and the Frontier Region, wrongly claims that Islam is synony- mous with violence. The people’s penchant for violence has increased as a result of the combined testimony of the maulav i s and Christian clerics. The dangerous lies of the Christian clerics create unrest and rebellion and, in my view, it is essential that our government prohibit them. Muslims will never abandon Islam due to these senseless fabrications. By repeatedly calling their attention to the doctrine of jihad, these sermons will instead cause Muslims to rise from their slumber. Now that the Promised Messiah has come, it is the duty of every Muslim to refrain from such jihad. There could have been some justification for misunderstanding this issue if I had not come. But I have arrived and you have witnessed the day that was promised. Therefore, those who now raise the sword on religion’s behalf have no excuse before God Almighty. Those who possess sight, read the a h a d i th and ponder over the Holy Qur’ a n should understand well that the kind of jihad practiced by many of today’s barbaric people is not Islamic jihad. Rather, these misguided activities that have spread amongst the Muslims are instigated by nafs-e-‘amm a rah [self that incites to evil] or by a crude desire for Paradise. I have just mentioned that during his entire life our Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was never the first to raise the sword. Indeed, he suffered for a long time at the hands of the disbelievers and displayed a degree of patience that is not possible for every person. His Companions ra held fast to the same lofty principle, doing as they were commanded, withstanding atrocities and demonstrating patience. They were