Our God — Page 156
156 Messiah as was sent so that the people recognise their heavenly Master and Lord and become like brothers again. Regrettably, as is typical of these people, they treat the servants of this divine reformer and torch bearers of this heavenly guidance with igno- rance. Several innocent Ahmadis were most cruelly stoned to death in Kabul only because they were Ahmadis. Thus, giving others the opportunity to raise objections against Islam that it promotes violence, coercion, intolerance, prejudice, and tyranny. Alas! How very aptly a poet has said: انمل ہن رہزگ �ب�یگ�ااگنں از نم ہک اب نم رہ ہچ رکد آں آانش رکد I certainly do not complain about the strangers, Because all that was done to me was done by those who knew me. To summarise, the notion that religion is the cause of intolerance and discord arises from the condition that prevails currently. A study of world history makes it absolutely clear that when the people adhere to the real spirit and essence of religion, they develop broad-mindedness, enlightenment, peacefulness, self-sac- rifice, and tolerance more than others. As regards to the teach- ings, without going into details, there is no religion that does not teach peace, conciliation, and tolerance in principle. Therefore, narrow-mindedness and conflict may result from forgetting the teaching but certainly not from abiding by it. Second, let me dispel another doubt. If carefully contemplated, it is logically impossible that a person who understands the reality and objective of religion would perpetrate narrow-mindedness or trouble. Religion is not like a country or a nation that is con- fined by geographical boundaries or national limits and cannot be