The Unity of Muslims — Page 22
22 Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad 11 َ یَہۡتَدُوۡن وَّلَا یَعۡقِلُوۡنَ شَیۡئًا That is, when they are urged to forsake their outdated beliefs and embrace what God Almighty has revealed, they say: ‘We cannot do so. We will adhere to the religion of our forefathers, because it keeps us united. So how can we renounce it for your sake?’ Allah the Exalted says: َ یَہۡتَدُوۡن وَّ لَا یَعۡقِلُوۡنَ شَیۡئًا اَوَ لَوکَانَ اٰب َٓاؤُہُمۡ لَا [Meaning] it is a weak argument to assert that they will follow their ancestral faith and not oppose their forebears by accepting Muhammad s as. They will follow their ancestors, even if they lacked reason, knowledge, and guidance. But unity only makes sense in matters that are grounded in these three aspects; otherwise, it becomes futile. Following their ancestors will, therefore, offer no benefits to the disbelievers. For example, if two people on the verge of drowning spotted a log and held it together, it would be considered an act of unity and cooperation. The same could not be said if a person placed their hand in a snake pit and another person followed suit; aligning in this act would be destructive. In essence, unity is not always advisable. While there are instances when 11 Sūrah Al-Baqarah , 2:171 [Publishers]