Dear Editor,
Ever since the May 2010 attacks on two Ahmadiyya Muslim mosques in Lahore, death without dignity has become a bitter reality for Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan. Along with other Ahmadi Muslims worldwide, I pray daily that the state of affairs in Pakistan improves for not just my brothers and sisters in faith but for all Pakistanis. That is why I was in utter disbelief when I heard about the recent murder of a law-abiding Ahmadi Muslim citizen while in police custody in Pakistan.
The murder of Mr. Khalil Ahmad, a father of four, is unthinkable and marks an all-new low for Pakistan’s criminal justice system. Mr. Ahmad’s death tells the entire world that in Pakistan it is sadly possible for an accused, however innocent, to be murdered before a fair trial. It also tells the entire world that Ahmadi Muslims are not safe anywhere in Pakistan, not even under police protection.
The murder also makes one wonder: how could the security in police quarters have been so lax? How could this teenager have passed through without raising red flags?
Aside from questions relating to the legal aspect of this inconceivable murder, there are moral questions to be reflected upon. How could this teenager have gunned down a 65-year old man? How could he have killed a man almost three times his senior without any remorse?
These questions are critical but what is even more important is to realize that a life taken can never be returned. Thus the only way to bring justice to the family of the victim, indeed the entire Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, is by putting Mr. Ahmad’s killer through a proper trial. And his trial must set a precedent. It must tell all Pakistanis loud and clear that it is not okay to take the law into your own hands.
Pakistan must wake up from its slumber and realize that the way to thank a community for its nonviolence and patience—and in the case of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, for helping bring Pakistan into existence—is not by watching its members being killed off. Instead, the way to thank a community for its unending support is by making sure that its members do not live in a shadow of death but that their basic human rights are safeguarded, and in the case of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, restored. These actions should be taken sooner rather than later, because justice delayed is justice denied.
Sincerely,
Mohsina Islam
Allah watches the criminals; gives them free rope for some time to provide them an opportunity to desist from their evil deeds. When His punishment finally arrives then there is no way of escape. May Allah enable these self-styled Mullahs and their ignorant followers understand and change before the final bell tolls. Also may Allah protect His innocent creatures.
This killing is in name of religion Islam. A religion which ordered its followers to live in peace even with your bitter enemies when they live in peace with you. Allah says in Holy Quran if anybody kills somebody he kills the whole mankind .
@mohsina Islam:
[Thus the only way to bring justice to the family of the victim, indeed the entire Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, is by putting Mr. Ahmad’s killer through a proper trial. And his trial must set a precedent. It must tell all Pakistanis loud and clear that it is not okay to take the law into your own hands.]
That is right. The killer should be dealt with speedily. A case should be started soon. Otherwise, the Sharif government will be responsible for such bad handling and bad government. It will show their anti-Ahmadiyah minds and intentions.
The police may try to weaken the case. Because they are also involved. How did they let the person go inside without searching him? Is the child alone responsible or some one had planned all that? Police should go to that person too and bring out the truth.
This case is not bad for the Ahmadis. It is very bad for the rulers, ministers and their government. If they do not go for speedy justice in this case of killing then they will not escape the punishment from Allah.
@ Imrana Aziz
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quote–This killing is in name of religion Islam. A religion which ordered its followers to live in peace even with your bitter enemies when they live in peace with you. Allah says in Holy Quran if anybody kills somebody he kills the whole mankind .unquote.
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Imrana Aziz–the big problem with our believe and teaching of Islam are;
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Our Scholars teach us and all his student to believe beside holy Al Quran, also believe in the book of Hadits.
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Our Scholars teach us and his student that all Hadits Muslim and Bukhari are TRUE–Saheeh Hadits.right?
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These extremist Muslim, probably they are Wild Wolf with sheep’s cloth, no one know, except Allah, use the violent Hadits such as;
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Anyone of you who saw heresy, apostasy, let is changing with your HANDS ( punish or kill), if not able, let the verbal, if not able to let the heart.
However, such is weak as weak faith.HR.Muslim
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Anyone who changes his religion (out of Islam, apostasy) then kill. Wherever you meet them, then kill them. Because real people are killed they will get a reward at the Judgment Day “Bukhari
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They do not feel sins to kill innocent people, on contrary, they feel obeying Allah and His messenger,Prophet Muhammad (BPUH).and will go to Heaven when they die.
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What we should do to prevent the killing every day in this world.So pity,so sad, heartbreaking and embarrassing. What about you all?
My opinion, we should fix the book of Hadits.
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With all my love
Our position on Hadiths
We have frequent comments about Hadiths and some have the naive idea of editing some of the books of Hadiths and take out what they do not like, as some sort of panacea to reform the Muslims.
This is a childish solution, there is a word for it in modern parlor, it is called ‘forgery.’
You cannot recreate a book, which has existed for centuries, in your own image.
We just have to understand and read the books of Hadiths, with better understanding and wisdom and not take every thing as ‘gospel truth.’
There are fabricated Hadith and then there are wonderful Hadiths.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community follows a simple matrix or yard stick that those Hadiths that cannot be harmonized with the Quranic teachings have to be laid aside.
Let me share with all readers, two very beautiful collections of Hadith:
1. Gardens of the Righteous by Imam Nawawi, translated into English by Sir Zafrulla Khan.
2. A Collection of Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad with Foreword by Mahatma Gandhi
Anyone who reads these collections, will find that there is a large collection of real gems of Hadiths, which we have to look for and find, from the vast collection, some of which are distasteful and a few real ugly!