On 2nd September 2023, addressing an audience of over 880 guests and dignitaries attending the Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) Germany, the Fifth Caliph and Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community dispelled misconceptions and some of the most common allegations levelled against Islam.
Here are some quotes from his Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba), Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Fifth Successor to the Promised Messiah’s speech:

“First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere gratitude to all of our guests who have graciously accepted our invitation to attend the Jalsa Salana despite not being members of our Community. Your interest in learning about Islam and willingness to attend this religious event testifies to your open hearts and tolerance.

one of the principal allegations levelled at Islam is that it was spread by the sword and that Muslims are permitted to engage in violence to compel others to accept its teachings. In this respect, it is vital to ascertain what the Holy Qur’an, which is the basis of all Islamic teachings, says in relation to the propagation of Islam. 

Here, Allah the Almighty proclaims that if He so desired, He could have compelled all people to accept Islam; however, He determined that human beings would have free will. Thereafter, Allah the Almighty states that if He did not compel mankind to accept Islam, it was impossible for the Holy Prophet (sa) or his true followers to violate the principle of freedom of belief. This verse alone is unequivocal proof that Islam does not permit the use of force in religious matters and that every person is free to choose their own path. In a similar vein, chapter 18, verse 30 of the Holy Qur’an states:

Islam teaches that it is paramount that all people live amicably together and that society is underpinned by a spirit of mutual respect and tolerance, irrespective of different beliefs. Moreover, Allah the Almighty has repeatedly commanded Muslims to attain the highest moral standards. In even small or seemingly insignificant day-to-day matters, it teaches Muslims to ensure their conduct is of the highest order. 

Allah the Almighty commands Muslims to not only act with justice, but to go beyond this and to treat all people, regardless of their religious affiliation, with love and compassion. It obliges Muslims to help others selflessly without desiring anything in return. 

What can be a better form of integration than for Muslim immigrants to live with the heartfelt conviction that though they were born elsewhere, they are now part of their adopted nation and stand ready to make great sacrifices for the sake of its prosperity. Furthermore, they pledge to reject any form of rebellion against the state and to refrain from all unlawful activities. Hence, it is entirely wrong to assert that Islamic teachings are such that Muslims are incapable of assimilating into non-Muslim nations. 

If, due to their religious convictions, a Muslim abstains from drinking alcohol, chooses not to go to nightclubs, dresses modestly or rejects behaviour that is contrary to their moral values, it does not mean that they have failed to integrate. Rather, I believe integration requires an immigrant to always seek the betterment of his adopted nation, to be ready for all sacrifices for it, and to endeavour to serve its people with sincerity. Such integration is a means of ensuring that diversity in society will not result in division or conflict. Instead, it will prove a means of enriching that society, and firm bonds of unity will be forged amongst its citizens. 

In terms of serving their society, Muslims have a particular duty to help and protect those who are vulnerable or suffering in any way.

Recently, in Sweden, certain individuals have burned and vandalised copies of the Holy Qur’an and proudly displayed this despicable act on social media. Similarly, for many years, highly offensive caricatures have been published depicting the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa). Our objection to such vile acts is not limited to those incidents in which only Islam or Muslims are targeted. Rather, we firmly believe that denigrating what is sacred to the followers of any religion is reprehensible and to be condemned in the strongest terms. Such acts needlessly provoke and hurt innocent people and incite strong feelings of anger and resentment. They are a means of undermining the peace and cohesion of society. 

Islam teaches that it is essential to care for the sentiments and feelings of one another with sensitivity and consideration. 

 Certainly, when it comes to women’s rights, Islam has been frequently misrepresented. Rather than deny women their rights, the truth is that Islam actually established women’s rights and did so centuries before similar rights were afforded by those nations that are now considered to be progressive. In an age when women’s rights were not even deemed worthy of consideration, the Holy Qur’an and the Holy Prophet of Islam (sa) enshrined forever countless rights of women and girls, including the rights to education, to divorce and to inherit. 

On one occasion, the Holy Prophet of Islam (sa) gave an analogy of a woman being like a rib. As such, they were delicate and to be treated with love and tenderness. If one analyses this statement carefully, they would realise how esteemed the status of women in Islam is. 

Suffice to say that allegations that Islam denies women’s rights is baseless and contrary to the facts. Indeed, it is no exaggeration to suggest that the Islamic concept of women’s rights was genuinely revolutionary. And as I outlined earlier, many other allegations have been levelled at Islam, and all are without foundation. Certainly, it is wholly wrong for Islam to be brandished as a religion of violence or extremism or to claim that Islam’s moral values are lacking in any way. It is entirely unjust to say that Islam seeks to instigate disorder in society. On the contrary, it is the religion that seeks to build bridges amongst people of all faiths and beliefs. It is a religion that promotes peace, love and harmony. 

Indeed, the word Islam literally means peace and security. If some Muslims fail to fulfil the rights of others, it is their personal failure and not the fault of Islam or its teachings. Such people are guilty of violating their faith’s teachings.”