Muslim Scholars Are the Cause of Apostasy

Introduction

In Malfūzāt, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS) criticized Muslim scholars for their harsh responses to people’s questions about Islam. He (AS) states that when an individuals seek clarification or express doubts, these Mullahs often react by declaring them infidels or calling for their death, which ultimately drives people away from the faith. He (AS) argues that this, consequently, makes Islam appear weak and unconvincing to those asking questions. Below is the following quote, followed by additional excerpts that illustrates his (AS) approach was in contrast to that of the Mullahs.

HAZRAT MIRZA GHULAM AHMAD (AS) (d. 1326H)

“The extent to which people become Christian or irreligious is, in fact, the fault of the Mullahs. When someone asked them a question or inquired about something, they hastily issued a fatwa declaring, ‘This person must be killed, has become an infidel, has become irreligious, kill them.’ When those who raised objections saw this state of affairs, they concluded that the beliefs of Islam are indeed so weak and absurd that they cannot stand up to reason. So they thought it better to abandon such a religion. There are thousands of people whose apostasy has been caused by these very Mullahs. The question of why they ask questions is quite simple. These people are born thirteen hundred years later, and due to this passage of time, it can be called an era of darkness. Therefore, they have the right to ask about things they don’t understand. But when they asked questions, the behavior they witnessed from these Mullahs led them astray. What should have happened was that they be considered excusable and deserving of mercy, treated with gentleness, and explained to. But instead, they made them averse to Islam. In such a situation, Allah the Exalted has sent me to reveal the beauties of Islamic teachings and then to show practical proof of these beauties and their effects.”

[Malfūzāt, vol 4, pp. 93-94]

In contrast to the approach of the Mullahs, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS) has encouraged individuals to ask him as many questions as possible to remove doubts.

“There are many such people who, if they develop a doubt in their hearts, do not make an effort to have it removed and do not ask questions about it. Due to this, that doubt keeps growing inside, then gives birth to more doubts and suspicions and ultimately destroys the person’s soul. Such weakness – that is, forming one’s own opinion about a matter although it was not understood properly and no effort was made to have it clarified – leads to hypocrisy. I do not consider what leads to the ruin of a person’s soul to be courtesy. Yes, it is true that asking questions about every trivial matter is not proper and that is not permitted.”

[Al Hakam, vol. 7, 10 April 1903, p. 1]

“You should ask me whatever you do not understand. And do so without delay. Those who say that they have understood (any particular point) before they have actually understood it will have a boil in their heart which will ultimately become malignant and begin to flow. I do not get tired, even if someone continues asking me for a whole year. You should value this opportunity.”

[Al Hakam, July 17th, 1902, pg. 7]

The article contains excerpts from this tweet.