The Roots of War, Persecution, and Violence: A Spiritual Crisis

Throughout history, humanity has witnessed countless wars, religious persecutions, and acts of violence that defy comprehension. While political and economic factors often serve as surface explanations, the deeper roots of such inhumanity lie within the human soul itself: in arrogance and insecurity.

Arrogance and Conscientious Stupidity

Arrogance breeds a particularly dangerous form of ignorance called conscientious stupidity, where individuals stubbornly maintain harmful beliefs despite having access to contrary evidence, acting with deliberate conviction in their wrongness (Martin Luther King Jr.). This phenomenon was exemplified by Abu Jahl, one of the most powerful men in Mecca, who opposed The Prophet (peace be upon him) not out of genuine ignorance but because of pride and arrogance. Despite his intelligence, wealth, and influence, he became known as "The Father of Ignorance," standing against truth itself. Similarly, the Pharisees in Jesus's time, described in scripture as moral and disciplined men, allowed their pride and desire to maintain authority to blind them to Christ's message, ultimately leading them to plot his crucifixion.

The Corrosive Nature of Hatred

This arrogance and willful ignorance inevitably lead to hatred. As the saying goes, "hatred corrodes the container it's carried in". Research confirms that clinging to hatred and anger raises blood pressure, strains the heart, and degrades one's overall spirit. Beyond physical harm, hatred consumes mental and emotional resources, clouds judgment, and diminishes peace of mind. Most tragically, holding onto negative feelings hardens the heart, making it difficult to feel compassion, joy, or kindness. This is a spiritual harm that separates individuals from both God and humanity.

Insecurity and the Threat of Truth

Alongside arrogance, insecurity drives persecution and violence. When people perceive a loss of power, control, influence, or the life they are accustomed to, they often react with hostility. This was the primary reason prophets of God were opposed and persecuted throughout history. These messengers were humble and seemingly helpless, yet they were persecuted and attempts were made to kill them. The power of truth cannot be denied, yet conscientious stupidity prevails and causes havoc. The Pharisees' opposition to Jesus stemmed from their fear that his popularity threatened their power and the status quo under Roman rule. In Mecca, the Quraysh leaders saw the Prophet's (sa) message of equality and monotheism as a direct challenge to their tribal authority and economic interests tied to idol worship.

The Continuing Pattern: Ahmadiyya Persecution

This same pattern continues today with the persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, particularly in Pakistan. In 2025 alone, the Ahmadiyya community has witnessed unprecedented systematic violence and discrimination. On Friday, October 10th 2025 a couple of assailants fired at The Mahdi Mosque attendees of Friday prayers and seriously injured several Ahmadis. On May 11, 2025, a 71-year-old Ahmadi Muslim named Tahir Mahmood died in custody after being arrested simply for offering Friday prayers. He was tortured in court by extremist lawyers and mobs, denied bail, and subjected to medical neglect until his death. Throughout the year, mosques have been demolished, sealed, and destroyed under extremist pressure. Ahmadis face arrest for practicing their faith, with charges filed under discriminatory laws that weaponize religion against a peaceful community.

This persecution is not based on any genuine threat. Ahmadis are known for their peaceful nature and loyalty to their countries. Rather, it stems from the same arrogance and insecurity that drove persecution in earlier times: the fear that acknowledging Ahmadis' right to practice their faith threatens the power and authority of certain religious establishments.

The Inner Battle: Spiritual Warfare

Living a good life requires spiritual warfare, a struggle against the evil in ourselves and in the world around us. As scholars note, the most important fight in this world is not against other people, but against our own desires and the forces that manipulate them. The Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) described three states of the human soul: the self that incites to evil, the reproving self, and the soul at rest. The self that incites to evil has been adulterated by worldly elements, while the soul at rest, by the grace of God, finds strength to abstain from all forms of evil and feels tranquility at heart.

The final enigma of history is not how the righteous will gain victory over the unrighteous or how good will triumph over evil, but how the evil in every good person and the unrighteousness of the righteous is to be overcome. This is what the Promised Messiah (as) meant when he spoke of making a true believer (momin) out of a believer (momin), transforming someone who merely professes faith into one who embodies it fully. (Main momin se momin bananay aaya hoon)

Requirements for Overcoming Evil

To engage in this spiritual warfare effectively requires several qualities demonstrated by prophets throughout history.

One must be eager to listen and understand others with patience, even in the face of opposition. Violent retribution is not permitted. The Quran instructs believers "And the recompense of an injury is an injury the like thereof; but whoso forgives and his act brings about reformation, his reward is with Allah. Surely, He loves not the wrongdoers" (42:41) and further "But the wronged one who endures with fortitude and forgives, achieves a matter of high resolve" (42:44).

Being a strong personal example of faith, belief, and good deeds is essential. The Promised Messiah (as) stated that simply making a verbal proclamation of faith is of no value. Rather, one must make effort and supplicate to God to become among the truthful.

The ability to speak truth unambiguously, even when facing persecution, marks true believers. The Prophet Muhammad (sa) continued proclaiming the message despite intense opposition, Jesus spoke truth to the religious authorities who sought to silence him.

Finally, being just, strong, and steadfast in the face of adversity demonstrates the depth of faith. The companions of the Promised Messiah (as) bore hardships from opponents across the world. Their wives and children were separated from them, they were beaten, their properties looted, their businesses destroyed, and some were killed, yet they adhered to their faith and offered sacrifices day and night. The most notable example is Hazrat Sahibzada Abdul Latif (ra). In accepting the Promised Messiah (as) placed him at odds with prevailing religious leaders and the Amir of Afghanistan, who later ordered his brutal execution. Even in the face of extreme opposition, he displayed unflinching courage.

The Ultimate Root: Loss of Faith

When we trace the genealogy of war, persecution, and violence to its deepest roots, we arrive at a fundamental spiritual crisis: the lack of belief in God, the lack of fear of God, and the lack of belief in the afterlife. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes that those who truly believe in God and the Last Day conduct themselves with justice, mercy, and restraint. One verse states: "Do not destroy the life that Allah has declared sacred save for just cause" (7:34). Another declares: "Because of this, we decreed for the Children of Israel that whoso kills a person, except for killing another or for creating disorder in the land, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind..." (5:33)

Without genuine belief in accountability before God, human beings become capable of extraordinary cruelty, rationalizing their actions through ideology, tribalism, or self-interest. When people lose the consciousness that they will stand before their Creator to answer for every injustice committed, the restraints on violence dissolve. When they cease to fear divine judgment, temporal power becomes an idol unto itself, worth defending at any cost.

The remedy, then, is not merely political or social reform, though these have their place. The ultimate remedy lies in spiritual revival: rekindling authentic faith in God, cultivating genuine consciousness of divine accountability, and nurturing firm belief in eternal consequences for our temporal actions. This path is now only facilitated by accepting The Promised Messiah (as) and reaffirming obedience to Allah and The Prophet (sa) (3:32). As the Promised Messiah (as) taught, morality does not merely mean the absence of evil but the presence of good. It requires positive transformation in becoming individuals who not only refrain from harming others but actively work to uplift humanity, reflecting divine attributes of mercy, justice, and compassion in our dealings with all creation.

Only when hearts turn genuinely toward God, recognizing His sovereignty and our accountability before Him, can the cycle of arrogance, hatred, and violence be broken. This is the timeless message of all prophets and the urgent need of our age.