Suspect Paki » Blog Archive » Ahmadiyya Intellectual Cowardice
I was intrigued to discover that the Qadiani (so-called Ahmadiyya) cult, which follows the notorious fake prophet Mirza Ghulam Ahmad who deceived a few thousand with his outlandish claims in the early 20th century, has resorted to $cientology-like tactics to bring down someone who exposes their falsehoods. Yep, they resorted to copyright law, as the CO$ did in the 1990s when people were posting their bizarre "secret scriptures" to Usenet. (Hat tip: DrM.)
This is not the first time I've heard of "religious authorities" sitting on their scripture - it was the standard practice of the medieval Christian priesthood - but it's the first time I've heard of such behaviour by so-called Muslims. While many Muslim scholars do approve of religious textbooks being copyrighted to protect the living of their authors and translators, it is absurd to copyright and thus monopolise the works of a so-called prophet. Sayyiduna 'Umar (radhi Allahu 'anhu) is quoted as saying "let the Sunna go forth and do not stop it with opinions", so clearly this isn't an ideal for Qadianis, which isno bad thing as we don't want everybody calling each other "son of a whore" any time someone disagrees with them.
I used to know an old Pakistani man who came to the UK as a student in the 60s. He told me that he got approached by the Qadianis whilst still studying, who offered him a house, a job - even a wife, if he converted to Qadianism.
Strangely, he wasn't the first to tell me this.
Let's be fair, Yusuf. I'm no sympathizer with Qadianis, nor am I an Ahmadi, but I can't help but observe how utterly unheard of the standard of debate you're invoking is within the mainstream community towards Ahmadis.
Their arguments and self-understanding are *ruthlessly* censored by Islamic media.
Mainstream Islamic organizations even sadly tacitly support their persecution by remaining silent on their truly awful (not to mention un-Islamic and illegal) treatment as depised, scapegoated second-class citizens in Pakistan. (I must note that some of your posts on the haven't been constructive, either. Your rhetoric towards them is a bit extreme at times.)
Even the Lahore group, which even you have conceded is considered Muslim by some scholars and which actively refutes Qadianis, is COMPLETELY denied any access to the Islamic media, or a presence in Islamic fora.
While we're making comparisons, note the similarity between the completely partisan and vitriolic list of charges against MGA made at the post you approvingly cited (http://www.suspectpaki.com/2007/06/14/ahmadiyya-intellectual-cowardice/) and the hateful propaganda that the far right now spews out against the Prophet (s) and Islam. The parallels are more than striking--it's the exact same, gutter-minded approach to debate.
So, mock the Qadianis for their antics--they do have a history of censorship--but give thought to how checkered the mainstream community's record is when it comes to open debate here. We have some problems, too, and I don't see anybody addressing this.
P.S. The IP address is bogus, assuming you can see it at all.
I sent you a post yesterday - in the interests of 'adl and freedom of expression please could you post publish it - if not, please email me and let me know at least that you won't publish it.
I did not post your article because this blog is my personal blog, and comments should be comments and not whole articles. In any case, it advanced a well-known historical falsehood, namely that Ghulam Ahmad was a mujaddid and did not claim to be a prophet. Numerous Islamic scholars, and others, who were present at the time say otherwise.
I have no obligation to facilitate your "free expression"; if you want that, get your own blog. In any case, it applies only to truth, not falsehood.
Salaam Yusuf,
Thanks for linking to my post. I have a new, more complete one on the topic.
I was rather amused at the comment above about the alleged vitriol in my post!
Wassalam,
Shahid