“I decided to conduct a special military operation. It aims to protect people who have been bullied and subjected to the racial genocide by the Kyiv regime for eight years.” These were the words of Vladimir Putin moments after the invasion began. Communities, governments, and nations around the world have been shocked by the Russian advance on Ukraine, as ministers and members of parliament scramble to find a way to intervene and restore peace across Europe. But as members of the Ahmadiyya community, we must ask, have the Khulafah of the Jamaat not already told the world countless times the steps required to achieve world peace?

Throughout the lives of the Caliphs, we have witnessed their deep desire to establish peace and unity across the world. Firstly, let’s turn our attention to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I^ra.

First Caliphate (1908 – 1914)

Shortly after the sad demise of the Promised Messiah^as, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I^ra instructed Khawaja Kamal-ud-Din to deliver the address Paigham-e-Sulh. This was an address written by the Promised Messiah^as looking to establish unity between the Hindus and Muslims of India. We find Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih I^ra effortlessly trying to ensure there was peace in times of civil unrest. Such inter-nation peace set the tone for the many decades that Muslims and Hindus lives side by side in Qadian. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I^ra not only recognised how important this subject was to the Promised Messiah^as, but through this, laid the foundations of the Ahmadiyya peace policy (which itself is based on the Holy Qur’an) in a practical sense.

Second Caliphate (1914 – 1965)

We can see throughout the lifetime of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra, his marvellous understanding in geopolitical matters; his part in the creation of Pakistan is one example. Similarly, Huzoor^ra had lived through both World Wars and so was acutely aware of the fragile state the world was in, and the steps required in achieving world peace. When the nuclear bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih II^ra immediately issued a statement on behalf of the entire Jama’at that the Jama’at was staunchly opposed to the use of weapons of mass destruction that end the life of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians.  In 1952, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra wrote a letter discussing about how governments across the world could establish true peace. Huzoor^ra mentioned that: ‘The world is trying to maintain harmony and peace with weapons, laws or reason, but these three things, though necessary in one respect, are not enough.” He continued these three things may have some apparent benefits but can lead to some harm. Instead he mentioned that it is through spirituality that a just and peaceful world could be created. “Spirituality is the name of natural tendencies channelled into morality. When these tendencies are moulded into morals, then rationality is a certain part of them. Consequently, a permanent bond is created which cannot be moved from its place by any greed, evil desire or fear.” This highlights that when one adopts spirituality, their morals and actions become unbreakable and so we would be able to live in a world of true and permanent peace.

Third Caliphate (1965 – 1982)

When we look at the life of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III^rh, we find that not only did he continuously discuss the practical steps required to establish peace, but had also elaborated upon the prophecy of the potential outbreak of World War 3. Huzoor^rh,in his book A message of Peace and a Word of Warning stated: “The Promised Messiah^as also prophesied that a third world war of even bigger dimensions would follow the Second. The two opposing camps will clash with such suddenness that everyone would be caught unaware. Death and destruction would rain from the sky and fierce flames would engulf the Earth.” However, Huzoor^rh stated that man “can yet avert Divine wrath if he stops worshipping the false deities of wealth, power and prestige” and then looks to create a “genuine relationship with his Lord”. When looking at the calamity unfolding before our eyes, we can see exactly how actions can be explained as a result of self-prestige and power, and so seem to be acting and committing such horrid acts. Huzoor^rh here expresses the fact that if we want to prevent World War III, as prophesised by the Promised Messiah^as, establishing a true relationship with Allah is vital.

Fourth Caliphate (1982 – 2003)

We turn now to the Fourth Khalifah of the Promised Messiah^as, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul-Masih IV^rh. On September 16, 1984, Huzoor^rh was asked about the ideals in Islam for establishing peace. Huzoor^rh mentioned that there are two key fundamentals. The first being absolute justice to be established across nations and treating others fairly, regardless of their geographical background. The second principle, is what Islam means: peace, and not only peace but also showing and conducting peace towards others. Huzoor^rh mentions that this is best explained by the Holy Prophet^sa where he narrated that as Muslims, everyone’s honour, property, and life should be safe from another Muslim, and if anyone is hurt in this manner, then their Islam is lost. Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih IV^rh further explained that unless absolute justice and peace are exercised and established, nations would “grow into monsters and trample on others’ rights and would not see it as an injustice”. Today we observe exactly this taking place. Just as Huzoor^rh  discussed how nations can turn into ‘monsters’, it is clear how some countries today have essentially become this monster; by acting in unjust ways towards others, showing no respect or honour. Therefore, in their eyes, their actions are completely justified to them.

Fifth Caliphate (2003 – Current)

Let’s now turn towards what the current and Fifth Khalifah, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad^aba has said. Huzoor^aba has discussed this at length. In the collection of addresses World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace, Huzoor^aba discusses the matter of establishing world peace. Huzoor^aba has alluded to the fact that absolute justice is a necessity for this. “The truth is that peace and justice are inseparable. The key requirement to fulfilling this primary goal is absolute justice and fairness in all matters. The Holy Qur’an, in Chapter 4, verse 136, has given us a golden principle and lesson, guiding us about this. It states that as a means to fulfil the requirements of justice, even if you have to bear witness and testify against yourself, your parents or your closest relatives and friends, then you must do so. This is true justice where personal interests are set aside for the common good.”

We observe in today’s world that if nations were to adopt the principles as discussed by the Khulafah, then not only would wars and outbreaks be averted, but a world of peace would be seen where justice and honesty would shine throughout the world.

It is clear to see from all the Khulafah of the Promised Messiah (as), their answers to achieving world peace echo one another. Morality, spirituality, and justice need to be rooted across all the nations of the world, and dealings of honesty and mutual respect are essential. Huzoor^aba has mentioned that it is his sincere prayer for leaders of the world to act with wisdom for the betterment of mankind, commenting: “Prayer alone that can save you”.