Islam, is the name given by Allah the Almighty to this religion (Quran 5:4). The word “Islam” literally means peace. In this single word, all Islamic teachings and attitudes are most beautifully and concisely reflected. So, how can a religion that means peace can teach hatred for others? In brief, Islam does not teach hatred and discrimination for any human being, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.

One of the fundamental teachings of Islam and one which every Muslim cultivates in his heart is that of brotherhood and equality of human beings. Since Islam considers the diversity of people and nature as God’s creation, respect for diversity is commanded. Especially noted in the Quran are “People of the Book”, namely Jews and Christians, who were always given a special place in Muslim society. Muslims are commanded to safeguard their right to worship and their places of worship, a command that has been historically followed, as is evidenced by the existence of old churches and synagogues throughout the Muslim world in places like Turkey, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Bosnia. Contrary to the common stereotype, Islam was not “spread by the sword”, nor people forced to convert, a fact again borne out by the existence of non-Muslim populations throughout the Muslim world. This same respect and tolerance was extended to people of other faiths.

Muslims believe that the Holy Prophet Muhammad^(sa) was sent as “a Mercy for all the worlds,” and that he brought a final religion for all humanity. The very first leaf of the Holy Quran praises the Lord Who is the Sustainer of all the worlds (1:2), and its last passage urges us to pray to the Lord of mankind (114:2). Thus both the first and the last words of the Holy Quran present the concept of the entire universe, and not merely that of a God of the Arabs or the Muslims.  Sometimes an impression is created by some people that the Holy Quran says that don’t make friends with non-believers. Such references are taken out of context. There is a mention in the Holy Quran about some people who are open and declared enemies of Islam. It is discouraged to make close friends with such people.

In a nutshell, Islam is a religion of love, compassion and service to humanity. The ethos of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community – Love for All, Hatred for None – is an essence and embodiment of the entire Islamic teaching. It is a crystal clear manifestation of the Quranic teaching of compassion and love for the entire humanity. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community believes and practices this famous slogan and is always committed to serve fellow human beings, and to show compassion and love to all humanity, without any difference of colour, creed or faith.