How should one react when someone speaks contemptuously on TV about Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), the Promised Messiah?

Words are answered with words, but not with the same coarse language. One answers with reasons, evidence and dignity; whoever hears both sides sees the difference, and that is the real victory.

It hurts when someone speaks contemptuously in public about a person one loves and reveres. Being upset about it is understandable. The only question is how to respond. The third verse above foretells that believers will hear many hurtful things, and it praises those who remain steadfast and act rightly.

The idea of holy struggle is often misunderstood. According to the Holy Qur’an it is not the believer who chooses the weapons but the attacker. Whoever is attacked with force may defend himself with force. Whoever is attacked with words, with abuse and false accusations, answers with words.

Yet there is an important limit. One should not use the same language. Whoever strikes back with insults makes himself small and sinks to the other's level. Instead one defends the cause with logic, with evidence from the scriptures and with a clear, solid rebuttal. One's own words remain dignified and decent, as the second verse above describes.

This is how the struggle is won in the long run. Every listener who first hears the abuse and then the calm, well-founded reply will feel the difference. Many will be impressed by the reply. That is the victory, because the aim is to win hearts, not to wound the opponent.

The first verse above goes even further. Whoever answers evil with what is best may see an enemy become a warm friend.