Elimination of Weapon Profiteering

Arms trade proponents argue that the arms sales deter conflict. At various times, however, His Holiness Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad ^{(may Allah be his helper)}, the fifth Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, has argued that the arms trade has only further destabilized the world.

His Holiness asked that if the arms trade has a deterring effect and establishes peace, why are Western powers selling weapons to opposing factions – states and rebels – in the Middle East? Certainly, Muslim states mired in such corrupt practices are to blame. But if Islam is to blame, how are extremists able to sell oil to purchase such sophisticated weapons? When sanctions can be placed on oil-rich nations, what is stopping major powers from stopping the trade of extremists? Beyond purchasing weapons, these funds also lure poor families to give their children in exchange for money, growing the extremist base. In fact, if extremists’ supply-lines are cut off, His Holiness argued terrorist groups like ISIS will be defeated in months, not years; Muslim countries and their allies should press for this measure.

His Holiness wholly acknowledged the responsibility of each government to look after the best interests of their constituency. But this responsibility does not absolve major powers from trading weapons that can destroy the peace of the world.

“Quite openly and proudly, the major powers are trading arms that are being used to kill, maim and brutalize innocent people. Regrettably, such nations are focused only on attempts to boost their economy and to maximize their nation’s capital, without pausing for thought at the consequences. They desperately seek to attain the largest possible contracts to sell destructive weapons that, once fired, do not distinguish between the innocent and the guilty. They proudly sell weapons that make no exception for children, women or the infirm. They shamelessly sell weapons that engulf and obliterate towns and cities indiscriminately. Countless children are seeing their parents being killed in the most inhumane fashion and all they can do is wonder why their parents have been taken away from them. Thousands of women are left widowed, hopeless and vulnerable. What good can come of such devastation? All I see is a generation of children being pushed into the arms of those who seek to destroy the peace of the world. “Instead of being in school, getting an education, so that they grow into decent, law-abiding citizens, the only education an entire generation of children is getting, is how to master grenades or rocket launchers, how to do suicide attacks and how to wreak havoc in the world.”

Curbing the arms trade, His Holiness said, requires obeying an instructive of Prophet Muhammad, “No one of you shall become a true believer until he desires for his brother what he desires for himself” (Bukhari). If we abided by this principle, how could we facilitate the arms trade? Dialogue and the fostering of communal thought are also necessary. “It is imperative,” he states, “that nations and their leaders not only focus on their own national interests but consider what is best for the world at large. Dialogue with other nations and communities is vital.”

Otherwise, “The world stands on the brink of disaster.”