Salam, Islam, and the Bomb: Exploring the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s Perspective

Abstract

For atomic powers, surrendering nuclear weapons is tough but not impossible if their hatred is turned into amity and concord. Even though Islam encourages peace, few scholars have utilized the Holy Quran to endorse nuclear weapons for deterrence, which may incite Muslim states to obtain nuclear weapons. Abdus Salam, a Pakistani academic and scientist, is accused of assisting Islamabad in bomb-making while belonging to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which opposes the introduction/use of nuclear weapons. Similarly, scientist Robert Oppenheimer openly contributed to the bomb-making in the United States which ultimately resulted in the mass murder of innocent Japanese people. This article tackles various people's concerns regarding Salam's ties with Pakistan's nuclear weapons. It is my attempt to refute the studies/allegations that Islam favours weapons of mass destruction for deterrence, security, and peace, so addressing the case of Salam, who became unjustly associated with nuclear weapons.