Using the expression Qadiyanis for Ahmadies

Question:
You have been using the expression Qadiyani for the religious group whose members would like themselves to be described as Ahmadies. They consider the use of the expression Qadiyani derogatory. Why do you use that expression then?

Response:
I have been guilty of doing it despite knowing the fact you have mentioned. It simply slipped out of my mind. I thank you for reminding me. I believe it is the right of every religious group, and for that matter every individual and non-religious group too, to demand that they should not be described by certain expressions which they deem to be derogatory.

There can however be a dispute about whether a positive expression can be used by a religious group for itself or not for the reason that it might cause confusion in identifying one group from another. For example Christians dispute the right of Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons to use the expression "Christians" for their members. Likewise Muslims dispute the right of Ahmadies to describe themselves as simply Muslims.

The guiding verses in this respect are these two: "Believers, let not a group laugh at another; you never know, the latter may turn out better (in the eyes of God) than the former." (49:11) "And don't use abusive language for the gods they pray to other than Allah lest they should use the same language for Allah in retaliation. That's how We have made the acts of people attractive for them." (6:108)

The former verse also points to another conclusion: We have no right to enjoy community-, nation-, or sect-specific jokes like people do about Sikhs, Pathans etc That too is a violation of the principle of respect for group-affiliations of other

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