Upon the completion of 100 years of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya [the Ahmadiyya Caliphate] on 27 May 2008, the Fifth Caliph and Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness, Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) delivered the following address:
Today, by the grace of Allah, on the completion of one hundred years of Khilafat Ahmadiyya, we have gathered here to express our sentiments of gratitude to Allah, the Almighty, and through MTA, Ahmadis all over the world are participating in this celebration.
On this important occasion, I firstly extend my congratulations to you and to all Ahmadis of the world. Today, we are witnessing a spectacle of unity in accordance with the prophecy of the Holy Prophet(saw) by virtue of our joining the community of his true servant, the Messiah and Mahdi.
Today, as a result of the favours of Allah the Almighty that He showers and continues to shower, according to His promise, upon the community of the Promised Messiah(as), we are also witnessing scenes of that town.
There is not a screen before you right now, but I can see it reflecting to a TV screen near the podium: the town that is before us was a small hamlet not known by any. Today, not only does the entire world know this town of the Messiah of Muhammad(saw). but they can also see the streets and alleys of his town as well as its white minaret that was erected as a proclamation and symbol of his coming.
Today, according to the promises made by God Almighty to His beloved Messiah, we are witnessing in this celebration scenes of the transformation of a barren land into a lush green town, full of flowers and fruits; indeed that was amongst the greatest achievements wrought by the Promised son, who was a man of great resolve – and these images of Rabwah are also before us today.
So these pictures coming from East to West and then according to the promises of God Almighty, as a manifestation of His eternal power along with the voice and the picture of the Khalifa of the time, we are witnessing and listening to the blessings of Allah coming down like rain in the East and in the West, in the North and in the South, in Europe and in America, and in Asia too and also in Africa.
All this draws the attention of every Ahmadi towards the fact that Allah Almighty has already kept His promise and that He is still doing so. He has spread the message to the ends of the earth and continues to do so. Through the establishment of Khilafat and divine support, we have witnessed progress in our past history and also do so today: one hundred years of benevolence shown by God Almighty to Khilafat Ahmadiyya is strengthening and inspiring our faith. Does all this not compel us to be grateful to Allah, the Almighty, and to express our thanks to Him? Indeed, today’s celebration is for this very purpose.
This day which Allah the Almighty has shown us opens a new chapter in the history of Islam through the community of the true servant of Holy Prophet(saw). Therefore, if with this intention and in gratitude of this bounty, we are celebrating this event – both here and in other countries – while making reference to this, then not only is it permissible but it is in fact in total accord with the commandment of Allah, the Almighty. Allah, the Almighty, says:
In other words, do express your thanks for the bounties of your Lord.
The Promised Messiah(as) observes:
‘Humility and modesty are a precondition for being a servant of God, but according to the verse of the Holy Qur’an:
mentioning divine blessings is also absolutely necessary. Then he further say:
“this humble self, in the light of this verse:
sees no harm in stating that Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful, out of His sheer grace and benevolence has given me an ample share in all these matters and has not sent this worthless one empty-handed, nor has he appointed him without signs. Rather these are the signs that are being manifested and will continue to be so. And until that time when Allah the Almighty establishes His arguments convincingly, all these signs will continue to be manifested’.
Then he states:
‘Remember that man should be committed to prayers at all times and in all conditions, and should act upon
the bounties given by God should be recounted. Love of Allah increases through this. And this creates a passion for obedience and submission to Him. Tahdith does not mean that man should merely pay lip service to it, but that its effect should be felt physically.’
These bounties are bestowed by Allah, the Almighty, and their flow is kept constant without any hindrance, and it has been promised that they will continue in the future as well. As grateful servants of Allah, we should express our gratitude for this bounty, so that there is no diminution in this bounty; on the contrary, every new day brings a fresh glory.
As the Promised Messiah(as) says, humility and modesty are a precondition. Every Ahmadi should always keep this important condition in view; the more we bow before Allah, the Almighty, the more humility we show not only outwardly but from the depths of our heart, treading along the path of taqwa (that is, righteousness), the more we will continue to receive the bounties of Allah, the Almighty.
This day that we are celebrating with great dignity on the completion of the hundredth year of Khilafat Ahmadiyya, and all that we commemorate generally each year, should remind us to tread along the path of taqwa (righteousness), to adopt humble ways and to try to follow all the commandments and the do’s and don’ts of Allah.
Our objective today is not just to recite poems, or to float balloons, or to arrange programmes of merrymaking, or to enjoy good food or sweets. This programme taking place now or that has yet to take place in various Jama’ats, is not for celebrations only; yes, of course that is also one purpose, according to what I have said about the display of Allah’s bounties. However, this display should divert our intentions towards the path of righteousness. If it is only about outward hue and cry, or showing off, or worldliness in the programmes, or trying to outdo one another in worldly displays, then this act is worthy of shame in the same way as someone who returns home from annual gathering without making any pious changes, or any unrighteous act that does not merit the treasures of Allah.
So today is the day for making a fresh pledge; today is the day to be aware of our history. It is also a day to remind us of that day when members of the Jama’at had experienced a severe upheaval. One hundred years ago, one day before this day, an incident happened that shook the Jama’at. It was the 26th of May, 1908, when the beloved of God, the Promised Messiah(as), passed away. Allah, the Almighty, had been informing him about this incident for some time, and he had begun to mention this before the Jama’at.
Thus, in Risalah Al-Wasiyyat in very clear terms he drew the attention of the Jama’at by exhorting it to progress in the faith and in righteousness, and consoled the Jama’at, saying that it should not think that the supporting Hand of God would be lifted from it, but that the promise of Allah, the Almighty, would continue to be fulfilled even after him; in any case, it is the divine law that everybody who comes to this world has to leave it. All Prophets, in accordance with this law, had passed away and had become the inhabitants of the divine eternal paradise of their Lord for which they were restless and very desirous to go there.
At every moment, the Promised Messiah(as) was desirous of the life that is everlasting. Upon his death, people could not believe that he had passed away from this world, but they realised that it was a fact, and indeed the Promised Messiah(as) himself had been preparing the Jama’at for this event; there were also revelations in this context:
“The departure is nigh. Yes, the time of departure has come and death is near…”
When the members of the Jama’at realised that this was for real, the narrators state that at the time of Maghrib prayer, the rooftop of the Masjid Mubarak in Qadian looked like the day of reckoning because of their wailing and cries.
On the other hand, the shameful deeds of the opponents were at its peak. Near the Ahmadiyya building in Lahore, where the holy body lay, the opponents of the city had assembled the local vagabonds and street urchins they were raising slogans of joy and singing songs; the vulgarity and shamelessness shown by the people at that time were atits peak.
One could expect this from rogues; but some narrow-minded and cheap newspaper reporters also displayed their bigotry by showing their glee and reporting that after the death of the Mirza sahib this movement will – God forbid – now end. But those foul mouthed fools did not know that this was nothing but a mistake on their part; it was naught but the base desire of those worms of the earth. It was the folly of those people who were bereft of any knowledge of the jealousy shown by Allah for His appointees. Their intellect was shrouded and their eyes were blind. That person who had passed away on that day was the embodiment of the prophecies made by Hadhrat Muhammad(saw), his master and obeyed one. That person founded a community of believers about whom God Almighty has clearly stated: I will turn their fear into a state of peace. And He will bless them with His support and help.
Allah, the Almighty, had given the glad tiding to true believers through the Holy Prophet(saw) that after the departure of the Messiah and Mahdi from this world, the joy of the opponents would only be temporary. Furthermore, Allah would envelop the servants of His Messiah with His Grace and Mercy.
In a Hadith spanning the period starting from his time to that of the latter days, the Holy Prophet states(saw) – and this has been narrated by Hadhrat Hudhaifah(ra) who relates that the Holy Prophet(saw) said:
‘Prophethood will remain among you as long as Allah wills. He will bring about its end and follow it with Khilafat on the precepts of Prophethood as long as he wills and then bring about its end. A tyrannical monarchy will then follow according to the decree of Allah as a result of which people will be disheartened and will be extremely grieved. When this era ends according to another decree of Allah another even greater despotic monarchy will follow (until God’s Mercy is awakened). And this will terminate the period of despotism. There will then emerge Khilafat on the precept of prophethood.’ After saying this, the Holy Prophet said no more.
These words of consolation, given by him to the believers who were to join the community of the true lover of the Holy Messenger(saw) say that the mercy of Allah the Almighty will flow for the followers of the Messiah and Mahdi; despite the bragging of the opponents, despite all the trumpets of joy that they blow, this never-ending Khilafat on the precept of Prophethood has been connected with the believers of that Messiah, a Khilafat which will continue to bring tidings of peace whenever there is fear. And this is a decree of Allah, the Almighty, which is unchangeable. It is in fact the destiny of the true believers. This destiny cannot be changed by a few rogues or by narrow-minded people or by those who think too much of themselves.
Further expounding this matter, the Promised Messiah(as) has very clearly expressed in his book, The Will, and has assured the Jama’at, that he knew that it has been the practice and way of the opponent that after the death (of prophets), they think that now they are about to be finished and come to an end. Thus, the opponents and hypocrites wait to see how this Jama’at disintegrates. But that God, Who sends His prophet, shows His might. And that God is the One who sent the most superior prophet, the Seal of Prophets, that is the Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw) to the world. He also made him proclaim that his shari’ah (law) would be everlasting and never-ending, though there would be some trials for his followers after his death, as is evident from the Hadith. But ultimately, after the coming of the Messiah of Muhammad(saw) , a fresh period of victory for Islam would begin and would continue to the last day. Although there would be opposition, it would nevertheless dissipate like the dust of a trodden path. Therefore, in view of this knowledge acquired from Almighty Allah, the Promised Messiah(as) assured us that when the opponent would mock and ridicule, you should not worry.
Therefore, giving this assurance to the Jama’at, he says in Risalah Al-Wasiyyat:
This is the Way of God. And ever since He created man on earth He has always been demonstrating this Divine practice. He helps His Prophets(as) and Messengers(as) and grants them success and predominance, as He says:
And by predominance is meant that as Messengers(as) and Prophets(as) desire that God’s Hujjat is established in the world and no one is able to oppose it, so, in turn, does God demonstrate with powerful signs their truthfulness as well as the truth they wish to spread in the world. He lets them sow the seed of it [the truth], but He does not let it come to full fruition at their hands. Rather He causes them to die at such time as apparently forebodes a kind of failure and thereby provides an opportunity for the opponents to laugh at, ridicule, taunt, and reproach the Prophets(as). And after they have had their fill of ridicule and reproach, He reveals yet another dimension of His Might and creates such means by which the objectives which had to some extent remained incomplete are fully realised. Thus He manifests two kinds of Power. (1) First He shows the Hand of His Power at the hands of His Prophets(as) themselves. (2) Second, when with the death of a Prophet(as), difficulties and problems arise and the enemy feels stronger and thinks that things are in disarray and is convinced that now this Jama‘at will become extinct and even members of the Jama‘at, too, are in a quandary and their backs are broken, and some of the unfortunate ones choose paths that lead to apostasy, then it is that God, for the second time, shows His Mighty Power and supports and takes care of the shaken Jama‘at. Thus one who remains steadfast till the end witnesses this miracle of God. This is what happened at the time of Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddiq(ra), when the demise of the Holy Prophet(saw) was considered untimely and many an ignorant Bedouin turned apostate. The companions(ra) of the Holy Prophet(saw), too, stricken with grief, became like those who lose their senses. Then Allah raised Abu Bakr Siddiq(ra) and showed for the second time the manifestation of His Power and saved Islam, just when it was about to fall, and fulfilled the promise which was spelled out in the verse:
“that is, after the fear We shall firmly re-establish them”.
So dear friends! since it is the Sunnatullah,(way of Allah) from time immemorial, that God Almighty shows two Manifestations so that the two false joys of the opponents be put to an end, it is not possible now that God should relinquish His Sunnah of old. So do not grieve over what I have said to you; nor should your hearts be distressed. For it is essential for you to witness the second Manifestation also, and its Coming is better for you because it is everlasting the continuity of which will not end till the Day of Judgement. And that second Manifestation cannot come unless I depart. But when I depart, God will send that second Manifestation for you which shall always stay with you just as promised by God in Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya. And this promise is not for my person. Rather the promise is with reference to you, as God [addressing me] says: I shall make this Jama‘at who are your followers, prevail over others till the Day of Judgment. Thus it is inevitable that you see the day of my departure, so that after that day the day comes which is the day of ever-lasting promise.
Our God is He Who keeps His promise and is Faithful and is the Truthful God. He shall show you all that He has promised. Though these days are the last days of this world and there are many a disaster waiting to happen, yet it is necessary that this world continues to exist until all those things about which God has prophesied come to pass. I came from God as a Manifestation of Divine Providence and I am a personification of His Power. And after I am gone there will be some other persons who will be the manifestation of the second Power [of God]. So, while waiting for the second Manifestation of His Power, you all together keep yourselves busy praying.
The full verse – a part of which I have recited and mentioned in the excerpts – this full verse is known as Aayat-i-Istikhlaaf:
Allah has promised to those among you who believe and do good works that He will surely make them successors in the earth, as He made successors from among those who were before them; and He will surely establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them; and that He will surely give them in exchange security and peace after their fear: they will surely worship Me, and they will not associate anything with Me. Then whoso is ungrateful after that, they will be the rebellious. (Ch.24:V.56)
This verse contains great news for the believers and is a balm that gives consolation to the hearts; no matter how much we thank God, it will be inadequate. But it is also a matter of concern. Allah, the Almighty, says: This is my promise to the believers, who are firm in their faith, who observe prayers, who pay the Zakat, and who obey all the divine commandments.
Allah, the Almighty, has clarified the meanings of ‘faith’ in various places, the foremost of which is belief in the unseen. If this belief is comprehensive, then man will be considered a true servant of God Almighty. All his affections will be for the pleasure of God Almighty. Then the hearts of such believers will be filled with awe and fear of Allah, and they will walk on the path of taqwa (righteousness). They will obey the commands of Allah and of His Prophet with total submission. Then for Allah, the Almighty, along with their faith they will perform good deeds, because just offering the prayers will not suffice, solely fasting will not be enough, only paying Zakat will not be sufficient, simply performing Hajj will be inadequate; rather it is important to pay attention to the good deeds mentioned in the Holy Qur’an by Allah, the Almighty.
In fact, faith and good deeds are an integral part of one another. Without faith, deeds are nothing. And without good deeds, faith is incomplete. Therefore, God Almighty wants to establish a society through the attachment with Khilafat, in which people discharge both the rights of the Creator and of the Creation.The Promised Messaih(as) says, in connection with faith and good deeds:
‘God Almighty has mentioned good deeds along with faith in the Holy Qur’an. The A’maal-Saalihah are those in which there is not an iota of disorder. Remember that the actions of human beings are under constant threat from thieves, who are those? Who are ostentatious, when a person does something to show off. By Ujub or self pride, that is, to feel elated at one’s own doings and also by various types of wicked deeds and sins which one commits, one’s actions are completely ruined. A’maal-Saalihah are those in which there is no thought of injustice, self-praise, showing off, arrogance, or usurping the rights of others. As good deeds lead to salvation in the Hereafter so is a person protected in this life. If there is one person in the household and he says, “If there is one person in the household performing good deeds the entire household is saved. Remember that until you have good deeds, mere belief is useless.’
Then he says:
Good deeds are not according to your own whim and determination. [ ie. Good deeds are not those done according to one’s own liking. ‘Amaal Saaliah is not to be interpreted on one’s own. He states: ] Good deeds are not according to your whim and determination. In fact good deeds are those in which there is no disorder of any sort. The Word Saalih is an antonym of Fasaad (disorder). For example, just as food is wholesome (Tayyab) when it is neither raw nor burnt nor stale nor substandard – it should be such which is assimilated quickly – likewise, it is necessary that there should be no disorder in good deeds, that is, they should be sanctioned by Allah, the Almighty, and by the traditions of the Holy Prophet(saw) . Moreover, there should be no laziness, nor self-praise, nor showing off, nor selfishness. When a deed is like that, it is called a good deed. Like a philosopher’s stone (and that is a very rare thing), it is invaluable. This is a deed that a true believer should adopt.
Thus Allah, the Almighty, says that those who create this condition, for them Allah promises that they will continue to get the blessings of Khilafat. They will be such people who will safeguard the Khilafat, and Khilafat will safeguard them; and the scenes of this blessing and protection will be seen when they will hold fast to the religion of Allah, that is, this promise is not for those who wish to follow their own will. Today in the Muslim Ummah, however much effort is being spent on establishing Khilafat, it cannot be fruitful and can never be so. This is because instead of God’s will they want to introduce a religion of their own choosing. Rather than obeying the Khilafat sent by Allah, they want to establish a man-made Caliphate.
Despite the feeling that they are committing an error, they are denying the verdict of Allah, the Almighty. However, in the verse of Istikhlaf, the consolation given by God Almighty to the Jama’at has been clarified by the Promised Messiah(as).
Today, the history of Jama’at Ahmadiyya, in particular the one hundred year history of Khilafat Ahmadiyya, has given an understanding of the true meaning of the Aayat-i- Istikhlaaf. Also, practically every Ahmadi has been blessed by the favours of Allah. Today, this matter is very clear to every Ahmadi and should remain clear, that only those people are eligible for these blessings who try to perfect their faith and perform good deeds. Today, even others openly admit, after seeing these scenes – and indeed they are compelled to do so – that if anyone wishes to see the state of fear turning into peace, they should see it in the Ahmadiyya Jama’at. How fortunate we are! Having joined the community of Promised Messiah(as), we have become eligible for this favour.
So, this verse known as Aayat-i- Istikhlaaf, a portion of which we have listened to in the excerpts from Promised Messiah(as), draws our attention towards faith and good deeds, as stated earlier.
As I was saying, other people are trying to establish Khilafat amongst themselves, and they feel the need for it, but it cannot be established amongst them because they want to define it according to their own liking; instead of the Khilafat of Allah, they want to impose their own Khilafat. So how can it be that their state of fear should change into that of peace and security? How can it be that the institution of Khilafat is established among them, whereas this is the bounty of Allah, the Almighty, appointed by Him? Where Almighty Allah changes the state of fear into one of peace, He removes all kinds of fear from the heart of His appointed Khalifa and gives him the strength to confront the state of fear. He offers him consolation in every difficult situation by His grace. Thus, it is upon the Khalifa of the time to console the community.
So, can worldly plans match the divine design? Allah, the Almighty, states in this verse, that He will change your fears into peace and security. Allah the Almighty offers the consolation that He will change your fears into security, that He will guide the Khalifa of the time; his attention will continue to be drawn towards worship, and he will not set up worldly fears and attractions as associates to God Almighty. He will not be ungrateful towards God Almighty. And indeed God’s support will be ample proof of that. If such a condition is ever experienced by the Khalifa of the time because of human weakness then Allah, the Almighty, Himself will set the right direction for the Khalifa of the time. Allah, the Almighty, because of His favour and because of His own choice in every situation, will produce better results.
Nevertheless, the members of the Jama’at should also pay attention to worship and should try to shun even the minute conditions of Shirk (association of partners to Allah). Moreover, they should always hold His bounties in high regard and remain His grateful servants. I was saying that we should endeavour so that the members of the Jama’at always try to hold His bounties in high esteem and remain His grateful servants. When this will be so, then have no worries: for God will be before them, and behind them, on their right and on their left and no one will be able to harm them.
So, this condition was witnessed by us when God’s established community was stunned by the demise of the Promised Messiah(as) which shook every Ahmadi; and as I had said, trumpets of exultation were blown on the premise that this Jama’at of the Promised Messiah(as) was about to reach its end.
I present examples of the vulgarity and nonsense of the opponents so that our new generation and newcomers can also be aware of how the opponents of the Jama’at spread rumours. An example of propaganda was the one created by the disciples of Pir Jama’at ‘Ali Shah, to the effect that a supposedly large number of Mirzais (derogatory terms for Ahmadis)were renouncing and converting to their side – that is to say leaving Ahmadiyyat and joining their version of Islam – whereas true Islam is in fact in Ahmadiyyat. Anyway, that was what they were saying.
Even today this is still the wish of the pitiable Mullahs who are our opponents, a wish that was neither ever fulfilled before nor will it be now. Today, witnessing the progress of the Jama’at, they are flabbergasted; on the one hand they claim that they have brought Ahmadiyyat to an end, but on the other, they are pressing Islamic governments to arrest the expansion of the Jama’at, saying that otherwise these people will mislead the entire Muslim Ummah! At any rate, this is what they declare.
How these people gave vent to their rage on the demise of the Promised Messiah(as)? Listen to one or two examples of this also. Maulvi Sanaullah wrote about the Mirza (that is how they call the Promised Messiah(as)) declaring that all the books of the Mirza should be thrown not into the sea but rather into a burning furnace; and not only that, but that in future no Muslim or non-Muslim historian should ever mention his name!
Khawaja Hasan Nizami, who was considered to be a very sober-minded and reserved person, advised Ahmadis to clearly deny Mirza Sahib’s claim of being the Messiah and Mahdi. Otherwise, there would be a danger that in the absence of a wise and disciplined Mirza Sahib, the Ahmadiyya Jama’at would not be able to withstand the uproar of the opponents and its unity would be dismantled.
He used very gentle words and mentioned the name (of the Promised Messiah(as)) with great respect, but it is the same old story that Ahmadis should abandon their allegiance to the Promised Messiah(as) and deny his claims. So, this was the state of affairs at that time. People whose nature is inclined towards disorder were engaged in ridicule in any case. Sober-minded people also began to give vent to their feelings. Because their eyes were directed towards the world, they did not see the divine promises nor could they perceive that. They could never have understood the proclamation of the Promised Messiah, stating: when I will leave, God Almighty will show you the second manifestation.
Thus, a world saw with what glory the promises of God were fulfilled in support of the Promised Messiah of Muhammad(saw). Their boastful claims and base desires of the opponents were thrown back at them. The literature which they had urged to be burnt is now being translated into many languages and has become the means of guiding many good-natured people. As for the name of the person whom they wanted to erase from history, today, the slogans of his victory are being raised in Europe, Africa, Asia and America. Today the Promised Messiah’s name, photograph and literature are being carried by the winds to every home, to every corner of the world. Had those who used to say that the Ahmadiyya Jama’at would not be able to withstand the uproar of the opponents been alive, they would have seen that, let alone tolerance of the uproar, the name of Ahmadiyyat has reached all cities of the world. Furthermore, the moment the opponents hear the name of Ahmadiyyat they try to escape to save their skins in every country of the world. Yes, listen to as much abuse from them as you want. If they have the courage to do so, then the television and radio services of every Muslim country, in order to fulfil the requirements of justice, should allow and facilitate Ahmadis to present their stand on their national channels.
The national governments should discharge their responsibilities and provide protection to Ahmadis. There is no compulsion in matters of faith. Masha Allah, every intelligent, mature person can distinguish between good and evil. Then what are they afraid of? Nobody can force anyone to become an Ahmadi. These opponents continue to shout slogans to stop the MTA channel. They try to do so in several places, and though they have made such attempts, God creates such means that if in one place they try to halt it, it emerges in another place with even greater glory. What has the onslaught against the Jama’at achieved? Today, MTA has truly made them fearful. These are the manifestations of the fulfilment of the divine promises. If anyone wants to confront Allah, the Almighty, then let him do so. They have seen the results of such attempts previously, but they can always try once again today!
In any case, upon the demise of Promised Messiah(as), they tried their level best to uproot Ahmadiyyat with full force, and left no stone unturned. However, Allah, the Almighty, revealed to the Promised Messiah(as):
‘I have planted for you (the tree of) my Mercy and my Power with my own hand.’
It was sheer folly on the part of the opponents to think that the tree of the Ahmadiyyat was in its formative stages, and that after the Promised Messiah(as) – God forbid – it would be finished. Allah, the Almighty, said: I have planted such a tree with My mercy and My power, which is destined to flourish and grow, whose roots are firmly anchored in the ground and whose branches reach into the sky.
After receiving intimation from Allah the Almighty, the Promised Messiah(as) gave the glad tiding of the second manifestation of His power and announced that it would be everlasting: as per the prophecy about the tree planted by the mercy of God being fruitful and strong. That tree, planted by God Almighty with His own hand, that was to grant shelter to all good-natured souls under its shade in the beginning and that is continuing to do so, was not going to be moved by the buffeting of these puny men. Allah, the Almighty, told the Promised Messiah:
‘I am with you and with your beloved ones.’
This revelation is fulfilled with ever-greater glory day after day.
[slogans:Allah is Greatest]
Hudhur says: You may express your emotions through slogans, but I have yet many things to say, so be a little patient with your slogans, particularly those in Qadian who appear to be greatly charged!
I was saying that God’s revelation is being fulfilled with ever-increasing glory day after day and this is still continuing. The first manifestation of this phenomenon occurred on the demise of the Promised Messiah(as) , thereby creating the means of consoling the believers, when the entire Jama’at was united at the hand of Hadhrat Khalifat-ul-Masih the First. At that time, the others thought: How will this eighty-year-old man be able to manage the Jama’at? One paper, The Curzon Gazzette declared:
‘Now, nothing is left of the Mirzais and their head has been cut off. The man who has been elected as their Imam is not capable of doing anything except teach you the Qur’an in a mosque…’ (Tarikh-i-Ahmadiyyat, Vol III, page 221).
However, the man about whom they said that he was not capable of doing anything, certainly did the job that had no importance according to them: that is, to expound the truth and wisdom of the Holy Qur’an; and in fact this is the real task for which, in response to the prayer of the Hadhrat Ibrahim(as) , Allah, the Almighty, had appointed the Holy Prophet(saw), and it is for this mission that God Almighty sent the Promised Messiah(as) amongst others. This was the task for which the institution of Khilafat was started in the Ahmadiyya Jama’at, but the eye of the world could not recognise this great objective.
In any case, remarking upon this, Hadhrat Khalifat-ul-Masih I(ra) said:
‘May God so will that I should teach you the Qur’an.’
However, the opponents and also some members of the Jama’at whose hearts were full of hypocrisy, thought that since Hadhrat Khalifatul-Masih the First was so aged, what control would he exercise on the Jama’at? The enemy thought that because of his administrative weakness, the Jama’at would gradually come to an end. As for the hypocrites who thought themselves to be the pillars of the Jama’at, according to them, the Anjuman (or executive committee) was the true successor and deputy of the Promised Messaih(as) So (they reasoned that) all works should be entrusted to them.
These two types of attacks and revolts were suppressed by Hadhrat Khaliftul-Masih I(ra) with such a forcefulness that it can only be the work of God-given Khilafat. Immediately after assuming the office of Khilafat, at the end of his maiden address, he said:
Now whatever may be your inclinations, you will have to carry out my orders. If this is acceptable to you I shall take on this responsibility willingly or unwillingly. The ten conditions of the bai’at laid down by the Promised Messiah(as) shall continue to be in force. I shall include among them and would emphasize the teaching of the Holy Qur’an, the collection of Zakat, the training of preachers and such other projects with which Allah may be pleased to inspire me. Religious instructions and the courses of study in the theological seminary will require my approval. I undertake this responsibility solely for the sake of Allah, Who has ordained: Let there be from among you a body of persons who should enjoin good and forbid evil (Ch.3:V.105) Remember all good proceeds from unity; a leaderless people are dead”
Thus, the desire of the others to see the Jama’at being disintegrated was not fulfilled, but some internal dangers continued to erupt, because of certain hypocrites and some others exploited by them. When Hadhrat Khalifat-ul-Masih came to know about these he dealt with them with wisdom. On a similar occasion he gave a brilliant address at Masjid Mubarak, and after hearing the words of the opponents, said: “You have given me so much pain that I have stood up to address you, not in the portion of this mosque constructed under your supervision, but in a part built by the Promised Messiah himself.” (a part of Masjid Mubarak had been extended later, the first construction having taken place during the time of the Promised Messiah(as) . Thus, he stood in that part which was erected during the time of the Promised Messiah(as) ; that part which was made through the contributions of the members of the Jama’at is a separate extension.) He said: You have grieved me so much that I am not even standing in that part of the mosque that has been made by you people, but I am standing in the part of the mosque of my Mirza.
He further said:
‘The Khalifa is to be obeyed by the people and the Anjuman; both of them are subservient to him. The Anjuman is the advisor; its existence is necessary for Khalifa. The one who has written that the work of the Khalifa is to only accept the bai’at and the Anjuman (the executive body) is the true ruler, should seek forgiveness. God has told me: If anybody leaves this Jama’at and becomes an apostate, I will bestow upon you a community in his place.’
He said:
‘It is being said that the work, the function, the purpose and the duty of the Khalifa is only to lead prayers in the mosque or funeral prayers or to solemnise marriages or take the baia’t; this work can also be done by any Mullah. For doing this, no Khalifa is needed and this is a kind of allegiance on which I would not even care to spit. The real allegiance is one which is accompanied by immediate and implicit obedience, without the slightest deviation anywhere.’
So this address was such a brilliant speech that the narrators state that the thousands gathered from various Jama’ats and upon whom the opponents of Khilafat were trying to exert their influence, began to cry with anguish and extreme pain, like fish squirming out of water.
So, this is the first instance of changing the state of fear into one of peace. This appeared in the members of the Jama’at and it was also manifested in the person of the Khalifa of the time. Without any fear of danger, Hadhrat Khalifat-ul-Masih I(ra) proclaimed: If anyone wants to be an apostate, let him be so; God will grant me a community in his place. If one person leaves, a community will be received.
So whereas the opponents were reformed by this proclamation, sincere ones were also reformed and led to an enhancement in their faith; moreover, the group of hypocrites was suppressed and the Jama’at continued to advance on the road of progress.
Then, at last, in accordance with:
All that is on it (earth ) will pass away. (Ch.55:V.27), on the 13th of March 1914 he joined his Companion on High Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih I. It was again a time of catastrophe. The prominent members of the Anjuman who were silent because of Hadhrat Khalifat-ul-Masih I(ra) raised their heads again and tried to have all power vested in the Anjuman instead of in Khilafat, and to make the Anjuman become the exclusive authority.
As a result of the death of the Hadhrat Khalifatul-Masih I(ra), sincere ones were overcome with grief. They were supplicating for the emergence of a new Power. But these prominent ones who considered themselves very knowledgeable were busy in their conspiracy. They tried to persuade Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad(ra) to accept that in any case there should not be a Khalifa of the Jama’at, and that they must rely upon the Anjuman, and said that this was what the Promised Messiah(as) had said. Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad sahib(ra) said:
‘At whichever hand you take your oath of allegiance, I and my family will owe allegiance at the same hand. Do not be afraid of me, I have no interest in becoming the Khalifa.’
Nevertheless, the self-conceited scholars, thinking themselves to be most intelligent, remained adamant about the premise that the Anjuman had the true right to power. At last when their obstinacy did not move, a large part of the Jama’at gathered in Masjid Nur and on the 14th of March 1914, the election of the Second Khilafat took place. From a crowd of two thousand, people began to shout the name of Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad sahib(ra) all over; and people began to clamber over each other in an attempt to take their oath of allegiance. The narrator of this spectacle relates that angels were dragging the hearts of the people to this choice of Allah. Having witnessed this scene, the deniers of Khilafat, who incidentally were also controllers of the Anjuman and its treasury, disappeared from there. It was in this way that God Almighty, in accordance with His promise, strengthened the Jama’at through Khilafat Ahmadiyya and changed fear into security.
During the 52-year period of Khilafat of the Promised Messiah’s firm and resolute son and Promised Reformer, the Jama’at witnessed such spectacles of progress that would not have been possible without the special support of Allah, the Almighty. As for those who had emptied the treasury and proclaimed that Qadian would be ruled by Christians, were alive today, would behold that far from seeing Christians rule Qadian, the firm and resolute Promised Son has gathered thousands of Christians under the banner of the Messiah of Muhammad(saw)
When the uprising of Ahrar erupted, with the proclamation that they would annihilate Qadian, Hadhrat Muslih Mau’oud initiated Tahrik Jadid and laid the foundation of a network for preaching-missions all over the world.
His commentary of the Holy Qur’an and other literature that was always filled with his knowledge and deep insight, became a witness to the fulfilment of this prophecy. This was spread all over the world. When the time for migration came, this resolute one guided the Jama’at in such a manner that with the least possible loss, members of the Jama’at managed to settle in Pakistan. Despite great difficulties, he left behind such devotees, including his sons in Qadian, to protect the signs of Allah at any cost.
Realising the need for a centre in Pakistan, he made a barren and desolate land into an evergreen lush town with his supreme leadership and great wisdom, whose scenes we can witness today. So when the 25 years of age young man received the support of Allah, against whom there were many great leading scholars, and when the choice of Allah fell on him when he became the manifestation of second power, he attained success after success like a triumphant general. And with the help and support of Allah, he continued to change the condition of his followers from fear to security.
Finally according to divine decree, when he passed away in November 1965, Allah the Almighty showed us the third manifestation of Qudrate Thania(Khilafat). The 52 year period of the second khilafat was so long that several generations benefited. By that time every Ahmadi had developed a personal connection with him. It seemed that the community would not be able to cope with the grief of his death. However, when there is a promise of Allah, Allah the Almighty changes the state of fear into peace and security.
Hence, we experienced the same phenomenon in the third Khilafat: progress at every step; opening of the schools and hospitals; expansion in tabligh activity; then, the situation of Jama’at in Pakistan was very critical. Because of the presence of the Khalifa of the time in Pakistan, it was a matter of deep concern for the Jama’ats all over the world. But under the shield of Khilafat, the community, emerged victorious from this, and started marching on the road of progress.
Then came 1982, when Hazrat Khalifatul Masih the third(ru) passed away too. Allah the Almighty once again lent His support and the election of the fourth khilafat took place.
In his time, a new era of progress of Jama’at started. The opponents were taken aback and planned to cripple Khilafat. They tried to crush the leadership of the Jama’at but fulfilling His promise and lending support to the beloved of the Promised Messiah(as), Allah the Almighty frustrated the designs of the opponents. He brought Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih the fourth miraculously here [in London]. And the enemy who wanted to crush khilafat, Allah the Almighty crushed him instead in such a way that not a particle of him was left. Upon the arrival of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) here, a new period of the propagation of Islam started.
MTA was launched and the message of the Promised Messiah(as) reached the ends of the earth with renewed glory. Another promise of our God made to the Promised Messiah(as) was fulfilled in glorious manner. The enemy wanted to lay their hands on Khilafat to make it non-functional. But the design of Allah the Almighty was to reach the homes of people in such a way that there were no geographic impediments. If I begin to recount the achievements of the Jama’at, it will not be exhausted even after hours. It is being mentioned in the speeches of Jalsas and it will continue to be related. In any case, the golden era of the Fourth Khilafat, crossing several milestones, finally ended in accordance with Divine decree in April 2003.
Once again, the Jama’at was immersed in fear and fell in prostration, because this is the command for a believer, and this is what behoves a believer that he should submit to Allah whenever in distress. In any case, the process of the fulfilment of Divine promise is never-ending. This assurance has been given by God Almighty that the state of peace bestowed after the state of fear after the demise of the Promised Messiah(as) and the saying of the Promised Messiah(as) that this promise is not related to his self, rather the promise is with reference to you, and his saying that God Almighty shows two manifestations so that He thereby demolishes false joys of the opponents.
So, therefore, after the fourth Khilafat, God Almighty created the means for peace once again. As the Promised Messiah(as) said that khilafat is everlasting. The world saw scenes of this through MTA. If Khilafat-i-Rashida in the early period of Islam remained for a short time, and there were four khilafats, and that too was in accordance with the prophecy of the Holy Prophet(saw) as narrated in the Hadith by me earlier, but after the advent of the Promised Messiah(as) a fresh chapter was to be opened in the history of Islam. So the fifth phase of the second manifestation is also a new chapter according to the promises of Allah the Almighty. It is a kind of thrashing to the opponents. It is a way of rubbing the noses of the opponent’s false joys in the dust. Today the opponents view the progress of the Jama’at with greater envy than before, because they see with regret that despite their opposition Jama’at Ahmadiyya continues to progress in the shade of the khilafat…[there is more delay in Rabwah’s (TV) than Qadian. Alright… I should wait.]
Because they see with regret that, despite their opposition, Jama’at Ahmadiyya continues to progress in the shade of the khilafat. And becoming the inheritors of God’s proclamation that He would establish Khilafat amongst believers, Allah the Almighty continues to strengthen the Jama’at. Even its foundations are getting stronger day by day. By the grace of Allah the Almighty, every fear of the believers is being protected behind the shield of khilafat.
Despite all the efforts of the opponents, Ahmadis are spreading the message of the Promised Messiah(as) in every corner of the earth, only because they hold fast to the rope of Allah, and bringing back mankind gone astray under the banner of the Holy Prophet(saw) so that it can recognise its Creator. The opponents themselves admit that unity amongst the Muslim is impossible save through Khilafat. Neither is the progress of Islam possible nor the unity. But being blindfolded, they deny the one who has been sent by Allah as the Seal of the Khulafa, whose khilafat continues after his demise.
I present to you one or two examples of their jealousies about Khilafat:
A Maulana Abdul Rehman Sahib, in charge of the Jamia Ashrafia, Karachi says:
‘As far as the institution of the Khilafat-e-Islamia on the precept of Prophethood is concerned, there is no better system than it. Because Allah the Almighty has said that Allah the Almighty has purchased the life and property of the believers in exchange for paradise, but, unfortunately, the internal strife of Muslims is at its peak. As far as Khilafat is concerned, which Khalifa should be accepted, and if a khalifa should be elected from the sacred city of Makkah, the first ones to object will be the ‘Brelavis’; and I have also discussed the matter with my friends, and it appears that the system of khilafat is not possible in Pakistan,’
There is an intellectual ‘Humayon Gohar’ who in his article, “Safar Ka Aghaz Hota He” (December 2005) says:
‘Today we find ourselves backward, old-costumed and in the pit of ignorance; and surrounded by social and cultural evils; injustice is at its height; and environmental pollution is increasing day by day. This is why we need a breath of fresh air that should reform the followers. It requires a lot of effort and passion, which requires a determined spirit and strong faith. This is only possible through the institution of khilafat of the Muslims.’
These are the jealousies that they can sense it but they cannot establish it. The scenes of the election and bai’at of the Fifth Khilafat were shown by MTA the world over. The matter that they refer to with great envy is that the world witnessed how in the election of the fifth Khilafat, the Jama’at united on one hand. Some of them openly admitted that it seems that the testimony of God’s support is with you. Instead of inclining towards reformation, it has led to further jealousy.
In Pakistan today, Mullahs are holding gatherings against the Jama’at because they cannot stand the unity and progress of the Jama’at.
These jealousies and hatred has become their destiny. The winds of God’s support and help are blowing in favour of the Jama’at. Inshallah, their wishes and efforts will be blown by the wind.
O, enemies of Ahmadiyyat! I tell you in plain words! If you are sincere about setting up Khilafat, then come and by accepting the servitude of Messiah of Muhammad(saw) , become a part of this continuing and never- ending institution of khilafat. Otherwise, you will die in your efforts and you will not be able to set up khilafat. And if your future generations tread along your path, they too will not be able to establish any khilafat. Even if your generations after generations keep trying till Dooms Day, they will not succeed. Fear God! And do not confront Allah. Try to create the means for your and for your future generation’s survival.
These matters mentioned by me about the jalousies of others should not become a source of enjoyment for us. The hearts of the few compassionate ones should not feel sorry for them but the enemy tries to cause harm because he is burning in the inferno of jealousy. He attacks weaker Ahmadis. Today, it is the duty of the Ahmadis who are attached with khilafat that they should pray for the consolidation and strength of khilafat and also for each other that Allah the Almighty safeguards them from the evil and jealousy of the wicked and envious ones. This period of the fifth Khilafat, with which we enter the new century of Khilafat, is, Inshallah (if Allah so wills), the time of progress and triumph. I assure you that such doors of divine succour are open and continue to remain so, that every coming day brings closer the days of victory.
When I assess myself, I am ashamed. I am a humble, worthless, incapable and sinful person.
But I state this on firm grounds that Allah the Almighty, with His uncountable blessings, will lead the Jama’at on the avenues of progress Insha Allah. No one can stop the progress of Ahmadiyyat in this period nor will it ever halt in the future. The succession of khilafat will continue and Ahmadiyyat will march on and on. Allah’s blessings are being mentioned in the speeches of Jalsa over last five years, and will also be presented in future.
Thus, the progress which is integral to Khilafat Ahmadiyya and, that has also been mentioned by the Promised Messiah(as) in Al-Wasiyyat (The Will), is a never ending movement, Each person who remains attached with khilafat, and improves in faith and good deeds, will witness these bounties of Allah conferred upon every member of the Jama’at through attachment with khilafat.
And Allah the Almighty will continue to bless khilafat with such persons, who will increase in sincerity and loyalty and they will leave no stones unturned for the establishment and consolidation of khilafat. Allah Himself has imbued their hearts with love for khilafat and continues to fill them, and has filled them with affection.
I witness these scenes every day, in every country and nation. You have recently seen the events in Africa how saturated they were with love. I have been assured by Allah the Almighty about this a long time ago that He Himself will prepare the faithful ones. So, come forth, assessing your faith and your righteous deeds and join the blessed souls whom Allah the Almighty has made them stand like the unsheathed sword in defence of Khilafat.
Over the past few days, a friend has written to me, saying that whereas we are happy on the completion of the hundred year of khilafat, at the same time, it is a matter of concern that it is a hundreds year since the time of the Promised Messiah (as) and that this distance should not increase us in weaknesses. The concern is very genuine, but if you keep in view the promises of Allah the Almighty, the saying of the Holy Prophet(saw) and the directive of the Promised Messiah(as), then absorbing the grace of Allah the Almighty and by being bonded with khilafat, we will continue to be rightful beneficiaries of Divine bounties.
Accompanying this letter, and I consider this to be a Divine coincidence, another letter was received from one of our missionaries in America, who drew attention to a pledge that Hadhrat Musleh Ma’ud (ra) took from Khuddam in 1959 at the Ijtema of Khuddam. And he stated that this is such a pledge that the Ansar should also repeat, and continue to repeat, and should be repeated at every gathering and continued to pass to future generation until Islam and Ahmadiyyat become supreme in every place.
On receipt of the first letter, I was conscious but my attention was heightened on receipt of the second and I liked the proposal that upon the completion of the hundred years, Ahmadis of the whole world should repeat this pledge.
Therefore, with a minor amendment, with reference to Khilafat Centenary, I take this pledge from you so that despite the passage of time our actions should not take us away from the teachings and example of the Promised Messiah(as) and the commandments of Allah the Almighty. But each day should make us [hold in high] value the promise of Allah the Almighty. So, with this reference, I take this pledge. My request is that those who are before me should stand up, ladies should stand up, people in the world (who are present) should also stand up and repeat this pledge:
I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, Who is One and has no partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger
Today on the completion of 100 years of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya, we make a solemn pledge, in the name of Allah the Exalted, that we shall continue to strive until the last moments of our lives for the propagation of Islam and Ahmadiyyat and shall convey the name of Muhammad the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), to the ends of the world. For the accomplishment of this sacred obligation, we shall always keep our lives dedicated to God and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and, by offering the greatest sacrifice, shall keep the flag of Islam aloft in every country of the world. We also pledge that for the safeguarding of the system of Khilafat and for its consolidation, we shall continue to strive, till our last breath, and exhort our children and their progenies, to always remain attached to Khilafat and benefit from its blessings, so that Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya continues safely till the end of time and the propagation of Islam continues till the Day of Judgment through the Ahmadiyya movement and the flag of Muhammad the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), flies higher than all other flags of the world. O, God enable us to fulfil this pledge.
Allah humma Amin, Allah humma Amin, Allah humma Amin
Be seated.
So, O, servants of the Messiah of Muhammad(saw)! You the ever green branches of the tree of the Promised Messiah(as)! I hope that this pledge would have created in you, a new passion and zeal, that renewed feelings of gratitude will emerge…so with this passion and zeal and gratitude enter the new century of Khilafat Ahmadiyya. May this 27th of May breathe a new life in us and cause such a revolution that continues to cause revolution in our generations as well till the Day of Judgement. Our entry in this new era by Allah the Almighty shows that we should strive to become the ever green branches of the tree of the Promised Messaih(as). The love that the Promised Messiah(as) had for his Jama’at and good opinion is expressed as follows:
‘the progress and the change that is found in our Jama’at cannot be found in this age amongst others.’
Does this good opinion not require that we should cause a revolution in ourselves; that we should try more than before, to fulfil our pledge; and that we should be ready for every sacrifice. Because Allah the Almighty has bestowed on us this favour in the form of khilafat, we should identify new milestones for our spiritual progress. On this favour of Allah the Almighty, we should try to comply with this pledge more than ever before. On this favour of Allah the Almighty, we should raise the standard of loyalty and obedience to Khilafat to new heights. In gratitude of this favour, we should spread the message of love and affection amongst ourselves and others. Indeed these good works and gratitude should be our sole purpose. Most certainly the springs of love and affection should sprout forth from our hearts. Indeed the identification of new ways of sincerity and loyalty should be the purpose of our lives. When this will be so, then we will be the one who hold the bounties of God in high regard. When this will be so, we will continue to be the beneficiaries of the blessings of ever lasting khilafat. The never ending showers of grace and favours of Allah the Almighty will descend on us.
So O, my beloved and the beloved of my beloved! Rise up for the defence of this bounty with determination and courage to fulfil the pledge, bowing before God Almighty seeking His help, march forth, because in this alone lies your survival. In it is the survival of your generations and the survival of humanity.
Allah enable you to do so, Allah enable me also that we are able to fulfil our pledge. Allahhumma Amin
[Translation produced at exclusive responsibility of The Review of Religions]
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