The First Address of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V

‘In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful, D e a rest community of the Promised Messiah, on whom be peace. O everg reen extensions of his being Assalamu alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuhu Our hearts are saddened and our eyes are tearful because a most loving personality has departed from us. However, we submit to the Divine Command of ‘k u l l u man ‘alaiha faan’: ‘All that is on it (earth) will pass away.’ [Holy Qur’an 55: v.27] The spectacular advancement of the Jama’at (community) we witnessed during the Fourth Khilafat warrants no explanation. Pursuant to the method taught to us by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (Allah have mercy on him), on how to bid farewell to the one departing and to welcome the incoming one, I stand here today and in its compliance, request you that we make a pledge that, ‘O you, the one who has departed – the swiftness you employed to advance the mission of the Promised Messiah(as) to enable the faith of the Holy Pro p h e t( s a ) t o dominate the world – we shall always continue to make sacrifices, all kind of sacrifices, for the advancement of this mission. We bear witness that you most certainly honoured your commitment. May thousands of blessings and grace be on your soul. Amin. Next, in welcoming the incoming [Khalifa], we make a pledge bearing witness to Allah the Exalted that in order to convey the message of peace and security of the Holy Prophet(sa) to the world 61The Review of Religions – April 2003 The First Address of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, delivered a brief address in Urdu before the inaugural pledge of allegiance and initiation at the gathering at Islamabad, Tilford, Surrey on 23 April 2003 and the funeral prayers of Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IV. Its English translation is set out below: and to assemble the entire world under his banner, and likewise to support the establishment of the Ahmadiyya Khilafat, we shall be ready to make any sacrifice. For this, we will always support you [the Khalifatul Masih] with prayers. Pray that Allah the Exalted displays more than before the Second Manifestation of Divine support and triumph that He has always exhibited to the Community. May He forgive our shortcomings and ingratitude and may He cover our inadequacies. With His grace alone, indeed with His grace alone, may He cover my shortcomings. May He never remove His Hand of mercy from us, never remove it, never remove it! Amin, Ya Rabbul ‘Aalamin! 62 The First Address of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V The Review of Religions – April 2003 Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V making his first address at Islamabad, Surrey, UK which was simultaneously broadcast live all over the world 63 Review of Religions CD The Review of Religions – April 2003 January 2002 Natural Selection & Survival of the Fittest February 2002 Achievements of the Promised Reformer March 2002 The Future of Life onEarth April 2002 Is the Shroud of Turin a Medieval Photograph? May 2002 Religious Beliefs of North American Indians June 2002 Progress of Islam is Dependant on Khilafat July 2002 Teotihuacàn – Religious Capital of Central America August 2002 Islam and the Global Quest for Sustainable Development September 2002 The ‘Blind Watchmaker’ who is also Deaf and Dumb – The Honey bee October 2002 Ramadhan – Part II November 2002 100 Year History of the Review of Religions December 2002 The Palestine Question The Review of Religions – 2002 CD The Review of Religions is pleased to announce the availability of a CD containing all articles published in 2002. The files are in PDF format and can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat version 5 or above. CD’s cost only £5 plus postage and packing. Please complete the details overleaf. We hope you have enjoyed reading this edition of the magazine. The Review of Religions will continue to provide discussion on a wide range of subjects and welcomes any comments or suggestions from its readers. To ensure that you regularly receive this monthly publication, please fill in your details below and we will put you on our mailing list. The cost of one year’s subscription is £15 Sterling or US $30 for overseas readers (Please do not send cash). Payments should be made payable to the London Mosque and sent to the address below: The Review of Religions The London Mosque 16 Gressenhall Road London SW18 5QL United Kingdom Please put me on the mailing list for the Review of Religions for 1 year. I enclose subscription payment of £15.00 or US $30.00. OR if you wish to receive a CD of all the articles published in 2002, please tick the white box above and enclose payment of £5.00, please also add an appropriate sum for postage. Name: ___________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ Subscription The Review of Religions The Holy Ka’aba MECCA, ARABIA The First House of Worship, and The Spiritual Heart of Islam For Review of Religions 2002 CD, please tick above box