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MANAGEMENT BOARD CONTENTS June 2008, Vol.103, No.
06
Mr Munir-ud-din Shams (Chairman)
Mr Mansoor Shah (Secretary) KHILAFAT CENTENARY SPECIAL EDITION NO.9
Mr Naseer Ahmad Qamar
Mr Mubarak Ahmad Zafar Editorial
Mr Mirza Fakhar Ahmad
Mr. Abdul Baqi Arshad Khilafat in Ahmadiyyat is evidence of
Divine support.
By Bockarie Tommy Kallon – UK.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
CHIEF EDITOR AND MANAGER
Mansoor Ahmed Shah
Divine Promise of Khilafat
It is God’s design that spiritual teachers, who are
EDITORIAL BOARD
Bockarie Tommy Kallon. the heirs of the Prophets, should always continue
Fareed Ahmad to be available: a Khalifa is a reflection of a Prophet.
Fazal Ahmad Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) – the Promised
Mansoor Saqi
Sarah Waseem Messiah and Mahdi.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Tanveer Khokhar
Ahmadiyya Khilafat Centenary Message
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS A centenary message addressed to the worldwide
Amatul Hadi Ahmad membership of the Ahmadiyya Muslim
Farina Qureshi Community.
PROOFREADERS Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad – Khalifatul
Abdul Ghany Jahangeer Khan Masih V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Shaukia Mir
DESIGN AND LAYOUT Khilafat in Islam
Tanveer Khokhar A series of questions and answer on the subject
DISTRIBUTION
of Khilafat in Islam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Muhammad Hanif Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad(ru)
PUBLISHER
Al Shirkatul Islamiyyah The Ahmadiyya Muslim Divine Community
Embodies True Islamic Teachings
All correspondence should be
forwarded to the editor at: Keynote Khilafat Centenary address to an
audience of dignitaries and members of the press. . 33
The Review of Religions
The London Mosque
16 Gressenhall Road Khilafat and Shura: Two Blessed Institutions
London, SW18 5QL Why the two institutions should be valued as
United Kingdom bounties from Allah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Email: Adam Hani Walker – UK
reviewofreligions@gmail.com
© Islamic Publications, 2008
ISSN No: 0034-6721 COVER PHOTO
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V delivering his keynote Centenary
Views expressed in this publication are not address to VIPs and members of the press at the Queen
necessarily the beliefs of the Ahmadiyya Elizabeth Conference Centre in Westminster, London.
Muslim Community
© Makhzan-e-Tasaweer, 2008
EDITORIAL
“Today on the completion of till the end of time and the
100 years of Khilafat-e- propagation of Islam
Ahmadiyya, we make a continues till the Day of
solemn pledge, in the name of Judgement through the
Allah the Exalted, that we Ahmadiyya Movement and
shall continue to strive until the flag of the Holy Prophet
the last moments of our lives Muhammad(saw) flies higher
for the propagation of Islam than all other flags of the
and Ahmadiyyat and shall world.”
convey the name of
Muhammad (saw) to the ends of The words from a pledge taken
the world. For the simultaneously via satellite TV
accomplishment of this by Ahmadi Muslims across the
sacred obligation, we shall world at the hands of their leader,
always keep our lives Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad,
dedicated to God and His Khalifatul Masih V, on the
Messenger(saw), and by occasion of the centenary of the
offering the greatest Ahmadiyya Khilafat on 27th
sacrifices, shall keep the flag May 2008.
of Islam aloft in every country
of the world. We also pledge The blessed institution of
that for safeguarding of the Khilafat promised to the faithful
system of Khilafat and for its by Allah Almighty in the Holy
consolidation, we shall Qur’an and by His Messenger in
continue to strive till our last the Traditions was revived upon
breath, and exhort our the demise of the Promised
children and their progenies, Messiah(as) and, in accordance
to always remain attached to with a glorious prophecy of his
Khilafat and benefit from its that the institution would be re-
blessings, so that Khilafat-e- established after him and would
Ahmadiyya continues safely continue to the end of days, the
2 The Review of Religions – June 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8

EDITORIAL
passing of 100 years of Khilafat companions of the Holy

in Ahmadiyya was indeed a day Prophet(saw) – who were an
of thanksgiving and celebration. embodiment of Islam in its
It was not, however, a day for pristine purity – needed a beacon
pomp and circumstance for that of unity and guidance that is
would be contrary to the spirit Khilafat, then how can present
and teachings of Islam. day Islam do without it?
Quite fittingly, therefore, Therefore, as we reflect upon a

Ahmadi Muslims gathered in truly momentous day and the
mosques and mission houses reaching of a landmark in the
around the world in the small history of Islam and
hours on the day to join in Ahmadiyyat, questions arise as
collective Tahajjud (predawn to why the Ahmadiyya
supererogatory) prayers pro- Movement in Islam is the only
claiming the glory of Allah, sect blessed with the institution
celebrating His praise, affirming of Khilafat. What lends life to the
His Unity, invoking His Ahmadiyya Khilafat while all
blessings upon His Noble attempts to establish Khilafat
Prophet(saw) and his disciple, the among other Muslims lie dead in
Promised Messiah(as). Thousands their wake?
in the UK and millions across the
world then gathered to listen to a The search for the answers to
keynote address by Hadhrat these questions provides an
Khalifatul Masih V culminating opportunity to re-examine the
in the pledge at his hands. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s
claim to Divine origin.
The need for Khilafat among
mainstream Muslims is both Of all the sects known to belong
recognised and advocated by to Islam today, the Ahmadiyya
mainstream Muslims themselves, Muslim Community is the only
albeit with absolute failure. If, one whose founder claims to
upon his demise, the illustrious have been commissioned by
KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8 The Review of Religions – June 2008 3

EDITORIAL
Almighty Allah as the Promised Khilafat in Ahmadiyyat since the

Messiah of the latter days. The demise of the Promised
Community he founded and left Messiah(as) is testamentary of
behind has developed into the Divine favour and succour.
most dynamic missionary Millions of Ahmadi Muslims
movement in the world of around the globe today stand
religion and has laid the basis for united as one Community under
the unification of mankind. It is Khilafat and the phenomenal
actively engaged in social, progress witnessed over the past
educational and humanitarian one hundred years under the
works across the globe under the auspices of the Ahmadiyya
fostering care of the Successors Khilafat is testimony to its
to the Promised Messiah(as). It heavenly authorship.
does so, in the face of
persecution, purely for the sake It is high time Muslim orthodoxy
of Allah’s pleasure and without recognised this Divine support of
regard to caste, colour or creed. the Ahmadiyya Muslim
Community in the form of the
In so doing, the Ahmadiyya blessed institution of Khilafat
Community epitomizes true which, one hundred years on,
Islam and bears inimitable continues to spearhead an
resemblance to the companions Islamic renaissance, drawing
of the of the Holy Prophet(saw). If strength from an unwavering
the blessed companions were in belief in God, a relentless
need of Khilafat, they were also, passion to serve humanity the
on the basis of their devotion to world over and a noble objective
the religion and God of the Holy of ensuring that “the flag of the
Prophet(saw), deserving of it. Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw)
flies higher than all other flags of
Khilafat is a spiritual dominion the world.”
of Allah Almighty promised to
believers who perform righteous
deeds and an unbroken chain of

Divine Promise of
Khilafat
Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as)
The affirmation that the Holy

Qur’an and the Ahadith alone
suffice us and that we do not
need the company of the
righteous is opposed to the
teachings of the Holy Qur’an, as
Allah the Exalted has said:
And be with the truthful.

(Ch.9:V.119)
never left without the truthful, as
The truthful are those who have the commandment, ‘be with the
recognised the truth through their truthful’ (Ch9:V.119), necessi-
spiritual insight and are devoted tates the presence of the truthful
to it. This high grade of spiritual at all times.
insight cannot be achieved unless
heavenly guidance conveys a Besides, observation confirms
seeker to the stage of certainty by that the learning and knowledge
experience. In this sense the truly of those who do not seek the
righteous are the Prophets, the company of the righteous does
Messengers, the Muhaddathin not help to rid them of their
and the perfect Auliya’ who are physical passions, and that they
guided by heavenly light and do not achieve even a minimum
who behold God Almighty with status in Islam which generates
the sight of certainty in this very the certainty of belief that God
world. The verse we have just does indeed exist. They do not
quoted indicates that the world is believe in the existence of God

DIVINE PROMISE OF KHILAFAT
with the same certainty as they the Qur’an into the world till the
feel with regard to their wealth, teacher of the Qur’an had been
which is locked in their boxes, or sent. You will find that at several
about the houses which they places the Holy Qur’an affirms:
own. They dread swallowing
arsenic, as they are certain that it …teaches them the Book and
is fatal poison, but they do not wisdom…
dread the poison of sin, though (Ch.62:V.3)
they read in the Holy Qur’an:
That is: The Holy Prophet(saw)
Verily, he who comes to his teaches the Qur’an and its
Lord a sinner – for him is wisdom to the people. At one
Hell; he shall neither die place it is said:
therein nor live.
(Ch.20:V.75) Which none shall touch
except those who are
The truth is that he who does not purified.
recognise God Almighty cannot (Ch.56:80)
recognise the Holy Qur’an. It is
true that the Holy Qur’an has This means that the verities and
been revealed for guidance, but the insights of the Qur’an are
the guidance of the Qur’an is revealed only to the purified.
bound up with the personality of
the one to whom it was revealed This shows clearly that for the
or of one who is appointed his true understanding of the Holy
substitute by God. Had the Qur’an a teacher is needed who
Qur’an alone been enough, God is purified by God Almighty
Almighty had the power to have Himself. Had a teacher of the
the Qur’an inscribed on the Qur’an not been needed, there
leaves of trees or could have would have been no such need
made it descend from heaven in from the beginning of time. It is
the form of a book, but this was idle to assert that in the
not what He did. He did not send beginning a teacher was needed

for the exposition of the difficult his own practice and example.
parts of the Qur’an, and For instance, the Divine
exposition having been made, a affirmation that He knows the
teacher is no longer needed. unseen, accepts prayer, has
Fresh exposition is needed from power to do all that He wills,
time to time. The Muslims are leads His seekers to true light,
confronted with new difficulties sends His revelation to His
in every age. It is true that the sincere servants, and causes His
Qur’an comprises all knowledge spirit to descend upon whom-
but not all its knowledge is soever He wills out of His
disclosed at one time. It is creatures, are all matters that can
revealed as difficulties and be understood only through the
problems are encountered. example of the teacher himself.
Spiritual teachers, who are the
heirs of the Prophets and are It is obvious that the superficial
reflectively invested with their clerics, who are themselves
qualities, are sent to resolve the blind, cannot illustrate these
difficulties that arise in every teachings. On the contrary, they
age. The reformer whose teach that all these matters have
functions closely resemble the been left behind and can no
functions of a Messenger bears longer be experienced. Thus they
the name of that Messenger in create doubts in the minds of
the estimation of Allah. their disciples concerning the
greatness of Islam. They teach
Teachers are also needed, that Islam is no longer a living
because some portions of the faith and there is no way now to
teaching of the Holy Qur’an are discover its true meaning. It is
matters of hÇl as opposed to obvious, however, that if God
qÇl.1 The Holy Prophet(saw) who Almighty designs that His
was the first teacher of the Holy creatures should always drink
Qur’an and the true heir of its from the spring of the Holy
teaching, demonstrated its Qur’an, He would have made
teachings to his companions by provisions for it as He has always

done. Had the teachings of the relates to personal experience

Holy Qur’an been limited, as the cannot be comprehended except
teaching of an experienced and through teachers who have
right thinking philosopher is experience through teachers who
limited, and did it not comprise have experienced it. Therefore, if
the heavenly teaching which can after the Holy Prophet(saw)
only be demonstrated by teachers who were guided by the
practice, then, God forbid, the reflection of the light of
revelation of the Holy Qur’an Prophethood had not been
was needless. But I know that if available, it would mean that
one were to reflect upon the God Almighty, having removed
distinction between the teaching from the world at an early stage
of the Prophets and the teaching those who understood the Holy
of the philosophers, assuming Qur’an truly and correctly,
both to be true, the only deliberately let the Qur’an
distinction that would be become useless. But this would
discovered is that a great portion be contrary to His promise:
of the teaching of the Prophets is
metaphysical and can only be Verily, We Ourself have sent
understood and appreciated down this Exhortation, and
through practical demonstration, most surely We will be its
and can be illustrated only by Guardian.
those who have personal (Ch.15:V.10)
experience of it…
That is: ‘It is We Who have sent
If Allah the Glorious has so down the Qur’an and We shall
willed that this portion of the continue to safeguard it.’
teaching of His Book should not
be confined to the early ages, I am unable to understand that if
then He must have arranged for those with complete under-
the teachers of that portion to be standing of the Qur’an and belief
available at all times, since the in its certainty through personal
portion of the teaching which experience have all passed away,

then how has the Qur’an been imagine that God Almighty, Who
safeguarded? Does safeguarding always has a spiritual purpose,
it mean that the Qur’an, meant only the safeguarding of
beautifully inscribed, would be the text of the Holy Qur’an. The
preserved forever locked in safes very word dhikr [remembrance]
like treasures that lie buried clearly indicates that the Holy
under the earth and are no use to Qur’an will be preserved forever
anyone? Can anyone imagine as a remembrance, and its true
that this is the true meaning of dhakirin2 will always be present.
this verse? If so, there is nothing This is confirmed by another
extraordinary about it. Rather, verse, which says:
such a claim is laughable and
amounts to inviting ridicule from Nay, it is a collection of clear
the enemies of Islam. Of what Signs in the hearts of those
use is the safeguarding which who have been given
does not serve the true purpose? knowledge…
It is quite possible that a copy of (Ch.29:V.50)
the Torah or the Gospel may be
found which has been similarly [That is] the Holy Qur’an is
safeguarded. There are thousands composed of clear Signs in the
of books, which have continued bosoms of those who have been
to exist entirely unaltered and bestowed knowledge.’
which are for certain the writings
of a particular person. There is no This verse clearly means that the
particular merit in such believers have been bestowed
preservation, and such knowledge of the Holy Qur’an
safeguarding of the Qur’an and they act upon it. As the
would be of no benefit to the Qur’an is preserved in the
Muslims. It is true that the bosoms of the believers, the
safeguarding of the text of the verse:
Holy Qur’an is greater than that
of all other books and is in itself Verily, We Ourself have sent
extraordinary, but we cannot down this Exhortation, and

most surely We will be its the example of their own

Guardian. righteousness, and benefit the
(Ch.15:V.10) seekers after truth, are obviously
the greatest benefactors of
means that it would not cease to mankind. And it is also obvious
dwell therein…. that they do not remain upon the
earth for a long time and pass
Secondly, reason demands that away after a short existence. Yet
for the teaching and under- the purport of this verse cannot
standing of Divine books, it is be contradictory to this reality.
necessary that, like the advent of Therefore, with reference to the
the Prophets, recipients of Prophets, this verse means that
revelation and persons equipped they continue their beneficence
with spiritual knowledge should by way of reflection. God
also continue to appear from time Almighty at the times of need
to time. Similarly, when we study raises a servant of His who
the Qur’an and deliberate upon it becomes their example
we discover that the availability reflectively and thus continues
of spiritual teachers is part of the their spiritual life. It is for this
Divine design. For instance God purpose that God has taught the
has said: prayer:
…but as to that which Guide us in the right path –

benefits men, it stays on the the path of those on whom
earth… Thou has bestowed Thy
(Ch.13:V.18) blessings.
(Ch.1:Vs.6-7)
[That is:] ‘That which benefits
people endures in the earth.’ [That is:] ‘O Allah, guide us
along the straight path, the path
The Prophets who strengthen of those servants upon whom
people’s faith through miracles, Thou has bestowed Thy
prophecies, verities, insights and favours….’

Not only has He taught this Meaning: ‘O True believers

prayer, but has also promised in among the followers of
another verse: Muhammad(saw), Allah has pro-
mised those among you who
As for those who strive in believe and act righteously, that
Our path – We will surely He will surely make them
guide them in Our ways… successors in the earth, as He
(Ch.29:V.70) made successors among those
who were before them.’
[That is:] ‘Those who strive in
Our path – which is the right path …And as for those who
– We will surely guide them disbelieve, disaster shall not
along Our ways.’ cease to befall them for what
they have wrought or to alight
It is clear that the ways of God near their home, until the
Almighty are those that have promise of Allah comes to
been disclosed to the Prophets. pass. Surely, Allah fails not in
His promise.
There are other verses which also (Ch.13:V.32)
indicate that it is God’s design
that spiritual teachers, who are [Meaning:] ‘Those who
the heirs of the Prophets, should disbelieve will continue to be
always continue to be available. afflicted with a calamity,
For instance: physical or spiritual, or which
would descend close to their
Allah has promised to those dwellings till the Divine promise
among you who believe and is fulfilled. Surely Allah doeth
do good works that He will not contrary to His promise.’
surely make them Successors
in the earth, as he made …We never punish until We
Successors from among those have sent a Messenger.
who were before them… (Ch.17:V.16)
(Ch.24:V.56)

[Meaning:] ‘And We send not a There are many other verses in

punishment till after We have the Holy Qur’an, which give
raised a Messenger.’ tidings of a permanent Khilafat
among the Muslims, and there
If a person reflects upon these are also several Ahadith to the
verses he will realise that God same effect. But what I have said
Almighty has clearly promised already should suffice for those
the Muslims a permanent who accept established verities
Khilafat. If this Khilafat were not as great wealth.
permanent there would have
been no sense in describing it as There is no worse concept
resembling the Khilafat of the concerning Islam than to say that
Mosaic dispensation…. it is a dead religion whose
blessings were confined only to
A Khalifa is a reflection of a its beginning. Can the Book that
Prophet. As man is mortal, God opens the door of perpetual good
Almighty designed that Prophets, fortune inculcate so discouraging
who are more exalted and a doctrine that there is no
honoured than all other beings, blessing or Khilafat in the future
should be reflectively preserved and that everything has been
forever. For this purpose, God confined to the past? True, there
instituted Khilafat so that the will be no independent Prophets
world should at no time be among the Muslims. But if there
deprived of the blessings of were also to be no Khulafa to
Prophethood. He who limits it to demonstrate the proofs of
thirty years, foolishly overlooks spiritual life from time to time,
the true purpose of Khilafat, and that would spell the end of
does not realize that God did not spirituality in Islam….It causes
design that the blessings of one’s heart to tremble to imagine
Khilafat be limited to thirty years that Islam has now died and that
after the death of the Holy no such people would arise in it,
Prophet(saw) and that, thereafter, whose spiritual manifestations
the world may go to ruin…. would be a substitute for

miracles and whose inspiration a References

substitute for revelation, let alone
that a Muslim should believe in 1. HÇl here means the practical
demonstration of faith, as opposed to
any such possibility as a qÇl, which connotes only verbal
doctrine. May God Almighty acceptance.
guide those who are involved in
such misguided thinking. 2. Those who learn the Qur’an, act
according to it, and recite it to others.
(Shahadat-ul-Qur’an, Ruhani
Khaza’in, vol. 6, pp. 339-356)
Verse references to the Holy Qur’an item count ‘Bismillah...’ (In the Name
of Allah...) as the first verse of each Chapter. In some non-standard texts,
this is not counted. Should the reader refer to such texts, the verse quoted
in The Review of Religions will be found a verse earlier, i.e. at one verse
less than the number quoted.
In this journal, for the ease of non-Muslim readers, ‘(saw)’ or ‘saw’ after the
words, ‘Holy Prophet’, or the name ‘Muhammad’, are used. They stand for
‘Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam’ meaning ‘peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him’. Likewise, the letters ‘(as)’ or ‘as’ after the name of all other
prophets is an abbreviation meaning ‘peace be upon him’ derived from
‘Alaihis salatu wassalam’ which are words that a Muslim utters out of
respect whenever he or she comes across that name. The abbreviation ‘ra’
or (ra) stands for ‘Radhiallahu Ta’ala anhu and is used for Companions of
a Prophet, meaning Allah be pleased with him or her (when followed by the
relevant Arabic pronoun). Finally, ‘ru’ or (ru) for Rahemahullahu Ta’ala
means the Mercy of Allah the Exalted be upon him.
In keeping with current universal practice, local transliterations of names of

places are preferred to their anglicised versions, e.g. Makkah instead of
Mecca, etc.

Ahmadiyya Khilafat Centenary Message
The formal message addressed to the worldwide membership of the
Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam by Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad,
Khalifatul Masih V, on the Centenary of Khilafat in Ahmadiyya, 27th
May 2008.
My dear Members of the between God and man, to teach

Community, mankind to submit to one God, to
strive for establishing Tauhid
Assalamu Alaikum wa (Unity of Allah) in the world,
Rahmatullah wa Barakatuhu and, having united all the nations
(Peace be upon you with the of the world into one Ummah
mercy of Allah and His blessings) (Community), to gather the
whole mankind under the banner
Today [the 27th May, 2008] one of the Holy Prophet(saw) and draw
hundred years of Khilafat-e- the attention of mankind to
Ahmadiyya have come to their recognise and respect the mutual
completion. This day draws our rights of man. The person whom
thoughts to the history of the God, having bestowed on him the
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, titles of the Imam, the Messiah
spread over a period of more than and the Mahdi, had sent to the
one hundred years, as well as of world, successfully carried out
the time when according to the his mission with the support and
prophecy of the Holy Prophet(saw), help of Allah for almost nineteen
a chosen servant of Allah, by His years – since the foundation of
command, made the announce- the Community and the first
ment on March 1889 about the Bai‘at (Pledge of Allegiance) in
foundation of this holy 1889 until 1908 when he passed
community. The objectives of his away – in spite of all kinds of
mission and that of the opposition and unfavourable
establishment of the Community circumstances with such
were to establish the relationship expeditiousness that every adver-

AHMADIYYA KHILAFAT CENTENARY MESSAGE
sary who opposed this Champion Prophet(saw), do not worry

of Allah suffered ignominy and about how your mission will
disgrace. be fulfilled after your death.
Remember that according to
According to the laws of Allah, the prophecy of the Holy
everyone who comes to this Prophet(saw), which is endorsed
world has at last to leave it – and by Me, Khilafat in the
that person, the chosen servant of precepts of Prophethood will
Allah and the true lover of the be established and will last till
Holy Prophet(saw), always the end of the world. Thus
remained, in accordance with the after you pass away, it is this
Sunnah (practice) of his very institution of Khilafat by
Master(saw), eager to meet his most means of which I shall once
Exalted Friend. Almighty Allah again initiate the plan for the
Who had sent this servant of His establishment and stability of
as Imam Akhiruzzman (the My last Sharia in the world.”
Promised) Imam of the latter
days, while indicating to him that Thus, after this reassurance by
the time of his death was Almighty Allah, the Promised
approaching, consoled him by Messiah(as), addressing the
assuring him that though his end Community, wrote:
was near, yet [He would not let
his mission remain unfulfilled], “This is the Way of God. And
because in accordance with His since He created man on the
proclamation He had Himself earth He has always been
raised him as the Imam of the demonstrating this Way by
latter days: helping His Prophets and
Messengers and granting
“So my dear one, O you who them predominance, as He
are extremely anxious for the says: Allah has decreed:
establishment of My Tauhid ‘Most surely I will prevail, I
in the world and the and My Messengers.’
sovereignty of My beloved (Ch.58:V.22), that is, God has

ordained that He and His Thus He manifests two kinds

Prophets shall prevail. And by of Powers. First He shows the
predominance is meant that, Hand of His Power at the
as Messengers and Prophets hands of His Prophets
desire that God’s Hujjat (Will) themselves. Second at the
is enforced on the earth and time when, after the death of a
no one is able to oppose it, so Prophet, believers face
in turn God with His powerful difficulties and problems and
signs brings to light their (the the enemy gains force and
Prophets) truthfulness as well thinks that now all is lost [as
as the truth which they (the far as the mission of the
Prophets) wish to propagate in Prophet is concerned], and is
the world and He lets them convinced that it is the time
sow its seed with their own when the community [of the
hands. However, He does not followers of the Prophet] will
let it come to full fruition at be wiped off the face of the
their hands. Rather He causes earth, and even members of
them to die at such time as the community start dithering
apparently forebodes a kind of and plunge into despair,
failure and thereby He feeling so helpless, and a few
provides an opportunity for of them who are unfortunate
the opponents to laugh at, resort to apostasy, then God,
ridicule, taunt and reproach for the second time, shows
the Prophets. And when they His Mighty Power and
have done all they could do in supports and takes care of the
the way of ridicule and community which was about
reproach, then He reveals a to fall. Thus a person, who
Second Hand of His Power remains steadfast till the end,
and creates such means by sees this miracle of God. As it
which the objectives which happened at the time of
had to some extent remained Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddiq(ra)
incomplete are fully realised. when the death of the Holy
Prophet(saw) was considered

untimely and many ignorant Manifestations so that two

Bedouins turned apostate. The false joys of the opponents be
companions(ra) of the Holy put to an end, it is not possible
Prophet(saw), too, stricken with now that God should
grief, became like those who relinquish His old-established
lose their senses. Then Allah Sunnah. So do not grieve over
raised Hadhrat Abu Bakr what I have said to you; and
Siddiq(ra) and showed for the nor should your hearts be
second time the manifestation distressed. For it is essential
of His Power and thus Islam, for you to witness the second
which was about to fall, was Manifestation also, and its
supported by Him and He coming is better for you
fulfilled this promise of His because it is everlasting the
which was given [in the continuity of which will not
verse]: And that He will surely end till the Day of Judgement.
establish for them their And that second
religion which He has chosen Manifestation cannot come
for them; and that He will unless I depart. But when I
surely give them in exchange depart, God will send this
security and peace after their second Manifestation for you
fear. (Ch.24:V.56) That is, which shall always remain
after the fear we shall firmly with you as it is promised by
re-establish them.” God in Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya.
(Risala Al-Wasiyyat, Ruhani And this promise is not for my
Khazain Vol. 20, pp. 304-305) person. Rather the promise is
with reference to you, as God
Again, he wrote: says: ‘I shall make this
Community who are your
“So dear friends! Since it is followers, prevail over all
the Sunnatullah (the way of others till the Day of
Allah), from time Judgement.’ Thus it is
immemorial, that God inevitable that you see the day
Almighty shows two of my departure, so that after

that day the day comes which Allah and the heart of each and
is the day of ever-lasting every Ahmadi was filled with
promise. Our God is He Who fear and grief. However, because
keeps His promise and is of the prayers of the believers, the
Faithful and He is the Truthful earth and the heaven once again
God. He shall show you all witnessed the fulfilment of the
that He has promised. Though promise (And that He will surely
these days are the last days of give them in exchange security
this world, and there are many and peace after their fear), as it
a disaster waiting to happen, had been witnessed many times
yet it is necessary that this earlier. The great revolution that
world continues to exist until the Promised Messiah(as) had
all those things about which brought about with his advent
God has prophesied come to was willed by Almighty Allah to
pass. I came from God as continue and be sustained
Manifestation of His Power through the great institution of
and I am the embodiment of Khilafat.
God’s Power. And after I am
gone there will be some other At the death of the Promised
persons who will be the Messiah(as), Maulana Abul Kalam
Manifestation of the second Azad wrote in the paper Wakil:
Power [of God]. So, while
waiting for the second “That man, a very great man
Manifestation of His Power, whose pen was magic and
you should all together keep speech enchanting, the man
yourselves busy praying.” who was the embodiment of
(Risala Al-Wasiyyat, Ruhani the marvels of the mind –
Khazain Vol. 20, pp. 305-306) whose glance would cast a
spell and whose voice was the
At last, as he, the Promised clarion call of resurrection;
Messiah(as), had said, the time one whose fingers were
came when he passed away to entangled with the live wires
rest in the Presence of Almighty of revolution and whose fists

were two charged batteries of Messiah(as) had the special

electricity, the man who, for support and help of Allah.
thirty years, caused an
earthquake and storm in the But they did not realise that the
world of religion; who Being who has extraordinary
sounded like the trumpet of powers and works wonders and is
doom and continued to the Almighty had promised that
awaken those who were deep He would, through the bounty of
in the slumber of mortal Khilafat, continue the revolution
existence … The death of brought about by the one who had
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Sahib the support and help of Allah.
Qadiani is not something from And the whole world witnessed
which one may not draw any the truth of this at the time of the
lesson and consign it to the election of Khilafat when
passage of time, and be Hadhrat Maulana Nur-ud-Din(ra)
content. The persons who was elected as Khalifatul Masih I.
bring about revolutions in the In spite of the fact that the
religious and intellectual opponents of the Promised
world do not always appear. Messiah(as) were witnessing an
These great ‘sons’ of history, organised and well-knit
the pride of mankind, very Community founded by the
rarely visit this world, and Promised Messiah(as), and in spite
when they do so they depart of the fact that they had witnessed
from it only after having the scene of the establishment of
brought about a revolution in Khilafat, they tried, by an
it.” organised effort, to put an end to
(Wakil, Amritsar, Tarikh-e- the Community – the Community
Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, p. 560) which was established by God
Almighty Himself and about
Thus, having made non-Ahmadis which He had promised:
confess about this revolution with
their tongues and pens, Almighty “Call to mind My bounty. I
Allah showed that the Promised have planted for you (the tree

of) My Mercy and My Power Ahmadiyyat. Yet by the blessing

with My own Hand.” of Khilafat, Ahmadiyyat is
(Tadhkirah,p.428) flourishing in the world and
millions of people devotedly
Thus, in accordance with this profess Ahmadiyyat, or the true
promise, they were defeated in Islam. The enemies of
their plan like always, even Ahmadiyyat crossed the limits of
though they went so far in the their absurd talk so much so that
ferocity of their enmity and one paper, Curzon Gazette, wrote
opposition that one paper wrote: the following to which Hadhrat
Khalifatul Masih I(ra) referred in
“If anyone asks us, then we his first speech of Jalsa Salana:
are ready to truly say that if it
is at all possible for Muslims, “Now nothing is left in
they should throw the books Mirzaies. Their head has been
of Mirza not into the oceans, cut off. One man who has
but into a burning furnace. been elected as their Imam is
They should not end the not capable of doing anything
matter here, but see to it that except that he would teach
in the future no Muslim or you (the Ahmadis) the Qur’an
non-Muslim historian in a mosque.”
mentions his name in the (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol.3,
history of India or that of p. 221)
Islam.”
(Wakil, Amritsar, 3rd June, Remarking on this, Hadhrat
1908,Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Khalifatul Masih I(ra) said:
Vol.3, pp. 205,206)
‘Subhanallah (Glory belongs
But today the history of to Allah) this is the most
Ahmadiyyat bears witness to the important task and has
fact – and the whole world knows priority over all. May Allah
it – that no one remembers the grant me the opportunity to
erstwhile opponents of carry it out.’

Unfortunately some prominent him, his moral and spiritual

members of the Community, too, upbringing (Tarbiyyat) of the
did not appreciate the status of Community and the knowledge
the office of Khilafat. and deep insight of the Holy
Conspiracies continued to be Qur’an he possessed.
hatched. But the tree planted by
the hand of God continued to Many a time the Community had
grow. According to the promise to face great suffering and severe
made by God to the Promised opposition, yet with the blessing
Messiah(as) the Community of Khilafat it continued to
comprising small and devoted successfully move forward. A
followers of the Promised close look at the fifty years of
Messiah(as) went on increasing the Khilafat of Hadhrat
and no effort to inflict loss on the Khalifatul Masih II(ra) shows how
Community could succeed. remarkable and crowning were
the achievements of this son of
When the time of the second the Champion of Allah, the
Khilafat came, some prominent Promised Messiah(as).
members of the Anjuman openly
and resolutely opposed the After the death of Hadhrat
Institution of Khilafat. But all Musleh Maud(ra) the world of
such prominent people, Ahmadiyyat was once again
overconfident and full of conceit plunged into fear, but Allah,
as they were regarding their so- according to His promise,
called knowledge, experienced having replaced that fear with
and educated, could not match a security and peace within a few
young man of 25 years of age. hours, bestowed on the
Indeed such was his exalted Community the bright moon of
station that no one could equal or the third appearance of the
surpass him with respect to his Second Manifestation of Divine
organising the Community, the power. In spite of the opposition
organised expansion of its of the then governments and in
missionary work (Tabligh) by spite of the organised and united

efforts of all Muslim sects that they would once for all root
(before and after the passing of a out ‘the cancer of Ahmadiyyat.’
cruel law against Ahmadis), the Because of this law, which had
caravan of Ahmadiyyat been passed by the government
continued to advance, crossing of Pakistan, the Khalifa of the
the ever new landmarks of time had to migrate. But this
progress, one after the other, migration opened new vistas for
giving the message of love to the the progress of Ahmadiyyat.
world, serving the poor of the Once again we saw the
impoverished nations, fulfilment of the promise made
conveying to them the message in ‘I have planted for you (the
of the Arab Prophet(saw) and tree of) My Mercy and My Power
gathering them under his banner. with My own hand.’ Avenues for
the missionary work of the
Then the time came when Community were opened which
according to the Divine decree had once looked like a remote
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih III(ru), possibility. During the time of
too, departed from this world to the fourth Khilafat, through
meet his Creator. Once again MTA, Allah fulfilled His
internal and external disorders promise to the Promised
and mischief arose. But, in Messiah(as): “I shall carry your
accordance with the Divine message to the ends of the
promise, the Ahmadiyya Muslim world”, confounding the reason
Community was consolidated of man. If we look at our limited
and strengthened through the means and the way in which this
fourth Khilafat and every channel began, then the words of
mischief petered out of Tasbih (Glorification) and
existence. Tahmid (Praise) of Almighty
Allah naturally flow from our
Allah, the Almighty, destroyed lips. Today, this channel has,
those who put constraints on the from east to west, from north to
Community under the provision south, silenced every opponent
of a cruel law and who claimed of Ahmadiyyat. Thus God

revealed, through the MTA the peace, and others wondered at

voice of the man spreading the how those people and that
message of Truth to the homes of Community which they had been
those who had wished to totally trying to destroy for hundred
incapacitate the Khalifa of the years had continued to prosper
time. Today, through it, the and progress. One opponent
spiritual food (Maida) of the openly admitted, “I do not
Ilm-e-Kalam of the Promised believe you to be in the right. But
Messiah(as) (that is his teachings, after having seen this, I have to
his knowledge and his confess that God by His actions
arguments in support of the truth has testified that He is with you.”
of Islam and for the refutation of
the tenets of other faiths and I am a humble person and am not
creeds) as well as that of the last very knowledgeable, yet, Allah
Shariah of God Almighty – the the Almighty has united at my
Noble Qur’an – has reached hand the whole Community.
every home with the grace of Everyday the relationship
Allah. between me and the Community
grows stronger and stronger. The
In accordance with the law world thought that perhaps I
mentioned in the verse: All that is would not be able to look after
on it (earth) will pass away. the Community and that they
(Ch.55:V.27), Hadhrat Khalifatul would see the end of the
Masih IV(ru) passed away. And at Community for which they had
the time of his death the whole been waiting for the last 100
world witnessed that the eyes of years. But they forgot that this
the MTA cameras relayed a scene tree has been planted by God
through satellite to every home Almighty. No human being is
around the world. The scene was responsible for planting it and
amazing both for Ahmadis and making it flourish. Rather
non-Ahmadis. Ahmadis rejoiced whatever is happening is
that Almighty God had replaced happening because of the Divine
their fear with security and promises and support. And

Almighty Allah is fulfilling the and every Ahmadi that by

promise made to the Promised remaining attached to the
Messiah(as) in the revelation: Second Manifestation of Allah
he or she should strive,
“I am with you and with those mustering all his and her
whom you love.” capacities, to fulfil the mission
of the Promised Messiah(as).
Thus, this is the Divine decree. Today, we have to bring all of
This is the promise made by the Christianity under the banner of
very God Who does not make the Holy Prophet(saw); we also
false promises – the promise that have to bring the Jews under his
those dear ones of the Promised banner and we have to bring all
Messiah(as) who, in accordance the Hindus and the followers of
with his injunction, have other religions, too, under his
embraced the second banner. We have also to unite all
Manifestation of the power of the Muslims of the world
Allah, it is they who will gain through attachment to the
supremacy over the world Khilafat Ahmadiyya at the hand
because God is with them. God is of the Promised Messiah and
with us. Mahdi(as).
Today, 100 years of this second Ahmadis who live in all parts of
Manifestation of Allah’s Power the world or in any country!
(Khilafat) have come to their Hold fast to this fundamental
completion. And everyday we objective which I have just
experience the fulfilment of the mentioned above and fulfil the
above mentioned promise made task which the the Promised
by Allah to the Promised Imam of the time, the Messiah
Messiah(as) with a renewed glory, and the Mahdi(as) has entrusted to
as I have mentioned above in the you by the command of Allah.
short historical account of the By stating that ‘this promise is
Community. about you’, the Promised
Thus, it is the obligation of each Messsiah(as) has placed on us this

great responsibility. And regarding peace and security, the

promises are fulfilled only when example of which is not found
the conditions attached to them on the surface of the earth. To
are observed. fulfil the mission of the Messiah
of Muhammad(saw) and to be
Believers of the Masih-e- united in faith in the Unity of
Muhammadi [The Messiah of God, can only be achieved today
Muhammad(saw)]! Dear ones of by remaining attached to
the Promised Messiah(as) and the Khilafat Ahmadiyya. It is this by
flourishing branches of the tree which men of God will bring
of his being! Rise up! Be ready about a spiritual revolution in the
to make any sacrifice required world.
for the further strengthening of
Khilafat Ahmadiyya so that, by May Allah enable each Ahmadi
holding fast to the rope of Allah, to convey with firm faith this
you may spread, to the ends of beautiful Truth to every
the world, the message of the individual in the world.
Holy Prophet(saw) the Master and
Muta‘ (the obeyed one) of the Wassalam
Promised Messiah(as) with which
Allah sent the Messiah of Humbly
Muhammad(saw). Also convey the (Mirza Masroor Ahmad)
message to each and every Khalifatul Masih V
person in the world that his or
her survival depends on
establishing a true relationship
with the One and Only God and
that the peace of the world
depends on joining the
Community of the Mahdi and
the Messiah(as) because today he
alone is the standard-bearer of
the true Islamic teachings

Khilafat in Islam
Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad,
Khalifatul Masih(ru), held audiences
with people of all nationalities, faiths
and beliefs granting them the
opportunity of raising questions and
issues of interest to them. Presented
below are answers to questions that
were raised during two separate
sessions on MTA during the program
Liqaa Ma’al Arab – Meeting with Arabs.
Transcribed by Khullat Munir, New York, USA.
Question: Shi’ites of today know it? And if

The Shi’ites believe that before he knew, why did he give his
the Prophet(saw) died, he appointed hand in Bai’at (Pledge of
Hadhrat Ali(ra) as his Successor. Allegiance) to Hadhrat Abu
What are the teachings of Islam Bakr(ra)? If he knew and then did
regarding the appointment of the it, then he would no longer be
Khalifa? worthy of being the Imam.
(Liqaa Ma’al Arab, 17 July 1994)
It is against the very character of
Answer: Hadhrat Ali(ra) to behave like that.
This issue has been resolved He was the bravest man under
already by no less a person than Hadhrat Muhammad(saw), the
Hadhrat Ali(ra) himself. Did he not Chief of the Prophets, who
know that he was appointed as fought the battles for Islam. It is
Khalifa without break after said and reported very rightly so
Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa(saw)? that the point of [the] highest
If he did not know, how could the danger in any battle during the

KHILAFAT IN ISLAM
time of Hadhrat Muhammad(saw) was ‘willed’ to be the Khalifa,

was where Hadhrat then what would be the position
Muhammad (saw) himself was. of Hadhrat Abu Bakr(ra)? If it is
And next to that, [was] where true, then the Shi’ites’ claim
Hadhrat Ali(ra) was. Such a brave could be considered to have
man. He did not care, as they say, some validity; that Hadhrat Abu
a fig for his life. How could he Bakr(ra) (God forbid) appears to
become so callous regarding the be chief of munafiqeen – chief of
guarding of his status given to [the] hypocrites. This is what
him by the Holy Prophet(saw) they say. Now Hadhrat Ali(ra) is
himself after divine guidance not giving his hand to a pious
from Allah? It is impossible. man, according to them.
Whatever it was, we don’t go Imagine, Hadhrat Ali(ra) is giving
into the details of who concocted his hand of submission in the
this hadith and what the meaning name of Allah, repeating the
was, etc. – it is irrelevant. The words of Bai’at, with which
relevant fact, which is not people gave their hands in Bai’at
disputed, is that Hadhrat Ali(ra) to Hadhrat Muhammad(saw),
under whatever conditions according to the Shi’ites, to the
Shi’ites believe, gave his hand to chief of the hypocrites. It is
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Sadiq(ra) and impossible and unbelievable!
thereby professed himself that he
is the Khalifa and not Hadhrat Question:
Ali(ra). The Holy Prophet(saw) is reported
to have said, “Prophethood shall
The situation which develops remain among you as long as
from this is much worse than Allah shall will. He will bring
people can visualise from what I about its end and follow it with
have said. There is another part Khilafat on the precepts of
to this story. If Hadhrat Ali(ra) was prophethood for as long as He
destined to be the Khalifa shall will and then bring about
immediately after Hadhrat its end. A tyrannical monarchy
Muhammad(saw), and as such he will then follow and will remain

KHILAFAT IN ISLAM
as long as Allah shall will and monarchy) cannot bequeath a

then come to an end. There will system of min haajan nabuwwat
follow thereafter monarchial at all. That indicates that, like in
despotism to last as long as Allah the first case, true Khilafat was
shall will and come to an end born because of nabuwwat. In
upon His decree. There will then the second phase, which will be
emerge Khilafat on precept of much later, that Khilafat which
prophethood.” Please explain will be created by Allah will be
this hadith. alaa min haajan nabuwwat
(Liqaa Ma’al Arab, 12 March which means that there will be a
1998) nabi (prophet) before that
Khilafat otherwise that Khilafat
Answer: will not be born. That reference
Firstly, the hadith and then has to be to Jesus Christ, as he is
specifically the questions raised envisioned to descend upon this
should be addressed. The rulers earth by non-Ahmadis, and as he
would appear with no justice in is envisioned by us to be born in
their decisions. Another type of the Ummah (Community) and
rulers are mentioned, who will be tied to Jesus. Either way the new
aggressive. First of all the rulers Khilafat alaa min haajan
who will not rule with adil nabuwwat cannot start without
(justice), and then they will be his advent. That is
aggressive, appropriating their understandable. But in the first
rights and be transgressing case, the Holy Prophet(saw)
against their own people. mentioned that that Khilafat will
ultimately dissipate and will be
There are two mentions to lifted. About the Khilafat which
Khilafat alaa min haajan will follow in the latter days, he
nabuwwat (on the precepts of does not mention this. He
prophethood). First, immediately became silent after this which
after him and the second, after all means that the previous phases
these three phases would be over. will not follow exactly as it
So Malik ul Aaz (tyrannical followed in the case of the

KHILAFAT IN ISLAM
previous Khilafat alaa min the political plane it is divided.

haajan nabuwwat. So no When a people are divided, they
Mujaddideen (reformers) will cannot attain in the world what a
come, as they appeared after the united people can attain because
lifting of the first Khilafat. If the their might is not only divided
Holy Prophet(saw) viewed the and split, their might is pushed
second Khilafat as ending up in against one another. When this
Mujaddidiyat, he should have happens, then sometimes the sum
mentioned that. He does not total is even less than zero.
mention any immediate decay However big a people be, if they
after the second Khilafat. So are opposing each other over big
whatever solution he offered to issues or small issues; they are
the decay after the first Khilafat, fighting each other; they are
he does not refer to that in dividing their might against each
relation to the second Khilafat other, and unfortunately call it
which would, of course, be his Jihad, then what would be the
Khilafat. But it will continue for outcome of this? What energy
a long time. will be left to build themselves
and to defend Islam and the
Question: Muslim interests against their
The world in general and the enemies? That is the need for
Muslim world in particular, is in unification and for one Imam to
need of the system of Khilafat. bring order, a single order in all
What is the importance and of Islam. This cannot be done
significance of this system? without Khilafat because
(Liqaa Ma’al Arab, 13 Khilafat is a system whereby the
December 1984) absence of a prophet is somehow
compensated by a person who
Answer: officiates on his behalf and who
The whole Muslim Ummah, sits as a deputy and a
which really should be one, is subordinate; a central authority
divided into so many sects: not in a seat which has been vacated
only in the religious plane, but in by the deceased prophet. This is

KHILAFAT IN ISLAM
the principle of Khilafat and as you conceive an Ummah without

such it is understood by all an Imam? And as far as the
Muslims. The need for Khilafat Ummah is concerned, there is
was immediately felt after the another injunction in the Holy
Holy Prophet(saw)’s demise. Qur’an that wherever you are face
yourself towards the Qiblah.
This is displayed in Islam in every There is one common Qiblah for
part of its teachings. Without all the Muslims in the world.
unification, without discipline, in Regardless of where you are the
fact Islam cannot be practised Qiblah must remain one. This
properly. When you say the situation which you find on a
prayer five times a day in the global level, is also that which
mosque, how is it performed? you find in the mosque. In the
There has to be an Imam and it is mosque, one Qiblah is attained
behind that Imam that the unity of with the help of one Imam who
the people who have gathered leads you and then all the
there is established otherwise directions and movements of the
there can be no unity. And that is worshippers are carried out in
why there is so much emphasis in unison.
the Holy Qur’an on congre-
gational prayers and the impor- This also indicates that it is
tance of the Imam is so great that highly important for the Muslim
even if the Imam commits a Ummah to remain one and united
mistake, then the instruction is under one Iman. If that was not
that all the followers of that Imam the purpose then there should not
knowing that he has committed a have been any Khilafat because
mistake should repeat that at the time of the Holy
mistake behind him. How better Prophet(saw)’s demise, Muslims
could the need for the Imam and were in a far better state
the unity of a people be spiritually, religiously and in
emphasized than this? So if there every respect as well than the
has to be an Imam in the mosque Muslims are today. If they
in a small community, how can needed an Imam to follow, how

KHILAFAT IN ISLAM
“...it is highly important for the Muslim Ummah to remain

one and united under one Iman. If that was not the purpose
then there should not have been any Khilafat because at the
time of the Holy Prophet(saw)’s demise, Muslims were in a far
better state spiritually, religiously and in every respect as
well than the Muslims are today.”
can we do without an Imam Khilifat Rashida; there were only

today while we need much more? sort of kingdoms and
That is as far as the need of sovereignties in the name of
Khilafat is concerned. Khilafat; after that, how could
you bring Khilafat back and
Now the problem is that once the reinstate it?
Khilafat is lost, then it cannot be
recreated by the people As far as the Shi’ite ummah are
themselves again. This is a concerned, they have no problem
dilemma which the entire because they believe in the
Muslim world is facing, because continuity of the Imamat up to
Khilafat begins after the twelve Imams mostly. Some are
prophet’s demise and once it is to six Imams, some even
broken then how can it be continuously up to today.
reinstated? There is no
instrument for the reinstatement But a much greater majority of
of Khilafat if there is no prophet. the Muslims is without the
So in the case of [the] Muslims, blessings of one Khilafat. And
the problem is twofold because even if Imamat is considered to
once the Khilafat came to an end, be continued, it still cannot make
according to most Muslims, at the entire Ummah one. We are
the fourth Khalifa, Hadhrat discussing the problem of
Ali(ra), after which there was not bringing the entire Ummah

KHILAFAT IN ISLAM
together under one leadership ultimately made a large number

and that can be done not by of Muslims really pessimistic
partial Khilafat, but by universal about it. That is why when you
Khilafat whereby all the Ummah discuss this matter with many
could be brought together. But Muslims – Arab and non-Arab –
they believe there cannot be any they say, ‘Leave this issue alone;
prophet at all in any form. So that it doesn’t make any difference. If
means the only possibility of Jesus(as) is dead or alive, we are
revival of the institution of not interested.’ And the Ulema of
Khilafat is also lost. This is the Jamia Azhar have repeatedly
big problem which the world of expressed their considered
Islam is facing today. opinion that according to the
Qur’an, Jesus(as) is dead. So there
The only thing that the non- is no way he can come back
Ahmadi Muslim leadership can again. That path is also open, if at
point out is that we are expecting all it is open, only in their
a prophet to come anyway. That mythology, in their wishful
will be a low prophet, of course, thinking. Practically nobody is
but when he comes he will be a going to come from heaven
prophet. So the lost institution of again.
Khilafat will be reinstated
through Jesus Christ(as) when he That is the whole problem with
revisits the earth. The problem the world of Islam. Not only
with this is that fourteen hundred have they lost the most important
years have passed and there is no institution of Khilafat in Islam,
sign of any Jesus revisiting the but also they have blocked
earth at all. The age has changed. passage of its reinstatement.
The Muslims have gone through
the worst possible situations and
nobody like Jesus Christ(as) came
to their aid from heaven.
It is this vain waiting that has

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
Embodies True Islamic Teachings
Keynote Address delivered on 10 June 2008 at the Queen Elizabeth
II Conference Centre, London by His Holiness, Hadhrat Mirza
Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, to an audience of Ministers,
Members of Parliament and House of Lords, Mayors and many
other dignitaries. The Rt. Hon Mr Jack Straw MP, Lord Chancellor
and Secretary of State for Justice attended and spoke on behalf of
Her Majesty’s Government. A message of goodwill received from the
Prime Minister, Mr Gordon Brown, was also read in the prelude to
this address. Lord Eric Avebury, Baroness Emma Nichloson and the
Lord Mayor of Westminster paid glowing tributes to the Ahmadiyya
Muslim Community. After the traditional affirmations and
recitation, Hudhur said:
First of all I would like to thank members of the community but

all guests who, despite their are not familiar with the
busy schedule, accepted our Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
invitation to come here today. They might be thinking that a
There are some old majority of Muslims have
acquaintances – whose friend- turned against Ahmadis perhaps
ship has developed to one of because Ahmadis have mani-
near relatives – who are aware pulated changes to the true
of the Ahmadiyya Muslim teachings of Islam to fit the
Community and know how conditions of the day and are
Ahmadis practise and preach presenting Islam [as ‘apolo-
the true teachings of Islam. getics’] by removing the
However, I have been told that misconceptions about it so as to
there are some new faces today be absorbed as Muslims in the
that have a relationship with modern world.

ADDRESS BY HADHRAT KHALIFATUL V AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH CONFERENCE CENTRE
Firstly, in this short time, I believes that the interpretation

would like to say that we and explanation of the Holy
believe that the Ahmadiyya Qur’an (the Holy Scripture of
Muslim Community is the only Islam) and Hadith (the
community that is following traditions or things done and
and preaching the true teach- said by the Holy Prophet(saw))
ings of Islam around the world. presented by the founder of
Ahmadiyya Community are
The Ahmadiyya Community based on the actual teachings
consists of people who have mentioned in the Holy Qura’n
firm belief that, based on the by Allah the Almighty and
tidings received from God represent the true and real
Almighty, the founder of Islam, teachings of Islam as practised
Hadhrat Muhammad(saw), the by the Holy Prophet(saw).
last law bearing prophet, had
prophesied the advent of the The question that arises here is
Promised Messiah and the the following: what is the proof
Imam Mahdi (that is, the that Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam
Guided Imam commissioned Ahmad(as) is that very Messiah
by God) in the 14th century. We and Mahdi (the guided one)
believe that this prophecy has whose advent had been
been fulfilled in the person of prophesied by the Holy
Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Prophet(saw); who was to
Ahmad of Qadian. The Holy
(as) assemble all the Muslims and
Prophet(saw) had clarified the the people of the world on one
fact that when the Imam Mahdi hand and get them to discharge
comes, he will reform and their duties to their Creator and
restore the true teachings of the rights due to His creation?
Islam which had been distorted
with the passage of time. Thus, In this connection, the Holy
the Ahmadiyya Community Prophet(saw) has narrated a

heavenly sign of the occur on the second day of the

forthcoming prophet in one of days of the solar eclipse and the
his Ahadith (traditions) that appointed dates of the solar
cannot be easily refuted. He eclipse are the 27th, 28th and
observed that the two signs for 29th when the moon casts a
our Mahdi would be of such shadow on the sun.
magnificence that ever since
the creation of the heaven and Thus, in the month of
earth such signs had never Ramadhan of 1894, in
appeared before. And the signs accordance with this prophecy,
were a solar eclipse and a lunar the moon was eclipsed on the
eclipse occurring together in a 13th which is the first of the
particular month on its nights where a lunar eclipse can
appointed days. The month was occur and in the same month,
the holy month of Ramadhan (it the sun was eclipsed on the
should be clear that only 28th, which is the second day
Islamic months follow purely a among the days where a total
lunar calendar, Ramadhan solar eclipse is possible. [The
being the ninth lunar month). It lunar eclipse occurred after
was specified that the lunar sunset on March 21st, 1894
eclipse would occur on the first (13th Ramadhan 1311 AH of
of the nights in which the moon the Islamic calendar) and the
is eclipsed. Now, every literate solar eclipse occurred on the
person knows that the moon is morning of Friday April 6th,
always eclipsed at its brilliance 1894 (28th Ramadhan).]
on the 13th, 14th or 15th of the
lunar month; in fact the Although other eclipses can
tradition also carries a hint occur during this month, it has
about the eclipse of a full never happened in the history of
moon. In the same manner, the the world that such eclipses
solar eclipse was prophesied to occurred in the presence of a

claimant to prophethood, that is reminding man not to forget his

to say that it can never be Creator lest he becomes a
proved that a claimant and this victim of Allah’s wrath; and
sign as prophesied ever co- admonishing man about his
existed. In other words, Hadhrat duty to other human beings.
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) had Our slogan “Love for All,
claimed that he was the Messiah Hatred for None” is in fact a
and Mahdi foretold in past summation of this teaching in
prophecies and then in which he advised the following:
accordance with another
prophecy, the solar eclipse and “Practise forbearance and
the lunar eclipse occurred in the tolerance and show patience
same month of Ramadhan. and gentleness and do not
These eclipses were repeated in attack anyone unduly. And
exactly the same manner it suppress passions of the self.
happened in the western Moreover, if you indulge in
hemisphere, the following year, a debate or in any other
in 1895.1 religious discussion, behave
in a good manner using
Thus, this is sufficient evidence polite language and when
for us that the foretold prophet the ignorant address you,
has come. avoid them gracefully by
saying, Peace!”
Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam
Ahmad of Qadian published
(as) Then he observed at another
his claim and founded the place:
community in 1889. He lived
for 19 years after that and “The important injunctions
carried on with his divine of the Holy Qur’an are only
mission in guiding man towards two: the first is to declare the
the worship of his God; Oneness of, love for and

obedience to your Creator, the Muslims and said and

and the second is to show written provocative words
sympathy for your brothers about them. According to me,
and other humans.” people who wrote and said such
things either did not
Thus the Messiah and Mahdi acknowledge the power of
whose advent took place in this Allah the Almighty and could
age in accord with the prophecy not care less about religion or
of the Holy Prophet they were bereft of the basic
Muhammad(saw) is, according to moral virtue of respecting each
us, the same person who other’s feelings. Indeed, it
founded the Ahmadiyya would appear that, in their
Community and taught us the opinion, only they have feelings
true and real teachings of the and emotions, whereas others
Holy Qur’an. do not.
What are the true teachings of If one just wants to criticise or

Islam or the Holy Qur’an? Due hurt the feelings of others or
to the shortage of time, let me create discord and mischief,
explain some of these briefly. I then it is not difficult to present
shall explain these matters with references out of context from
reference to the present other religious books including
situation and behaviour of some the Holy Bible. But we consider
of the Muslims. such references either to apply
to particular circumstances or to
Islam and the Holy Qur’an are be interpolations. Anyway, for
often accused of teaching the moment, I will talk about
extremism. In this regard, some the Qur’anic teachings that
newspapers, the media and were given by Almighty Allah
certain western politicians have to keep peace amongst human
played with the sentiments of beings.

It is our firm belief that ever who talk against the prophets.
since the world came into Some prophets are mentioned
being, Allah the Exalted has by name in the Holy Qur’an and
been raising prophets in every in the Holy Bible as well. We
people and their mission has believe in these prophets, but
always been to guide mankind according to the verse of the
to its Creator and to establish Holy Qur’an I have just quoted,
good deeds. Allah says in the we also believe that there were
Holy Qur’an: prophets among the Hindus and
the Chinese and other nations as
And We did raise among well. This is a basic point which
every people a Messenger Allah the Almighty has taught
with the teaching, ‘Worship us: to be sensitive about the
Allah and shun the Evil feelings of others and to pay
One.’ Then among them proper respect to the prophets of
were some whom Allah the other nations from whom an
guided and among them inclination to perform good
were some who became works sprouts forth and with
deserving of ruin. So travel whom attempts can be made to
through the earth, and see establish peace. The Holy
what was the end of those Prophet Muhammad(saw) has
who treated the Prophets as taught us not only to respect the
liars! very high status of the prophets
(Ch.16:V.37) but also to respect the leaders of
the other nations as this is a
Thus, according to this verse factor, among others, that also
neither can we Ahmadi contributes to the maintenance
Muslims deny any of the of peace.
prophets nor can we ridicule
them, because we are ordered to These are the Islamic instruc-
stay away from such people tions for establishing mutual

respect for each other’s elders achieved when a Muslim

and leaders, so that peace can practises the teachings of Allah
be established in the world. the Almighty setting aside all
Now you can decide for personal enmities and grudges.
yourselves whether Islam sets One must do justice.
up the dignity and respect for Furthermore, you should be fair
others or not. to the extent that if even your
opponents demand justice, you
Then Allah says in the Holy must dispense it. If they have
Qur’an: rights, and of course they do, do
not deprive them of these rights
O ye who believe! Be due. If this is not your conduct,
steadfast in the cause of then it will become clear that
Allah, bearing witness in whatever you are doing in the
equity; and let not a name of Allah apparently, is, in
people’s enmity incite you reality, not in the way of Allah
to act otherwise than with but is based on your personal
justice. Be always just, that vested interest or grudges and
is nearer to righteousness. enmities. And a Muslim
And fear Allah. Surely, believes that Allah knows what
Allah is aware of what you is hidden inside the hearts. For
do. this reason, Allah has warned
(Ch.5:V.9) those who do not practise
justice that Allah is well aware
The instruction is to remain of their actions and that they
steadfast in order to acquire would be liable to punishment
Allah’s happiness and this by Allah. Thus, the basic
should be the sole purpose. You teaching of Islam is to establish
will only be considered a true peace and justice.
Muslim when this happens.
This firm belief can only be The question arises here that if

Islam puts so much stress on the Muslims were given permission

establishment of justice, then to fight and it was revealed in
why were these Islamic battles the Holy Qur’an:
fought?
Permission to take up arms
If we take a look at the early is given to those against
history of Islam, we come to whom war is made,
know that like other people and because they have been
other prophets, the Holy wronged and Allah indeed,
Prophet Muhammad(saw) and his has the power to help them.
followers were also subjected to Those who have been
the atrocities of the non- driven out from their homes
believers of Makkah. They unjustly, only because they
were made to lie down on hot said, Our Lord is Allah,
sand and hot stones were placed and if Allah had not
on their bare bodies. Their repelled some people by
bodies were rent apart by tying means of others, cloisters
their legs to two camels which and churches and syna-
were then driven in opposite gogues and mosques,
directions. The Holy Prophet wherein the name of Allah
Muhammad(saw) and his is oft remembered, would
followers were detained in a surely have been destroyed.
valley for two and a half years And Allah will, surely, help
and left to starve there. They one who helps him. Allah is
were prevented from wor- indeed Powerful, Mighty.
shipping in the Ka’aba. After all (Ch.22:V.41)
these cruelties, when Muslims
migrated to Madinah, the This is a very clear instruction
Makkans pursued them and for one’s defence and for
were the first to attack them. establishing peace. Nowadays,
Under these conditions, wherever battles are being

fought, each party claims in the not transgress. Surely,

beginning, rightly or wrongly, Allah loves not the
that they are fighting for the transgressors. And slay
establishment of peace. these transgressors wher-
Therefore, in view of this fact, I ever you meet them and
think one should have no drive them out from where
objection as to why war had they have driven you out;
been permitted by the Holy for persecution is worse
Qur’an. Permission is granted than slaying. And fight
but it is conditional: firstly, to them not in and near the
retaliate because you are being sacred mosque until they
attacked; secondly, you had fight you therein. But if they
been oppressed before, yet you fight you, then fight them.
kept silent, but now if you Such is the requital for the
remain quiet, they will disbelievers. But if they
accelerate in their atrocities; desist, then surely, Allah is
thirdly, if cruelties exceed all the most Forgiving,
bounds, the peace of the world Merciful. And fight them
will be shattered, the places of until there is no
worship of every religion would persecution, and religion is
surely be destroyed; and professed for Allah. But if
fourthly, and most importantly, they desist, then remember
that it should be fought in that no hostility is allowed
defence. except against the
wrongdoers.
At another place Allah the (Ch.2:Vs.191-194)
Almighty says:
Thus it is proved that
And fight in the way of permission for battle has been
Allah against those who granted under certain special
fight against you, but do circumstances and for defence.

Moreover, if the enemy from a well even though the

discontinues the war then the Muslims had already taken
order is to not find some lame control of it. Prisoners of war
excuse to prolong it. were treated with kindness.
They were set free on lenient
If we examine all these things in conditions. Then, under the
the light of this particular agreement made with them, the
commandment that says that Jews of Madinah were treated
enmity for any nation should like all other citizens as long as
not stop you from doing justice, they abided by the agreement.
then it becomes crystal clear Decisions in respect of them
that there is no flaw in the were made according to the
teachings and that rather it is the teaching of Moses(as).
fault of those people who
present their own explanations Once, a very near Companion
to achieve their vested interests. of the Holy Prophet(saw) said to a
They use illiterate, innocent Jew, the Holy Prophet is
Muslims to achieve their superior to Prophet Moses(as).
objective. It is the same as when He was severely reprimanded
in its early history, a Christian for this action by the Holy
state persecuted people in the Prophet(saw) who declared: ‘Do
name of Christianity but one not express my superiority over
cannot blame Christianity for Moses(as) because it has broken
that. the heart of a Jewish person.’
Despite the superior position of
What was the attitude of the the Holy Prophet(saw) in the heart
Holy Prophet(saw) in the battles? of the Muslims and regardless
Despite the brutal sufferings of the greatest position
caused by the non-believers of bestowed upon the Holy
Makkah, the Holy Prophet(saw) Prophet(saw) in the Holy Qur’an,
allowed the enemy to take water the proclamation made by the

Holy Prophet(saw) not to call him permission is only for the

superior to Moses(as) was meant purposes of defence.
to prevent disturbance to the
peace of the society. Allah the Almighty knew that
Islam would spread and there
This is a brief description of the would be many Islamic
peaceful teachings of Islam in governments. That is why the
which the Ahmadiyya Holy Qur’an enjoins that when
Community is rooted today and two Muslim governments are
which it advocates to others. If, involved in a war, then other
with the full knowledge of this Muslim governments should
teaching, anyone accuses us of support the oppressed and
being deviant, then we leave the when the oppressor surrenders,
matter with God Almighty. We the loser should not thereafter
have been advised by the be made a permanent target of
Founder of the Ahmadiyya brutality and cruelty because
Community not to answer such behaviour would be
cruelty with cruelty because unfair. When a nation is treated
this is ignorance. The purpose unjustly, the reaction it shows
of Islam was to eliminate destroys the peace. This is such
ignorance, not to spread it. a golden principle that the
governments of this age,
I would like to make one thing whether Muslim or non-
clear here. The declaration of Muslim, need to adopt. If we
war under certain circum- look around with honesty, we
stances is permitted in Islam but will notice that the prevalent
this permission is not for any injustices are due to the
group or organisation. This imposition of unfair conditions,
permission is strictly limited to sanctions and restrictions on
a Muslim government that is the losing nations or countries.
being victimised and this

After this brief description, I mentioned earlier an important

revert to the fundamental sign.
purpose of the establishment of
the Ahmadiyya Muslim Therefore, today, the Ahmadiyya
Community. As I have already Muslim Community, according
explained by the use of to this prophecy of the Holy
Qur’anic examples, the teachi- Prophet of Islam(saw) accepts
ngs of Islam are not defective Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of
nor did the Founder of Islam(saw) Qadian as the Promised
ever commit injustice toward Messiah(as). And, following
any nation. Of course, Qur’anic teachings as explained
whenever there was trans- by him, it is engaged in creating
gression against the Muslims, peace in the world and leaving
he took up the cudgel by Divine no stone unturned in helping the
command and his retaliation suffering humanity.
was to establish peace and
justice. The Founder of We are using all means and
Islam(saw) had also prophesied resources available to us to
that a time would come when bring man nearer to God,
the Muslims would endorse because if human beings can
wrong explanations and would really recognise their Creator
distort the true teachings of today, they will be able to fulfil
Islam, although the Holy their responsibilities towards
Qur’an would be available in their fellow beings. Today, we,
its uncorrupted form. That and we alone, can say that the
would be the time for the Book that was revealed to the
advent of the Promised Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw)
Messiah(as) who would display 1400 years ago, is still in its
the true teachings of Islam. original condition without an
Many signs for that time have iota of change. And it is the
been mentioned and I have unique excellence of Islam that

according to the Divine ranks to refrain from all

promise, Allah has bestowed such thoughts, to purify
Islam with the Guide inspired their hearts, to foster
directly by Allah in the form of sympathy, and to be
the Promised Messiah(as) who compassionate towards the
has brilliantly presented to us suffering. They should
the true teachings of Islam. spread peace on earth,
because that will cause their
What is the definition of Jihad faith to spread in return.
that the Founder of the They should not entertain
Ahmadiyya Community gave to doubts about how this will
us a hundred years ago? He transpire. Just as God
says: Almighty has – without the
usual means of intervention
“I have come to you with an – used the resources of the
order: Jihad with the sword earth to create modern
has ended from this time inventions, and satisfied our
forward, but the Jihad of physical needs by making
purifying your souls must trains that outrun horses, He
continue. I do not say this of will in the same way –
my own accord. This is unaided by human hands –
indeed the will of God. use His angels to fulfil
Recall the hadith in Sahih spiritual needs. Great
Al-Bukhari which honours heavenly signs will be seen
the Promised Messiah by and numerous flashes of
saying ‘He will lay down light will open many eyes.”
war.’ That is to say, when (British Government and
the Messiah comes he will Jihad: pages 17 and 18)
put an end to religious wars.
Accordingly I command all Therefore, if today we are busy
those who have joined my 24 hours a day broadcasting the

Divine message in various under the guidance of these true

languages through our teachings of Islam. The
television channels, we are Ahmadiyya Community has
doing it because of that Man of been serving humanity in need
God who received the Divine – irrespective of caste, colour or
training. If we are trying to help creed. We are providing health
the suffering humanity in the and education in the remotest
field of health and education, or parts of poor countries of
trying to procure clean water or Africa. We are rehabilitating
food for the disaster victims, we wells and connecting water
are doing it because of our true supplies in those places where
understanding of the Islamic Government institutions and aid
teaching provided to us by the agencies had refused to help.
Founder of the Ahmadiyya
Muslim Community. I have recently come back from
Africa. From one of the remote
As you may already know, parts of Benin, a tribal Chief,
today we are celebrating a openly declared that a little
thanks-giving for the fact that while ago when rain and floods
the Community established for had created starving conditions,
these lofty objectives has also they appealed everywhere for
completed one hundred years of help but only one agency
the Institution of Khilafat answered their call and that was
(sometimes referred to as the Ahmadiyya Community
caliphate but in essence the whose doctors and truck-loads
Islamic method of succession of food arrived in time to save
after the advent of a prophet.) people from disease and
starvation.
For the last hundred years, the
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Similarly, we are trying to do
has been serving the world our best in the field of

education because, we feel, ultimate pleasure of God does

education is the need of the the following:
hour. If we want to give peace
and security to the world, we It is the freeing of a slave.
will have to eliminate hunger, Or feeding in a day of
and we will have to provide hunger an orphan near of
education to the uneducated so kin, or a poor man lying in
that they can realise their the dust.
potential. (Ch. 90:Vs.14-17)
In Nigeria, a member of the Therefore, all of you who

press asked what we would belong to the intellectual part of
give them in the coming society and who are influential
century. My reply was that we within your own spheres, I
would give them education. We have mentioned these few
would work even harder to things so that you do not get
provide education so that the influenced by objections that
poor could also benefit by are raised and that you can keep
realising their capabilities and in mind the beautiful aspects of
potentials. the teachings of Islam. You
should know that that there is
It is not my purpose to explain one community that acts on the
our work because the reason we true teachings of Islam and that
do all this is to gain the is working in the world with a
pleasure of God Almighty. My high moral objective in mind.
purpose is only to let you know
that the Ahmadiyya All this is only because this
Community presents the true Community enjoys the bless-
teachings of Islam because this ings of Khilafat. They love their
is what God has commanded. Khalifa and their Khalifa loves
One who wants to gain the them; and together they fulfil

the rights of humanity and the for this event. Thank you and
rights of God because of their may Allah bless you all!
love for God. With the grace,
mercy and benevolence of
Allah, this mutual love will last Reference
forever. 1. The Story of Eclipses, George F
Chambers, p.33, London 1902.
In the end, I would like to thank

all the honourable guests who
have spared their valuable time
A UNIQUE GIFT
The Review of Religions has published a series of articles

relating to the blessed institution of Khilafat inclusive of the
lives, accomplishments and contributions of made by the
first four Khulafa of Islam and the first five Khulafa of
Ahmadiyyat that are now available as an invaluable gift
pack for you, your families, friends and contacts to keep.
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KHILAFAT AND SHURA:
Two Blessed Institutions
By Adam Hani Walker – UK
Introduction
The Institution of Khilafat is the Islam is a practical religion and
purest manifestation of the therefore, in order to properly
Islamic state in the absence of a function, the institution of
prophet. At the heart of this Khilafat is comprised of many
spiritual and temporal body is authoritative bodies and
the Khalifa who, as has been individuals all working to
expounded by Hadhrat Shah facilitate the implementation of
Wali Ullah1, receives Divine the Khalifa’s instructions. One
inspiration from Almighty Allah such institution is that of Shura
which is then pumped or Majlis-e-Mushawara which
throughout the body of the enables the Khalifa to assess and
Ummah. This beautiful process address, the ever diversifying
has been described to us by the and expanding opinions and
Promised Messiah(as) through a needs of the Ummah.
vision he received2:
What Does Shura Mean?
‘I saw in a vision that God’s ‘Shura’ is an Arabic word which
bounties travel in the form of literally means consultation3 and
light to the Holy Prophet(saw) as a basic Islamic principle calls
and are absorbed into his upon Muslims, usually under a
chest and proceed thence in system of proportional repre-
numberless tubes whereby sentation, to gather and, through
they are communicated to debate, forward formed opinions
every deserving person to the Khalifa which they feel
according to his share.’ are for the betterment of the

KHILAFAT AND SHURA: TWO BLESSED INSTITUTIONS
Ummah. Defining the linguistic And those, who hearken to

and rhetorical features of the their Lord, and observe
word Shura, Hadhrat Khalifatul Prayer, and whose affairs
Masih II(ra) writes4, are decided by mutual
consultation, and who
‘Shawara (consult) is spend out of what We have
derived from shara which provided for them.
means, he gathered or (Ch.3:V.160)
extracted honey from the
comb, and separated it from Explaining this verse Hadhrat
the wax… Shara ‘Alayhi Khalifatul Masih II(ra) says that it
means, he gave him advice; sets out the principle of
he offered him counsel. governance upon which the
Shawarahu means, he temporal Islamic state is to be
consulted him, he sought his based. Writing in his Tafsir
opinion of advice; he Kabir he notes5:
discussed with him in order
to find out his opinion. ‘This verse lays down
Mushawwarah means, good Shura (mutual consultation)
counsel or consultations. as the basic principle which
Shura means, mutual should guide Muslims in
consultation (Aqrab).’ the transaction of their
national affairs. This simple
There is clear mention of Shura word contains the nucleus
in the Holy Qur’an which, of a representative form of
amongst other definitions, government of which the
outlines it as a method by which West is so proud. The
consensus can be achieved thus Khalifa or Head of the
preventing ideological dead- Islamic State is bound to
locks which ultimately lead take counsel with the
toward sin and disunity, for representatives of the
Almighty Allah says: people when he is to take a

decision of vital national need of the advice of

importance.’ anybody, but God has made
it (the seeking of advice) a
When studying the life and source of mercy for men.
example of the Holy Prophet(saw) Those who hold consul-
it again becomes clear that tation will not stray away
consultation is an absolute must. from the path of rectitude,
The Holy Prophet(saw) never while those who do not are
shied away from consulting his liable to do so.’
companions and even the
opponents of Islam, on a variety In essence, an individual who is
of issues. Hadhrat Aisha(ra) is a member of the process of
reported to have said6: Shura is a trustee and has an
obligation to dispatch that trust
‘The Holy Prophet was with due diligence. During the
most solicitous in con- battle of Badr, the Holy
sulting others in all matters Prophet(saw) sought the consul-
of importance.’ tation of his companions
regarding the strategic
This despite the fact that the placement of the army. On
Holy Prophet(saw) did not require taking the advice of Ibn Al-
the advice of those around him. Mundhir(ra) and other com-
He was the best of the decision panions the Holy Prophet(saw)
makers amongst Almighty decided to alter his strategy and
Allah’s blessed creation and set up camp at a different
most importantly was guided by location. There are countless
Almighty Allah. Commenting other examples of Shura during
on this, Baihaqi beautifully the life of the Holy Prophet(saw)
writes7: some of which will be later
highlighted.
‘Certainly Allah and His
Messenger did not stand in

All Governments Belong To They say, ‘If we had any

Allah part in the determination
Before delving further into the of the affairs, we should
subject of Shura it is important not have been killed here.’
to first set the boundaries and Say, ‘If you had remained
restrictions of Shura. It took one in your homes, surely those
of the most painful lessons in on whom fighting had been
history for mankind to learn that enjoined would have gone
consultation is not applicable in forth to their death-beds
situations where Allah has that Allah might fulfil His
clearly set out His will. The decree and that He might
lesson learnt was so great that test what was in your
Allah has left it as a reminder for breasts and that He might
all time in the Holy Qur’an purge what was in your
(translation by Malik Ghulam hearts. And Allah knows
Farid): well what is in your
breasts.
Then after the sorrow, He (Ch.3:Vs.155)
sent down peace on you – a
slumber that overcame a This verse is a reference to the
party of you – while the battle of Uhud and the group of
other party was anxious hypocrites which became
concerning their own- anxious at the dangers ahead of
selves. They entertained them and wanted to dictate to the
about Allah wrong Holy Prophet(saw) how the battle
thoughts of ignorance. should have been fought. They
They said, ‘Have we any ultimately broke off from the
part in the affair?’ Say, army and remained in Madinah
‘Verily the affair wholly throughout the duration of the
belongs to Allah.’ They battle being more concerned for
hide in their minds what their own safety than defending
they disclose not to thee. Islam. Explaining the signi-

ficance of this verse the It should thus be clear in our

Promised Messiah(as) has minds that whilst Shura plays a
written :
8 key role in Islam, it can never be
used as a tool which abrogates a
‘In this verse the word ‘Amr Divine commandment of
means administration and Almighty Allah.
governance. This verse sets
forth the thinking of those Shura And Khilafat
who had said: Had we any As mentioned at the beginning,
share in matters of this process serves as an integral
governance, we would have feature within the institution of
so planned that the trouble Khilafat. Highlighting this point,
that was encountered in the Hadhrat Umar(ra) went so far as
battle of Uhud would have to say9:
been avoided. In reply to
them God Almighty said: ‘There is no Khilafat without
‘Tell them all governance consultation.’
belongs to Allah. They were
admonished to obey the Holy The natural evolution and
Prophet(saw) in all circum- development of any state
stances.’ This verse has dictates that eventually its grip
nothing to do with choice or expands over people of diverse
compulsion. The reference is societies and cultures. It is not
to the thinking of some the purpose of Islam to suppress
persons that if they had been or eradicate regional diversity
consulted they would have but rather to ensure that whilst
proposed something diffe- each Muslim has a right to enjoy
rent. God Almighty his own heritage, culture and
admonished them that the tradition he should not
matter was not one for contravene the Shariah. This
consultation but was a Divine was illustrated by one of the
commandment.’ greatest Islamic jurisprudents,

Hadhrat Imam Al-Shafi’i, who ‘The Khalifa or the Amir comes

was known to sometimes vary to know the views of his
his edicts from land to land. The followers.
dilemma thus faced by the
Islamic State was how to He is helped in arriving at a
constructively ascertain the correct decision.
collective and representative
opinions, advice and proposals Representative Muslims get an
of the Ummah. The answer to opportunity to think about, and
this is as set out in the following take a personal interest in,
verse of the Holy Qur’an in important state affairs, thus
which Muslims are instructed to receiving most useful training in
consult with one another by way matters of administration.
of Shura:
The Khalifa is enabled to judge
And those, who hearken to the mental and administrative
their Lord, and observe capabilities of different
Prayer, and whose affairs individuals, which help him to
are decided by mutual assign the right work to the right
consultation, and who man.
spend out of what We have
provided for them. It enables him to know the
(Ch.42:V.39) aptitude, aspirations and ten-
dencies as well as the moral and
This certainly represents the spiritual condition of the
core principle of Shura but there different members of his
are also other benefits to this community, and thus he
great institution of mercy. The becomes enabled to effect an
following are some of these improvement, wherever neces-
benefits laid out by Hadhrat sary, in his people.
Khalifatul Masih II(ra)10:
The institution of Shura is

therefore not something to be Prophet(saw) accepted the advice

taken lightly. It is a living and of Hadhrat Abu Bakr(ra)
evolving entity which performs regarding the kind treatment of
a key function in sustaining the prisoners of war and rejected
certain aspects of the Ummah. the advice of the other
As illustrated in the original companions. In signing the
definition of the word Shura, it treaty of Hudaibiya, the Holy
should be apparent that whilst Prophet(saw) rejected the
Shura means the drawing of overwhelming consensus of the
one’s opinion and advice by companions present. After the
means of consultation it does not death of the Holy Prophet(saw) the
make the general, or even order to dispatch Hadhrat Usama
unanimous, consensus of the bin Zaid(ra) as the leader of the
Majlis-e-Mushawarah binding Muslim army was issued by
on the Khalifa. In the Holy Hadhrat Abu Bakr(ra) against the
Qur’an (Ch.3:V.160) Almighty opinion of the majority of the
Allah has made it clear that, companions. One of the first
whilst consultation must be orders of Hadhrat Umar(ra) as a
sought, the final decision is to be Khalifa was to remove Hadhrat
taken by the leader (in the case Khalid bin Waleed(ra) from his
of this verse the Holy position of authority despite his
Prophet(saw)) and, as with being the favoured choice of the
everything in life, the ultimate companions.
trust is placed in Almighty
Allah. It must be noted that whilst it is
right and proper to say that the
There are countless examples of Khalifa is not bound by the
the non-binding effect of Shura collective opinions of Majlis-e-
advice in both the time of the Mushawarah, in practice, it is
Holy Prophet(saw) and the very rare for a Khalifa to decide
Rightly-Guided Khulafa. After against the proposals of Majlis-
the battle of Badr, the Holy e-Shura. However, when a

difference of opinion does arise which the Holy Prophet(saw)

one should understand the consulted his contemporaries
Divine nature of Khilafat and including those who had not
have trust in Almighty Allah that embraced Islam, more
His appointed and guided specifically the hypocrites of
vicegerent is sound in judgment. Madinah, on matters regarding
the state. The beginning of the
In another place in the Holy verse illustrates that such
Qur’an, Almighty Allah consultation is necessary and
establishes that not only is it a demonstrates the great kindness
duty to consult members of the and beneficence of the ruler,
Ummah but it is also permissible here displayed par excellence by
to consult people who have the Holy Prophet(saw). Once
transgressed in some wayaa: again, we find Almighty Allah
illustrating two key concepts
And it is by the great mercy surrounding Shura being Allah’s
of Allah that thou art kind Mercy and that the ultimate
towards them, and if thou decision on all matters is to be
hadst been rough and hard- left in the trust of Allah.
hearted, they would surely
have dispersed from around Shura & Modernity
thee. So pardon them and Contemporary Islamic writers
ask forgiveness for them, on the Islamic State and Islamic
and consult them in matters Social Policy such as the late
of administration; and when Mohammad Asad and Tariq
thou art resolved, then put Ramadan have spent much time
thy trust in Allah. Surely, emphasizing the vital role which
Allah loves those who put Shura plays within an ever
their trust in Him. evolving Ummah. They explain
(Ch.3:V.160) that the process of Shura is a
means for allowing the Islamic
This verse refers to situations in Law (Shariah) to sensibly

evolve, offering solutions to new forefront and debated by a

issues which Islam has not proportional representation of
previously encountered. Asad the Ummah to create an
states that Shura caters for the awareness if the threats and train
‘…continuous temporal legis- Muslim parents and children to
lation of our social existence’12 safeguard such risks.
and when describing the
institution of Shura in general The Ahmadiyya Muslim
terms Tariq Ramadan describes Community
it as ‘…the space which allows Continuing the theme of
Islam the management of modernity it is prudent to study
pluralism.’ 13 the excellent implementation
and benefits of the institution of
The basic function of Shura has Shura found in the Ahmadiyya
been already investigated, but in model. This institution can be
short the institution of Shura found at the very core of the
here takes on a new role in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
modern and ever evolving age. being only second in importance
With great social, technological to the institution of Khilafat.
and medical advancements arise This is illustrated in the
new challenges which can be following authoritative structure
evaluated through the process of of the Community14:
Shura. For example, there is a
great desperation within the 1. Khalifatul Masih
Muslim world of today to
address the social dangers of the 2. M a j l i s - i - M u s h a w a r a t
internet to Muslim children (consultative body)
which can in some cases
threaten their safety, modesty 3. Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya
and very belief system. Using (central Ahmadi council for
the mechanism of Shura such looking after the affairs of
issues are brought to the the Ahmadiyya Group)

4. Tahrik Jadid (special fund sals and recommendations to the

used in schemes to promote Khalifa.
the Oneness of God, the
dignity of Mohammad(saw), The Majlis-e-Shura may also
and the promotion of Islam in help to pre-empt any prospective
particular in all overseas issue that might arise between
countries of the world), differing parties and thus
Anjuman Ahmadiyya strengthen the bonds of
(national administrative brotherhood. In March 1908,
bodies) Hadhrat Maulvi Nur-ud-Din(ra),
who shortly after became
5. Waqf Jadid (special fund to Khalifatul Masih I on the demise
be used to promote of the Promised Messiah(as),
missionary and reformative launched an initiative by the
aspects of the Ahmadi name of Majm’a-ul-Akhwan (an
community); and Association of Brothers) where
he published several guidelines
6. Local Anjumans (local for the implementation of this
administrative bodies). proposal with the second one
being15:
The Majlis-e-Mushawarat,
known also as Majlis-e-Shura ‘Mutual consultations and
(consultative body) officially prayers should be the tool of
gathers normally once a year and cooperation.’
is presided by the Khalifa with
no intermediary between the An issue of great contemporary
two. The council deliberates on significance to the Muslim
policy matters relating to world is Islamic Reasoning
finance, budget, education, (Ijtihad) and its application in
missionary projects and other the modern age. Here the
affairs of the community Ahmadiyya system of Shura
forwarding its consensus, propo- plays an interesting role in that it

encourages the use of Ijtihad on to all Ahmadiyya Shura’s,

matters other than Fiqh international and national.
(jurisprudence) in a safe and Adamson writes17:
focused environment where
findings are ultimately passed on ‘The subjects to be decided
to, and assessed by, the Khalifa at International Shura come
for his final determination. from resolutions agreed as
recommendations at
The Shura is different to a National Shuras. All
parliamentary system in that concern policy and not
there exists no party based administrative matters. To
system and all findings are discuss each resolution a
implemented at the discretion of committee is formed by
the Khalifa. On this matter members who volunteer
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) their services because of
enlightens us as follows16: their interest in the subject
or who are nominated by the
‘In a no party system you Amir of their country. The
can pick the talent from chairman of the committee
anywhere. The guiding then reports the findings to
principal in our Shura is the full Shura. If a poll is
summed up by the Islamic asked for this it is by show
phrase: “do not take sides of hands. When the view of
with people but take sides Shura has thus been
with the truth and the truth obtained, the Khalifa, after
will emerge victorious.”’ deliberation and perhaps
more questioning, announces
In his book, ‘A Man of God’, his decision. He may accept
Iain Adamson precisely the advice completely, he
describes the Annual may accept some of it and
International Shura system vary other portions, he may
whose basic traits can be applied appoint a sub committee to

investigate the matter more b) The Jama’at proposing an

closely and report back as item included in the agenda
soon as possible. If, must have a delegate as a
however, he believes that member of that sub-
the proposal is not in the committee.
true interest of the
movement or that it c) A subcommittee member
contravenes some tenet of cannot oppose the recom-
Islam then he will explain mendation of the sub-
his reasons and reject the committee unless the
suggestion completely.’ Chairman of the subcomm-
ittee acknowledges the
As is the case with any dissent and registers the
institution of the Ahmadiyya member’s right to oppose the
Muslim Community the Majlis- recommendation during the
e-Mushawarat has been codified subcommittee’s meeting.
so as to make the process clear
and unambiguous to all and d) The recommendations of the
prevent possible manipulations subcommittee supersede the
of the system. The rules for the original proposal.
International Shura are as
follows18: e) An amendment to the
proposal can be presented
a) Subcommittee members are during a session of the
nominated by the National Majlis-e-Shura only in
Amir of each country. writing. Verbal amendments
Although, subject to are not acceptable.
National Amir’s consent, a
delegate may volunteer f) Any delegate who wishes to
himself to serve in a express an opinion on any
subcommittee. item under discussion must
raise his hand when Hadhrat

Khalifatul Masih so invites j) Since the proceedings are

and register his full name recorded and transcribed
and the Jama’at. Once this from these proceedings,
list has closed, delegates whenever one speaks he
who did not register their should identify himself and
own names when so invited the Jama’at he represents.
are then not authorised to
speak on that matter. If a k) Separate arrangements are
previous delegate has made for ladies and a limited
broadly addressed the matter number of visitors. Ladies do
he wanted to cover, a not participate at the sub-
delegate may withdraw his committee stage, but their
name. contributions during the full
Council (General Body)
g) When invited, delegates discussions are always
must be as brief as possible welcomed. Visitors partici-
and restrict themselves to the pate as observers and are not
item then being discussed. allowed to speak or vote.
This helps save the precious
time of all delegates. l) The delegates obtain
permission from the Chair
h) Speakers must only address before leaving any session of
the Chair and they must the Shura.
never deride any other
speaker. In addition to the formal system
of Shura, there also exists an
i) A poll is always conducted open court or a personal system
by show of hands only. There whereby members can either
are no secret ballots. No one arrange an audience (Mulaqat)
is allowed to abstain. with the Khalifa or write to, or e-
Everyone must vote either mail, him directly and discuss
for or against the motion. any issue they feel to be of

importance. This cannot be said as to ascertain what is best for

to be an absolute form of Shura all.
as described above but does
share many of the benefits of the The real issue which faces us as
Institution of Shura. individuals is how we react to,
Commenting on the system of and value, this blessed
Mulaqat, with regards to the institution. It is most certainly an
practice of Hadhrat Khalifatul institution gifted to us out of the
Masih I(ra), the late Hadhrat mercy of Almighty Allah and we
Muhammad Zafrulla Khan(ra) must, therefore, learn to respect,
writes19: understand, and utilise it to the
very best of our abilities.
‘He was blessed with a regal
personality, a commanding We must never allow ourselves
stature, and his court was to forget that the Institution of
open to each and everyone.’ Shura is a blessing upon the
Ummah which is today, by the
Conclusion Grace of Allah, being
Shura is an integral part of not championed by the Divinely-
only Islamic Governance but manifested institution of
also the social structures upon Khilafat in Ahmadiyya. It is the
which society is built. In solution to many difficulties
essence, the institution of Shura faced by the Muslim Ummah
offers each and every individual, and we must sincerely pray to
tribe, community, religion and Almighty Allah that He
nation a voice by which they can continues to shower upon us the
actively affect change within blessings of mutual consultation.
their wider communities. It Insha'Allah (God-willing).
provides a safe and proactive Amin.
medium, through the process of
give and take, by which new and
unique issues can be assessed so

References Islamic Book Trust, p.43.

1. Shah Wali Ullah, Izalat al- 13. Ramadan Tariq, 2001, Islam,
khafa ‘an khilafat al-khulafa, the West and the Challenges
Vol.1, p.27. of Modernity, The Islamic
2. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Foundation. p.81.
Ahmad(as), Al-Hakam, Vol.7, 14. Zirvi, Dr. Karimullah,
8 Feb 28, 1903, p.7. Welcome to Ahmadiyya –
3. Lane Edward William, 1863. The True Islam, p.322.
Arabic – English Lexicon, 15. Hadhrat Maulawi Nur-ud-
Williams and Norgate, Vol.1, Din(ra), Al-Hakam, Qadian.
p.1617. March 10 1908. p.7.
4. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih 16. Adamson Iain, 1991, A Man
II(ra), Tafsir Kabir, p.446, of God, George Shepherd,
footnote 442. p.114.
5. Ibid, p. 2352, footnote 3629. 17. Ibid, p.168.
6. Ibid. Ch.3:V.160, pp.445- 18. Instructions to International
446, footnote 442. Majlis Shura Delegates
7. Ibid. (London).
8. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam 19. Ahmad Syed Hasanat, 2003.
Ahmad, The Essence of Hakeem Nur-ud-Din
Islam, Vol.2, p.342; also see (Khalifatul Masih I): The
Jang-e-Muqaddas, Ruhani Way of the Righteous
Khaza’in, Vol.6, pp.231-234.
9. Tafsir Al-Kabir, Ch.3:V.160,
pp.445-446, footnote 442.
10. Ibid.
11. Ibid.
12. Asad Muhammad, 2001, The
Principles of State and
Government in Islam,

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MANAGEMENT BOARD CONTENTS June 2008, Vol.103, No.

2 The Review of Religions – June 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8

passing of 100 years of Khilafat companions of the Holy

Quite fittingly, therefore, Therefore, as we reflect upon a

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8 The Review of Religions – June 2008 3

Almighty Allah as the Promised Khilafat in Ahmadiyyat since the

4 The Review of Religions – June 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8

The affirmation that the Holy

And be with the truthful.

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8 The Review of Religions – June 2008 5

6 The Review of Religions – June 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8 The Review of Religions – June 2008 7

done. Had the teachings of the relates to personal experience

8 The Review of Religions – June 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8 The Review of Religions – June 2008 9

most surely We will be its the example of their own

…but as to that which Guide us in the right path –

10 The Review of Religions – June 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8

Not only has He taught this Meaning: ‘O True believers

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8 The Review of Religions – June 2008 11

[Meaning:] ‘And We send not a There are many other verses in

12 The Review of Religions – June 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8

miracles and whose inspiration a References

In keeping with current universal practice, local transliterations of names of

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8 The Review of Religions – June 2008 13

My dear Members of the between God and man, to teach

14 The Review of Religions – June 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8

sary who opposed this Champion Prophet(saw), do not worry

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8 The Review of Religions – June 2008 15

ordained that He and His Thus He manifests two kinds

16 The Review of Religions – June 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8

untimely and many ignorant Manifestations so that two

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8 The Review of Religions – June 2008 17

18 The Review of Religions – June 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8

were two charged batteries of Messiah(as) had the special

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8 The Review of Religions – June 2008 19

of) My Mercy and My Power Ahmadiyyat. Yet by the blessing

20 The Review of Religions – June 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8

Unfortunately some prominent him, his moral and spiritual

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8 The Review of Religions – June 2008 21

22 The Review of Religions – June 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8

revealed, through the MTA the peace, and others wondered at

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8 The Review of Religions – June 2008 23

Almighty Allah is fulfilling the and every Ahmadi that by

24 The Review of Religions – June 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8

great responsibility. And regarding peace and security, the

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8 The Review of Religions – June 2008 25

Question: Shi’ites of today know it? And if

26 The Review of Religions – June 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8

time of Hadhrat Muhammad(saw) was ‘willed’ to be the Khalifa,

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8 The Review of Religions – June 2008 27

as long as Allah shall will and monarchy) cannot bequeath a

28 The Review of Religions – June 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8

previous Khilafat alaa min the political plane it is divided.

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8 The Review of Religions – June 2008 29

the principle of Khilafat and as you conceive an Ummah without

30 The Review of Religions – June 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8

“...it is highly important for the Muslim Ummah to remain

can we do without an Imam Khilifat Rashida; there were only

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8 The Review of Religions – June 2008 31

together under one leadership ultimately made a large number

It is this vain waiting that has

32 The Review of Religions – June 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 8