By Musa Bah
In my previous articles, I showed that the current woes of the Muslim World are largely due to the lack of leadership, Khilafat. I also tried to show from the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Traditions of the Acme of Creation (thousands of blessings be upon him) that Allah had already made arrangements for this through, first, succession after the Holy Prophet (SAW) and later through a revival system to be ushered in by the Imam Mahdi and Promised Messiah.
I have shown that that Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi has appeared in the person of Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (AS) who founded the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at which is now championing the cause of Islam.
The world is passing through turbulent times and man wants to annihilate humanity, or so it seems! It is sad, but true, that most countries today have a bigger defense budget than health or education or the two put together. The so-called superpowers have failed wretchedly in establishing a just and humane social order that takes the welfare of humanity into consideration and therefore build institutions aimed at safeguarding the interest of the man in the street.
There is a lot of discontent and this is leading to strife all over the world. To list down the types of unrests in the world currently seems to not only inexhaustible but largely unnecessary as it is very well-known already.
As a result of this lack of clear and focused leadership, people are now trying to establish their own forms of leadership to run their affairs in a better way. The Boko Haram in Nigeria, ISIS in Iraq and Syria and so many others see their way of life as the one that will bring benefits to humanity.
The world is now embroiled in the never-ending argument of the absurdity of such leadership movements. The world sees these movements and others of the same ilk as evil incarnate that has to be dealt with forthwith.
Perhaps the detractors are justified in some respect in their opposition of those who claim to be ushering in a new World Order in this way.
The fallacy of these movements is in their callous disregard for human life. Beheading of journalists and humanitarian workers viewed by millions of people on the Internet from all over the world is a bad way of beginning a World Order, to say the least.
The point is that the glaring failure of the world bodies and the so-called superpowers has spurred people to look for leadership elsewhere. The truth though is that this very need had been provided for by Allah, the Almighty. As He has declared in the Holy Qur’an, ‘Allah loves not disorder. Allah desires a unified community with one purpose – the worship of the Lord, our God, Allah, the Sublime.
What mankind needs today is guidance as it has been made manifestly clear that without leadership and guidance the world will be filled with disorder and retrogression. It is important to mention here that the leadership that is beneficent always comes from on High. As it is said in the Holy Qur’an:
Surely it is for Us to guide. (93:13)
So, first Allah reveals Himself through His Prophets to set forth communities which are intended to unite mankind under one banner for the worship of Allah, the Sublime. This Prophethood will last as long as He pleases and then it will end. This has been explained in the Holy Qur’an:
Allah had promised to those among you who believe and do good works that He will surely make them Successors in the earth, as He made Successors from among those who were before them; and that He will surely establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them; and that He will surely give them in exchange security and peace after their fear: They will worship Me, and they will not associate anything with Me. Then who so is ungrateful after that, they will be the rebellious.
(Surah Al-Nur, Verse 56)
This verse gives a promise that Muslims will be granted both spiritual and temporal leadership. The promise is made to the whole Muslim nation but the institution of Khilafat will take a palpable form in the person of certain individuals who will be the Prophet’s Successors and the representatives of the whole nation. As Khilafat is from the Rahimiyyat of Allah, the Almighty, the promise is linked with Iimaan and amalus saleh.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) has also said many things concerning Khilafat and its need. For instance, it is said:
Abd al-Rahman bin Umar Sulami relates that he heard from Irbaz bin Sharia (ra) that: On one occasion the Holy Prophet (saw) offered us (his companions) some impassioned advice which had the effect of reducing us to tears and filling our hearts with fear. We urged, ‘Messenger of Allah! Your counsel appears to be a parting gesture. In this hour what is your will concerning us’? He replied, ‘I have guided you to a well-lit and illuminating path, on which even the night resembles day.
Other than those who are destined for destruction, none can stray from it.’ Whosoever among you is blessed with a long life will live to see a great conflict therefore, (when this hour arrives) you should act upon my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Khilafat.
Obedience should become your raison d’être therefore hold fast to it even if that should mean having to follow the instruction of an African slave. The example of a believer should be like that of a muzzled camel which travels to wherever it is led.’ (Masnad Ahmad, Vol.4 P 126)
The Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustapha (saw) has said:
“Prophethood shall remain among you as long as Allah shall will. He will bring about its end and follow it with Khilafat on the precepts of Prophethood for as long as He shall will and then bring about its end.
A tyrannical monarchy will then follow and will remain as long as Allah shall will and then come to an end. There will follow thereafter monarchial despotism to last as long as Allah shall will and come to an end upon His decree. There will then emerge Khilafat on precept of Prophethood.” The Holy Prophet said no more (Masnad Ahmad)
The promise of the establishment of Khilafat is clear and unmistakable. As the Holy Prophet (SAW) is now humanity’s sole guide for all time, his Khilafat must continue to exist in one form or another in the world till the end of time, all other Khilafat having ceased to exist.
This is among many others the Holy Prophet’s distinct superiority over all other Prophets and Messengers of God. Our Age has witnessed his greatest spiritual Khalifa in the person of Ahmad, the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi (as). Since his demise in 1908, he has been succeeded by Khulafah who continue to spread and protect the true Islam.
At the demise of Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS) therefore, Allah, the Sublime caused Hadrat Maulana Hakim Maulvi Nurudin Sahib (RA) to be chosen as the Khalifa of the time. He firmly established the Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya and put it on a strong pedestal.
He was a lover of the Holy Qur’an and could only feel comfortable when the Qur’an is being recited in front of him. He brought a lot of advancement to the Jama’at and ensured that the teachings of the Promised Messiah are firmly grounded into the members of the Ahmaddiya Muslim Jama’at.
In our next issue, we will look at his Khilafat in detail and then continue to discuss how the Khilafat of Ahmadiyyat continues to provide leadership in a world deep in turmoil due to lack of genuine spiritual leadership.
Our last word is: All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Universe!
