Fazle Umar
Khilafat of Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad [ra] By Divine Grace the period of the Khilafat of Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad [ra] extended over more than half a century and was crammed with a succession of events that covered many aspects of individual, communal, national and international life. A detailed history of the second Khilafat would require many times the space that is available for this brief survey. We are thus compelled to make a selection of certain events, which might serve as illustrations of the service that Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II [ra] rendered to the cause of Islam and of humanity. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II [ra] was, against all outward circumstances, under the Divine will, called to this great office at the age of 25. Among all things, the enemies stressed on the point that he was too young and represented him as a mere child of yesterday. They derided him and professed great concern that the destinies of a Movement of great potential had unfortunately been committed into the hands of an inexperienced young man. The record will demonstrate how mistaken was their estimation of the capacities and high resolve of that young man, and how perfect and justified was his reliance on the Grace and Mercy of God. When he took up the reins as the Second Successor of the Promised Messiah [as], the financial resources of the Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya had been reduced to almost zero. A major portion of the prominent and leading people in the set up of the Movement took up a position of uncompromising hostility. However, he gave no importance to any obstacle placed in his path. In a spirit of utmost reliance on the Grace and Mercy of God, he took charge at a time when he utterly lacked the material means, of which at least a modicum of some sort is indispensable for implementing spectacular policies and programmes.
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