Establishment of Khilafat in the Ahmadiyya Movement

THE ELECTIOn PROCEdURE – THROUGH InHERITAnCE,

dEMOCRACy, dICTATORSHIP OR ALOnG THE LInES OF

MOvEMEnTS ESTAbLISHEd by GOd ALMIGHTy

After the death of the Promised Messiah [as] his enemies were hopeful that the Movement he had founded would now disintegrate as he was no longer there to lead and guide it. Let us now consider what course of action the Movement decided to take at this critical point.

What would be the shape of the future leadership of the Movement? Would it proceed along the lines of Sainthood among whom the spiritual inheritors of the saints (Pirs) are perpetuated generation after generation from within the family of the deceased.

If the Movement decided that under no circumstances could leadership be inherited, would it the take the path of democracy where the source of power lay with the masses. Therefore, in matters of religion also the will of the masses would prevail. Along democratic lines such leadership would be created who would not only be accountable to the masses but also fulfil their desires and demands. The people would keep the leader in office as along as they deemed him able. They would remove him from office if he were judged incompetent and unable to fulfil their demands.

The third question was would this leadership follow the example of those Movements who are nourished by the Prophets [as] of Allah. This was the example followed by the companions of the Holy Prophet, Hadhrat Muhammad [saw]. The

philosophy of this school of thought is that when religious leadership is corrupted, it cannot be reformed through democracy or dictatorship. Moreover, in this situation, it is always God Almighty that chooses a leader from among men and under His guidance enables him to create, educate and train a new movement. After his demise, this educated and well-trained Movement elects a pious person from amongst its members, according to the Will of God to become a Successor of the deceased Messenger of God. In this way, once he is appointed their Imam according to the will of Allah Almighty, he remains their Imam till his death. No worldly power can take this mantle of leadership from him.

The successor of the Prophet of Allah, referred to as Khalifa, is not accountable to any human being but is only answerable to God. However, as far as religious democracy is concerned the masses definitely become the tools of the will of God Almighty but the supreme authority remains in the hand of God. Although the Khalifa is appointed through elections, in fact, God Almighty is guiding the members towards the election of a righteous and able person. This is precisely the institution of Khilafat that the Seal of the Prophets, Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa [saw] left behind and in which Hadhrat Abu Bakr, Hadhrat Umar, Hadhrat Usman and Hadhrat Ali, may Allah be pleased with all of them, occupied the seat of Khilafat one after the other.

Hence, the question was which of these three systems would prove appropriate and beneficial for this Movement, which the Promised Messiah [as] established by treading in the footsteps of the Holy Prophet [saw] for the revival of Islam.

The manner in which the Movement unanimously elected the Khalifa to succeed the Promised Messiah [as] was akin to the example of the Guided Khilafat (Khilafate-Rashida). The Movement rejected the outmoded systems of sainthood (Pirs, Gaddis) and monarchy as well as secular democracy – born out of Western Philosophy.

ELECTIOn OF HAdHRAT KHALIFATUL MASIH I [ra]

The details of the election are such that after the demise of the Promised Messiah

[as], before his burial when his sacred remains were transported to the Bahishti Maqbara in Qadian, leading members of the Movement including the members of Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya through consultation began to ponder for a possible successor.

Khawaja Kamal Uddin sahib had a vision a few days before the death of the Promised Messiah [as] in which Hadhrat Maulvi Nooruddin sahib became the successor after the death of the Promised Messiah [as]. The family of the Promised Messiah [as], the elders of the Movement along with the members of the Anjuman were naturally inclined to the election of Hadhrat Hakeem Maulvi Nooruddin sahib as Khalifa. It was obvious that among all the members of the Movement there was no one better suited than the outstanding personality of Hakeem sahib. Hence, everyone agreed unanimously in favour of Hadhrat Maulvi Nooruddin sahib. However, when Maulvi Muhammad Ahsan sahib was asked, he suggested it was essential to consult Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad sahib. Hence, when he was consulted, he agreed with the nomination without any reservation stating:

“There is none superior to Hadhrat Maulana (Hadhrat Maulvi Nooruddin sahib) and it is essential to have a Khalifa. And Hadhrat Maulana ought to be the Khalifa otherwise a difference of opinion is likely to develop. There is a revelation of Hadhrat Aqdas [as] (the Promised Messiah) that this Movement shall split into two groups. God will be with one of them.” 27

The leading personalities of the Movement requested Hadhrat Maulvi Nooruddin sahib to undertake the heavy responsibility of leading the Community as the First Khalifa through a document, which bore the signatures of all of them. After this formal request was read out in the gathering, Hadhrat Maulvi Nooruddin sahib gave the following response:

“Look at my past life. I have never desired to become the leader. I am well aware of my own condition, and my Lord is even better aware of it. I have not the slightest desire of occupying a place of honour in the world. My only desire is that my Lord and Master may be pleased with me. I supplicate for the fulfilment of this desire; and it is out of this desire that I took up my residence in Qadian and will continue to reside here. I have spent many days considering anxiously what would be our situation after the death of Hadhrat Sahib. That is why I have endeavoured that Mian Mahmud’s education might be completed….If you insist on pledging your allegiance (bai’at) to me then bear in mind that bai’at means to be sold.”

Finally, Huzur [ra] reminded them:

“Now whatever may be your individual inclinations you will have to carry out my orders. If this is acceptable to you I shall undertake this responsibility willingly or unwillingly. The ten conditions of the pledge laid down by the Promised

Messiah [as] shall continue in force. I shall include among them and would emphasise the teaching of the Holy Qur’an, the collection of Zakat, the training of preachers and such other projects as Allah may be pleased to inspire me with.

Religious instruction and the courses of study in the theological seminary will require my approval. I undertake this responsibility solely for the sake of Allah,

Who has ordained: Let there be from among you a body of persons who should enjoin good and forbid evil (The Holy Qur’an Ch3.:V.105). Remember, all good proceeds from accord. A leaderless people are dead.” 68

As soon as he finished speaking, all present, who had arrived from far and near and who numbered about 1200, urged him with one voice, `We offer you our pledge. We shall obey your orders. You are our Amir and the Successor of our Messiah.’

All of them swore allegiance to him in his capacity as Khalifatul Masih. After the

bai’at ceremony, the Khalifatul Masih [ra] led the funeral prayers of the Promised Messiah [as] and thereafter led the Asr prayer. The burial was completed by 6pm on 27 May 1908. To Allah we belong and to Him shall we return. 69