In the first part of the essay, published here on May 05, 2011, we have noted an important statement of the Fourth Khalifa Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Sahib on the question of the coming of Mujaddidin in the new century, just as it used to be in all the centuries before in Islam. In our analysis, we have clearly shown how mistaken the Khalifa was in thinking that the Promised Massih Hadhrat Ahmad (as) shared his perspective. The emphatic statement of the Fourth Khalifa clearly shows that knowingly or unknowingly, there has come to be a radical disconnect between the original teachings of Islam as well as the explanatory commentary of the same by the Promised Massih (as) on the one hand and the current beliefs in the Ahmadiyya Community on the other. For the essay, click here.
It is remarkable to note that the statement of the Fourth Khalifa came in 1993, exactly 84 years after the death of the Promised Massih (as). What is the significance of 84 years in Islamic spirituality? A thousand months constitute 84 years and stand for a century in the spiritual realm. Thus, the Holy Qur’an states:
“The Night of Destiny (Decree) is better than a thousand months. Therein descend angels and the Spirit with their Lord’s decree concerning everything”. (97:4-5)
Both the Promised Massih (as) and Hadhrat Musleh Maoud (ra) have written that the period referred to in the Holy Qur’an is linked to the advent of a Mujaddid.
Reflecting on the meaning of the verse, Hadhrat Ahmad (as) wrote:
“Do you understand what is meant by the Night of Decree? The night of decree or ‘Laila-tul-Qadr’ is the name of a night when spiritual darkness reaches its ultimate gloom. That gloom, metaphorically demands a light from heaven for its own dissipation. This night is symbolically called the night of Decree. In fact it is not a night but a period, which is referred to as a “night” because of its intense darkness. One thousand months is the approximate life span of a human being. It is also a period after which normal human senses cease to function. The elapse of a period of one thousand months, following the demise of a prophet or his spiritual successor also signals the commencement of a ‘night' of darkness. This ‘night' triggers a fervor in the heavens and the seeds of the birth of one or more reformers is stealthily sown. Thus, such a reformer or reformers prepare to emerge at the head of the new century.
The following verse is also an indication by God towards this phenomenon: "The night of Decree is better than a thousand months". (Surah Al-Qadr (ch97) v4)
Meaning that anyone who perceives the blessings of this night of Decree, or anyone who benefits from the company of the Reformer of age, is better than an eighty years old man who failed to behold this blessed time. Even if he witnessed a single moment of this blessed era, it was better than his past one thousand months. Why is that moment better? Because during that period, in support of the Reformer, the angels of God and the Holy Spirit “(Rooh-ul-Quddus') descend from the heavens. They manifest themselves upon the hearts of the faithful for the purpose of unveiling the path to the guidance. They remain fully engaged in this endeavour until the gloom of delinquency vanishes, ushering in a dawn of piety”. [The Victory of Islam, p.34-35, Qadian: Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya, (2003)]
Hadhrat Ahmad (as) says: “The purpose of having a Reformer sent every century is that within the past 100 years those who possessed spiritual knowledge have taken it to their graves. And if new teachings are not imparted by the Almighty to the people then how will truth sustain? Hence, a new foundation is laid in the Heavens in order to rectify the impurities and distortions that have developed.” (Malfoozat, Volume 5, Appendix, Page 457)
On another occasion, the Promised Massih (as) states: “Allah has made mankind dependant on having amongst them a Messenger, a Reformer or a Prophet. However, mankind deems they are pure like Prophets and such Divine guidance is a thing unnecessary and consider themselves self-sufficient and independent. This is a severe transgression.” (Malfoozat, Volume 9, Page 319)
It is remarkable to note that even the Fourth Khalifa agreed with this assessment and analysis regarding the coming of Mujaddidin: “So the Siraat-é-Mustaqeem is a straight path which others seek to twist and bend out of shape. In spite of such concerted efforts, God has ensured that all attempts to change the Straight Path will ultimately be failed. The promise of the restoration of the true Teachings of Islam at least once every hundred years by a divinely guided leader ensures that man-made changes and other signs of natural decay are repaired periodically.” [Absolute Justice, Kindness and Kinship: The Three Creative Principles, p.130, Qadian: Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya, (2005)]
The book was first published in the United Kingdom India
For a common Ahmadi, the choice is no longer avoidable:
You are either with the scheme of the man-elected, Ahmadiyya Khilafat or you accept and benefit by Allah’s enduring Plan for Sahih Al Islam.
If any one worshipped Ahmadiyya Khilafat, it is spiritually dead. If any one hopes for Islamic Khilafat, Allah will always raise His Khalifa:
“Will you turn back on your heels? And he who turns back on his heels shall not harm Allah at all. And Allah will certainly reward the grateful”. (3:145)