The
Ahmadiyya Muslim
community, founded by Hazrat
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian in the last century in India, is
one of the most dynamic missionary movements in the world today.
Despite persecutions in Pakistan and some other Muslim-majority
states, the community continues to prosper around the world with
its peaceful propagation of Islam. While upholding that Divine
revelations descending on God’s chosen servants is a special
blessing and an enduring spiritual reality in every era of Islam till
the last century, the community leadership now preaches
the pious facade of
Ahmadiyya Khilafat as the Divinely- endowed institutional order of
Islam and rejects
the descent of Divine
revelations on
grounds of expediency and ‘institutional’ discipline.
Against the backdrop of most common Ahmadis today being ignorant of the theological engineering and interpretative understandings that gave birth to, and continue to sustain the pious facade of ‘Ahmadiyya Khilafat’; last month, the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International published a new book, ‘Khalifatullah’: Reframing Ahmadiyya Doctrines.
The Book is a compilation of 15 Sermons made by Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb of Mauritius over the last 15 years. Since the turn of the present century 2000-01 when this devout Ahmadi Muslim announced that he has a Divinely-inspired mission to revive the original teachings of Islam as taught in the last century by the founder of the Ahmadiyya community Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian, the Discourses provide a fascinating glimpse into the rich, inner world of Islamic spirituality and thereby reframes the current Ahmadi doctrines that perpetuate mythical beliefs around the infallibility of the elected community leader- the Khalifatul Massih. The book argues that the system of Nizam-e-Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya has incrementally corroded the very idea of Divinely-revealed guidance as irrelevant in this era, posing a “threat” (Fitna) to the institutional order of the community. In reframing the Ahmadiyya doctrines such as Qudrat-e-Saniah, ‘Islamic Khilafat’ etc, Hadhrat Saheb (atba) helps to richly contextualize the role of Ahmadiyyat within the wider and larger framework of Islamic spirituality.
Against the backdrop of most common Ahmadis today being ignorant of the theological engineering and interpretative understandings that gave birth to, and continue to sustain the pious facade of ‘Ahmadiyya Khilafat’; last month, the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International published a new book, ‘Khalifatullah’: Reframing Ahmadiyya Doctrines. The Book is a compilation of 15 Sermons made by Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb of Mauritius over the last 15 years. Since the turn of the present century 2000-01 when this devout Ahmadi Muslim announced that he has a Divinely-inspired mission to revive the original teachings of Islam as taught in the last century by the founder of the Ahmadiyya community Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian, the Discourses provide a fascinating glimpse into the rich, inner world of Islamic spirituality and thereby reframes the current Ahmadi doctrines that perpetuate mythical beliefs around the infallibility of the elected community leader- the Khalifatul Massih. The book argues that the system of Nizam-e-Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya has incrementally corroded the very idea of Divinely-revealed guidance as irrelevant in this era, posing a “threat” (Fitna) to the institutional order of the community. In reframing the Ahmadiyya doctrines such as Qudrat-e-Saniah, ‘Islamic Khilafat’ etc, Hadhrat Saheb (atba) helps to richly contextualize the role of Ahmadiyyat within the wider and larger framework of Islamic spirituality.
Reproduced below are Extracts
from the Introduction to the Book:
Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba), the Founding Head of the Jamaat Ahmadiyya Al Mouslemeen, Mauritius and the Supreme Head of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International belongs to, and lives in, the Indian Ocean- island State of Mauritius. Hadhrat Saheb (atba) is a born-soldier of Islam, having had with him from a relatively very young age of his blessed life, an abiding interest in religious matters and an intuitive understanding of effective preaching and an exceptional drive to spread further and further the true message of Islam for all of humanity.
As a devout Daai-e-Ilallah working for the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya in the 1980’s and the 1990’s, Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb was the ambassador of the Promised Massih (as) to several Indian Ocean island-States, helping to establish the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya among the communities and peoples of these distant lands- Reunion Island (1990), Mayotte (1997), and Seychelles (2000). Through the Divine Grace over his ardent preaching efforts and fervent prayers, hundreds of people in these island nations got the opportunity to discover and recognize the sublime path of true Islam. Indeed, in the annals of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, the extraordinary services rendered by this humble servant of Islam to the mission of the Promised Massih (as) had been recorded by the then Khalifatul Massih Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Saheb himself. If ever the Nizam-e-Jamaat develops institutional memory and are truthful to their own records and testimonials; the seminal spiritual work and trailblazing legacy of Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb in the Indian Ocean region would be celebrated as part of the wider, global history of the Ahmadi communities. Far more importantly, Allah (swt) showed His deep appreciation and profound satisfaction for the sincere and earnest efforts of His humble servant, when Allah (swt) took Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) under His wing of Mercy and blessed him with an abundance of Divine communications and spiritual messages, to a level and scale unheard of in the records of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya since the times of the Promised Massih (as) in the previous century.
As a devout Daai-e-Ilallah working for the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya in the 1980’s and the 1990’s, Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb was the ambassador of the Promised Massih (as) to several Indian Ocean island-States, helping to establish the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya among the communities and peoples of these distant lands- Reunion Island (1990), Mayotte (1997), and Seychelles (2000). Through the Divine Grace over his ardent preaching efforts and fervent prayers, hundreds of people in these island nations got the opportunity to discover and recognize the sublime path of true Islam. Indeed, in the annals of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, the extraordinary services rendered by this humble servant of Islam to the mission of the Promised Massih (as) had been recorded by the then Khalifatul Massih Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Saheb himself. If ever the Nizam-e-Jamaat develops institutional memory and are truthful to their own records and testimonials; the seminal spiritual work and trailblazing legacy of Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb in the Indian Ocean region would be celebrated as part of the wider, global history of the Ahmadi communities. Far more importantly, Allah (swt) showed His deep appreciation and profound satisfaction for the sincere and earnest efforts of His humble servant, when Allah (swt) took Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) under His wing of Mercy and blessed him with an abundance of Divine communications and spiritual messages, to a level and scale unheard of in the records of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya since the times of the Promised Massih (as) in the previous century.
For close
to two decades now, Hadhrat Munir Saheb (atba) has been proclaiming
through all means available that Allah (swt) has bestowed upon him
several spiritual titles and that he has a Divinely-inspired mission
as His Khalifa (Khalifatullah; Mujaddid, Messiah; Muhyi-ud-Din): of
reclaiming and revitalizing the enduring message of Tawheed in this
new century of the Islamic Era- thereby helping people appreciate the
correct spiritual path; strengthening them morally and spiritually in
these bewildering times. Like all men of God throughout history,
Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) preaches Divine Love. Sharing pure
Divine messages coming from the Unseen, Hadhrat Saheb (atba) invites
people to recognize the advent of his humble self in our midst as an
Elect of God and consider the extraordinary possibility of acceding
to the Divine countenance in this era as well by following his
personal example...
The 'mainstream' Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, in its institutionalized ‘Khilafat’-system, today represents only an empty 'shell' devoid of the 'kernel' of true Islam. Over the century after the death and departure of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian, the Ahmadiyya establishment or the 'Nizam-e-Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya' as it is known, has corroded the very idea and essence of ‘Ahmadiyyat’ as taught by the Promised Massih (as). For, at the heart of the claims and teachings of the Holy Founder of the Jamaat-e- Ahmadiyya in the last century stands the continuity of Divine revelations in the Muslim Ummah till the Day of Judgement and the arrival of righteous servants as Elects of God who speak with the help of Rooh’ul Qudus. Yet today, in an age of wealth and affluence within the community; the Nizam-e-Jamaat is more concerned about ‘power’ and ‘authority’ over the mundane riches than with the profound spiritual questions pertaining to the continuity of Divine revelations and the appearance of Divine servants in a new century of Islam.
Trappings of ‘power’ within the Nizam-e-Jamaat, the growing institutionalization and the consequent need for greater coherence and integration has meant that the role and status of the assembly-elected leader, the ‘Khalifatul Massih’, is carefully calibrated so much so that the Caliph is equated to the ‘shadow of God on earth’. Foundational values and basic principles of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya had been 'tweaked' and adjusted to suit the rulers that be- to the extent that the position of the Caliph is elevated to the Elects of God, even when he is not a recipient of Divine guidance. Thanks to the ongoing 'doctrinal' brainwashing by the Mullahs under the Nizam-e-Jamaat in their quest for the elusive 'victory' of Ahmadiyyat, most Ahmadis today are critically unaware of their own community’s history and its spiritual moorings and have more or less become 'frogs in the well', as it were- completely oblivious of their own ignorance of the oceans beyond. And the Nizam-e-Jamaat and the Ahmadi Mullahs in India and elsewhere, in their vanity and false pride over the continuation of their man-elected ‘Khilafat' system, arrogantly and defiantly doubt and dispute the very descent of Divine revelations in this era outside of their 'charmed circle' and seek to negate the truth about the spiritual titles being vouchsafed to Divine servants in our times.
It is against this dismal social and religious backdrop that one should view the ongoing ‘churning’ within the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya. The coming of an Elect of Allah only confirms the vitality of Islam and its ability to produce righteous servants in every age. The legacy of the Promised Massih (as) gets the greatest confirmation of its veracity and truthfulness with the raising of a spiritual progeny with the robe and mantle of a Prophet. Once again, it confirms the circle of growth and decay that Allah has etched to all processes of this transient world, including man-elected Khilafat systems. In an era in which the so called followers within the Nizam-e-Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya had trampled to dust the great legacy of Islamic teachings on the continuity of Divine guidance for the Ummah and the advent of Mujaddidin among the believers in every era; the spiritual heir of the Promised Massih (as), Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius offers profound reflections and illuminating guidance on the true meaning of ‘Khilafat’ in our times.
We read in the Qur’an:
The 'mainstream' Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, in its institutionalized ‘Khilafat’-system, today represents only an empty 'shell' devoid of the 'kernel' of true Islam. Over the century after the death and departure of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian, the Ahmadiyya establishment or the 'Nizam-e-Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya' as it is known, has corroded the very idea and essence of ‘Ahmadiyyat’ as taught by the Promised Massih (as). For, at the heart of the claims and teachings of the Holy Founder of the Jamaat-e- Ahmadiyya in the last century stands the continuity of Divine revelations in the Muslim Ummah till the Day of Judgement and the arrival of righteous servants as Elects of God who speak with the help of Rooh’ul Qudus. Yet today, in an age of wealth and affluence within the community; the Nizam-e-Jamaat is more concerned about ‘power’ and ‘authority’ over the mundane riches than with the profound spiritual questions pertaining to the continuity of Divine revelations and the appearance of Divine servants in a new century of Islam.
Trappings of ‘power’ within the Nizam-e-Jamaat, the growing institutionalization and the consequent need for greater coherence and integration has meant that the role and status of the assembly-elected leader, the ‘Khalifatul Massih’, is carefully calibrated so much so that the Caliph is equated to the ‘shadow of God on earth’. Foundational values and basic principles of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya had been 'tweaked' and adjusted to suit the rulers that be- to the extent that the position of the Caliph is elevated to the Elects of God, even when he is not a recipient of Divine guidance. Thanks to the ongoing 'doctrinal' brainwashing by the Mullahs under the Nizam-e-Jamaat in their quest for the elusive 'victory' of Ahmadiyyat, most Ahmadis today are critically unaware of their own community’s history and its spiritual moorings and have more or less become 'frogs in the well', as it were- completely oblivious of their own ignorance of the oceans beyond. And the Nizam-e-Jamaat and the Ahmadi Mullahs in India and elsewhere, in their vanity and false pride over the continuation of their man-elected ‘Khilafat' system, arrogantly and defiantly doubt and dispute the very descent of Divine revelations in this era outside of their 'charmed circle' and seek to negate the truth about the spiritual titles being vouchsafed to Divine servants in our times.
It is against this dismal social and religious backdrop that one should view the ongoing ‘churning’ within the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya. The coming of an Elect of Allah only confirms the vitality of Islam and its ability to produce righteous servants in every age. The legacy of the Promised Massih (as) gets the greatest confirmation of its veracity and truthfulness with the raising of a spiritual progeny with the robe and mantle of a Prophet. Once again, it confirms the circle of growth and decay that Allah has etched to all processes of this transient world, including man-elected Khilafat systems. In an era in which the so called followers within the Nizam-e-Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya had trampled to dust the great legacy of Islamic teachings on the continuity of Divine guidance for the Ummah and the advent of Mujaddidin among the believers in every era; the spiritual heir of the Promised Massih (as), Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius offers profound reflections and illuminating guidance on the true meaning of ‘Khilafat’ in our times.
We read in the Qur’an:
“…And when guidance
comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance - there will be no
fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.” (2: 39)
“…but if, as is sure,
there comes to you Guidance from Me, whosoever follows My Guidance,
will not lose his way, nor fall into misery.” (20: 124)
“Say: ‘Indeed, the
guidance of Allah is the true guidance.’ If you were to follow
their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, you would have
against Allah no protector or helper.” (2: 121).
In the 18 years of the Divine
Manifestation (2001-18), Hadhrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb
(atba) of Mauritius has produced a vast corpus of writings and
speeches- numbering over a thousand discourses even by a simple thumb
calculation! This ocean of spiritual literature encompasses almost
all aspects of the Islamic Way that under-girds the practice and
preaching of this devout servant of Allah (swt). The volume in your
hands is a modest effort at inviting attention to some of the
important Proclamations, Sermons and other spiritual Discourses given
by Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) over the last 15 years or
so, especially as it relates to the Islamic teachings on
Divinely-revealed guidance. In these Sermons, Hadhrat Khalifatullah
(atba) reframes the existing understanding on Ahmadiyya doctrines-
‘Khilafat’, Qudrat-e-Saniah, Mujaddidiyat, Khalifatullah,
Khalifatul Massih, Bai’at, etc.- in an abiding quest to protect
Tawheed- the true legacy of the Promised Massih (as)- and to correct
the fatal misconceptions that have crept into the appreciation of the
institutional space of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya among the followers of
the Promised Massih (as) today. If anyone today is truly interested
in the sublime world of seeking proximity to the Lord Almighty
through Islamic teachings and is on the quest for a Living Exemplar
of that great spiritual path, the person need not look further than
the present Divine Manifestation of Mauritius...'