Saturday, May 4, 2019
The Self-Disclosure of God
Friday, April 19, 2019
19 April 2003: First Bai'ah
19 April 2003 is an important day in the annals of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya (Qadian). It marked the end of an era, and also the formal beginning of another, within the larger concept and actual working of the system of spiritual succession or ‘Khilafat’ in the Jamaat. Many Ahmadis relate that day with the passing away of the fourth Khalifatul Massih Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (1928-2003). More importantly, the day marks the inaugural of a new ‘Khilafat’ as well; a Divine Manifestation with an Elect of God in our era, Hazrat Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius, accepting Bai’at at his hands, marking an important milestone in the sacred history and trajectory of Islamic renewal over the centuries. The first Bai’at was held that evening in the house of Hazrat Ummul Mu'mineen Sadr Saheba Fazli Amena on the second storey, at Louvet Avenue, Quatre-Bornes, Mauritius.
Indeed one of the questions that deeply
divide devout Ahmadis today relate to the events of 19 April 2003, its
meaning, interpretation and implications. As is well known, it was in the final years of the caliphate
of Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Saheb that a pious and devout Ahmadi Muslim
mystic in Mauritius, Hazrat Munir Ahmad Azim (aba), began to make
the extraordinary claim that Allah (swt) has raised him as His Elect of this
era, to invite people to God and to strengthen Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya by
sharing the Divine revelations and other spiritual verities being
vouchsafed to him, with the assistance of Rooh-il-Quddus. It
is a matter of historic record and Divine destiny that the
fourth Khalifatul Massih thought highly of the noble qualities and
preaching attainments of the future Divine Elect when he was still working as a
missionary-ambassador of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya to the
various communities and nations of the Indian Ocean region.
The emergence of the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius coincided
with the decline in physical health, spiritual faculties and eventual death of
Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Sahib. In his last years, the ageing caliph was
already in a zone of his own, where he was in constant need of sound advice for
prudent governance of Jamaat affairs. Yet, as it happened, he was badly advised
regarding the nature and character of the Divine Manifestation then emerging in
the horizon of Mauritius. Unscrupulous and scheming people, who worked behind
the corridors of influence, suggested vanity of office and pride of legacy. Hence, when
the saintly figure was reported to have made the claims of being a recipient of
Divine revelations, he was expelled from the Nizam-e-Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya under
misleading circumstances. Social boycott was administratively enforced on
those Ahmadis who preferred faith above the world. Instead of showing
humility and an open heart to understand the lofty claims and spiritual
verities on offer in the new era, the Nizam-e-Jamaat chose pride
and vanity in the material legacy they amassed from the past, and it is
only unfortunate that the fourth caliph passed away before he could
reflect on his decision vis-a-vis the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius, may
Allah forgive him.
The fact that the Divine Manifestation in
Mauritius has completed 16 years in relative obscurity will only surprise those
who have no knowledge or understanding about the working of the spiritual
realm. There are indeed many spiritual lessons and lofty insights to be derived
by observing and understanding the Divine favour on the Khalifatullah (aba)
and how he goes about with his deep and unwavering commitment to advance the
cause of Allah and His Message in the last eighteen years. The duty of the
Divine Messenger is only to convey the Message; Allah the Most High is the
Reckoner. Fortunately, Ahmadis are beginning to come out of the shadow of
that colossal mistake of their leadership. Increasingly, they are aware of this
alternative trajectory of the Divine Favour in the Jamaat, for truth can be
eclipsed, but only for a period. Like the moon, it will eventually come out of
the shadow of clouds and confusions created by the enemies of truth, Insha-Allah, Aameen.
Reproduced below are certain brief
comments and points mentioned at the beginning of the Friday Sermon of 19 April
2019~12 Shabaan 1440 AH by
Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad
Azim (aba) of Mauritius on the significance of the aforesaid
historical event :
Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, today (19 April) marks 16 years that a historical event happened within the framework of the Divine Manifestation of this era. The first Bai’ah (oath of allegiance) in the hand of Allah was made and that day also marked the death of the 4th Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Movement. Before I get up to deliver my sermon, I feel that I shall receive many important messages from Allah. These revelations may come down during or after my sermon. Anyway, these are messages [they are coming and Huzur (atba) is aware of it] that I must share – soon – with you my dear disciples and all humanity, Insha-Allah.
[The Caliph of Allah - Khalifatullah (aba) - then spoke of this important day in the annals of the history of the Divine Manifestation and the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam. He recounted how he and the one who was always by his side to write down the divine revelations - and to whom Allah had made great favours (Z. Domun Saheb) - gathered with the believers of the Divine Manifestation at that time for the study circle at Quatre-Bornes. That day was the day when the 4th Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Movement died, and Z. Domun Saheb asked Amir’ul Mumineen, Munir Azim Saheb, a question about whether he had received any revelation about giving Bai’ah (oath of allegiance) to the believers.
Huzur (atba) said that at that time he had
not yet received any revelation, and that if he did not receive a revelation,
it means that he did not receive any revelation from Allah and that he could
not say at that time that he received any revelation because lying about
revelation is a very serious act in the eyes of Allah.
It was only during the study circle that
the divine revelation came, and through it, Allah had manifested Himself and
the first Bai’ah had been taken by all those present in the Hand of Allah
(represented by the Khalifatullah’s hand). Huzur (aba) mentioned names like M.
Ramjaun Saheb, his wife and children who were present and who had taken
the Bai’ah. So he gave a warning, and he advised those who had
taken the Bai’ah at that time (and who turned their backs on
the Divine Manifestation) to think carefully about what they did.
Huzur (aba) then said that by the grace
of Allah, it is Allah who consolidates the truth and helps His elect and by His
grace He has sent other people, from other countries who have acknowledged the
truth and who have integrated the Divine Manifestation - the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al
Islam. Alhamdulillah.
Huzur (atba) seized this opportunity to
mention the initiative for a gathering by the female wing (Siraj Makin) of
the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam of Kerala which begins today on this
blessed day 19 April 2019 and their function will end tomorrow 20 April 2019.
He congratulated them by telling them “Mubarak Ho” and
prayed for the success of their gathering.]
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
19 April 2003: A Memoir
19th April 2003 is an important day in the annals of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya (Qadian). It was on this day that the reigning caliph of the Jamaat, Khalifatul Massih IV Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad [1928-2003], passed away in London, UK. For devout Ahmadis, the day marked the end of an era within the ‘Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya’ system established after the death and departure of Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) [1835-1908] almost a century back in Qadian, India. An important phase in the succession saga of spiritual leadership in the Ahmadiyya community, the Day marks a time of transition from one caliph to another elected by the assembly of the Ahmadis. Indeed, as is widely known, the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya went on to elect and appoint yet another caliph in their 'Majlis Shura', in succession to the deceased fourth caliph, the fifth Khalifatul Massih Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad on 23 April 2003, marking continuity of leadership.
Perhaps less widely-noticed, yet a very vital, parallel development also took shape on that eventful day of 19 April 2003. Far away from London, half way across the world, in the Indian Ocean-bound island state of Mauritius, an Ahmadi who believed in the divine mission of the promised Messiah (as), a man who claimed the authority of divine revelations, began accepting Bai’at at his hands from the Ahmadis, stating that he has been bestowed with spiritual titles, including as Hazrat Amir'ul Mu'mineen of this era. Hence, many Ahmadi followers of the new Divinely-raised Muhyiuddin relate the day with the formal inaugural of a new system of ‘Khilafat’ among the Ahmadis, heralding the advent of a Divine Manifestation among the Ahmadis in this era, Alhamdulillah, Allah-u-Akbar!