'Khilafat': Ahmadi Misconceptions

Serious misconceptions exist among Ahmadis today about the spiritual status and authority of their 'Khalifatul Massih'. Through an incremental process of  theological engineering in institutional practices over a century of its existence, the Nizam-e-Jamaat manufactured a special spiritual 'aura' around its assembly-elected leader. The institutional role and administrative authority of the office of the Khalifatul Massih has been calibrated into an 'infallible' league of its own, almost as an equivalent of an Elect of God. Today, the carefully-crafted image of 'a leader who enjoys the shadow of Divine protection' has been conferred upon the Caliph by his own sect and as such the title of 'Khalifatul Massih' holds special significance in the mind-space and religious imagination of the folks within. So much so that most members of the Jamaat today swear by a notion that 'Ahmadiyya Khilafat' is the unchanging institutional order of Islam till the Day of Judgement (Qiyamah). 

Qur'an on the Death of Jesus (as)

Muhammad is only a messenger; Verily, all the messengers have died before him. So, were he to die, or if he was killed, would you turn back on your heels? And he who turns back on his heels will never harm Allah at all; but Allah will reward the grateful. (Al-Imran 3: 145).

A false rumour was spread at Uhud, that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had been killed. The verse alludes to this incident and means that even if the rumour was founded, it should not have made the faithful falter in their faith. Muhammad (pbuh) was only a prophet and like other prophets before him were dead, he too would die. Only the God of Islam, the One and Supreme God lives eternally.

First Proof

When seven years after the incident at Uhud (after the battle of Uhud) the Holy Prophet (pbuh) died, Umar (ra) stood in the mosque of Medina, sword in hand, and said, “Whoever says that the prophet of God has died, I will slit his throat. He has not die but went to his Lord just as Moses had gone to his Lord and he shall return to punish the hypocrites.”

At that moment, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), who was not present at the moment when the prophet breathed his last, returned quickly, went straight into the prophet's room and upon realising that he had actually died, kissed his forehead and said, “You are sweet (sacred) in death as you were when alive, and surely God is not going to give you two deaths.”

Then he went out, resolved, and asked the assembly in the mosque: “O people! Whoever worshiped Muhammad, let him know that Muhammad is dead; And he who worships God, let him be assured that God is alive, and that He does not die.” 

And he recited to them this verse: “Muhammad is only a messenger; Verily, all the messengers have died before him. So, were he to die, or if he was killed, would you turn back on your heels?” (Al-Imran 3: 145). He meant that it was not surprising under these circumstances that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) was also dead. On hearing this very appropriate verse, Umar (ra) and all the others were convinced of the prophet's death and were plunged into great mourning. Thus this verse proves incidentally that the prophets who had preceded our beloved prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had all died because if any one of them was still alive, the verse could not have been cited as evidence of the death of the Holy Prophet (pbuh).

Divine Will in the Change of Winds

Man's life and his surroundings

A man usually needs his well-being, and he verily cannot get it by himself. Even a king cannot acquire his well-being on his own. He does not become king on his own. He becomes king through people. If there are no people, then what shall the king do? It is a fact that a king very much needs people for his well-being. Someone in Africa or in the wild can seek means and ways to survive, to live his life, but this is not the case for a king. (He is so accustomed to being served by people that) If ever he has to seek a means of livelihood on his own, he shall be able to do so except with much difficulty.

Therefore, a king needs people more for his well-being than an ordinary person. And an ordinary person needs others more than a very poor person. This means that in this temporal world, to seek our well-being, we need other people. That is why we observe that generally speaking, a person seeks means which shall provide for his comfort. If he is famished and thirsty, he seeks food and drink. If he does not have any money, he seeks someone who has some to give him. If he is oppressed because he is alone, he seeks people who can come to his rescue. If he is sick, he seeks a doctor and takes medicines.

The 'bubble' of our comfort zones

All the means that a person seeks to depend on for his comfort are the most fragile of means. And these means are more fragile than a spiderweb if there is no divine help. It is indeed Allah who makes fire burn, and knife cut. Water also is under the control of Allah. Whenever Allah so wishes, rain falls. It is under the command of Allah that there is drought or cyclone. And it can happen that rain falls to an unexpected level. It is also Allah who gives the cure to people. A person (through the will of Allah) can get his cure in a simple concoction of herbs whereas others get healing by spending in medicines which are very expensive. Sometimes a person cannot get good sleep in his home which is well equipped with Air Conditioner and a comfortable bed whereas a poor man can get very good sleep even on rocks, straw or a simply broken bed.

Therefore, all means which are available for man to seek his well-being in this temporal world is not effective as long as the divine will do not allow it. That is why Allah the Almighty says in this verse of the Holy Quran:

"The example of those who take allies other than Allah is like that of the spider who takes a home. And indeed, the weakest of homes is the home of the spider, if they only knew." (Al-Ankabut, 29: 42).

'Illumine the World with the Light of Faith'

Today is 26 December 2014, and the last Friday of December, and also this is the first Friday of the month of Rabi’ul Awwal 1436 AH.

A new chapter in our lives is opening; a moment which we must seize and reflect upon and also to meditate on the life which God the Almighty, Allah (twt) gave us. Certainly, human life is like a flame we lit in the morning and which is put out in the evening. For the world in general, we enter a new year. Some prepare resolutions for this year, some reflect on their actions over the past year while others have fun and forget the next day and what will happen to them.

As for the believers, the people of understanding, they know very well that time is running out and it is a year in their lives which has died away; such days, nights, moments which they shall never live again, because what's past is past, and shall not return. They realize they are getting older and that the time of the encounter with the Lord is coming. Those who are truly pious and sincere, who consider this temporary world as a prison, it is with joy that they reflect on their encounter with God. This is confirmed in the following Hadith:

Some companions came to our beloved prophet Hadhrat Muhammad (sa) and asked him, “Who is the most intelligent person?” 

He replied, “Those people who remember death most and prepare for it most. These are the intelligent ones; they have excelled in the nobility of this world and the honour of the hereafter.”

The Sahaba (companions) asked: “What destroys passions?”  He replied: “Death.” (Ibn Majah, Tabraani)

Kullu nafsin-zaaa-‘iqatul-mawt.

Every soul shall taste death. (3: 186)

Death does not differentiate between the big, the small, the rich, the poor, the one who is elderly or the young, and it does not act on racial discrimination; therefore it is a reality which affects every living thing on this earth.

If we forget death, then everything in this world reminds us that immutable truth. Everything has an end. The sun sets each day; likewise our life will cease one day. Anything that is inhabited by the breath of life tirelessly reminds us of its end. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) said: “Every man wakes up in the morning amidst his family and death is closer to him than his shoelaces.” Umar (ra) used to say: “O Umar, death suffices as a counsellor.” The Holy Prophet said in an authentic Hadith: “If you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much.”

Yaum-e-Ashura: Remembering Imam Hussein

My sermon will be on the Islamic month; especially the 10^th of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic Calendar which is the Yaum-e-Ashura. It is an historical date and deeply memorable in Islam whereby lots of events, in addition to the one at Karbala, took place in the past, and also whereby other events will take place in the future. It is a day which is full of the blessings and on this day, Allah accepts and fulfils prayers made with sincerity. It is recommended to obtain a fast on this day and also one on either the eve or the next day of the Ashura.

On the day of Ashura, perform Ghusl (a complete bath); trim your nails, put on clean clothes and enable yourself to enter a state of Ibaadat (worship of Allah). On this day, besides the obligatory prayers, do some recitations of the Holy Quran, then read two cycles of voluntary prayers by reciting in each cycle after the Surah Al-Fatiha, ten times the Surah Al-Ikhlaas (Qul Huwallaaho Ahad…); After the prayer, read one time the Verse of the Throne (Ayatul Qursi) and nine times the Darood Ibrahim (which we read daily in our Salaat); afterwards ask of Allah whatever you want (which is permissible in the eyes of Allah). Invoke Him with sincerity!

Hazrat Muhammad (Peace & Blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “On the day of Ashura, the one who reads four voluntary cycles of prayer, and in each cycle, after the Surah Al-Fatiha reads eleven times Surah Al-Ikhlaas, Allah forgives him all his sins and will build for him an illuminated minbar.” This form of prayer purifies a believer from all his sins, and elevates him in his faith, and attracts on him the blessings of Allah. It is recommended to observe two fasts, that is, the 9^th and the 10^th day of Muharram. Hazrat Muhammad (Peace & Blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “After the obligatory fasting of Ramadhan, comes the greatness of the Ashura fast, and the latter wash away the sins of the preceding year.” It is also highly recommended on this day to perform other forms of worship to seek the pleasure of Allah, for example: to help the needy people in any way, to feed the poor, give away Sadqua (charity), etc.

The 10^th of Muharram will always remain engraved in the mind of each and every Muslim so that they may always remember the drastic days which befell upon Hazrat Imam Hussein. 

Ahmadiyya Khilafat and the new Mujaddid

Origins of Ahmadiyya Khilafat

After the death and departure of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) in May 1908, the Ahmadiyya Community invented and established the institution of Khilafat to continue the goodwork and divine mission of the Promised Massih. It is interesting to note that the Promised Massih (as) himself established the Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya for this purpose in 1906 and made it very clear that after his departure, the Anjuman shall be final decision-making body for the Jamaat. Yet, after the death of the Founder, all members of the Community including the highest governing body, agreed upon the institution of the office of Khalifatul Massih and elected Hadhrat Al-Haj Maulvi Hakkim Nur-ud-Din Sahib (ra) of Bhervi as the first Khalifa of the Community.

During the time of Khalifatul Massih Awwal, all Ahmadis worked together, as per the wish and Al Wassiyat of the Promised Massih (as). This was a period when devout disciples of the Promised Massih (as) known for their spiritual wisdom and religious knowledge and personal commitment for preferring faith above the worldly considerations were still around.

Contrary to the mistaken notion of most Ahmadis today, the Khalifa is not appointed by Allah (swa). He is appointed by an electoral college of prominent members within- the Majlis Shura. The system worked smoothly according to the commandments of Allah, the teachings of Hazrat Muhammad ^(sa) and Hazrat Massih Ma’ud ^(as).

One Hundred Years of the Split

Khilafat as an instition generally worked for the welfare of the members, especially in the early days. The Khalifa is guided by his chosen advisors and the Maulvis within. During the first Khilafat, all his administrative decisions were recorded as taken in the dual capacity of the President of the Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya. However, after the death of Maulvi Hakkim Nur-ud-Din Sahib (ra) in March 1914, the community split into two: the fraction led by Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sahib, a companion of the Promised Massih (as) refused to accept the leadership of the eldest son of the Promised Massih, Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad on perceived grounds of deviation from the teachings of the Promised Massih (as).

The Concept of Khalifatullah

In his Friday Sermon of 25 May 2012, Hadhrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (atba) of Mauritius gave a discourse on the concept of Khalifatullah or the Vicegerent to Allah on earth. The speech is especially important for Ahmadi Muslims to ponder over, for the extraordinary light it throws on the concept of Khilafat in Islam and the insights it provides on the circumstances in which the favour of Allah deserted the man-elected Khilafat system and resulted in the emergence of the current Divine Manifestation in Mauritius.  

Islam offers the spiritual history of countless prophets in the Holy Qur’an as a living testimonial to an enduring Divine practice: Allah the Most High raises His Messengers, who (did and) would call people to the sublime path of spirituality. These Messengers would teach people the Divine Word and invite them to partake of the Divine blessings that pour down like a heavenly rain on a parched earth. Depending on the depth of their immersion in the Divine waters, these holy men of God are decorated by Allah the Most High Himself with spiritual titles of magnificent proportions- Rasulullah, Nabiullah, Khalifatullah, Muhyi-ud-Din, Mujaddid etc.  

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:  

“The word Khalifatullah can be explained with reference directly to Allah (swt) or with reference to an earlier prophet. The Khalifatullah is created on earth by the word of God and he is vicegerent to Allah, or a deputy to Allah. Hazrat Adam (as) is referred to as Khalifatullah and it (that is, the title and seat of Khalifatullah) came to its perfection in the person of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) and that also is the meaning of Khataman-Nabiyyeen. This is one understanding of the word Khalifatullah.

Time Planning is an Islamic Virtue

In his Friday Sermon of April 27, 2012, Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib of Mauritius (atba) continued his discourse on the significance of leading a full life in this world. Good deeds form half of the Faith. Believers are to diligently pursue their noble objectives on every single day of their lives. One must rank one’s priorities and set objectives in terms of importance and try to accomplish each of these tasks in the required time. The main duty or sacred duty (Farz deed) must be fulfilled before performing a supererogatory one, and this is equally valid for other cases. ‘Exploit (your) time fairly and effectively’ and ‘not be among the thoughtless and forgetful’, exhorts the Messenger of Allah of our times.

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

“...There is no favour to any particular person where time is concerned. This is because the latter is split equally between men. But some have more merit in how to manage, operate and profit from it. Allah (swt), who evaluated time, and shared it among His servants, distinguished some moments that are better than others.

In terms of ritual actions, Allah (swt) has spared some time for the seasons where expected rewards are increased, as the month of Ramadan and the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Other moments are more favourable to the fulfillment of prayers, as the last third of every night, every Friday afternoon, the breaking of the fast for the faster, and the sacred night (Laila-tul-Qadr) in the month of Ramadan!

Every day you have before you a moment in the morning, a moment in the evening and another at dawn, where you can raise your pure mind to the heavens to win both favours of this world and the hereafter. Before you, there are the seasons of the submission, the days of meditation and nights of sacrifices, to which you refer to the Holy Book (the Quran) and the teaching of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). Try then to be among those who remember and call on their Lord, and not be among the thoughtless and forgetful. Be those who act, not of those who laze. Enjoy your time, time is like the sword, and neglect procrastination because there is nothing more harmful.

Mujaddid: Advice of the Promised Massih

The Promised Massih Hadhrat Ahmad (as) believed that there are certain qualities that a believer should possess in order for him or her to be able to recognize when an Elect of Allah such as a Mujaddid makes an appearance in the world in a new Century.The principal quality for being able to recognize a Mujaddid is the possession of spiritual light in the heart. He explained this fascinating insight into the working of the spiritual realm and the human mind by contrasting the responses of Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddique (ra) and Abu Jahl when they became aware of the claims of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa).

We are presenting below the relevant extracts: 

“Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (ra) was the person whose nature had the oil and the wick of blessings and as soon he had the pure teachings of the Holy prophet (sa), he was lit up. He did not argue with the Holy Prophet (sa); he did not ask for any signs or miracle. As he heard of the claim of the Holy Prophet (sa) he asked him if he had really claimed to be a prophet. Having got the answer in the affirmative, he said “let you be my witness that I am the first of those who believe in you”. 

That, very clearly, shows that those who have the light of faith in their nature do not need much of talking. With just one thing they arrive at the conclusion. They have a light in their heart. As soon as they hear the voice, they are lit up.The divine power that they have in them is aroused by hearing the voice (of the person who comes from God and calls the people). It begins to develop. And as for those who do not possess that power, they are deprived (of the light) and are ruined. This is what has been happening since time immemorial.  

Experience shows that those who indulge in questioning are usually deprived of guidance. Of course those who think good of others and are patient, they have the full share of guidance. The examples of both these kinds are to be met with in the persons of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and Abu Jahl. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) did not have controversies and did not ask for the signs to be shown; rather he himself became a splendid sign. Abu Jahl resisted, opposed and did not stop showing his foolishness. He witnessed the signs but could not see them (i.e. he could not benefit from them). Eventually he became a sign for others and passed away in the state of his being an opponent. 

Let everybody fear and know that if a Mujaddid appears in any age, those who believe in him are the blessed people. He who finds reluctance in his heart and does not find himself inclined towards believing in him should be apprehensive, for, these are the signs of a bad end and of deprivation”.  - [Malfuzat,  Vol II, p.165.] 

The Promised Messiah (as)  further says: “Our Holy Prophet^sa has established that there is a need for a Leader of the time (Imāmu Zamān) in every century and has clearly stated that whosoever goes towards God Almighty, not having recognized the Imām, they will go in a state of blindness, and will die a death of ignorance” (Malfūzāt, Vol 5, p. 102). 

Who are these leaders of the time (Imāmu Zamān)?

“Allāh the Almighty has extended the advent of the Khulāfa’ till the Day of Judgment and this special honour and superiority has been bestowed on Islām for its support and reformation. Mujaddidīn have been sent in every century, and will continue so into the future . . . All the times Khulāfa’ served and reformed the Muhammadi Sharī‘a and will continue to come to do so till the end of time.” (Malfūzāt, Vol 10, p 262)  

Abu Baker Siddique: First Sermon as Khalifa

The Islamic Khilafat of the past began with Hadhrat Abu Baker Siddique (ra) and continued during the time of the other rightly guided Khulafa, Hadhrat Omar Ibn Khattab (ra), Hadhrat Usman (ra) and Hadhrat Ali (ra). These devout companions of the Holy Prophet (sa) were intensely conscious about their material and spiritual mandates as the head of the Muslim community when they were thrust with the mantle of leadership. And also the inherent limitations attached to their specific situation as leaders because of the lack of divine revelations in guiding the community at a time when an Elect of Allah was not among them.

Devout Ahmadis consider that the Ahmadiyya Khilafat is established in the best tradition of the Islamic Khilafat of the early days. Yet, the Ahmadis today are guilty of blurring the subtle and profound distinction that separates the true spiritual and material condition between a Divine servant in communion with Allah (swa), and the actual leaders they elect as Khulafa. For instance, most Ahmadis assume and believe without any shred of evidence that the present Khalifatul Massih Mirza Masroor Ahmad Sahib is a recipient of Divine revelations and that there can never arise anyone with Divine revelations so long as they have the Khulafa elected by the community of people.

Khalifatullah and Khalifatul Massih

Historically, the institution of Khilafat emerged within the early Muslim community with the election of Hadhrat Abu Baker Siddiq (ra) as Khalifatul Rasul after the death of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa). In the history of Islam, there has been three types of Khulafa. Like, mentioned above, the early Khulafa/Caliphs who upheld the faith and its values with sincere and complete devotion after having been taught by the Holy Prophet (sa) himself and they having spent their lives as his companions during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (sa). These caliphs- Hadhrat Abu Baker Siddiq (ra), Hadhrat Umar (ra), Hadhrat Uthman (ra) and Hadhrat Ali (ra)- are collectively known as the rightly-guided caliphs-Khulafa-ur-Rashidun. 

The second type of Khulafa are those who came after these pious caliphs. Those who came after the Khulafa-ur-Rashidun were also leaders of the Muslim Ummah, having sovereignty and political authority over the nation. While many of them practiced their religion as they understood their faith, but the Ummah in general do not consider them to be spiritual models, to be emulated like the early exemplars. They were a manifestation of the material glory of the Ummah as a political and religious community as against the other-worldly preoccupations of true saints and believers. 

The third type of Khulafa are the Divine Reformers or Mujaddidin who appeared in different lands of Islam at different points of time, in the history of Islam. They were the spiritual deputies of the Holy Prophets (sa) who were Divinely-raised, with revelations, inspirations, visions and dreams to guide the Ummah and to be the practical models of a living Islam in their respective communities. As per the Islamic tradition, Allah (swa) will raise a Mujaddid at the turn of every century to preserve the true spirit of Holy Qur'an and the Islamic teachings among the believers and this Divine scheme will continue to serve the spiritual purpose till the Day of Judgement. As these men are Divinely-ordained, they are also known as Khalifatullah or the Vicegerent of Allah. Hence, one of the titles of the Promised Massih (as) is as Khalifatullah.