Saturday, April 2, 2011

Mujaddid: Status and Role


The fundamental religious obligations of a Muslim include the duty to recognize and accept and help the Divinely-raised Mujaddidin in every century. Common believers, including Ahmadis, are however, insufficiently aware about their responsibilities in this regard. What does a Mujaddid do? What is the function and status of a Mujaddid in the Divine scheme of things for Islam? Should believers be surprised if a Mujaddid comes in a new century? We are presenting below certain extracts from the writings of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian (1835-1908 CE) that provide exceptionally illuminating answers to these foundational questions:

 

“Tajdid-e-Deen’ is that passion for the reformation of faith which descends upon such a heart that forges a state of communion with Allah. Then, sooner or later, this yearning of communion seeps into others. Those who are gifted with the status of a Mujaddid do not just trade in lifeless bones. Rather, they become the deputies of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) and indeed his spiritual successors (Khalifa). They inherit all the blessings that are granted to Prophets and Apostles. Their speech is effortless and spontaneous emanating from the inner core of the heart. Their speech is supplemented with noble deeds and personal experiences and is not the mere expression of theoretical knowledge. The revelation of Allah illumines their hearts. In all times of distress they receive guidance from the Holy Spirit. Their speech and conduct is not influenced by any worldly concern because they have been wholly purified and drawn towards Allah”. -  See FATH-E-ISLAM: Victory of Islam, p.06, Qadian, India: Islam Int’l Publications, (2003).

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Islam: Enduring Blessings


Most Ahmadis today somehow believe that Allah has abolished the Divine Scheme of sending Mujaddidin in every century to revive the Muslims and to renew their Faith. They consider that sincere believers have to be content with the man-elected Khulafa in the Ahmadiyya community for all practical purposes and that for the purpose of Divine guidance in future, if any, only an Ahmadi caliph can elevated with Divine revelations by Allah (swt). The Divine Prerogative of choosing and selection whoever He wills has come tom an end with the establishment of Ahmadiyya Khilafat- at least, that is what the leaders and the priests within would like common Ahmadis to believe as religious doctrine.


On the other hand, the founder of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian presented Islam as a living faith that produced through the centuries of its existence, countless saints and godly people. More importantly, Hazrat Ahmad (as) firmly believed that these blessings will certainly continue till the Day of Judgement amongst sincere believers who followed the fundamental teachings of Islam. We are presenting below certain extracts from the writings of Hazrat Ahmad (as) that affirms the enduring blessings of Islam and points out the mistaken notions of the Shia Muslims in this regard. Reflective Ahmadis will find remarkable lessons in the episode:  

 

‘It must be clear to you that when a true seeker lives Islam obediently and completely and each of his faculty truly and automatically follows God’s commands then the overall results of his efforts is that Allah sends signs of guidance to him on a larger scale without any intermediary veils. That is to say that this person will directly experience Allah on a higher level. Many kinds of blessings fall on this person. These commands were accepted due to his faith and because it was obligatory on him.

 

But now he starts to experience these commands as realities and certainties through true visions and also through true and clear non-ambiguous revelations, which is without double meanings. He receives revelation on the mystery of the law and faith and he sees signs of the kingdom of Allah, which brings him to a state of certainty and full understanding of Allah’s kingdom. He is blessed in his tongue, his words, and his actions and in whatever he does. He acquires an overwhelming courage and also becomes very patient and has a firm belief and a thorough understanding. Common human weaknesses such as contemptible action, miserliness, short sightedness, easily giving away to one’s passions, contemptible actions and all of his ego centric purposes leaves him completely and he is filled with the divine light of Allah’s attributes. This person then experiences a complete change and he is as if born again.

 

He hears and sees through Allah. His anger becomes Allah’s anger and his compassion becomes Allah’s compassion. In other words, if he is angry with someone, Allah is angry with that person and if he is happy with someone then Allah is also happy with that person. But we need to understand that this kind of a person has no meanness in him. He is someone who has washed himself from all human weaknesses, which may be found in human nature. When someone arrives at this stage Allah listens to his prayers because he is one of the chosen ones, there is no need to test him, since this person becomes a living proof of Allah on earth and he is a sign of Allah’s security. And in heaven there is a joy because of him and the greatest gift that he receives is that Allah’s words descends on his heart beyond any doubt..”  [Ai'na kamalaaté Islam Rohani Khazain Vol. 5, pp. 226-233 ]


On the Shia notions of end of Divine Blessings 


'The Shias believe that “wilayat” and “imamat” was reserved only for their twelve imams and after them the door of revelation has been shut for ever. So if we believe in this, all of our teachings are for nothing and we have to agree that Islam is an abandoned and silent house where there is no blessing. If this is true that Allah has shut the door of holiness and guidance in the future, then it is very sad indeed for those who are seeking Allah with a sincere heart; moreover it will seem that they have died while they are still alive. And they will hold in their hands only ancient tales, which will not help them in anyway to acquire the real truth.

 

And if the Shias believe in this dogma, then why do they recite five times daily in their prayers the following: “ihdenas siraatal moustaqim siraatal lazina an’amta alaihim”, which means “Guide us along the straight path, the path of those on whom Thou has bestowed Thy favors”


This prayer means, “O Allah, Thou art the most powerful, show us the path that brings us closer to Thee, the path of the prophets, of the rightly guided, of those who are true, of the martyrs and those who are pious. So this verse shows us that the path to acquire spiritual guidance is always open and will always be so. I have sent thousand of leaflets in several countries, in order for them to understand this truth.

 

If the path to obtain this blessing is closed, then, what makes Islam superior? It is indeed true that the twelve imams were perfect human beings, they were leaders but it is indeed wrong to believe that the qualities they had, nobody else will be able to possess. Allah, The Mighty Whose two hands are always open with His Mercy and His Power, will always remain open and if the day comes when Islam will no longer have these blessings then it will surely be the end of time.'    (Al Hakam, 10th March 1902).

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Mujaddid: Sign of ‘Laila-tul- Qadr’


The Promised Massih Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian [1835-1908] writes:


'Allah gives glad tidings to the faithful in
Surah Al Qadr that His prophet and His revelation descended from the heaven during the period of Laila-tul- Qadr (the Night of Decree).



Every Muhaddath and Mujaddid who is commissioned by Allah always appears during the Night of Decree. 


Do you understand what is meant by the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree or the
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 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 ceases 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 fervour in the heavens and the seeds of the birth of one or more reformers (Mujaddidin) is stealthily sown. Thus such a Mujaddid or prepare to emerge at the head of the new century. The following verse is also an indication by Allah towards this phenomenon:

 

           

 'The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.' (Surah Al Qadr, 97:4).  

It means that anyone who perceives the blessings of this Night of Decree, or anyone who benefits from the company of the Mujaddid of the age, is better than an eighty year 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? 

'Khalifatullah' appears with 'Rooh-ul-Qudus'


The Promised Massih Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian writes: 

“Let it be known that it is the established custom of Allah that whenever a Messenger, a Prophet or an appointed recipient of Divine Revelation is sent for the reformation of mankind, it becomes imperative that he is accompanied by such angels who instill guidance in all loving hearts. They induce the hearts towards goodness.  They continue to descend until the darkness of profanity and corruption gives way to the break of the dawn of faith and truthfulness. 


The Almighty God says: 

“The angels and the Spirit descend upon them by the command of their Lord with their Lord’s decrees concerning every matter. It is all peace, till the break of the dawn”. (Surah Al Qadr, 97:5-6). 


So the appearance of the angels and the Holy Spirit only takes place at the advent of a person of distinction, who is dressed in the garb of Khilafat and honored with a direct communion with God. This Khalifa is specially gifted with the Holy Spirit and the angels in attendance are deputed to descend on all pious hearts. The reflection of this heavenly glow falls on people of receptive talent, and consequently the whole world is engulfed in the dazzle of this intense light. 
 

As a result of the noble influence of the angels, the hearts of such people are voluntarily inclined towards virtuous thoughts and are thus charmed by the concept of the Unity of God. Upright hearts are charged with the inclination towards the search of truth. The spiritually frail are granted fortitude. Everywhere a breeze begins to blow which is supportive to the objectives of the Mujaddid. An invisible hand is beckoning humanity so that they of themselves are hastening towards that reform which will bring out the best of their talents. Mankind is in a state of agitation and stir in anticipation of what is to come.