Divine Claims and the Prayer Methods

Allah the Most High has provided means for the assurance and conviction of people who are never satisfied with mere hearsay, however conclusive may be the evidence in support of it. The Promised Massih Hadhrat Ahmad (as) thus prescribed prayer as a sure method to test and verify the claims of an Elect of Allah. The Promised Massih (as) advised the people:

A person should for forty consecutive days offer the following prayer with an unbiased mind, the last thing at night beseeching God in the following words:-

“Lord, if this man who claims that God has sent him to establish the Divine faith of Islam in the world, by presenting it in its true form and thus inducing men to believe in it, has in truth been sent by Thee, then I, who owing to my ignorance of real facts, am unable to arrive at a correct decision concerning the Truth, pray Thee, O Truth, that are the Fountain Head of all Truths, and O Guide, that are the Source of all guidance, and O Merciful One, that loves not to see Thy creatures troubled, make his Truth manifest unto me”. 

Khalifa Sani on the Advent of Mujaddidin

The advent of a Mujaddid or a Divine reformer in the new century of Islam after the Promised Massih Hadhrat Ahmad (as) points to a serious spiritual obligation on the part of all Muslims, including the devout Ahmadis. For, the spiritual doctrine pertaining to the renewal of faith in every century of Islam approaches the issue as one of Divine Blessings for acceptance and also, a Divine Trial for rejection. It is incumbent upon all Ahmadis to recognize and accept and help such a Divine Reformer or a Mujaddid, whenever such servants of God make an appearance in the community of believers. 

In the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, with the appearance of Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius as the Divinely-raised Muhyi-ud-Din Khalifatullah- Renewer of Faith and the Khalifa of Allah- , Ahmadi Muslims are increasingly examining the books and other literary works left behind by the spiritual successors of the Promised Massih (as) in the past, to understand the real interpretation and true conception of the spiritual doctrine. Common Ahmadis often wonder about the true status of the institution of Khilafat as it exists in the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya. 

Many Ahmadis think that Qudrat-e-Saniya or the doctrine of second manifestation of Divine Power means the present Khilafat system in the Jamaat, whereby whenever there is a vacancy on the position of leadership, the community will come together and elect as the head a very sincere member of the Jamaat. By working together under his leadership, the Community can gain progress in all the works that the Jamaat is meant to do. This conception leaves no room for the acceptance of a Divinely raised soul outside of the electoral assembly devised for the purpose of selecting the Khalifa. While one can value and support the instition of man-made Khilafat so long as it retains its purity and limits of doctrinal framework, every one has the duty to be part of the arrangement.

But the moment Allah (twa) raises His Messenger in His Infinite Wisdom, it is the duty of all believers to humbly accept and recognize such a Divine servant. Every episode of the claim of beinga recipient of Divine revelations will necessarily involve a trial for the believers and as such, it shall be the duty of the leadership to show humility and careful deliberation to understand the Divine wisdom its complex setting, rather than seeking to ridicule the Divine Message being poured down through a humble servant of God. Viewed in this way, Ahmadis will be able to accommodate their system of elected leadership within the Divine framework   (Sunnat Allah) of sending His Elects among the people till the Day of Judgement.   

Hadhrat Khalifa Awwal on 'Khudrat-e- Saniyah'

Hadhrat Maulvi Hakim Nuruddin (ra) (1841-1914) was the foremost companion and disciple of the Promised Massih Hadhrat Ahmad (as).  He was a man of wide learning in a range of subjects. And he displayed an abiding interest in understanding the spiritual universe all though his life. Hadhrat Ahmad (as) held him up as an excellent example of devotion and piety, as he said:

 How good would it be if every member of the community were a Nur-ud-Din;

 So would it be if every heart were filled with the light of the certainty of faith.     

It is no accident, then, that after the death of the Promised Massih (as), the Ahmadiyya Community elected him as Hadhrat Khalifatul Massih Awwal. During his life time as the Khalifa Awwal, Hadhrat Hakim Nuruddin (ra) contributed his measure to lead the Community in the straight path of Sahih al Islam.

The mainstream Ahmadiyya Community has now, however, clearly moved away from the path of Sahih al Islam. It is most evident in their concept and understanding of Khudrat-e- Saniyah. They agree that ‘Islamic Khilafat’ is the Khudrat-e- Saniyah. However, in the mainstream understanding, Khilafat or Khudrat-e- Saniyah has only one form till the Day of Judgement: an assembly of faithful electing their chief as Khalifa. It cannot include, in their view, a divinely raised Mujaddid any longer (God Forbid). Thus, they have reduced the meaning of Khudrat-e-Saniyah from the spiritually appealing and historically accurate way in which the Promised Massih (as) understood it and Hadhrat Khalifa Awwal explained it to the community.

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)