From
the long and great history of the arrival of Divine Messengers in the world, believers have
numerous lessons and insights to keep in mind. Every Messenger has to go through
countless trials- his own people will turn back on him and boycott him. His own
people, who may have received countless signs and blessings, may desert him in
the hour of need. Countless years may pass by, before the world begins to take notice
of the Divine Message in full measure, just as it happened in the time of Jesus
(as). It may also happen that those who desert the Messenger may later realise
their mistakes. They might return to the path of rectitude eventually, as did
the brethren of Yusuf (as) in another time and space.
The
need for the appearance of a Divinely-raised Messenger in this era among the
Ahmadi Muslims has been fulfilled with the raising of the Khalifatullah Hadhrat
Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius. Thus, 19
April 2013 (08 Jamad’ul Aakhir 1434
Hijri) marks
an important milestone in the sacred history of modern Islam. For, it was on
this day in 2003 that the Jamaat of the Divine
Manifestation took their first Bai’at in the hands of the Khalifatullah (atba).
The first Bai’at was held in the house of Hazrat Ummul Mumineen Sadr Sahiba Fazli
Amena on the second storey, at Louvet Avenue, Quatre-Bornes.
The
fact that the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius has completed 10 years in
relative obscurity will only surprise those who have no knowledge or
understanding about the working of the spiritual realm. The duty of the Divine
Messenger is only and merely to convey the Message; Allah the Most High is the Reckoner.
There are indeed many spiritual lessons and lofty insights to be derived by
observing and understanding the Divine favour on the Khalifatullah and how he
goes about with his deep and unwavering commitment to advance the cause of
Allah and His Message in the last ten years.
It
is instructive for Ahmadis to understand that the emergence of the Divine
Manifestation in Mauritius coincided with the decline in physical health,
spiritual faculties and eventual death of the Fourth Khalifa of the Jamaat-e- Ahmadiyya, Hadhrat Mirza
Tahir Ahmad Sahib. In his last years, the ageing Khalifa 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. Instead
of showing humility and open heart to understand the lofty claims and spiritual
verities on offer, the Khalifa chose the other road. May Allah forgive him for
his blurred vision in his last days, Ameen.