Friday Sermon of
Hazrat Amirul Momeneen
Zafrullah Domun

20 JUNE 2008

› On the khilafat of Hazrat Hakim Molvi Nuruddin (ra) and his distinguished personality .

› From Hazrat Ahmad's writings: "The Sufis have said that the person who is to be the Khalifa after a Shaikh, or Messenger or Prophet is the first one who is inspired by God to accept the truth. The death of a Messenger or Shaikh is a severe earthquake and is a time of great danger. But God provides reassurance through a Khalifa, and that Khalifa revives and strengthens afresh the purpose of the advent of the deceased. Why did the Holy Prophet (saw) not appoint a Khalifa to succeed him? It was because he knew well that Allah Himself would appoint a Khalifa, for the appointment of a Khalifa pertains to Him, and His choice is unexceptionable. Thus He made Abu Bakr (ra) Khalifa, having inspired his heart as the first one to accept the truth." (Al Hakm April 14, 1908)

After reciting, Tashahhud , Ta'ouz and the first chapter Al Fatiha of the Holy Quran, Hazrat Amirul Mo'menine Zafrullah Domun said:

We are speaking about Hazrat Molvi Hakim Nuruddin (ra) who was the first caliph of Hazrat Masih Maood (as). So when he was unanimously elected caliph by approximately 1200 Ahmadis who had gathered in Qadian on that fateful day of 27th May 1908, he took the oath of allegiance from the members. The wordings of the oath were somewhat different from the one that is used today. The oath was as follows:

I seek forgiveness of Allah, my Lord, for all my defaults, and turn to Him in repentance (repeated three times). Lord, I have wronged my soul and make confession of my sins, forgive Thou my sins, for no one can grant forgiveness of sins except Thyself."( Badr June 2, 1908)

If you analyze these words you will notice that additional great emphasis have been laid on the study and listening of the Holy Quran, the Sunna and true hadith with a view to putting its teachings into practice. In addition, members have been reminded of the importance of paying the Zakaat and also to establish good relationship amongst themselves.

Once all the members had pledged allegiance by taking their oath, Hazrat Molvi Nuruddin khalifatul Masih led the funeral prayer a second time with all those present. Once all the members paid a last look at the departed master, the burial was completed by 6 p.m. The next day a communiqué was sent to all members of the Jamaat outside Qadian informing them about the new leader and requesting them to make the new pledge of allegiance to him either in person or by writing.

On the records we see that after becoming caliph his first Friday sermon was on 5 th June where he spoke about the verses 154 to 158 of the second chapter of the Holy Quran, Al Baqara . He spoke about the work of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) and according to the hadith he said that his master was a martyr ( shahid ). He advised the members to be patient and stay together. He also said that he did not prepare to deliver the sermon on this topic but he was, so to say, led to it by Allah.

As you may recall Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) was busy writing his last book before he died. So on 21st June 1908, with the permission of the caliph, the book “ paighaam sulah ” was read by Khawaja Kamal-ud-Din, to an assembly of several thousands in the University Hall, Lahore. The chair was taken by Mr. Justice Pratul Chandra Chattarji, Judge of the Punjab Chief Court. Thus the purpose for which Hazrat Masih Maood (as) wrote the book was fulfilled.

In 1906 the Promised Messiah had established Madrassa Ahmadiyya, a seminary to teach the Ahmadis religious instruction of the highest level and preparing and training scholars and divines who could be entrusted with the sacred task of carrying the message of the Movement and propagating its tenets and ideals far and wide; but for lack of funds it had not yet progressed beyond an elementary stage. So the Hazrat Khalifatul Masih appointed a Committee in June 1908 composed of Sahibzada Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad ra, Maulawi Muhammad ‘Ali , Nawab Muhammad ‘Ali Khan ra and Dr. Khalifa Rashid-uddin (ra) to take the necessary steps to put the seminary on a proper footing. The Committee drew up a scheme, recommended immediate implementation of certain parts, and made an appeal to the community for funds. This institution has since developed into a Jami‘ah whose graduates are doing splendid work in propagating the message of true Islam in different parts of the world.

Here we see the caliph at work to complete the work that his master wished should be done but which could not be done in his lifetime.

The khalifatul Masih wanted to have a body of persons who would be well versed in the claims, signs and arguments that have been spelled out in the writings of Hazrat Ahmad (as) so that they may present these to the opponents in a cogent manner. On 16th July he happened to see a pamphlet written on 9th September 1901 by Hazrat Masih Maood (as) for the fulfillment of a similar purpose. He said that a group of wise, intelligent and learned persons should forthwith embark upon a study of his books and writings and offer themselves for examination on 24 th December at Qadian. This study and examination should be repeated every year. Somehow this project was not pursued further at the time. When the Khalifatul Masih saw that document he immediately directed that the announcement should be widely published throughout the community and that every year an examination in certain prescribed books of the Promised Messiah should be held in the month of December, beginning with 24th December 1908. Since then this method of study of the books of the Promised Messiah has continued to be pursued more and more widely in all sections of the community.

To counter the attacks that the opponents were making against the Jamaat, he wrote a pamphlet entitled Death of the Promised Messiah(as) . Here is an extract of it:

"Dear ones, do reflect how Allah, the Mighty and Supreme, on the death of the Promised Messiah as, breathed the spirit of unity and accord into the entire community from north to south and east to west. Lord, I would readily sacrifice myself for Thy sake on account of Thy great favour . Not one but as many as four sons and one grandson of H a d rat Mirza Sahib as were present, and so was his able and worthy son-in-law who combines Muhammad and ‘Al i in his name, and there was his fatherin - law revered like a father, and yet the entire community, including all those I have mentioned, swore allegiance to one from outside the family. Now let his opponents hold meetings and proclaim their joy. They have witnessed the first powerful manifestation of divine power and help; now let them witness the second manifestation of His power. This tree which has so far been safeguarded by the sheer grace of Allah will now grow and flourish by the same means, despite the smallness of our numbers and the paucity of our workers. O ye, our hasty opponents, you should have exercised a little patience. You had witnessed the first manifestation of divine power, you should have possessed your souls in peace for the second; but God Almighty has reserved the rewards of patience also for us. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. Have you not witnessed that our Imam passed away, and we endured the bereavement steadfastly? But you expressed your condolence over our sorrow by parading effigies and farces. Your Professor and Sufi bestowed the honorary title of Servants of the Faith on the demonstrators. Good and bad die all over the world. Have you read anywhere since when has this method of condolence been adopted by the Muslims, and who has by initiating it won the title: He who initiates an evil practice? The Muslim masses of Lahore created such an uproar on the occasion as I had no conception of, and I became apprehensive that we would not be suffered to reach the railway station, but suddenly Allah, the Almighty sent the police, as a sign of His mercy, to guard us, and we were able to board the train without any difficulty with gratitude to Government in our hearts.

Hadrat Mirza Sahib (as) has left six children; praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. If one of them or of their issue, should prove to be the one of high resolve, and the great Immanuel, whose birth has been prophesied, then at that time how will you or your progeny face the world?”( Hayat Noor p 413-414)

Hadrat Khalifatul Masih (ra) , was particularly distinguished in many ways. Let me give you two examples. First he was one of the narrators of forty Ahadith of the Holy Prophet (saw) which have been transmitted orally down the centuries through an unbroken chain of narrators. In his turn he passed them on, together with the names of the whole chain of narrators, to, among others, Hafiz Raushan ‘Ali (ra) and Mir Muhammad Ishaq (ra). Secondly he also had had the opportunity of performing the circuit of the Kaaba at a time when no one else was engaged in performing it.

In addition Hazrat Masih Maood said about him:

“He accepted me unhesitatingly at a time when I was about to be denounced from every direction as a disbeliever, and many who had taken the pledge repudiated it, or became lukewarm and fell a prey to doubt. Then it was the Maulaw i Sahib whose letter reached me first of all in Qadian, accepting my claim that I was the Promised Messiah, in which he wrote: We believe and we accept, so inscribe us among the witnesses." (Izala Awhaam).

Speaking about the importance of truth in the life a person Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) further said:

"The Sufis have said that the person who is to be the Khalifa after a Shaikh, or Messenger or Prophet is the first one who is inspired by God to accept the truth. The death of a Messenger or Shaikh is a severe earthquake and is a time of great danger. But God provides reassurance through a Khalifa, and that Khalifa revives and strengthens afresh the purpose of the advent of the deceased. Why did the Holy Prophet (saw) not appoint a Khalifa to succeed him? It was because he knew well that Allah Himself would appoint a Khalifa, for the appointment of a Khalifa pertains to Him, and His choice is unexceptionable. Thus He made Abu Bakr (ra) Khalifa, having inspired his heart as the first one to accept the truth." (Al Hakm April 14, 1908)

Another main event of the year 1908 was the month of Ramazan . During its last ten days the khalifatul Masih sat for itekaaf. Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad also was in his company. Everyday besides leading the prayers, he taught one tenth of the Holy Quran to all those who were present. Thus in ten days he finished the whole Quran. Being given his age it was a real feat indeed.

Since Hazrat Masih Maood (as) had said in article 13 of the appendix to his booklet “Al wassiyat”, translated as “The Testament” that “Because the Anjuman deputizes for the Khalifa who is appointed by God, it should be free from all traces of worldliness and all its affairs should be straight and transparent and based on justice”, a controversy arose within the Jamaat about the powers of the caliph and that of the Anjuman . Molvi Nuruddin said that the Anjuman had to work under him but some members of the Anjuman had another view. These discussions were going on within the Jamaat when Mir Mohammad Ishaaq, a brother in law of the Promised Messiah addressed a letter to the Khalifatul Masih with request for clarification of these matters.

Molvi Nuruddin (ra) asked that these questions should be circulated to the members of the Jamaat and a meeting was convened for the 31st January 1909 to talk about this matter. The delegates converged on Qadian by the 30 th January and on the next day Molvi Nuruddin made a very moving speech which left no doubt that the caliph was to be the supreme head of the Jamaat.

The next crisis between the majority members of the Anjuman and the Khalifatul Masih came just after concerning the sale of the property of a certain Hakim Fazal Din. This person was closely related to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I. He had purchased a piece of property from someone who was under difficult circumstances and he had given that property to the Anjuman . The Anjuman wanted to sell that property. The original owner came to know about it and wrote to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih asking for some concessions to get back his property. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih asked the Anjuman to consider his request favorably but they did not according to what is written in the books published by the mainstream Jamaat. The khalifatul Masih was not happy with this attitude and he rebuked them. In the end the property was sold as per the wish of   the caliph.

It appears that this situation continued for some time and the khalifatul Masih intended to take some tough actions against those who were not complying with his orders. On Eid day 19th October he made a speech in which he said among other things:

"There can be no community without unity and accord. Till you are united you can make no progress.The whole community had by consensus accepted me as Khalifa . He who acts contrary to this consensus puts himself in opposition to God, as is said in the Holy Quran: We shall let him who seeks a way other than that of the believers pursue the bent of his inclination and shall cast him into hell (4:116). Then listen with attention that if you act contrary to your covenant your hearts will be filled with hypocrisy (9:77). Why do I admonish you thus? Because there are some of you who lack understanding and repeatedly exhibit weakness. I do not conceive that they know better than me.

I affirm with all the emphasis at my command and call God to witness that I shall not put off the robe with which He has invested me. He has appointed me for a purpose. If you and the whole world should oppose me I would pay no heed. Fulfill your covenant and you will soon see how far you advance and how successful you are. I have to say these things because they need to be said. He has assured me that He will support me. I do not call on you to renew your pledge. Hold fast to your first pledge, lest you are involved in hypocrisy. If you observe any deviation in me try to correct me through prayer, but do not entertain the notion that you can instruct me in the true meaning of a verse of the Holy Quran, or of a Hadith, or of a passage out of the writings of the Promised Messiah as . If any of you should think that I am vile, let him supplicate that God may remove me from the world, and then see on whom does the supplication recoil…

Then it is said that I meet all and sundry too freely. My short answer to those who have sworn allegiance to me is: You are under obligation to follow my directions; I am under no obligation to seek directions from you. I am very apprehensive lest you may be tried. That you may cease to be in accord is a contingency more frightening than the bursting of a bomb or a severe earthquake. It is easy to give hasty utterance to a sentiment, but it is most difficult to retract it. Some of you say that they are not seeking to limit my authority, but wish to clarify and define the authority of my Successor. But they do not reflect that he may be greater than Abu Bakr (ra) and Hadrat Mirza Sahib(as).

I had it in mind to take a certain step today, but have been restrained by God. I am overwhelmed by His wisdom and His judgment. Those of you who suffer from shortcomings should strive to overcome them. I do not expel them from the community as there may be a chance of their getting rid of their misunderstandings, and I would not deprive them of it. I exhort all of you to discard all feelings of rancour and envy. If a matter bearing upon security or fear should arise, do not bruit it about; but when it is settled you may publish it. I tell you that you will have to conform to all this, willingly or unwillingly. If you submit willingly it would be the better for you. I admonish you to your good. May Allah, the Exalted, help you and me to continue to tread along the path of guidance, and bring all of us to a good end." ( Badr October 1909)