Ahmadiyyat or Qadianism! Islam or Apostasy? — Page 128
stupidity, Maududi draws a weird analogy and argues: ‘Hadrat Isa's advent will be like the appointment of a former Head of. State to render some service under the regime of the present Head of. State. '³. This bizarre argument by the leader of Jamaat e Islami not only reveals his lack of knowledge and understanding of theological but secular matters also. A former Head of State, unless the sponsor of this strange logic is unaware, is not only made to relinquish all authority at the time of his exit from office but is also obliged to surrender the title of the Head of State. His position then reverts to that of an ordinary citizen and if he is ever called upon to serve under a new administration, he can neither hold the portfolio of a Head of State nor does he excercise supreme authority. . On the contrary, his position under the new arrangement is not only subservient but his status in the hierarchical order of the State is also inferior to that of the serving Head of State and whatever authority comes to him in his new position, comes to him not as an inherent right but at the discretion and pleasure of his new master. His tenure is also subject to the will and whims of the new Head of State and he can be retired, forced to resign or sacked by his boss. . A prophet on the other hand is not subject to retirement, resignation, sacking or succession. His status is beyond demotion and he is neither deprived of his status or position nor his title or authority either during his lifetime or ever after his death. Moreover, he is also never subjected to the authority of another person below his own rank and since his duties are not temporal, he never ceases to function as an apostle of God. . Whether the leader of the Jamait e Islami cares to admit or not, the fact remains that there is absolutely no suggestion or evidence in the. Holy Quran or any other work of Islamic theology which supports the view that an apostle of God has or ever will be required to stop asserting his supreme authority or cease functioning as an active and an effective prophet within his own lifetime. 31. Ibid: pg 64 129