Ahmadiyyat - The Renaissance of Islam — Page 267
THE RENAISSANCE OF ISLAM 267 Movement. The Khalifatul Masih pointed out that the Movement claimed to have been founded under Divine direction. If this claim was true, as surely it was, neither the Ahrar nor any other organization, or combination of organi- zations, nor any government would have the power to crush it. Whoever set himself up against the Movement would be crushed under Divine decree. On the other hand, if the claim of the Movement was false, Chaudhri Afzal Haq or the Ahrar need not bestir themselves to bring about the disintegration of the Movement. It would be destroyed under Divine direction. From that point onwards, for a period of about three years, the Ahrar put forth their utmost effort and had recourse to every type of device to bring about the decline and disintegration of the Movement. Even after his resignation from the presidency of the Kashmir Committee, the Khalifatul Masih continued to take keen interest in the promotion of the welfare of the Muslims of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Many of the workers drawn from the Movement who had rendered devoted ser- vice to the people of Kashmir under the auspices of the Kashmir Committee continued their useful activities under the direction of the Khalifatul Masih. A large number of Ahmadi lawyers continued to render legal assistance to the persecuted people of the State. This phase of voluntary selfless service continued till the Muslims of the State were enabled, by virtue of the constitutional and administrative reforms that had been put into effect under the impact of the Kashmir Committee and its first President, to stand on their own feet and push forward their struggle for further amelio- ration of their condition without outside help. During the initial phase of the Kashmir Committee's advocacy of the cause of the Muslims of Kashmir, the Khalifatul Masih had helped them to choose theirlocalleaders wisely and then to give them their full support. It was at that time that Shaikh Muhammad Abdullah assumed the position of leadership in the affairs of Kashmir under the advice and encouragement of the Khalifatul Masih.