Blessings of Khilafat — Page xiv
xiv It was in this historical backdrop that Hadrat Mirza Bashirud-Din Mahmud Ahmad ra made these speeches. These speeches were delivered during the proceedings of Jalsah S a l a nah Qadian in 1914, since this was a time when the faithful arrived in Qadian in large numbers from all over the sub-continent to see their beloved Imam and listen to his instructions. Having elaborated on the subject of Khilafat with references to the Holy Quran and Bible and successfully making his point that Khilafat was a divine institution and the Khalifah a manifestation of the power of God, he touched on a number of other important issues the Jam a ‘at was facing at that time. The first speech was largely devoted to the refutation of the allegation of anti-Khilafat elements and elucidation of the spiritual station a Khalifah of the Prophet of time possesses. The second part of the speech delivered in the afternoon highlighted the importance of congregational prayer, and preservation of the life history of the Promised Messiah as on authentic lines. He also spoke in detail on his views regarding the issues such as interfaith marriages and the question of parity between the marital partners. Also, he laid down precious guidelines for the Jam a ‘at in relation to their involvement in politics. In his speech on the second day of the Jalsah , he expounded his commentary on the A yatul-Kurs i and spoke on the seven stages of man’s spiritual development that, if completed, eventually make him the beloved of his Lord. The book was translated from Urdu into English by Ahmad Mustansir Qamar and was first revised by Mirza Anas Ahmad. The translation was prepared for publication under the guidance of Additional Wak a lat-e-Ta s n i f by its English Translation section, based in the U. S. A. Thanks are due to Munawar Ahmed Saeed,