Blessings of Khilafat — Page 22
22 only a few were to support my point of view that there should be a Khalifah , we would get initiated into someone’s bai‘at , and choose someone as our Khalifah. But we would never accept that a Khalifah was not needed. I said that it could be anyone; no matter whether the person considered non-Ahmad i s to be disbelievers or not; whether he considered it lawful or unlawful to pray behind them; whether he liked to have relations with them or not; at any cost, there must be a Khalifah so that the unity among the members of the Jam a ‘at remain unaffected. I said that we were ready to get initiated into such person’s bai‘at. However, the discussion remained inconclusive at that time. So, it was thought appropriate to discuss the matter once again for further consideration. Also, it was proposed that a few more people should be included to talk things over. Five or six people turned up the next day to discuss the matter. What followed was a lengthy debate concerning the point whether there was any need of a Khalifah. But after a lengthy debate and discussion when there was not much time left, I said that we were left with only one choice, i. e. , those who thought a Khalifah was really needed should get initiated into someone’s bai‘at after electing him as their leader. We would gather like-minded people at one place and ask for their advice, and tell those who did not believe in the need of a Khalifah to keep away from us, so that there was no trouble. After that we came here into the N u r Mosque. They too came along. What followed was as God had willed. Those sitting beside me at that time know very well about my feelings at that time. If I had already made up my mind about following some illicit plan, I would surely have memorized the words of bai‘at. Instead, I had to ask someone to read them for me. Is that how clever schemes are hatched?