Conditions of Bai'at and Responsibilities of an Ahmadi — Page 9
Introduction 9 bai‘at. The divine commandment was conveyed in the following words: ( Ishtih a r , December 01, 1888, p. 2) That is: And when you made up your mind, then trust Allah. And, make an ark before Our eyes and according to Our revelation. Those who take a pledge at your hand take a pledge with Allah. Allah’s hand is above their hands. The Promised Messiah as , because of his nature, disliked that all types of people should join in his bai‘at. His heart-felt desire was that only such blessed people whose nature was firmly established on fidelity should join this blessed Jam a ‘at. There- fore, he waited for an occasion that should distinguish between those who were faithful and those who were hypo- crites. Allah the Most Glorious, through His perfect wisdom and mercy, created that occasion in the same year in November 1888 by the death of Bash i r I (who was the son of the Promised Messiah as ). As a consequence, there was a huge commotion raised against him. Many people of weak faith separated themselves from him. The Promised Messiah as considered this an appropriate occasion to start the Ahmadiyyah Muslim Jam a ‘at. On December 1 st 1888, he made a general announcement for bai‘at. The Promised Messiah as also directed that those who come for bai‘at should first perform istikh a rah 5 , according to the traditions of the