Fazl-e-Umar — Page 137
Fazle Umar 137 T H E S A d dE M I SE OF H A d H R AT K HA L I FAT U L M ASI H I [ra] The Promised Son grew with remarkable speed, in great strides despite power- ful opposition from men who were in key positions in the set-up of the Movement. The Khalifa repeatedly exposed the error of their views and the dangers that lurked behind it. These men were imbued with Western political notions and were anxious to curry favour with the mass of Muslims who were not willing to accept the claims of the Founder of the Movement, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad [as]. In March 1914, Hadhrat Maulvi Hakeem Nooruddin, Khalifatul Masih I [ra] , who had already been in failing health fell seriously ill and it became apparent that he would not be able to pull through. He appointed Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad to lead the prayers in his stead and also made a Will indicating the kind of person who on his demise should be elected to succeed him as Khalifa. On Friday 13 April 1914 news reached Hadhrat Sahibzada Sahib that Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih’s [ra] condition was most alarming. He set out at once in the wait- ing coach but was not destined again to see Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih [ra] alive. While the coach was still on its way, a messenger met it with the staggering news that the venerable and beloved leader, who had laboured so patiently to guard the Com- munity from dangers that were hemming it in, had passed away just when the clouds overhead were charged with thunder and the storm was about to break in all its fury. Maulvi Muhammad Ali continued in his objective to secure the affairs of the Com- munity to be directed and regulated in the hands of the Sadr Anjuman and to abolish the institution of Khilafat. To fulfil this objective he urged Hadhrat Sahibzada Sahib to postpone taking a decision on the election of a Khalifa for at least four or five months. Hadhrat Sahibzada Sahib explained that there was never a six month waiting period before the death of the Promised Messiah [as] or after him. If during the interval there was disorder in the Community, who would be responsible in the absence of a