Hazrat Maulvi Nooruddin - Khalifatul-Masih I — Page 150
KHALIFATUL MASIH Hadrat Maulw i Nur-ud-D i n ra — Khalifatul Masih I 150 ud-D i n ra who gave expression to his deep sense of loss repeatedly in the exclamation: After Hadrat’s death the universe seems lifeless. What to do? Which way to turn? Leading members, including the members of the S adr Anjuman Ahmadiyya , gathered together in the house of Nawab Muhammad ‘Al i Kh a n, son-in-law of the Promised Messiah as ; while the main body, converging on Qadian from all directions, waited upon events in the large garden, next to the house in which the body of the great and revered leader had been placed. The gathering in the town was adjured by Khaw a ja Kam a l-ud-D i n in very moving terms to the effect: "A man appeared on earth as the Herald of God and summoned people in His name. We responded to his call and gathered round him. Now he has departed from us and returned to God. What is there for us to do in this situation?" His audience was stunned; there was complete silence. After a few moments, Shaikh Ra h matull a h, a member of the S adr Anjuman stood up, and in accents charged with emotion said: "During the journey from Lahore to Qadian I have repeatedly said to myself and now say it to you, we must beg our revered old man (meaning Maulaw i N u r-ud-D i n ra ) to take the lead. Without him we shall be lost. " To this no one raised any objection and it was assumed that his suggestion was welcomed by every one present. Among them was Sahibz a da Mirz a Bashir-ud-Din Ma h m u d Ahmad ra , who, on being approached, expressed his ready concurrence; and so did M i r N as ir Nawab ra , father-in- law of the Promised Messiah as , who was then in the garden. Thereafter Khaw a ja Kam a l-ud-D i n was requested to wait on Hadrat Ummul Mu’min i n and ascertain her view. She said that Maulaw i N u r-ud-