Hazrat Maulvi Nooruddin - Khalifatul-Masih I — Page 305
Hadrat Maulw i Nur-ud-D i n ra — Khalifatul Masih I CLOSING SCENE 305 election of Khal i fa should be proceeded with immediately. The conversation was making no progress, and there was persistent knocking on the door that the conclave should be speedily concluded. Sahibz a da Sahib ra suggested that as there appeared to be no prospect of an agreement they should all adjourn to Masjid N u r and consultation should be held with those already assembled there. Thereupon Maulaw i Muhammad ‘Al i blurted out: "You say this because you know whom will they elect. " Sahibz a da Sahib ra : "On the contrary, I am prepared to swear allegiance to any one of you. " Maulaw i Muhammad ‘Al i : "Even so, you know what they think. " Sahibz a da Sahib ra was now convinced that there was no possibility of an agreement. So he said: We believe that there is a religious obligation to maintain the Khilafat , and you think that a Khal i fa is not needed. This difference is irreconcilable. You are free to do as you choose. We shall consult together and swear allegiance to whomsoever we agree upon. The meeting ended upon this note. Sahibz a da Sahib ra and his companions proceeded to Masjid N u r, where a gathering of between fifteen hundred and two thousand people awaited them. Sahibz a da Sahib ra led the afternoon Prayer service, and then Nawab Muhammad ‘Al i Kh a n ra read out the testament of Hadrat Khalifatul Masih ra of March 4, 1914, which he had committed to his custody, and added: "I have discharged the trust that Hadrat Khalifatul Masih ra had committed to me. Now it is for you to act accordingly. " His announcement was greeted with shouts of Hadrat M i y an Sahib ra , Hadrat M i y an Sahib ra