Khilafat Centenary Souvenir 1908-2008 — Page 57
day of my separation from you should come, so that after that should come the day which is the day of the promise that shall stand forever. The Almighty God Who is our God is true and faithful to His pledged word: He would show you all those things He has promised. In Islamic history, the Khilafat was first instituted on the death of the Holy Prophet Muhammad saw. Four khulafa, Abu Bakr, ra Umar ra , Uthman ra and Ali ra , succeeded him in a period of about thirty years. In these three decades the sapling of Islam became firmly rooted and its branches spread far and wide. Nation after nation beyond the borders of Arabia came under its sway and large numbers embraced its message. The soundness of this spiritual order was thus successfully tested. A Comparative Evaluation The foregoing discussion leads us to several major aspects of comparison and contrast of the institution of Khilafat with the secular system of democracy. The concept of democracy has hitherto not received a universally accepted and reasonably well- spelled- out definition. The exact meaning depends upon the context in which it ma y be used. Khilafat, to the contrary, has been specifically defined in the Islamic tradition. The process of the election of the Khalifa, the role of the Divine Hand in his appointment and the purpose of instituting this unique system have been correctly articulated. Demo cracy has proven to be a utopian dream. While "pure" or "direct" democracy was to some extent practiced in small ancient communities, it has, since then, become non -existent. Also, it presumably advocates equality and liberty as its basic goals. However, it has also been conceded that absolute equality and total liberty are neither desirable nor realistically attainable. Not only are these two major goals often in contradiction of each other, but there is also deep-rooted disagreement on the degree to which the goals of equality and liberty can be, and hould be, accomplished. Democracy has given birth to new and rather wide- pread abuses. Because of its foundation of capitalistic economic concepts, democracy has been charged with the grievous sin of perpetual exploitation of the poor. Above all, democracy does not necessarily address the issue of morality. Any discussions of "what is moral?" and, "what is the responsibility of democracy toward the implementation of morality?" has been considered largely outside of the focus. In any case, any possible answers have been strictly unilateral and arbitrary. The very concept of Khilafat is spiritual in nature. It requires the believers to strive for the highest standards of morality and beneficence and to reflect them in their lives under the divinely inspired leadership of a Khalifa. Khilafat in Ahmadiyyat OnJune 10, 1982, Khilafat assumed a new significance in the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam. With the election of the fourth Khalifa, Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad r 1 a, it reached the number of successions as in the Khilafat after the Holy Prophet Muhammad saw. Its vast global accomplishments in nearly one hundred years of existence have already proven the worth as well as the durability and endurance of this institution. This point was only further amplified April 22, 2003 when the AhmadiyyaJama'at and the world bore witness yet again to the Mercy and Blessings of Our Lord with the election of our present day Khalifa, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadab a. Upon election of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih al Khamis aba, it was stated, Our Merciful and Gracious God. ' 0 our Noble and Loving Lord, we are grate[ul to You that You have bestowed us with Your Grace and the Second Manifestation and have once again changed our state of fear to that of peace. 0 our Possessor of Power and Authority and Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining God , we bear witness that once again Your Messiah and Mahdi's prophecy as stated in the journal Al- Wasryyat has materialised with full glory and magnificence. In fulfillment of the prophecies of Hadhrat Ahmad as, the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement, every sign indicates that the institution of Khilafat in Ahmadiyyat as the second Divine manifestation is destined to overcome all ordeals of the future. According to the Divine prophecies it will be with us for all times to come, insha'Allah. Ameen.