Khilafat-e-Rashidah — Page 119
KHILAFAT-E-R A SHIDAH 119 It is regrettable that the Muslims forgot these two principles during the time of their decline. Even where it was possible for them, they did not maintain electoral process. And in situations which were not fully under their control, they did not keep the Islamic Unity by obeying the organization of “those who are vested with” authority even in areas where they did have control. They involved themselves in useless debates that they should obey only “those in authority”. In this way, they ignored the real spirit of this commandment. If they had fulfilled that part which was in their power, they would not have been accountable for things that were beyond their power. Clarification of an Objection on “Authorities among You ” S omeone may raise an objection that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community teaches that “the authorities” that are non-Muslim are also included in these words, “authorities among you”, and according to this verse the obedience of non-Muslim authorities is also required. However, the meaning given above cannot be applied to non-Muslims. It is true. However, this meaning is based upon the part of the words, “the authorities” i. e. when we say that non- Muslims are also included in “the authorities” then we do not take the whole portion into consideration, but we deduce it from one part of the verse. But we cannot ignore the meaning of this part in conjunction