Khilafat and Mujaddidiyyat — Page 20
20 Hadhrat Hafiz Mirza Nasir Ahmad would implement the regeneration of religion. The meaning of Mann ( ) in Arabic purports single, dual or many. Hence, if we take the meaning of many then it indicates that there would be a number of people (vicegerents of the Holy Prophet, virtuous and righteous) who would be engaged in the service of the religion of Islam. There is no mention of a mere singular person. It is written in Lisanul Arab — a famous book of Arabic lexicon that the word of “Mann” ( ) Takoono Lilwahidi Wal Ithnaini Wal Jam'i — that this word is spoken for singular, for two, and for more. The lexicon of the Holy Quran, Mufridat Imam Raghib says: Yo Abbaro Bihee Minal Wahidi Wal Jam'i Wal Modhakkiri Wal Moannithi — it gives the expression of singular as well as of plural, of masculine as well as of feminine. In accordance with these meanings the Hadith meant that there would be at the head of each century such men and such women having nearness to God engaged in the service of religion. When we observe the Great Quran we find that the word Mann ( ) has been used in singular form as well as in plural form. In Sura Baqarah we read: