The Outset of Dissension in Islam — Page 14
14 H A D RAT MIRZA BASHIR-UD-DIN MAHMUD AHMAD THE ISLAMIC KHIL Ā FAT WAS A RELIGIOUS ADMINISTRATION Therefore, due to not understanding the reality of Islam, such objections would arise in the hearts of those people. They failed to understand that the Islamic Khil ā fat was no worldly government, nor were the companions ordinary chiefs of State. On the contrary, the Islamic Khil ā fat was a religious administration which was established in accordance with the special injunctions of the Holy Quran contained in S u ratun- N u r. The companions were those pillars of religion whom God the Exalted had made obligatory to follow in order to advance in spiritual ranks. The companions left their jobs and adopted every type of poverty and destitution, they placed their lives in danger; left the company and love of their close relatives and dear ones; said farewell to their homelands and sacrificed their sentiments and emotions; and adopted the company and love of the Holy Prophet sa. Some of them had learnt Islam lesson by lesson, spending approximately a quarter of a century as students of the Holy Prophet sa. Moreover, they strengthened the practical aspect of Islam by acting upon it. They understood the meaning of Islam, its purpose, its reality and how one should act upon its teachings. Additionally, they understood the benefits that could be attained by acting upon it. Hence, they were not kings and members of a worldly government; rather, they were teachers of the very last religion and law of the Seal of Prophets sa. It was made incumbent upon them to represent Islam through their actions, speech, and conduct, and to imprint its teaching upon the hearts of people and to make them practicing followers. They were not supporters of tyranny; rather, they were supporters