The System of Mushawarat in Jama'at-e-Ahmadiyya — Page 180
T he S ystem of M ushawarat in J ama ‘ at - e - ahmadiyya was animated and scholarly. Top ranking scholars, in cluding many Companions™, spoke for and against the proposal and left nothing unsaid that was relevant to the issue. I think that that discussion should have been a mat ter o f pride for any Majlis in the world. Not even the smallest point was ignored. Both sides presented their ar guments to prove either that women should not be given the right to speak in Majlis-e-Mushawarat, or that they must be given this right. It was a very interesting situa tion. Let me put before you some fascinating points that came out o f it. Importance of Khilafat: First o f all, this event shows that the Jama'at realizes the significance o f Khilafat. When I say this, I do not mean that I am trying to make you realize this, rather I want to assure you that this was an occasion for the expression o f the certitude which God Almighty has placed in your hearts with regard to Khilafat. When Hadrat Khallfatul Maslh IIia presented his own point o f view , scholars from both sides put aside their own opinions and bowed their heads in submission, and the Jama'at showed an example o f perfect harmony and obedience. Had such a situation arisen without Khilafat, the Jama* at would have been split into two sects. One o f them would have considered addressing a male gathering by a woman as Haram [unlawful] in the light o f the Quran and sunna, whereas the other group would have considered it as permissible and essential. Hence this was a historic occasion, and when we reflect upon it we learn about the factors that cause divisions. The reason why differences arise in religious communi ties is that they do not enjoy the blessings o f Khilafat. But, in the presence o f the Khalifa, there is no reason for 180