The System of Mushawarat in Jama'at-e-Ahmadiyya — Page 21
T he S ystem of M ushawarat in J ama ‘ at - e -A hmadiyya Companions, and they too followed his holy example in this regard. Hadrat Khallfatul Maslh IVrh says: “The injunction to hold consultations, which has been made binding upon Muslims through the Holy Quran, is so clear and explicit that no instance o f it can be found in any other Divine Scripture. It is one o f the many distin guishing features o f the Holy Quran. N o religion can produce an example o f the elaborate system o f consulta tion and Shura which the Holy Quran has laid down for the Imam and for Muslims at large. ” Reaching important decisions through consultation is a source o f great worldly and spiritual benefit for Muslims. This is why the Holy Prophetsa consulted his Companions so often that Hadrat Abu Hurayrahra had to remark: “I have not seen anyone consult his companions as often as the Holy Prophetsa. ” ( Sunan Tirmadhi, Abwab FadaiJ-ul- Jihad, Bab ma J a ’a f il Mashwarah). Hadrat Imam BaihaqI has quoted a tradition from Hadrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas1 3 , that when the verse [Consult them in matters o f importance ] was revealed, the Holy Prophetsa said: “Though Allah and His Prophet stand in no need o f consulting other people, Allah has made consultation a source o f blessing for my umma. Therefore, any Muslim who adopts the path of consulta tion shall not be deprived of true light and guidance. But [Friday Sermon, 31 March 1995, Al-Fadl International, 12-18 May 1995, p. 8] 21