The System of Mushawarat in Jama'at-e-Ahmadiyya — Page 387
T he S ystem of M ush A warat in J ama 1 at - e -A hmadiyya proposals contained in the Agenda. But before we pro ceed, I wish to say a few words about the questions. A condition attached to questions: A gentleman sent some questions, but said that these questions should be pre sented as they are, and, secondly, there should be a discussion about them after they have been answered. Otherwise, the questions may not be presented. This request is wrong in principle and also from another point o f view, which I shall explain later. It is wrong in principle, because nowhere in the world are people al lowed to discuss such questions after they have been answered, for this results in an unending debate which can go on till the end o f the'world. So, the normal proce dure is that a question is asked, and if something remains unanswered it can be asked afterwards, but it is wrong to start a series o f questions and answers. Hence this condi tion is contrary to the established norms. Only the Khalifa can allow a Question to be Asked: Since only the Khalifa has the authority to allow a question, it is wrong to lay down the condition that the question should not be asked if delegates cannot discuss it after it has been answered. The gentleman should have presented the ques tion and should have sought permission to discuss it further, and I would have accorded permission if I thought it necessary. Thus he would have been satisfied and we too would have benefited from the question. It was wrong to say that the question should not be presented if it is not go ing to be discussed in detail. We just noticed that a useful point emerged from the questions (concerning the closing o f the financial year), in respect o f which an incorrect pro cedure had so far been adopted. Thus we do benefit from questions, whether or not they are discussed at length. If 38 7