The System of Mushawarat in Jama'at-e-Ahmadiyya — Page 414
T he S ystem of M ushawarat in J ama * at - e -A hmadiyya Further elaborating this point, Hudur said that although a Jama'at of believers consists o f sincere and devoted peo ple, if any of them happens to make a mistake due to some human weakness, we should pray that Allah may forgive them and provide the means for their reformation. Hudur said that when Allah says, ‘Consult them in matters o f importance, ’ it naturally follows that the Jama'at is worthy o f being consulted. Hudur said that the Arabic word ‘Mushawarat’ has its root in which means ‘to collect honey’. Mushawarat can also be likened to the bee which collects nectar from different flowers and then processes it with its own fluids to make honey. In Shura, the Khalifa gathers the opinions of the representatives and, in keeping with the injunction ‘When you are determined. . . reaches a decision through his God-given wisdom and insight. The opinion o f the members remains incomplete and unsubstantiated until the determination and decision o f the Prophet or his deputy comes into play. The opinion o f the believers is nothing in itself until it is accompanied by Divine guid ance and by the prayers o f Khallfatul Masih, for only then does it become Qawwam and becomes like honey which benefits and cures mankind. Hudur described in detail the process through which a bee makes honey, and then said that Allah desires the Jama'at o f believers to possess sound judgement, and not to be overcome by emotions. Be meek and full of devotion, and when you make a suggestion do not be 4 1 4