The System of Mushawarat in Jama'at-e-Ahmadiyya — Page 67
T he S ystem of M ushawarat in J ama ‘ at - e -A hmadiyya used to make consultations. There were three ways in which these consultations were held: (1) Whenever there was an issue that required delibera tion, someone would make an announcement for the people to gather. Most often it would be a general an nouncement. The people would come together and discuss the issue, and the decision would then be taken by the Holy Prophet8 1 or the Khalifa. But, in this day and age, due to the prevailing conditions, there are some prob lems in following this method. I, therefore, do consult with the people o f Qadian, but in a different way. The Promised Messiah1 5 also did not seek advice in that manner, and it is in keeping with his practice and in view o f the prevailing circumstances that I have adopted this method. In the days o f the Holy Prophet51 every group or clan had a leader or an Amir. People would listen to whatever was being said but they would not speak by themselves. Only their leader spoke for them. They would all gather, but only the leader, whom they had elected to represent them, would speak. At times when an emotional person would stand up and ex press his opinion, the Holy Prophet5 1 would refuse to acknowledge him unless his leader spoke for him, for knowledge and experience are required for giving a con sidered opinion. Even children can contribute their opinions when everyone else is doing so. And these days everyone considers him self competent to express his opin ion, and does so. But the only person who is truly eligible to express his opinion is one who has knowledge and ex perience. Therefore, not every suggestion is worthwhile or worthy o f consideration. Thus, in the days o f the Holy Prophetsl only the leaders used to express their opinions, whereas nowadays every 67