The System of Mushawarat in Jama'at-e-Ahmadiyya — Page 72
T he S ystem of M ush A warat in J ama ‘ at - e -A hmadiyya (8) One should not be too sure that his own opinion is most appropriate and free o f fault. Some people make this mistake and stray from the truth. At times even chil dren can come up with astonishing ideas. The Holy Prophet8 * used to consult even with his wives. After the Treaty o f Hudaybiyyah, when people were very upset (and refused to slaughter their animals), the Holy Prophetsa asked Hadrat Umm-e-SaIamahra what he should do. She suggested that he should go ahead and slaughter his ani mal without saying anything to anyone. He did accordingly, and all the people followed him and slaugh tered their animals. Therefore, a person should not insist on his own opinion, because even experienced people can make mistakes, and at times even an ordinary person may give sound and useful advice. He should sit here for the purpose o f increasing his knowledge. It is equally wrong to accept every opinion o f another person. You should only accept what is true and intelligible, and reject unenlightened opinions. (9) Always keep the facts in mind, rather than follow your emotions. Some people rouse the emotions o f other people, who then lose sight o f the facts. I too once made use o f people’s sentiments, but I gave arguments as w ell. A meeting was once held to discuss the closure o f Ma- drasa Ahmadiyya. When everyone began to speak in favour o f this move, I stood up and gave my own argu ments, for instance, that if we do not have our own religious scholars, from whom shall we seek religious edicts? I also passionately appealed to them that the Ma- drasa had been established in the memory o f the Promised Messiah3 S , and what would people say if we closed it down at the very first Jalsa after his demise? A f 72