Ahmadiyyat Destiny and Progress — Page 13
Ahmadiyyat: Destiny and Progress 13 runner (prophet) he represents. Hence, the authority of the khulafa of the Holy Prophet sa extended over both religious and political realms because God had bestowed on the Holy Prophet sa spiritual and worldly kingship. But the Promised Messiah as , through whom the spiritual aspects of the Prophet’s sa teachings were manifested, was only a religious sovereign, therefore, his successors were to continue on the same path. Khilafat is then essential for the unity of the community and the establishment of the principles of the divine law. Those who reject it stand in defiance of the sharia. The companions [of the Prophet sa ] gave their allegiance to khilafat and, through the Ahmadiyya movement, God Almighty proved the truth of this institution. Implicit in the meaning of the word jama‘at is unity under one imam. Those who do not join together behind an imam are not a jama’at nor can they ever receive those divine blessings which are showered on a unified community. Therefore, I call on the Ahmadiyya Community to follow the decree of God Almighty so that they do not put themselves to trial. It is perilous to disobey His commandments. Islam’s truest success was achieved during the era of the Rightly Guided Khilafat. Do not hinder your own progress or precipitate your own downfall. How foolish are those who raze their homes to the ground and how pitiful are those who slit their