Ahmadiyyat Destiny and Progress — Page 16
Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad 16 But through this short tract I inform the members of the community that as I have just shown, it is imperative for there to be a khalifa and allegiance to him is as necessary as it was to Khalifatul-Masih I ra. It is wrong to suggest that hitherto no one has been elected as the khalifa of the community. God has chosen His khalifa. Whoever opposes him opposes God. I did not ask for anyone to enter into an allegiance with me, nor did I conspire with others to attain this office. If there is anyone out there who can contradict what I say, they ought to come forward and testify to this for they are under obligation to safeguard the community from intrigue. But should they not be forthcoming, they ought to know they will come under the curse of God and will be punished for [bringing about] the destruction of the community [through their inaction]. I swear before God Almighty in the presence of those pure souls who think not ill of others, I have never looked to the people to acclaim me as the khalifa, nor have I ever wished this from God. He has bestowed on me this favour from His own will; I did not seek it from Him. This task has been placed on me irrespective of my desire. It is only through an act of God Almighty the majority have submitted in obedience before me. Why should I go against His command to please other people? He has appointed