Basics of Religious Education — Page 362
362 362 362 362 362 On 23rd April 2003, Hadrat Khalifatul Masih V aa addressed the gathering at Islamabad, Tilford Surrey, England before the collective initiation (Ijtima`ee Bai`at), and funeral prayer of Hadrat Khalifatul Masih IV rh : Dearest Jama`at of the Promised Messiah as , the evergreen branches of his being! Assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuhoo : Our hearts are saddened and our eyes are tearful because a most loving personality has departed from us. However, we submit to the Divine Command of ‘kullu man alaihaa faan : All that is on it (earth) will pass away - (55:27). The spectactular advancement of the Jama`at we witnessed during the Fourth Khilafat warrants no explanation. Pursuant to the method taught to us by Hadrat Khalifatul Masih IV rh , on how to bid farewell to the departing Khalifa, and welcoming the new Khalifa, I stand here today in compliance to that, request you all, that we make a pledge that, ‘O you who has departed, the swiftness you employed to advance the mission of the Promised Messiah as – to enable the faith of the Holy Prophet sa to dominate the world – we shall always continue to make sacrifices, all kinds of sacrices, for the advancement of this mission. We bear witness that you most certainly honoured your commitment. May Allah the Almighty shower thousands of blessings and grace upon you. Aameen. Next, in welcoming the incoming (Khalifa), we make a pledge bearing witness to Allah the Exalted that in order to convey the message of peace and security of the Holy Prophet sa to the world and to assemble the entire world under his banner and likewise to support the establishment of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya, we shall be ready to make every sacrifice. For this, we will always support you (the Khalifatul Masih) with prayers. Pray that Allah the Exalted displays more than before, the Second Manifestation of Divine support and triumph that He has always exhibited to the Jama`at. May He forgive our shortcomings and ingratitude, and may He cover our inadequacies. With His grace alone, indeed with His grace alone, may He cover my shortcomings. May He never remove His Hand of mercy from us, never remove it, never remove it! Aameen Ya Rabbul Aalameen! (Review of Religions, April 2003, page 61-62) The Second Address of Hadrat Khalifatul Masih V aa