Fazl-e-Umar — Page 107
Fazle Umar 107 E L E C T IO n OF H A d H R AT K HA L I FAT U L M ASI H I [ra] The details of the election are such that after the demise of the Promised Messiah [as] , before his burial when his sacred remains were transported to the Bahishti Maqbara in Qadian, leading members of the Movement including the members of Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya through consultation began to ponder for a possible successor. Khawaja Kamal Uddin sahib had a vision a few days before the death of the Promised Messiah [as] in which Hadhrat Maulvi Nooruddin sahib became the successor after the death of the Promised Messiah [as]. The family of the Promised Messiah [as] , the elders of the Movement along with the members of the Anjuman were naturally inclined to the election of Hadhrat Hakeem Maulvi Nooruddin sahib as Khalifa. It was obvious that among all the members of the Movement there was no one better suited than the outstanding personality of Hakeem sahib. Hence, everyone agreed unanimously in favour of Hadhrat Maulvi Nooruddin sahib. However, when Maulvi Muhammad Ahsan sahib was asked, he suggested it was essential to consult Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad sahib. Hence, when he was consulted, he agreed with the nomination without any reservation stating: “There is none superior to Hadhrat Maulana (Hadhrat Maulvi Nooruddin sahib) and it is essential to have a Khalifa. And Hadhrat Maulana ought to be the Khalifa otherwise a difference of opinion is likely to develop. There is a revelation of Hadhrat Aqdas [as] (the Promised Messiah) that this Movement shall split into two groups. God will be with one of them. ” 27 The leading personalities of the Movement requested Hadhrat Maulvi Noorud- din sahib to undertake the heavy responsibility of leading the Community as the First Khalifa through a document, which bore the signatures of all of them. After this formal request was read out in the gathering, Hadhrat Maulvi Nooruddin sahib gave the following response: