Fazl-e-Umar — Page 140
Fazle Umar 140 such wrangles. Our master, please accept our allegiance. ” This was greeted with shouts of Labbaika, Labbaika , and people began to press forward towards Hadhrat Sahibzada Sahib. The few dissentients then withdrew. No one tried to obstruct them. A hush fell upon the gathering, though everyone was eager to approach closest to Hadhrat Sahibzada Sahib. He sat in silence as if occupied in prayer. Qazi Amir Husain, a revered divine, came up to him in great agitation and begged him: Huzur, please do accept my allegiance. Hadhrat Sahibzada Sahib looked up, his eyes searching for someone. He saw Maulvi Syed Muhammad Sarwar Shah, pressed down among the eager throng, and said to him, “Maulvi Sahib, this heavy responsibility has fallen on me suddenly and unexpectedly. I cannot recall the terms of the pledge. Will you kindly instruct me. ” Thus the process of swearing in began. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II [ra] , spoke the words of the pledge, as instructed by Maulvi Syed Muhammad Sarwar Shah, and everyone swore allegiance to him accordingly. When the process of swearing in was completed Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II [ra] made a prolonged silent supplication in which everyone joined, and concluded with a brief address. Thus the distracted and bereaved members of the Community were once more united in spiritual fellowship. All hearts were comforted, all souls felt at rest. Everyone was deeply moved. Serenity and tranquillity were the prevailing mood. Thereafter, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II [ra] led the funeral service of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih I [ra]. 95 Within a few weeks over 90 per cent of the members of the Community, including a majority of the members of the Sadr Anjuman, took the oath of spiritual allegiance to Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad [ra]. The new Khalifa found the affairs of the Community in a state of some disorder and devoted himself immediately to putting the affairs of the Community and the finances of the Anjuman in order.