Khilafat Centenary Souvenir 1908-2008 — Page 29
Is Kh i lafat Islam ia Eternal? --------------------------- Abdul Hadi Nasir God, who is the Creator of this universe, has ar rang ed every resource to manage its system to perfection. This system was not created to last for a few centuries; rather it has been designed to operate until the Day of Judgment. Similarly, God Almighty has set up a system to keep the spiritual world intact as well. For this purpose, God sends His Prophets to the people in order to establish the spiritual world. Prophets are sent so that the people can develop a relationship with God. When these Prophets depart from this world, their successors carry on their mission and the system carries on till the Day of Judgment. Allah explains this system in the Holy Qur'an in the following words: successors) The same peop le say that there was no need for Khilafat after the Khulafa-e-Rashideen (rightly guided successors of the Holy Prophet'""). The Promised Messiah. . clarifies the above confusion in Shahadatul-Qur'an (Testimony of the Holy Qur'an), citing that the word minkum, "from among you" appears in the Holy Qur'an eighty-two times. By using this phrase, Allah is clearly addressing all believers and whosoever comes until the end of time. For examp le, in the following verse of the Holy Qur'an, Allah says: Whosoever of you is sick or is on journey, shall fast the same number of other days. 2 :18 5 & 186 The question arises whether this injunction applied only for the companions of the Ho ly Prophetsaw or for every Muslim who came until the end of time? Every disobedient believer can make excuses, nam ely, that all the injunctions which are mentioned Allah has promised to those among you who believe and do good works that He will surely make them successors in the earth, as He made successors from among those who wer e before them; and that He will surely give them in exchange security and peace after their fear. They will worship Me, and they will not associate anything with Me. Then who so is ungrateful after that, they will be rebellious. in the Hol y Qur'an regarding Salat •!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!IP ____ _. . ~ (prayer), Fasting, Zakat (alms), Hajj 24:56 The promise of the establishment of Khilafat (line of succession after a prophet succession) is clear and unmistakable. As the Holy Prophet' •" is humanity's sole guide for all times, his Khilafat must continue to exist in one form or another in the world till the end of time. This, among many others things, constitutes the Holy Prophet's '"" distinct superiority above all other Prophets and Messengers of God. Sadly, there are some who argue that the word minkum, meaning "from among you," in the verse quoted above, is a promise to the Holy Prophet's'•" companions, implying, that the Holy Prophet's '" " Khilafat will exist for only thirty years after his death. (thirty is the total number of years of the era of his (pilgrimage), and all other commandments pertaining to taqwa (righteousness), were addressed only to the companions of the Holy Prophet'"" which, to these disobedient ones, indicates that they do not have to observe any of the commandments of the Qur'an. It is clear from this examp le that no God- fearing person can reasonably believe that these commandments are not meant for him or her. It mu st be deduced, then, that the word minkum, cannot and does not apply solely to the companions of the Holy Prophet"'"; it applies to the entire Um. ma (nation/ followers) past, present and future. Again, those who do not believe in Khilafat raise another objection. They say that Allah has staled in the Holy Qur'an: