Khilafat-e-Rashidah — Page 89
KHILAFAT-E-R A SHIDAH 89 but dissension in the Jam a ‘at is not good either. So if they agree with us that a Khalifah needs to be selected, then it would be pertinent to decide by common vote. In case of any dispute, Khalifah should be someone who is considered impartial by both sides. If this is not acceptable to them, then Bai‘at should be pledged to a person from their side, even if it be Maulaw i Muhammad Ali himself. ” It was very hard for me to convince them, but on my persistence, the whole of our family agreed to it. My Meeting with Maulaw i Muhammad Ali After this, I met with Maulaw i Muhammad Ali and told him that I wanted to discuss some issues with him. Then we walked towards the woods. Maulaw i Muhammad Ali said to me, “We should not take any decision hurriedly after the demise of Hadrat Khalifatul Masih , because there is dissension in the Jam a ‘at and some disturbance is in the offing. Therefore, we should work amicably after negotiating thoroughly. ” I told him that people would gather in large numbers by the next day. Therefore, we should discuss it tomorrow. Maulaw i Sahib again said, “There is no rush and we should give the Jam a ‘at four to five months to ponder over this issue. Then we should take action according to what is decided. ” I said to him, “What if a dissention breaks out in the Jam a ‘at? Who will be responsible? There will not be a leader and a guide for the Jam a ‘at, and in that case,