Centenary Khilafat Ahmadiyya (1908 - 2008)

The system of Caliphate in Islam, in one form or another, lasted some 626 years after the death of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The period of the four successors (Caliphs) of the Holy Prophet namely Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthuman and Ali, is known as the Pious Caliphate. This was the most critical period for the State of Islam. The transition from the absolute authority of the Messenger of God to the authority of an elected successor was not easy for the Muslims.

The Pious Caliphate which lasted 29 years, was notable for the remarkable expansion of the Islamic State and the democratic election of the Khalifas (Caliphs). However, this Caliphate was also riddled with internal dissension, apostasy and fictional strife.

To believe and to do good works through obedience to Allah, His Messenger and His Caliphs are the two prerequisites for this blessing to be everlasting.

If one prerequisite fails to materialise, this blessing (system of Caliph) will be taken away. We have seen how in the past, in the early Islamic era, when the Muslims became disobedient to the Caliph, they were deprived completely of the blessing of Khilafat (The System of Caliphate).

They were believers. They believed in Allah. They believed in the Holy Prophet (PBUH). But they failed to do good works. They failed to obey the Caliphs and the result was that Allahs blessings of appointing a Khalifa was taken away and thus the Pious Caliphate ( Khilafat-ar-Rashida) came to an end.

Allah says in the Holy Quran: Allah had 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 were before them; and that He will surely establish for them their religion which He has chosen for 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 whoso is ungrateful after that, they will be the rebellious. (Surah Al-Nur, Verse 56).

As promised in the above verse of the Holy Quran, after the demise of the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (Promised Messiah and Mahdi), a system of Caliphate (Khilafat) was instituted in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat on May 27, 1908, which is similar to the Pious Caliphate (Khilafat-i-Rashida) that followed the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, under divine command founded the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at in March 23, 1889, and began to accept initiation into the Jama'at. In 1890, under Divine Revelation he claimed to be the Promised Messiah as well as Imam Mahdi. He also claimed to be a subordinate Prophet of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) commissioned by Allah to serve the religion of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).

The Holy Qur'an and the history of Islam are replete with examples that whenever Almighty Allah sends a Prophet, the purpose is to bring about a change in attitudes of the people.

This requires time and continuous effort, which cannot be achieved in the lifetime of a single person.

Thus, the Prophet has only to sow the seeds. After his death, in order to complete the Prophet's mission, Almighty Allah chooses Successors, one after the other. Each Successor is called Khlaifa, in Islamic terminology.

Thus, after Prophet Moses, Yahya was appointed as Khlaifa. After Prophet Isa (Jesus), peace on him, Peter was appointed as Khalifa. Therefore, it was obvious that at the demise of Hazrat Promised Messiah and Mahdi, Allah the Almighty would appoint a Khalifa, and fulfills His ancient Sunnah (practice).

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, wrote 'The Will' in 1905, in which he informed Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at about the recurrent revelation concerning his demise. He comforted the Jama'at that, "I am a manifestation of Allah's power. And after I am gone there will be some other persons who will be the manifestation of the second Power (of Allah)".

He also said that, "it is essential for you to see the second Manifestation too, and its coming is better for you because it is everlasting, the community of which will not end till the Day of Judgment". Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad's "Will" to his Community was, "let the righteous persons of the Jama'at who have pious nature accept Bai'at (oath of allegiance) in my name".

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, died on May 26th 1908 and on May 27th 1908 Hazrat Moulavi Nooruddin was elected as the first Khalifa (Caliph) by the Ahmadi Muslims of Qadian (Punjab, India) and surrounding areas, who were present in Qadian at that time.

Included among these were all the selected Ahmadis and family members of the Promised Messiah and Mahdi. After his election, the first Caliph (Khalifa) took Bai'at i.e. oath of allegiance.

Thus, the very first consensus of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at, after the death of its Founder, was in favour of establishment of Khilafat (The system of Caliphate). After the ceremony of taking oath of allegiance, the first Caliph (Khlaifa) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community led the funeral (Janaza) prayer of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad - the Promised Messiah and Mahdi. In order to continue the efforts for the victory of Islam, on his demise of first Caliph, Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad (1889-1965) was elected on March 14, 1914, to be the second Khalifa (Caliph) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. On his death in 1965, Hazrat Hafiz Mirza Nasir Ahmad was elected as the 3rd Caliph (Khalifa).

And on his death in 1982, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad was elected as the fourth Caliph (Khlaifa), on whose death Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad has been elected as the fifth Caliph (Khlaifathul Maasih V) of the world-wide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Thus, these holy men are clear proofs of the manifestation of the second Power (of Allah). And what was foretold by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad - the Promised Messiah and Mahdi that, "I came from God as a Manifestation of God's Power. And after I am gone there will be some other persons who will be the manifestation on the second Power (of God)" has been fulfilled over and over again. Alhamdhulilah.

Almighty Allah favoured the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at with the 1st manifestation of the Second Power in person of Hazrat Moulavi Nooruddin on 27th May, 1908. In May, 2008, this invaluable gift of Almighty Allah is one hundred years old.

In order to express our deep gratitude to Almighty Allah, for this invaluable gift and for His favours and beneficence, received through the blessed institution of Khilfat (Caliphate), the Present Caliph (Ameer-ul-Mumineen) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad has declared that the year 2008 be observed as the year of Centenary Khilafat Ahmadiyya.

Khalifa (Caliph) is elected through the will of Allah, yet by the act of believers. When an election takes place for the Khalifa the minds of the electoral body are influences by Allah and Allah only.

The Ahmadiyya Khilafat is the second manifestation and Allah has assured Ahmadi Muslims that this Khilafat will endure to the end of time.

Khilafat provides unity, security and progress for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community . No other sect in Islam has such a strong leadership, nor enjoys such unity and devotion among its followers. The term Khalifatul Masih (The Successor to the Promised Messiah and Mahdi is used to the world wide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

The presence of the Khilafat is a great blessing from Allah for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He is the spiritual leader of every Ahmadi, the beacon of light towards which every member looks for guidance. Whenever, a Khalifah makes a scheme or plan for the community, he does so with divine guidance and assistance.

Khilafat is not only a blessed institution, but a higher order of state that requires the utmost obedience. In the present age Khilafat is that light leads Ahmadi Muslims to away from darkness of ignorance. Khilafat is the shade from the heat of sins of this world.

To mark this historical day of the world-wide Ahmadiyya Muslim community, the Special Message to the world by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (Khlaifathul Masih V) will be telecast LIVE from London, today, the 27th May, 2008, through MTA (Muslim Television Ahmadiyya - (ASIASAT 3S, 100.5 EAST, 3760 Mgh) at 4.00 P.M. local time. His speech will have simultaneous translations in various languages including English and Arabic.

To mark the occasion, a public function is organised on 31st May, 2008 at; Ahmadiyya Jubilee Hall, Periyamulla, Negombo at 4.00 p.m.

Love for all; Hatred for none.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at - Sri Lanka.

****

To mark this historical day of the world-wide Ahmadiyya Muslim community, the Special Message to the world by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (Khlaifathul Masih V) will be telecast LIVE from London, today, the 27th May, 2008, through MTA (Muslim Television Ahmadiyya - (ASIASAT 3S, 100.5 EAST, 3760 Mgh) at 4.00 P.M. local time.

His speech will have simultaneous translations in various languages including English and Arabic. To mark the occasion, a public function is organised on 31st May, 2008 at; Ahmadiyya Jubilee Hall, Periyamulla, Negombo at 4.00 p.m.