Khilafat – Light In The Dark

*Huzoor is the term Ahmadi Muslims use to refer to His Holiness, the fifth Caliph/Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community*

Areeba Noor Sharoon, Wimbledon

Allah sends His Prophets on the earth to remind His people that Allah is the ultimate reality, and people should devote their lives to Him submissively.

When a Prophet’s mission is accomplished, delivering the message of Allah, the challenge he faces is to maintain unity among his followers and to keep them on the true path. For keeping these values among the Prophet’s people after his demise, they require a leader. This is the successor of the Prophet, called the Khalifa. A Khalifa is the guided one who takes his Prophet’s mission forward with the same devotion. He is outwardly elected by the people but is chosen by Allah Himself.

To understand the need for a Khalifa, let us ponder over the three states of a human mind that are mentioned and explained by The Promised Messiah (peace be upon him), the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, in his book The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam. The first basic state is when a human is inclined towards evil, and evil takes an individual away from God. The second state is when man discards evil and tries to stay on the right path but slips sometimes due to the attraction of the world.  The final state is when man refrains from all evils and weaknesses. Instead, he is loaded with spiritual powers.

The vast majority of humanity is in the middle state because we have a fair understating of right and wrong. Due to that, we try very hard to stay on the right path, something made possible by the guidance of the Khalifa. A Khalifa guides his community to attain the love of God and His blessings by continuously guiding them to the light of the Holy Quran, sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), writings and discourses of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace), and his successors via his sermons and addresses. Those who are obedient to the Khalifa of the time and are devoted to the divine institution of Khilafat will always seek to be closer to Allah the Almighty. 

The prayers of the Khalifa provide constant support to his followers. He guides his people in times of distress and turmoil. Whenever any hardship falls on them, they put their problems before their Khalifa. He then seeks Allah’s help through his compassionate prayers for his people. His love for his people is unmatched and perpetual. 

In this context, His Holiness, the fourth Khalifa of our Community said in an interview on MTA’s programme, “Liqa Ma’al Arab”:

“In Islam, this is quite clear like broad daylight and is a part of Islamic teaching that without unity and harmony you cannot rightly work on the teachings of Islam. When you go to the mosque for Namaz five times a day, there must be an Imam. Standing behind an Imam in a demonstration of unity among people. That is why the Holy Quran especially emphasizes the need for congregational prayer. Imam is given so much importance that if the Imam falters, the entire congregation must follow his mistake even if they know that a mistake has been committed. What better instance can be presented for the need of an Imam and unity in his following?” [i]

It is obligatory for believers to show utmost obedience towards Khilafat. They must be ready to offer any sacrifice for safeguarding the institution of Khilafat. It is only when the level of love and respect is so high for their Khalifa, they will inherit the numerous rewards and blessings promised by Allah Almighty.

[i] [i] https://www.alislam.org/question-answer/importance-of-khilafat/