Voice of British Muslim Women

Dr Sadiya Ayaz, London

Each one of us will have our own experience of the blessings of Khilafat in our lives. Whether that be at moments of jubilation, or during times of sorrow, the guidance and reassurance that we receive from our Khalifa, whose love and prayers extend to each and every soul within the sphere of Ahmadiyyat and beyond, is indeed a manifestation of God Almighty’s immense favours upon this Divine Community, which we are so very blessed to be a part of. Without this connection, without this bond with our Khalifa, just imagine how empty and desolate our existence would be.

It is through the bond of Khilafat that we are continually reminded of our true purpose in this world and what we need to do in order to build a lasting and meaningful connection with our Creator.

In Surah An Nur, Chapter 24, verse 56 of the Holy Quran, God Almighty clearly explains to us that the Institution of Khilafat will take a visible form in the person of certain individuals who will be the Holy Prophet’s (may peace and blessings of God be upon him) successors and representatives for the whole world. The purport of the verse also covers the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) and his Successors.

The verse further emphasises the status and position of Khailfat in Islam, whereby God Almighty Himself promises that Muslims will be vouchsafed both spiritual and secular leadership. This is indeed what we, as Ahmadi Muslims witness every day in our lives by the directives we receive from the Khalifa of the time, who guides us not only in religious matters but also in all our worldly affairs, his guidance being not only for Muslims but for the world over.

Khilafat above all else impresses upon us the need for unity and peace, for unity is a fundamental principle of Islam. Under the Divine leadership of one Khalifa, Muslims are reminded that there is only one path of righteousness that leads to God, that there is only one guidance to follow and that is the Holy Qur’an, and those who abide by its teachings and follow them in practice can attain the love of their Creator both in this world and the next.

Khilafat not only guides us towards unity with our Creator but equally with our fellow beings. We are taught that regardless of faith, colour or creed our love and compassion must extend to all of God’s creation. Through the guidance of Khilafat we are reminded that there must be consistency between our words and our actions and a consistency between our relationship with God and our fellow beings, for one cannot exist without the other.

If today, God forbid, our lives became bereft of this guidance, how easy it would be to falter and fall into the pit of darkness and desolation. It is indeed a manifestation of God’s love for us that He has chosen us to be amongst those being guided on the path towards righteousness so that we can become His.

As our Beloved present Khalifa, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, may Allah be his Helper, has said,

“Ahmadis are the fortunate ones for whom the Khalifa of the time constantly worries. There is no difficulty, be it individual or communal, that Ahmadis across the world face and the Khalifa of the time does not address. And to solve it, does not – besides exerting practical effort – bow before God Almighty and pray to Him” (Friday Sermon 6th June 2014).

Khilafat is the need of the time. It will always continue to remain the need of the time. When the world around us is on the brink of collapse, Khilafat is what binds us in security and peace. If we look for this security and peace elsewhere, we will never find it, no matter how hard we try.

The world will continue to entice us with momentary temptations and give us false reassurance of comfort and joy, but that eternal peace and lasting connection with God and His creation can only be found through following the guidance of the Khalifa and building a true bond of love and connection with him.

Let us never forget that we are nothing without Khilafat and it is our sustenance for progression in every sphere of life.