Youssef Ikhlaf, The Netherlands
From time to time, videos emerge on social media where non-Ahmadi Muslims passionately call for the re-establishment of Khilafat (Caliphate). These emotional pleas from various corners of the Muslim world shed light on the significance of Khilafat in our time, emphasising the need for such a blessed spiritual leader amidst contemporary challenges.
Yearning for Khilafat
Some time ago, a video was posted online showing scenes from a significant religious site where thousands had gathered. A resounding and emotional voice echoed, evoking memories of past leaders such as Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattabra and expressing the urgent need for a similar leader in today’s world – a Khalifa for the Muslim world. Below is the transcript of the spoken words:
“Oh army of Pakistan, come for the sake of the rule of the Quran. Oh nation of millions! Awaken to support your religion! Oh our imprisoned Al-Aqsa Mosque! We bear the glad tidings of liberation! Where is the Caliph Omar? Where is Saladin? Where is the Caliph of the Muslims? The place (Masjid Al-Aqsa) of the Prophet’ssa ascent to heaven is calling for your help!”
Every once in a while, similar sentiments resonate across the Muslim world. Another video was seen echoing cries of “Peace be upon you, Oh Mahdi, when are you coming?” These heartfelt expressions clearly show that the Muslim world is in dire need of the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi and the establishment of Khilafat.
A cry for divine intervention
In a poignant moment captured in another video, a Palestinian man beseeched Allah for the establishment of Khilafat. The Palestinian man was shouting at what seemed to be a door entrance where many people gathered. He was emotionally saying:
“O Allah! O Allah, if we are patient for your sake, honour us with a Khilafa on the precepts of Prophethood. O Lord! If we are patient for your sake, honour us with a Khilafa on the precepts of Prophethood.”
His impassioned plea to Allah Almighty reflects a yearning – a painful longing – for justice and relief for the Muslim community amidst adversity and the suffering caused by the wars in the Middle East. The fervent longing for the re-establishment of the rightly-guided Khilafat, based on the precept of Prophethood, highlights the profound significance and dire need for the arrival of the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi, as well as the crucial role of the re-establishment of Khilafat within Islam.
He was apparently referring to the following Hadith, a prophecy of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa on the re-establishment of the rightly guided Khilafat after the advent of the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi in the latter days:
“Prophethood shall remain among you as long as Allah wills. He will bring about its end and follow it with Khilafat on the precepts of prophethood for as long as He wills and then bring about its end. Kingship shall then follow, to remain as long as Allah wills and then come to an end. There shall then be monarchical despotism which shall remain as long as Allah wills and come to an end upon His decree. There will then emerge Khilafat on the precepts of prophethood.” Prophet Muhammadsa then became silent.” (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Kitab ar-riqaq, Bab al-indhar wa t-tahdhir)
Recognition of existing Khilafat
In the midst of the passionate pleas of the Muslim world, as mentioned in the previous paragraphs, it’s important to note that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community already has a Khalifa, a spiritual leader. When the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas passed away, Khilafat was established once again. This is known as the Khilafat of Ahmadiyyat or Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya. The advent of the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi and the re-establishment of Khilafat is a glad tiding for the Muslim World, in fact for the whole world!
As Ahmadi Muslims, we consider ourselves blessed to have the divine institution of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya, which continues the mission of the Promised Messiahas and spreads the mission of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa across the globe. Over the past 116 years of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya, we have witnessed its immense blessings. Currently, we are experiencing the blessed era of Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa, Khalifatul Masih V, the Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He is the chosen and beloved of God in our time, and his voice stands as the sole, wise, beautiful, well-balanced, and practical representation of Islam in the modern age.
Remember, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas appeared as a true and devoted follower of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. He was appointed by God as the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi, in fulfilment of Divine promise for the revival of Islam. His advent was prophesied by the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. Ahmadi Muslims are deeply grateful for being a part of the Jamaat of the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi. After his passing, witnessing the establishment of Khilafat, a divine blessing within our community, fills us with immense gratitude.
Another important point that needs to be understood is that Ahmadiyyat is not a new religion. Ahmadiyyat is not separate from Islam, on the contrary, Ahmadiyyat was established to revive the true teachings of Islam.
Appointment of the Khalifa
In Islamic teachings, the office of Khilafat is not passed down through inheritance like a dynasty or monarchy. It is a responsibility from Allah bestowed only upon the most pious follower of a Prophet. Righteous individuals participate in electing the Khalifa; however, it is Allah the Almighty who ultimately appoints the Khalifa by guiding them before and during the election process. Some non-Ahmadi Muslims believe that a Khalifa is a political figure. The reality is that a Khalifa can hold a political position, however, that is not his job for which God has appointed him. A Khalifa is a spiritual leader of the Muslims. A spiritual leader who guides and unites the Muslims and all people on earth. The Holy Quran explicitly states that Allah appoints the Khalifa. See the following verse of the Holy Quran:
“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 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 an-Nur, Ch.24: V.56)
The significance of Khilafat
Accepting the Khalifa is crucial for the survival of the Muslim World. I will explain why. The Five Volume Commentary explains:
“Khilafat is a great Divine blessing. Without it there can be no solidarity, cohesion and unity among Muslims and therefore they can make no real progress without it. If Muslims do not show proper appreciation of Khilafat by giving unstinted support and obedience to their Khalifahs they will forfeit this great Divine boon and in addition will draw the displeasure of God upon themselves.” (Five Volume Commentary, Vol. 4, p. 2290)
Here’s an interesting quote regarding the significance of Khilafat from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh:
“I feel that this period of adversity and decline and these repeated miseries are the consequence of the Muslim denial of his Holiness – the Promised Messiahas. There is no doubt about it. Therefore, my message to you is that you should submit yourselves to the Imam of the Age. Accept that one, who was sent by God. He is the one who has the ability to lead you. […] So, turn back and establish your contact with the Divine Leadership. After denying the leadership established by God, no path of peace and prosperity is left open for you. The period of adversity has been long and painful. You should turn to God, repent, and seek His forgiveness. Let me assure you that to whatever extent the matters may have worsened, if you submit today before the leadership established by God, then not only will you rise as a great power in the world, but such a great movement of the new supremacy of Islam will be set in motion that no power in the world will be able to confront it and the progress which appears to spread over centuries will become a matter of years.” (“The Gulf War & The New World Order: Quotations from Sermons”, www.alislam.org )
On another occasion, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh explained that the Ahmadiyya Khilafat is a divine institution entrusted to those who embody piety and sincerity in faith. Unlike unsuccessful attempts by non-Ahmadi Muslims to establish Khilafat, which is often political, fragmented and limited in scope, the Ahmadiyya Khilafat transcends geographical boundaries, uniting followers across more than 200 countries of the world. This worldwide allegiance and attachment to Khilafat serves as a compelling testament to the truth of Ahmadiyyat. (Bengali Mulaqat, recorded 26 October 1999)
He said in the following words:
“Khilafat is the sign of Tawhid. Because Khilafat is bestowed upon Ahmadiyyat, we can keep the entire world together on one hand. And this is what the rest of the Muslims are missing. This is a sign of the truth of Ahmadiyyat because Khilafat is mentioned in the Holy Quran; that Khilafat will be granted to pious people, Khilafat will be bestowed upon those who are God-fearing and those who do not commit shirk with Allah; those who do not call partners with Allah. So it is a strange thing that non-Ahmadis have repeatedly tried to establish some sort of Khilafat among themselves. But they can’t do it. At most, it is a ‘Khilafat’ of one country. (…) they are called ‘Amir-ul-Momineen’ as if he were a Khalifa. But [such a country] is divided itself; not even in one country you find a single Khilafat, while Ahmadiyyat is found in [the] countries worldwide and they are all attached to Khilafat. So […] it is a great sign of the truth of Ahmadiyyat.” (Ibid.)
I shall now conclude with these captivating words of Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa:
“The only way that Khilafat is now possible is through the Khilafat of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him). If all the leaders of the Muslim countries and the entire Muslim Ummah unanimously agree upon an individual as the Khalifa and associate themselves with him by means of bai‘at, then the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat will most certainly be prepared to consider accepting such a Khalifa and associating with him through bai‘at along with the entire ummah. But they cannot do this. They cannot do so. They simply cannot ever do so!” (“Unveiling the story behind the great challenge, alhakam.org, 25 December 2020)
“Our success lies in holding fast to the rope of Allah and ensuring that we and all our children adhere to the institution of Khilafat and to absolute obedience to it and the Nizam-i-Jama‘at. If we and our children remain attached to Khilafat, we will witness the bounties of Allah conferred upon true believers.” (“Huzoor’s Message for the National Ijtima [USA]”, Ansar Connection, p. 2, ansarusa.org)
May Allah enable us to understand the status of Khilafat and make us true lovers of this great reward. And, may Allah enable the Muslim World to recognise and accept this great blessing. This is the only way to restore the lost glory of Islam and unite all Muslims. Amin.