We are honoured to publish the first English rendering of the speeches delivered by Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih II Mirza Bashir-ud-Deen Mahmood Ahmad (ra) at Jalsa Salana [Annual Convention], Qadian, in December, 1914, soon after he had been appointed by Allah the Almighty to the august office of Khalifatul-Masih.
It was a time when the Jama‘at [Community] faced serious challenges. After the demise of Hazrat Maulana Noor-ud-Deen (ra), the first Khalifah of the Promised Messiah (as), efforts to undermine the institution of Khilafat gained momentum under the leadership of Maulavi Muhammad Ali and Khawaja Kamalud-Din, once counted among distinguished companions of the Promised Messiah (as). Opponents of the institution of Khilafat favoured shifting the administrative powers of the Khalifah to the Anjuman, a body of executives that had been established by the Promised Messiah (as) to implement and supervise the day-to-day affairs of the Jama‘at. Allah the Almighty, in accordance with His glad tidings which the Promised Messiah (as) had recorded in al-Wasiyyat, protected the Community and established it firmly, once again, on the institution of Khilafat under the leadership of Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Deen Mahmood Ahmad (ra).
It was in this historical backdrop that Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Deen Mahmood Ahmad (ra) made these speeches. These speeches were delivered during the proceedings of Jalsa Salana Qadian in 1914, since this was a time when the faithful arrived in Qadian in large numbers from all over the sub-continent to see their beloved Imam and listen to his instructions. Having elaborated on the subject of Khilafat with references to the Holy Quran and Bible and successfully making his point that Khilafat was a divine institution and the Khalifah a manifestation of the power of God, he touched on a number of other important issues the Jama‘at was facing at that time.
The first speech was largely devoted to the refutation of the allegation of anti-Khilafat elements and elucidation of the spiritual station a Khalifah of the Prophet of time possesses. The second part of the speech delivered in the afternoon highlighted the importance of congregational prayer, and preservation of the life history of the Promised Messiah (as) on authentic lines. He also spoke in detail on his views regarding the issues such as interfaith marriages and the question of parity between the marital partners. Also, he laid down precious guidelines for the Jama‘at in relation to their involvement in politics. In his speech on the second day of the Jalsa, he expounded his commentary on the Ayatul-Kursi and spoke on the seven stages of man’s spiritual development that, if completed, eventually make him the beloved of his Lord.
The book was translated from Urdu into English by Ahmad Mustansir Qamar and was first revised by Mirza Anas Ahmad. The translation was prepared for publication under the guidance of Additional Wakalat-e-Tasnif by its English Translation section, based in the U.S.A. Thanks are due to Munawar Ahmed Saeed, Luqman Tahir Mahmood, Kashif Hussain Baloch, Amina Maryem Shams and others. It may be noted that the speeches, as delivered, were not divided into sections. The headings given in this translation are from the translators.
May God Almighty enable us all to derive the utmost benefit from these speeches and help us become truly practicing Ahmadis. Amin.
Munir-ud-Din Shams
Additional Wakilut-Tasnif
London, July 2013