I shall present some traditions that illustrate the importance of submission.
Hazrat Abu Hurairah(ra) states that the Holy Prophet(sa) said, ‘It is incumbent on you to listen to and obey the directives of the ruler of the time in austerity or prosperity, happiness or grief, inequity or favouritism — in any and all situations.’ (Sahih Muslim, Kitab-ul-Imarah, Babu Wujubi Ta‘atil-Umara’i fi Ma‘siyatin wa Tahrimuha fil-Ma‘siyah)
Hazrat Ibn-e-‘Abbas(ra) states that the Prophet of Allah said, ‘If anyone sees something undesirable in his leader and ruler, he should exercise patience because, if anyone is even slightly distant from the Jama‘at, he will die in ignorance.’ (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitabul-Fitan, Babu Qaulin-Nabiyyi Sa-tarauna Ba‘di Umuran tunkirunaha)
Hazrat ‘Arfajah(ra) states that, ‘I heard the Holy Prophet(sa) saying that when you are gathered together on one hand and have one leader, if someone comes and tries to break your unity so that he may create divisions among you, you ought to kill him. That is, you should cut your ties with him and not listen to him, (i.e., totally ignore his instructions). (Sahih Muslim, Kitab-ul-Imarah, Babu Hukmi man Farraqa Amral-Muslimina wa huwa Mujtami‘un)
It is reported from Hazrat ‘Ubadah(ra) Bin As-Samit that we took the covenant with the Holy Prophet(sa) on the point that we will listen and we will obey whether we like it or dislike it. And that wherever we are, we will not dispute with the incumbent of rightful authority, we will stay firm on the truth or that we will only speak the truth and that we will not be afraid of the rebuke of anyone in matters concerning Allah the Almighty. (Sahih Muslim, Kitab-ul-Imarah, Babu wujubi Ta‘atil-Umara’i fi ghairi ma‘siyatin wa tahrimoha fil-ma‘siyah, Hadith No. 4768)
Hazrat Ibn-e-‘Umar(ra) states that the Holy Prophet(sa) said, ‘Whoever holds back from obedience to Allah will meet Allah the Almighty on the Day of Judgement in a condition that he would have no valid argument or excuse. And he who dies in a condition that he has not taken a pledge of allegiance with the Imam of the time would die the death of ignorance and apostasy.’ (Sahih Muslim, Kitab-ul-Imarah, Babu wujubi Mula-zimati Jama‘atil-Muslimina ‘Inda Zuhuril-Fitan)
Thus, you are fortunate that you have accepted the Imam of the time and you have entered into a covenant of bai‘at with him. Now, you have to obey him purely for the sake of Allah. You have to carry out all his commandments. Otherwise, you will be going out of the circle of obedience to Allah the Almighty. May Allah establish every Ahmadi on the superior standard of obedience. And how do you establish such high standards? These standards can be achieved only by acting on the teachings of the Promised Messiah(as).