Need of A Khalifa
The primary function of a Khalifa is to carry the message of the Prophet into the future without losing the spirit of the message. This task is best accomplished when the community is united and strong, and the community cannot be united and strong without the Institution of Khilafat. Moreover, it is the responsibility of the Khalifa to admonish us with the help of Allah to stay on the right path. So this is the blessings and need of a Khalifa, that they bring unity, harmony and guidance. This is what Islamic teaching centres on, without unity and harmony you cannot follow the teachings properly.
When a Muslim goes to the mosque for his prayers five times a day, there must be an Imam. Standing behind an Imam is a demonstration of unity among people. That is why the Holy Qur’an especially emphasises the need of congregational prayer. The 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? If an Imam is so important in a small mosque, then how can the whole Muslim Ummah (Muslim Nation) survive without an Imam? As far as the Ummah is concerned, they are commanded to turn their faces towards the Qiblah – Mecca. For the Muslims throughout the world, there is one and only one Qiblah. You may go anywhere in the world but the Qiblah remains the same. Another wonderful display of unity. So likewise, it is important for the Muslims to be united under one Imam.
If this was not the case, then there would have been no Khilafat at all because the spiritual condition of Muslims in the days of the Holy Prophet may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him was a thousand times better than the Muslims of today. If they need to follow an Imam, how can we live without an Imam today when the condition of Muslims is crying for it? This is why Khilafat is needed.
Today, the world can witness that by Allah’s grace, Ahmadiyyat is constantly being blessed with Allah’s help and guidance. Under the Divine blessings of Khilafat, the Jama’at is progressing in every direction. The Community is well established in over 200 countries of the world and the community has translated and published the Holy Qur’an in over 72 different languages. Similarly, through the blessings of Khilafat, the Community has built thousands of mosques throughout the world and that number is growing rapidly. It has striven to serve humanity throughout the world by building and opening hospitals, schools, training centres as we carry out our motto of ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’.
