Kalimatal Fasl
Partial translation below.
Introduction to Second Printing
I wrote this booklet, 'Kalimatal Fasl' during my student days when I was preparing for my M.A. examinations after having finished B.A. At the time, the discussion of Kufr and Islam was at a peak; and because at that time, the non-allegiance group of the Jama'at had freshly cut itself off from the Jama'at and the Headquarters of the Movement. It was quickly leaning towards the non-Ahmadis and there was a strong need to write this type of booklet and inform our straying brothers of this danger. This danger was before them but they had shut their eyes to it due to their anger and prejudice.
Now, after a long period of 26 years, this booklet is being printed again with the encouragement of fellow members. I have been requested to review it and to make necessary corrections and changes. A person's knowledge and the expression of that knowledge can improve over time, therefore revision is not a bad idea - in fact it has many beneficial aspects, but I did not want to change the memory of my youth (when I was only 21 years old). With simple grammatical (or structural, only words, that is not a revision of the meaning) revision, the same booklet of a quarter century ago is being re-printed. However, the whole discussion . . . . (pages missing)
Chapter 1 - Two Eternal Groups
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In short, it is the the continuing practice of Allah from time immemorial that after the appearance of an appointed person among an undivided people – who were coloured in the same colour under the order of 'kufr is one nation' (Quran) - He divides them into two parts. One part is that which responds to the call of Allah's Messenger saying (Quranic verse Aal Imran last ruku) and enters the Jama'at of the Messenger and become the inheritors of those blessings that have been promised by Allah to believers. But, against them is another group which looks at the caller's call with ridicule and goes after the destruction of the movement established by God. This group's misfortune causes it to issue denial after denial and its curtain of ignorance does not let it benefit from Divine Light. Its sorrowful state prevents it from stepping towards God and his Prophet and eventually, its bad deeds make it reach the door of Hell.
So, these are the two groups, like 'one salt water and the other fresh' (Quran) which automatically appear at the time of appearance of an appointed one. It is not possible that a Guide come from Allah into the world and then all people immediately believe in him, just as it is impossible that on the appearance of a Prophet there is no blessed soul that does not cry out 'we are the helpers of Allah' (Quran) in response to 'who will help me for Allah' (Quran) - because the appearance of Messengers is like rain which causes greenery to appear from the surface of the earth. That soil that has a dirty seed inside it and will generate a smelly tree. The soil under which is the seed of an excellent and fragrant flower, it is sure that after rain it will enrich the world with its hidden treasure. This is the way of Allah, 'and you will not find the way of Allah changing'. (Quran)
For example, look at when the Noble Prophet (saw) challenged the idol-worshippers of Arabia, 'O idol-worshippers, leave idol-worship and shirk and come under the flag of Divine Unity (Tauheed) and engage in the worship of the God who created the Earth and the Heavens and provided means for your comfort and success in the world'. On this call, one Abu Jahl stood up and started causing distress to that pure being - the being in which Divine Beauty and Magnificence had so mixed that about him Allah said, 'those who pledge allegiance to you indeed pledge allegiance to Allah; Allah's hand is on their hand' (Quran). And then Allah blessed him with so much nearness that he said, 'say, if you love Allah, follow me and and Allah will love you'. That is, 'O Messenger', say to the people that if there is any love for Allah in your hearts, then come behind me so that you become the beloved of Allah. However, despite all this, the denier denied him and one who says, said - God forbid, 'he is a liar and madman, kill him or imprison him or exile him, etc.' But, as there was such a group, another group of people was born about whom the Divine gave the judgement, 'Allah is happy with them, and they are happy with Allah' (Quran) - and who withstood all afflictions for the sake of Islam. They were turned out of their homes, separated from their wives and children, and had to move away from their relatives, loved ones and friends. They let their blood flow in the way of Allah like water, but never let go of the doorstep on which they had put their heads. The words of 'laa ilaah . . . . rasoolullah' were like a battery that had put an electric force in their veins and made them do things which were otherwise impossible. Could a forecaster have predicted that a spring was to erupt from the desert of Arab that would encompass the whole world within it? Could an astrologer's knowledge intimate him that the ignorant Qureish of Mecca would become the teachers of the world and would reign over a major part of the world? The people of Arabia were strict followers of traditional
customs and there was so much conflict between the Arab tribes that no one had a clue that these people who are thirsty for each other's blood and are always at each others' throats, would one day come together under the flag of Islam and cover the whole world like a flood.
. . .
Quote about Kalima
"With the coming of Promised Messiah one difference (in the meaning of Kalima) has occurred and that is that before the advent of Promised Messiah, in the meaning of 'Mohammad ur Rasoolullah' only prophets of bygone days were included, but with the advent of Promised Messiah, one more prophet has been added to the meaning of Mohammad ur Rasoolullah ... thus to enter in Islam it is still the same Kalima, the only difference is that the advent of Promised Messiah has added one more prophet to its meaning...we don't need a new Kalima, because Promised Messiah is nothing separate from Holy Prophet, as he says: 'saara wujoodi wujoodahoo (my person became his person)' and 'he who differentiates between me and Mustafa has not seen me and not recognised me' ... thus Promised Messiah is Mohammad Rasoolullah himself who has come again in this world to spread Islam, therefore we do not need any new Kalima. Yes if someone else had come then we may have required it — thus think all of you."
(Kalimatal Fasl p.158 by Mirza Bashir Ahmad)