Khulafa can Consult Others in Various Matters
Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) states:
“They [i.e., the Khulafa] can err in minor and supplementary matters relating to faith and Khulafa can disagree with one another, however they are relating to extremely inconsequential matters. For example, in some matters Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) held a different opinion to Hazrat Umar (ra).” In fact, up to this day, the Muslim Ummah cannot agree upon some of these matters. “This disagreement is related to minor and supplementary matters of faith. There can never be any disagreement regarding the fundamental principles of faith. On the contrary, they – i.e., the Khulafa – will always unanimously agree on such principles as they are the guides and leaders who bestow light to the world.
Thus, if one believes that a person who has failed to do the Bai‘at can be of the same rank as the one who has done the Bai‘at, then such an individual has not truly understood the significance of the Bai‘at nor the nizam. In regard to seeking consultation, one must remember that it is possible that one can seek consultation from an expert in their respective field, who does not share the same faith as them. The Promised Messiah (as) appointed an Englishman as his lawyer during a trial. However, this certainly does not mean that he sought consultation from him in matters regarding prophethood. On the occasion of the Battle of Ahzab, the Holy Prophet (sa) took advice from Hazrat Salman Farsi (ra) and asked what the people of his country did at times of battle. Hazrat Salman Farsi (ra) replied that in their country they would dig a trench. The Holy Prophet(sa) found this to be excellent advice and thus a trench was dug, which is why the battle is famously known as the Battle of the Ditch. However, despite his advice, we cannot say that Hazrat Salman Farsi (ra) had greater skill and knowledge than the Holy Prophet (sa) in the art of battle. There is no comparison to the feats and achievements of the Holy Prophet (sa) and those of Hazrat Salman Farsi (ra), in fact he was never appointed as the commander-in-chief of an army during any era of the Khulafa, even though he lived to an advanced age. Therefore, there is no harm in seeking advice from an expert, even if they belong to a different religion.”
Speaking about himself, Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) states, “Once I was ill and consulted some English doctors, however this does not mean that I seek advice from them in matters pertaining to Khilafat, or that I consider them to be of the same rank as the companions (ra) of the Promised Messiah (as). Indeed, I consult the companions (ra), however this certainly does not mean that seeking advice from a non-Muslim is of equal significance as taking advice from the companions (ra). In fact, the companions (ra) hold a much loftier rank.”
Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) further states:
“Seeking advice from them [i.e., the doctors] was only in relation to matters of medicine (Hazrat Musleh Maud(ra) took advice from them in regard to a particular field of study or in regards to a specific matter). Therefore, even if it were proven that Sa‘d (ra) bin Ubadah was consulted in regard to a secular matter in which he held expertise in, however even then it cannot be said that he would be part of the consultations. No authentic narration can be found regarding him in which it states that he was involved in consultations. In fact, the majority of narrations state that he migrated from Medina towards the region of Syria. In the view of the companions (ra), he had completely detached himself from the Markaz [headquarters of Islam]. Hence, it is mentioned that the companions (ra) would state that the angels or the Jinn had caused him to die and from this it seems that the companions (ra) did not describe his demise in a positive sense because although every soul is taken by angels, however for them to specifically mention angels and the Jinn in this manner signifies that God Almighty caused his demise owing to a particular Divine Decree of His so that he could not be the cause of any division or discord.”
In other words, he was among the Badri companions (ra) after all and so was caused to die, lest he would be guilty of hypocrisy, opposition or any other such act which would consequently dishonour his status. In any case, he separated himself from the others.
Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) further mentions:
“All of these narrations reveal that the companions (ra) no longer held him with the same esteem and honour as they previously did due to the rank that he once attained. Moreover, it also shows that the companions (ra) were not happy with him, otherwise why would they say that the angels or the Jinn had caused his demise? In fact, upon his demise they used even stronger words than this which I do not wish to repeat. Therefore, to claim that one can maintain their rank and status without performing the Bai‘at of the Khalifa and adhering to the nizam of Islam is completely contrary to the events [from the history of Islam] and the teachings of Islam. Those who entertain such thoughts have in fact completely failed to understand the true concept of Bai‘at.”
(Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 16, pp. 95-101 – Friday Sermon, 8 February 1935)