Majlis-e-Shura: A Pillar of Consultative Governance in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
Majlis-e-Shura (Consultative Assembly) holds a central and transformative role in the administrative and spiritual framework of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. This institution exemplifies the Quranic injunction of Shura (consultation) as prescribed in Surah Ash-Shura (42:38): “And those who respond to their lord, and observe Prayer, and whose affairs are decided by mutual consultation among themselves, and who spend out of what We have provided for them.” Under the visionary leadership of Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad (ra), the second Caliph of the Promised Messiah (as), the system of Majlis-e-Shura was revitalized and institutionalized to ensure that decision-making in the Community reflects Islamic principles of collective wisdom, unity, and discipline.
Foundational Philosophy of Majlis-e-Shura
Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad (ra), widely regarded as the Musleh Maud (the Promised Reformer), penned extensively on the subject of governance and consultation in his magnum opus, Tafsir-e-Kabir. He elucidated the deep Quranic roots of consultation and emphasized that it is not merely a symbolic exercise but an essential mechanism for achieving God-conscious governance. In his writings, he highlighted that consultation ensures:
1. Transparency and Inclusivity: By involving representatives from various regions and backgrounds, Shura becomes a means of ensuring that diverse perspectives are considered.
2. Collective Wisdom: Consultation aligns with the Quranic principle that collective decision-making minimizes error and maximizes the likelihood of just and effective outcomes.
3. Spiritual Accountability: Decisions made in Shura are deeply rooted in Islamic values, ensuring alignment with divine guidance and the overall mission of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Development of Majlis-e-Shura under Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad (ra)
Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad (ra) formalized the system of Majlis-e-Shura to serve as a consultative body that aids the Khalifa in decision-making. The institution was not only a practical necessity but also a spiritual exercise, deeply rooted in Islamic tradition.
Structural Evolution
Under his guidance, the system was organized to include representatives from across the world. Members were selected based on their dedication, knowledge, and commitment to the Community’s welfare. This structure ensured that the recommendations made in Shura were reflective of the Community’s collective aspirations and needs.
Key Roles and Functions
The primary role of Majlis-e-Shura is to provide counsel to the Khalifa on administrative, financial, and spiritual matters. However, as Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad (ra) emphasized, the ultimate authority remains with the Khalifa, whose decisions are binding and divinely guided. The functions of Shura include:
Budget allocation for various Community projects.
Recommendations on new initiatives, including humanitarian, educational, and missionary activities.
Addressing challenges faced by the Community and proposing solutions.
Profound Insights from Tafsir-e-Kabir
In Tafsir-e-Kabir, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad (ra) provides profound insights into the Quranic concept of Shura. He explains that consultation is not just a worldly administrative tool but a means of fostering spiritual and moral growth. By engaging in mutual consultation, individuals learn humility, patience, and the art of listening—qualities essential for spiritual progress.
He also emphasizes that while consultation is vital, it must always operate within the boundaries of divine guidance. This dual approach—consultation supplemented by divine direction—ensures that the decisions made serve both worldly and spiritual purposes.
Impact of Majlis-e-Shura on the Ahmadiyya Community
Under the visionary leadership of Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad (ra), Majlis-e-Shura became a model for Islamic governance in the modern era. Its impact is evident in several areas:
1. Global Unity: Despite being a global community spread across diverse cultures and nations, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community remains unified in its mission, largely due to the consultative process facilitated by Majlis-e-Shura.
2. Effective Administration: The recommendations of Shura have led to the establishment of numerous educational institutions, hospitals, and humanitarian projects worldwide.
3. Empowerment of Members: Through participation in Shura, members feel a sense of responsibility and ownership in the Community’s progress.
Majlis-e-Shura as a Legacy of the Musleh Maud
Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad’s (ra) emphasis on Majlis-e-Shura was not just an administrative reform but a spiritual revolution. He saw consultation as a means of embodying the Quranic principles of justice, accountability, and humility. His writings and practical implementation of Shura continue to guide the Community, ensuring that it remains steadfast in its mission to spread the true teachings of Islam.
Majlis-e-Shura, as envisioned and institutionalized by Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad (ra), is a testament to the Quranic ideal of consultative governance. Rooted in spirituality and practicality, it exemplifies how Islamic principles can guide a global community toward unity, progress, and divine pleasure. Through his profound writings in Tafsir-e-Kabir and his leadership, the Musleh Maud (ra) ensured that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community remains a beacon of consultative leadership in the modern world.
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