“IT IS ALLEGED THAT THE ROLE OF A KHALIFA IS ONLY TO LEAD THE PRAYERS AND ANNOUNCE THE NIKAH AND ALSO TAKE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. THIS CAN BE CARRIED OUT BY ANY MULLAH [RELIGIOUS CLERIC], SO WHAT NEED IS THERE TO APPOINT A KHALIFA FOR IT? THERE IS NO STIPULATION THAT ONLY A KHALIFA CAN CARRY OUT THESE TASKS. THERE IS NO CONDITION STATING THAT THIS MUST ONLY BE CARRIED OUT BY A KHALIFA. I DO NOT GIVE ANY IMPORTANCE OR VALUE IN TAKING A BAI‘AT OF THIS NATURE. TRUE BAI‘AT IS ONE WHICH COMPRISES OF COMPLETE OBEDIENCE WHEREBY ONE DOES NOT DISREGARD EVEN A SINGLE INSTRUCTION ISSUED BY THE KHALIFA.”
(TARIKH-E-AHMADIYYAT, VOL. 3, P. 262)
