The Promised Messiah^(as) passed away on May 26th, 1908. When his body was brought to Qadian for burial, all members of the Community elected Hazrat Maulana as leader of the Community and the first Caliph of Hazrat Ahmad^(as). Prior to taking the covenant of allegiance from members numbering well over 1200, during the course of an address he said:

“I never wished to be the Imam but if you people insist on taking the pledge on my hand, then listen to me carefully. Baiat is like selling yourself to someone…… you will have to obey all my commands. If this is agreeable, then I shall take up this responsibility reluctantly.”