The story of Mirza Ghulam Ahmed Qadyani.
Everything you need to know!
Initially, Mirza Qadyani emerged as an Islamic scholar, preacher, debater and Islamic leader in 1870s. The 1880s was the period of his fame. He got famous due to religious debates with Hindus and Christians. In one of his Lahore gatherings he offered British Queen to accept Islam and made it to the limelight. He was highly regarded after his challenge to blasphemer Dp. Abdulah Atham in 1893.
Mirza Qadyani was a remarkable debater and speaker. He used to participate regularly in religious gatherings and impress the crowd with his communication skills. During the 1880s he started calling himself 'Sahib ul Ilham' (The one who receives revelations) in his first book ‘Braheen-e-Ahmedia.' It was a self-proclaimed designation and was enough to pave way for his ultimate mission. Gradually he started calling himself 'Mujad'did' then 'Muhadis,' then 'Misl-e-Masih' (like Hazrat Isa), then 'Masih Ibne Maryam' himself, then 'Mehdi' then 'Imam-e-Akhri-uz-Zaman' (Imam of last times) and then in 1901 he finally announced Prophethood.
After criticism from the religious community, he came up with the logic of 'Razor Nabi' or 'Zilli Nabi' (follower / deputy Prophet). Being shrewd and capable of amazing speaking skills he continued participating in gatherings and debates, bringing new logic to support his claims and even denouncing what is written in his books. He was even seen erasing excerpts of his own books during a debate and asking scholars 'Hor kuch mere laiq' (anything else for me?). Still he never let go of his revelations title because that was the base of his false world.
Mirza had ‘Fuqaha’ / Scholars and ‘Sufis’ both as rivals. Until and unless he claimed to be Mehdi and Hazrat Isa, Fuqaha / scholars didn’t come out against him aggressively. Mirza had debates with Molana Sana Ullah Amartasri, Maulana M. Hussain Batalvi, Maulana Abdul Haq Ghaznavi and Molana Ghulam Dastagir Qusoori, etc. Mirza had two strengths, his debating skills and use of media (at that time printing press). As soon as any debate was finished books and banners started coming out claiming his false success stories. Unfortunately, Ulamas were against printing press at that time. That trend continued today. After the inception of Television, they had their channels.
Mirza knew that most of the common people are associated with Sufis as compared to scholars / ulama. He decided to influence them and use them. There were two main Sufi institutions at that time, Hazrat Ghulam Fareed of Chachran Shareef and Pir Mahar Ali Shah of Golran Shareef. Mirza started writing letters to Hazrat Ghulam Fareed. He used to praise his poetry. He claimed to be a servant of Islam. Hazrat Ghulam Fareed was a kind hearted man and used to reply with love. He used those letters for publicity and endorsement.
In 1897 a delegation headed by Molana M. Hussain Batalvi met Hazrat Ghualam Fareed and gave evidences against Mirza. Unfortunately Hazrat Ghulam Fareed passed away in 1900 and much couldn’t be done.
Scholars eyed Pir Mahar Ali Shah as last ray of hope. Scholars from all school of thought Sunni, Shia and Ahl-e-Hadees went to meet him and asked for his help to counter this Fitna.
Mirzaiat / qadyaniat was spreading at rapid pace afterwards. To justify ahadees associated with Hazrat Isa’s arrival he started calling ‘Qadyan’ (city where Mirza was born and reason being called Qadyani) ‘Damascus’ and ‘Ludhiana’ as ‘Lud’ (As prophecies say that Hazrat Isa will come at Lud) He also made a minaret in Qadyan and climbed it starting ‘now this condition has also been completed’ (as per prophecy Hazrat Isa will come down from heavens on a Minaret)
Pir Mahar Ali Shah (R.A) wrote ‘Shams-ul-Hidaya’ to expose Mirza Qadyani. It explained the arrival of Hazrat Isa in the light of Quran and Hadees and categorically termed the claims of Mirza as wrong and based on falsehood.
Mirza wasn’t able to answer. Instead he challenged Pir Sahab with a ‘Mubahalah’ (A debate challenge. In Islamic tradition it refers to the ancient ceremony of mutually and formally calling God's curse down upon whichever of the two parties was not speaking truthfully).
Qadyanis started a promotional campaign ‘Chalo Chalo Lahore Chalo’ to watch the debate between Mirza and Pir Mahar ali Shah at Badshahi Masjid Lahore.
On 25th of August 1900 Mir Sahab with leading scholars of subcontinent reached Lahore. Thousands of people gathered at Badshahi Masjid including Qadyanis. They waited on 25th and 26th but Mirza didn’t show up. On 27th of August huge gathering was arranged at Badshahi Masjid and speeches were delivered against Fitna of Mirza Qadyani. 60 scholars from every school of thought signed a petition / fatwa on ‘Khatm-e-Nubuwat’ stating Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W) is the last prophet and anyone who does not believe on it is a ‘Kafir’ / non muslim. Many Qadyanis presented at that time repented and converted to Islam.
It was the first barrier to Mirza’s fitna. It did hurt his campaign badly it was not rooted out. Unfortunately there was no Islamic Government in the subcontinent or it would have been death penalty for Mirza Qadyani, following the Islamic tradition since first Caliph.
Lahore’s defeat was a huge blow to Mirza but he continued his campaign under British Raj. However it was now confined to Qadyan. In 1901 Mirza claimed prophethood. The ultimate goal he wanted to reach.
Molana Muhammad Hussain Batalwi obtained a Fatwa against Mirza Qadyani categorically labeling him a Kafir / Non Muslim. 200 scholars of subcontinent signed that fatwa.
In 1907 Molana Sana Ullah went to Qadyan and challenged Mirza for debate but he didn’t show up. It was the last nail in his coffin. This defeat made him angry and he became offensive. He started calling Molana Amartasri and Molana Batalvi, Abu Lahab and Abu Jahal.
In the return of Molana Amartasri’s challenge he published an ad with a prayer, asking Allah that whoever is wrong may die of diarrhea or plague in the life of opponent. Ad was followed by a prophecy that ‘India’s Abu Jahal’ (Molana Sana Ullah Amartasri) will die in 1908. This Prophecy was also published and widespread. Posters were also published forecasting the death of Pir Mahar Ali Shah in the same year. When Pir Mahar Ali Shah was told about Mirza’s propheyc about his death he, he said that ‘Zindagi aur maut to Allah ke hath men hai mager yad rakhna Mirza apni hi gandagi men gir ker marey ga’ (he will die in his own shit)
Allah’s decision came in May 1908. Diarrhea was chosen for Malo’on Mirza Qadyani. He was was in Lahore on 25th of May 1908 and after dinner he fell ill complaining motions and vomiting. His medic Hakeem Noor uddin was called and diarrhea was pronounced. Following to this Dr. Muhammd Husain Shah Lahori was called and injection was given. On 26th May 1908 he died of diarrhea.
News of death spread like fire. His followers were mourning while Muslims came out chanting Allah hu Akbar. His body was taken to Qadyan for funeral and ultimately biggest fitna of sub continent presented before his creator.
Pir Mahar Ali shah sahab lived for next 29 years and Molana Amartasri lived for next 40 years serving deen and spreading the light of Islam.
After Mirza’s death his followers were divided into two groups, ‘Lahori Group’, believing he was a religious leader and ‘Jamat-e-Ahmadia’ believing in him as ‘Zilli Nabi’ (deputy Prophet).
After Pakistan’s creation Ahmedis / Qadyanis left Qadyan and moved to Pakistan. They considered it an opportunity. They developed Chinab Nagar / Rabwa and made it their headquarter. Since then they have made it to key public positions and becoming part of multiple conspiracies against Pakistan. By 1955 they were on their peak. Books, Job offers, social work, educational institutions were some of the tools to move forward.
In Pakistan 1953 was considered as a key period for campaign against Qadyanis. Molana Ata Ullah Shah bukhari, Molana Abdul Sattar Khan Niazi and Molana Modoodvi made a lot of contributions to counter this Fitna. They were even sentenced death penalty by Military courts which were taken back on Islamic countries pressure.
On May 29 1974 muslim students were tortured by Qadyanis in ‘Rabwa’ Incident created wave of concerns among masses. On June 30 1974, Molana Shah Ahmed Norani submitted a resolution in National Assembly to declare Lahori group and Qadyanis as Non Muslims.
As per wishes of Lahori group and Qadyanis they were allowed to present their case in NA. Debate went for 2 months and even those who were not in favour of declaring Ahmedis non muslims, when got to know about Qadyanis’ beliefs, supported the resolution.
Finally history was made and Qadyanis were declared Non Muslims. Every year 7 September is commemorated as ‘Day of Khatm-e-Nubuwat’
Qadyanis were lucky that state only declared them Non Muslims and restricted them to hold public prayers and call their worship places as masjids. If they had been in a Shariah state they would have asked them to come back to basics or face death sentence.
Reason of this post was to give the complete picture. Belief of ‘Khatm-e-Nubuwat’, Hzrat Muhammad (S.A.W.W) being the last prophet is part of basic faith. It is equal to believing in one God, Quran and Day of judgement. Who ever has an even a negligible altered belief, is certainly not a Muslim.
References:
پیر مہر علی شاہ اور قادیانیت....فاروق درویش
محاسبہء قادیانیت...................محمد آصف بھلی
کلمہ فصل....................مرزا غلام احمد قادیانی
روحانی خزائن.................مرزا غلام احمد قادیان
