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Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

Encyclopedia : A : AH : AHM : Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (Arabic: الجماعة الأحمدية; transliterated: al-Jamā'a al-Ahmadīya; sometimes called the Qadiani community, after the locality of Qadian, India) is based on the Ahmadiyya movement (also known among some Muslim groups as Qadianism) founded in 1889 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (born 1839/40). The original movement split into two factions soon after the death of the founder. (The Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement, Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat-i-Islam is the second offshoot.)

Mirza Ghulam , the founder of the Ahmadiyya movement, claimed to be the Mujaddid (reformer) of the 14th Islamic century as well as the Messiah, Mahdi and The Second Coming of Christ[link]. These claims have proven to be extremely controversial among Muslims. Mainstream Muslims believe that no prophet or messenger will come after Muhammad and that Jesus himself will descend from heaven at the End of Days to wage war against the forces of evil[link].

Ahmadis belonging to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (as opposed to those belonging to the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement), however, argue that Muhammad, whom all Muslims believe to be the greatest of all prophets, was the last law-bearing prophet and that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad did not create a new religion or bring a new law, but rather revived and rejuvenated the teachings of Islam. They divide prophets between law-bearing and subservient prophets[link]. The latter follow the given law of the law-bearing prophet and act as a restorative prophet. A historical comparison given by them are of Jesus and Solomon who were "subservient prophets" and the successors of Moses, "the law-giver"[link].

Although the central values of Islam (prayer, charity, fasting, etc...)[link] are shared by all Muslims, distinct Ahmadi Muslim beliefs include the following:

Contents

Organization and size

Figures for the total numbers of adherents vary greatly among different sources. The Association's own figures range from around 110 million (in 1980) to over 120 million (in 2003) members; it has missions in over 176 countries.

The supreme head is currently Mirza Masroor Ahmad, given the title Khalifatul Masih Al-Khamis (Khamis = "fifth" in Arabic). He is often referred to as "Hazoor" or "Leader of the Faithful".

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community headquarters were originally based in Qadian, India; but then in 1947 it was moved to Rabwah (the Pakistani government, following the results of a vote in the Punjab Assembly, recently changed the name of town to Chenab Nagar [link]), Punjab, Pakistan. Initially it was secure in Pakistan, but during the time of President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, laws were passed stating that Ahmadis were "non-Muslims"[link], and this was followed by waves of persecution. During the time of General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, the situation deteriorated, and due to heightened human rights abuses against the community, the acting headquarters were moved to Southfields, London in 1984.

History[

Hakeem Nooruddin Bhervy (1841–1914)

Maulana Hakim Nooruddin is referred to as (Khalifatul Masih I) by members of The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He was born in the village of Bhera in Punjab in 1841. He was Royal Physician to the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir for many years. His extensive travels included a four-year stay in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina in pursuit of religious knowledge. His knowledge of Quran and Hadith is said to be unmatched by any other islamic scholar of his time. His lectures were one of the main attractions for visitors to Qadian. He also wrote rebuttals to christian and Arya Samaj allegations on Islam. He was the first person to swear a pledge of allegiance (baiat) to Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as the Promised Messiah on 23 March 1889. After Mirza Ghulam Ahmad's demise, Hakeem Nooruddin was unanimously acclaimed as his successor on May 27 1908. He guided the community in this capacity until his death on Friday, March 13 1914.

The split in 1914

In 1914 a split took place in the Ahmadiyya Community resulting in the formation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement. The reasons for the split were ideological differences as well as differences over the suitability of the elected Khalifa (2nd successor) Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad (the son of the Founder).

Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood (1889–1965), Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad's was born in 1889. Suring his youth engaged himself in the service of his fathers movement by founding an organization called “Anjuman Tashheezul Azhaan”, he also started a magazine by the same name for purpose of proselytizing.

On May 26 1908, the Mirza Ghulam Ahmad died at Lahore when Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad was 19. On May 27 1908, he was the first to take the oath of allegiance to the first Khalifa.

He performed Hajj in September 1912. In June 1913, he started a newspaper "Al-Fazl" which became the central organ of the Community. On March 14 1914, in Qadian, the will of Khalifatul Masih I was read out, which requested the people to elect someone as his successor.

Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad was elected the second successor to the Mirza Ghulam Ahmad on March 14 1914, and remained Khalifa until November 7 1965. However, Lahori sections heavily opposed his succession and refused to accept him as the new Khalifa. He is credited with developing the scope of missionary activities, and establishing a Madrasa Ahmadiyya [Seminary] up to university level. As part of this, he established 46 foreign missions. In a public gathering in Delhi in 1944, he claiming himself to be the "Musleh Maoud" (Promised Reformer). He also managed the translation and publication of the Qur'an into various languages. His work "Tafseer e Kabeer" is one of the most detailed commentary done on Quran in modern times.

At the time of partition of India in 1947, the country was divided along religious lines with Indian Muslims migrating to Pakistan. The Community found a tract of waste-land and built the town of Rabwah, which became the new headquarters.

In April 1955 there was an attempt on Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad's life for which he had to seek medical treatment in London, UK. He died in Rabwah in 1965 after 52 years as Khalifa.

Mirza Nasir Ahmad (1909–1982), Mirza Nasir Ahmad was born on 16 November, 1909 son of Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad, the second Caliph.

Hafiz Mirza Nasir Ahmad became the third Caliph in 1965. He is credited with expansion of the missionary work started by his father. He also represented The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the National Assembly of Pakistan in 1974. Despite efforts by him the National Assembly of Pakistan declared Ahmedis to be Non-Muslim[link]. After more than sixteen years as Khalifah, he died on June 9 1982.

Mirza Tahir Ahmad (1928–2003), He was born on December 18 1928, another son of Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad (the second Caliph). He graduated from Jamia Ahmadiyya (Theological Academy) at Rabwah, followed by higher studies in London, UK. After Mirza Nasir Ahmad's death Mirza Tahir Ahmad was elected the next day as Khalifatul Masih IV, the fourth Caliph.

He is credited with emphasizing use of the “purdah” (veil) for Ahmadi women as well as placing an emphasis on spirituality over materialism. As a result most Ahmadi women in the West are strict “purdah” observers. He made proselytizing mandatory for every Ahmadi Muslim resulting in progressively increasing number of converts. The community experienced structural and financial growth during his time.

Persecution in 1984

In 1984, the Government of Pakistan, under General Zia-ul-Haq, passed [Ordinance XX], which banned proselytizing by Ahmadis and also banned calling Ahmadis as Muslims. According to this ordinance, any Ahmadi who refers to oneself as a Muslim by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation, directly or indirectly, or makes the call for prayer as other Muslims do, is punishable by imprisonment of up to 3 years. Because of these difficulties, Mirza Tahir Ahmad fled to London, UK.

Mirza Masroor Ahmad (1950–date), Khalifatul Masih V (2003–present)

Mirza Masroor Ahmad was born on September 15 1950 in Rabwah (Now Chenab Nagar), Pakistan, which was the Ahmadi community's headquarters at the time. He is the son of Mirza Mansoor Ahmad. Mirza Masroor Ahmad did his primary education at Taleem-ul-Islam High School, Rabwah, and obtained his BA from Taleem-ul-Islam College, Rabwah. In 1976 he earned his Masters of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the Agriculture University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

See also

References

Pro Ahmadiyya external links

Anit Ahmadiyya Muslim external links

Comprehensive sites with works

Resources on other sites

Articles

 

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