M A Hossain,
On 03 March 2023, there was a clash between police and some Islamist groups for postponing Ahmadiyya's Jalsa Salana(the annual convention) in Panchagarh. This news has intrigued me to know about the Ahmadiyya community. As Muslims, we must know the status of Ahmadiyya and their beliefs. In this article, I will explore the history of the Ahmadiyya movement, their beliefs, the difference between Ahmadiyya and mainstream Muslims, and the wrongdoing of mainstream Muslims in Bangladesh.
Ahmadiyya or Qadiyani is a so-called Islamic revival or messianic movement originating from Qadian in Punjab, British India, in 1889. The founder of the movement, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835 -1908) claimed to be a prophet of Islam(!), who also claimed to have been divinely appointed as both the promised Mahdi and Messiah expected by the Muslims to appear towards the end time of the universe.
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad established the community on March 23, 1889, by formally accepting allegiance from his supporters. Since his death, the community has been led by a succession of caliphs. The Qadiyanis have a strong missionary tradition and are almost entirely organised as a single, highly active missionary program in the world. The Qadiyani movement emerged in India with the help of the British East India Company. They published many books supporting the East India Company's rule and rendered jihad in its military form as inapplicable, which paved the way to divert the attention of trapped Muslims against British rule. Later, in 1913, this missionary organisation established its headquarters in London
Currently, the Qadiyani community has missionary branches in 213 countries, with significant concentrations in South Asia, West and East Africa, and Indonesia. Their estimated worldwide population is 10 million. In Bangladesh, they have 103 missionary branches and are established in 425 locations within the community.
Qadiyani believes in the fundamental teachings of Islam. However, their belief in the prophethood of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad is what sets them apart from mainstream Muslims. Ghulam Ahmad believed that his message had special relevance for the Western world, which, he believed, had descended into materialism. Aside from this belief in all Prophets in the Quran and the Old Testament, the community also regards Zoroaster, Krishna, Buddha, and Confucius as prophets. According to the Qadiyani beliefs, Hell is understood as a temporary abode, lasting an extremely long time but not everlasting, much like in mainstream Judaism. Qadiyani also believes in the concept of the caliphate or spiritual leadership. They also believe in the concept of Jihad or striving in the way of God, but reject the use of force.
The difference in beliefs between mainstream Muslims and Qadiyanis are distinct. Qadiyani believes that Hazrat Isa (A)[Jesus] was crucified and survived the four hours on the cross and was later revived from a swoon in the tomb. They also believe that Jesus died in Kashmir of old age while seeking the Lost Tribes of Israel. This belief contradicts mainstream Muslims under Quranic verses chapter 4 verses 157, 158. Qadiyanis have different opinions on the meaning of 'Khataman Nabiyyan( the seal of the prophets)'. Muslims believe that Hazrat Muhammad (SM) is the last Prophet of Allah, but Qadiyani claims Ghulam Ahmad as their new prophet but subordinate to Muhammad(SM). This is drifted from chapter 33 verse 40 in the Quran. Qadiyanis do not believe that any verse of the Quran abrogates or cancels other verses, unlike mainstream Muslims. The most important religious function of the Qadiyani is Jalsa salana, which does not have any entity in the duties of Islam.
Qadiyanis have been viewed as infidels and heretics by the Muslims. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation(OIC) formally declared that Ahmadiyya was not linked to Islam. Pakistan declared Ahmadi as non-Muslims and termed them as Qadiyani. Some Islamist groups are demonstrating on demand to declare Qadiyani as non-Muslims in Bangladesh.
If we recall two incidents from the life of our Prophet (PBUH), there were two individuals who made false claims of prophecy: Musaylimah al-Kadhdhab in Yamama and Aswad Ansi in Yemen. Our Prophet (PBUH) declared war against Musaylimah's community and ordered a group to neutralize them until they returned with their submission. He also ordered to kill Aswad Ansi. However, our Prophet (PBUH) passed away before this task could be completed. Nonetheless, the first Caliph, Abu Bakr (R), made it his top priority to send the group to neutralize Musaylimah al-Kadhdhab and the first good news that he heard as Caliph was of Aswad Ansi's death at the hands of the group of Muslims.
In the context of Bangladesh, it is not an Islamic Emirate, and thus, the protesters should have sought the help of local law enforcement agencies to stop the open convention if it hurt the sentiments of Muslims. According to the OIC's resolution in 1973, the Bangladesh government must not allow this missionary organisation to deceive ordinary Muslims. As a secular country, individuals and groups are free to practice their religion within their own confines and make it an indoor activity. Islam does not permit causing maximum damage to infants, elderly women or men, or maximum loss of houses, wealth, or crops. If such damage occurs, then the responsibility lies with the Muslims or the leading organisations, and it would be a breach of the existing laws.
Many non-Muslims even Muslims, are not well aware of the differences between Qadiyani and Islam and often assume that Qadiyanis are the offshoot of Islam. This has led to confusion and misunderstanding about the nature of the Qadiyani movement. It is very well expected from the Muslim community to know the right thing and act rightfully.
M A Hossain, political and defence analyst based in Bangladesh.
Email: writetomahossain@gmail.com
This article published :
1. The Asian Age, Bangladesh :12Mar23
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