Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Ahmadi
Ahmadi Muslims, or Ahmadiyya, are followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. They comprise two subsects, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement (Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat-i-Islaman). There are at least ten million Ahmadi throughout the world, with some counts being more than ten times that high [1].
At the end of the nineteenth century Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian claimed to be the Mujaddid, Promised Messiah, Mahdi and Prophet of the age. He claimed to have fulfilled the prophecy of the return of Jesus. He and his followers claimed that his advent was foretold by Muhammad the Prophet of Islam, and also by many other religious scriptures of the world. In 1889 Mirza Ghulam Ahmad laid down the foundation of his community, which was later on given the name of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. Since its inception, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat's objective has been the revival of Islam. Soon after the death of the founder the movement split into two sects: the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Ahmadi Muslims' beliefs are alleged to be heretical and outside of Islam by most Sunni and Shiite scholars. They contend that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad's claim of prophethood and messiahhood violates the basic tenets of Islam (namely that Muhammad is the last prophet, and that it is Jesus Christ who returns at the end times in person, and no other). Both Ahmadi Muslims sects support their belief by using an allegorical interpretation of the references in Islamic literature related to the “return of Jesus”. However there is a difference between the two sects as far as finality of prophet hood is concerened, as listed below:
Ahmadi Muslims compared to mainstream Muslims
| Article of faith | Mainstream Islamic belief | Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement Belief | Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Belief |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second coming of Jesus Christ | At the “end of days” Jesus himself will descent from heaven in the flesh | References to the second coming of Jesus are allegorical. The prophecy of the second coming was fulfilled in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad | References to the second coming of Jesus are allegorical. The prophecy of the second coming was fulfilled in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad |
| Status of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad | Differs, but often considered an apostate | A prophet in the allegorical sense. Mujaddid of the 14th Islamic century. The promised Mahdi and the second coming of Jesus. | A prophet in every sense of the word except that he did not bring a new law. Mujaddid of the 14th Islamic century. The promised Mahdi and the second coming of Jesus. |
| Kalima Sahadat | Professing the Kalima required to become a Muslim and (in some cases) accepting Mirza Ghulam Ahmed to be an apostate also a pre-requisite to being considerd a Muslim | Anyone saying the Kalima Sahadat cannot be declared a non-Muslim by anyone else. | Kalima Sahadat as well as belief in Mirza Ghulam Ahmed as a prophet required to be considered to be a Muslim. |
| Finality of Prophet hood | Prophet Muhammad is the last of the prophets. However this does not preclude the re arrival of an old Prophet (Jesus) at the end of days | Hazrat Mohammad is the last of the prophets. No prophet, either new or old can come after him. | Hazrat Mohammad brought prophet hood to perfection. New prophets can come after him provided they follow the example set by him in every respect. The new prophets can not however exceed Hazrat Mohammad in excellence |
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