Finality of the Message of God

Mirza Ghulam Ahmed claimed to be a true ‘Muslim’ in some of his works and speeches; but, at the same instance, many of his blasphemous statements can be found ‘scattered’ in his books.  He said, while openly degrading Islam: “We believe that a religion which does not have the continuity of Prophethood (as in Islam) is a dead religion.  We call the religions of the Jews, the Christians and the Hindus dead only because now there are no prophets in them.  If this were the position in Islam too, we would be no more than mere storytellers! Why do we regard it superior to other religions?” (Malfoozat-e-Mirza, Vol. 10, page 127)

He also said: “How absurd and false it is to believe that after the Holy Prophet (Muhammad) the door of the divine revelation has been closed forever and that there is no hope of it in the future till the Day of Resurrection! Can a religion having no direct trace of Almighty God be called a religion?   say, by Almighty God, that in this age there is no one more fed up than myself with such a religion!  I name such a religion as ‘Satanic’ religion and not a divine one.  I believe that such a religion guides towards Hell and keeps one blind in life.” (Zamima Braheen-e-Qadianism, Part V, Roohani Khazain, Vol.21, p354)

From these quotes it is quite clear that Mirza Ghulam Ahmed despises the religion of Islam and claims it to be a ‘dead’ religion because the ‘chain’ of prophethood has ended.  Conveniently enough, he was chosen to be a Prophet of God to ‘complete’ Islam and keep it alive!

As Muslims, we believe that the Message of Islam was completed before the death of Prophet Muhammad.  God says: “This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.” (Quran 5:3)

We believe that no Prophet will come after Prophet Muhammad.  He is the final Prophet of God to mankind.  God says: “Muhammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of God and the last of the Prophets.” (Quran 33:40)

The Prophet prophesized that a number of ‘quacks’ would emerge, each claiming to be a Prophet.  He said: “Indeed, there will be in my nation thirty liars; each claiming to be a prophet.  I am the last of the Prophets; no prophet will come after me.” (Tirmidthi)

The Prophet said: “The tribe of Israel was guided by prophets.  When a prophet passed away, another prophet succeeded him.  But no prophet will come after me; only caliphs will succeed me.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

The Prophet foretold that every one hundred years, God would send a person who would revive the religion of Islam.  He said: “Indeed God will send a revivalist at the head of every one hundred years to revive the religion of Islam.” (Abu Dawood)

These revivalists have no ‘divine’ connections.  They carry the traits of a true, believing Muslim.  They would work strenuously to bring people back to the texts of the Quran and Prophet Way.

Quran

Mirza Ghulam Ahmed said: “Quran is God’s Book and words of my mouth.” (Advertisement dated 15th March 1897, Roohani Khazain vol.22 p.87)

After this blasphemous claim, Mirza Ghulam Ahmed began to interpret the Quran as he liked and felt necessary.  Each time a verse of the Quran seemed to pose a ‘threat’ to his claim, he simply reinterpreted the meaning to suit his whims.  Prior to his claim of being a Prophet, Mirza Ghulam Ahmed strictly adhered to the proper understanding of textual proofs.  He even viewed the verse of the Quran which stated that Prophet Muhammad was the last of the Prophets to be exactly that, clear evidence that Prophet Muhammad was the last Prophet to mankind.  After his claim of Prophethood, he revisited this text and reinterpreted it to mean that Prophet Muhammad was not the final Prophet to mankind; but, that his prophethood signified a ‘seal of approval’, i.e. that he was the beauty of the Prophets and Messengers and their best, but not the last!

Mirza claimed that a number of the verses of the Quran were revealed to him to signify his grandeur.  He claimed that the following verses were among many that were revealed to him again.

a.“Say, if you really love Allah, then follow me.” (Quran 3:31)

b.“And We have not sent you but as a Mercy for All the Worlds.” (Quran 21:107)

c.“He is the one who has sent His Messenger with guidance.” (Quran 9:33)

In this manner, his followers became ‘companions’, his family became ‘Ahlul-Bait’ (i.e. the members of the respected family) and his wife became ‘Mother of the Believers.’

In order to protect himself, he said: “Yes, in support (of our claims) we also present those Prophet Traditions which are according to Quran and do not contradict my ‘divine revelation’.  As for the rest of the Prophetic Traditions, I toss them aside like wastepaper.” (Roohani Khazain vol.19 p.140)

Muslims believe that the Quran are the words of God, they were revealed to Prophet Muhammad through the Arch-Angel Gabriel, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him.  God says: “Indeed, it is We who sent down the Quran and indeed, We will be its guardian.” (Quran 15:9)

Interpreting the Quran is not left up to just anyone; there are levels of the interpretation of the Quran, the highest of which is interpreting the Quran with the Quran.  The second level is interpreting the Quran with authentic prophetic narrations.  The third level, is interpreting the Quran with the Companions’ statements.  The fourth level, which is a weaker level, is to interpret the Quran through language (like a translation of the meanings of the Quran).  One cannot interpret any verse the way they fancy!

Prophet Muhammad

The followers of Mirza claim that Mirza was superior to Prophet Muhammad.  They claim: “The mental development of the Promised Messiah (i.e. the Mirza Qadiani) was higher than that of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.  And this is only a part of the superiority which the Promised Messiah has over the Holy Prophet.  The mental faculties of the Holy Prophet could not manifest fully owing to the deficiency of civilization; although the ability existed.  They have now manifested themselves fully through the Promised Messiah by virtue of the advancement of civilization.” (Review of Religions, May 1929, Qadiani Mazhab, p.266, 9th Ed. Lahore)

Mirza further degraded Prophet Muhammad stating that part of his revelation was false, and that he misunderstood parts of the revelation given to him by God! (Roohani Khazain vol.3 pp.166-167)

He even ridiculed God Almighty and the Prophet, saying: “And God chose such a despicable place to bury the Holy Prophet which is extremely smelly, dark and cramped!” (Roohani Khazain vol.17 p.205)

As Muslims we love and respect Prophet Muhammad.  We do not ascribe to him divine attributes.  God says: “Say (O Muhammad), “I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is one God.” (Quran 18:110)

The claims of Mirza need no response, but it is noteworthy to mention how Mirza died! He died in a shameful way, in a public toilet in Lahore while having been stricken with cholera![1]

Jihad

One of the fundamentals that we are taught in Islam is self-defense.  When someone harms us, we don’t simply ‘turn our cheek’.  We defend ourselves.  Defending yourself and protecting yourself from a foreign invader is something that no human being will dispute.  One cannot simply cancel out Jihad by some ill perceived notion that he is receiving a ‘command from God’!

Mirza Ghulam Ahmed was truly the ideal British Agent! He openly said: “For the sake of British Government, I have published and distributed 50,000 leaflets in this country (i.e. India) and other Islamic countries, the result of which was that hundreds of thousands of people have given up their ‘filthy’ ideas about Jihad.” (Roohani Khazain vol. 15 p.114)

He also said: “From my early age till now when I am 65 years of age, I have been engaged, with my pen and tongue, in an important task to turn the hearts of Muslims towards the true love and goodwill and sympathy for the British Government, and to obliterate the idea of Jihad from the hearts of stupid Muslims.” (Kitab-ul-Bariyah, Roohani Khazain vol. 13 p.350)

Mirza supposedly, and quite conveniently, ‘received’ divine revelation from God that ‘Jihad’ was abrogated and no longer a part of Islam! He said: “From today human Jihad which is done by sword, is being abrogated by the order of God.  From now on, anyone who lifts a sword on a Kafir/non-Muslim and calls himself a Ghazi/fighter for the sake of God, is disobeying that Messenger (i.e. Muhammad).  After my arrival, there is no Jihad with the sword.  We have raised the flag of Peace and Friendliness.” (Collection of Advertisement p.295, vol.3)