A controversial Islamic movement founded on peaceful revivalism and a reinterpretation of jihad.
Religion: Islam
Denomination: Ahmadiyya
Founder: Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
Founded: 1889
Location: Worldwide, with headquarters in Qadian, India and London, UK
Size: Approximately 10-20 million members
Other Names: Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at
Website: alislam.org
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, also known simply as the Ahmadiyya, is an Islamic revival or messianic movement founded in the late 19th century by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835–1908) in British India. Ahmad proclaimed himself to be the Promised Mahdi and Messiah, fulfilling Islamic prophecies of a guide who would restore faith and righteousness. This claim is central to Ahmadi beliefs but has led to significant controversy and rejection by mainstream Islam, which holds Muhammad as the final prophet.
The movement emphasizes the oneness of God, the importance of peace, justice, and the sanctity of life, aligning closely with Islamic teachings but diverging in its acceptance of Ahmad as a prophet. This divergence has resulted in the marginalization and persecution of Ahmadis, particularly in Muslim-majority countries. Ahmad’s mission, as he described, was to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed, and revive Islam’s true and essential teachings as practiced by Muhammad and the early Muslim community.
The Ahmadiyya community is highly organized and led by a caliphate, with Mirza Masroor Ahmad serving as the current Caliph. It claims membership in the tens of millions, spread across over 200 countries. The movement’s missionary zeal has led to the establishment of mosques and mission houses worldwide, promoting a message of Islam that emphasizes peace and dialogue. The community operates under the motto “Love for All, Hatred for None.”
The community emphasizes peaceful coexistence and a spiritual understanding of jihad, contrary to the violent interpretations often seen in the media. It upholds the same foundational pillars and articles of faith as mainstream Islam but distinguishes itself with the belief in Ghulam Ahmad as the messianic figure prophesied in Islamic eschatology. This has sparked debate and conflict both within and outside Islamic circles, leading to challenges in how Ahmadis are perceived and accepted among the broader Muslim population.
Controversy and opposition to the Ahmadiyya stem primarily from its acknowledgment of Ghulam Ahmad as a prophet, a concept that conflicts with the mainstream Islamic belief in Muhammad as the last prophet. This belief has led to the official non-recognition of Ahmadis as Muslims in several countries, notably Pakistan, where legislation in the 1970s explicitly classified Ahmadis as non-Muslims and restricted their religious freedoms. Similar sentiments have been echoed by Islamic scholars and organizations elsewhere, further exacerbating the community’s marginalization.
In addition to facing legal and social obstacles, Ahmadis have also been subject to acts of violence and discrimination, including destruction of property, physical attacks, and the denial of basic rights. Despite these challenges, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community continues to advocate for peace, interfaith dialogue, and the universal human values of Islam.
image via Wikimedia Commons
