Ahmadiyya facts for kids

Ahmadiyya is a Muslim movement that started in India in the late 1800s. It was founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835–1908). He said that God had chosen him to be the Promised Mahdi (a guided leader) and Messiah. Muslims expect these figures to appear near the end of time to bring peace and show Islam's final victory.

Ahmadiyya Muslims believe that Islam is the perfect religion for everyone, as revealed to Prophet Muhammad. They feel it's important to bring Islam back to its original, pure form, which they believe got lost over time. Ahmadis see Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as the Mahdi, who came to refresh Islam and bring lasting peace. They believe he helped Islam return to its first teachings, just as Prophet Muhammad and his early followers practiced them. Ahmadis believe they are leading the effort to spread and revive Islam.

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad officially started the Community (called Jamāʿat) on March 23, 1889. People joined him by giving their loyalty. After he passed away, the Community has been led by a series of Caliphs. By 2017, Ahmadiyya had spread to 210 countries. Many Ahmadis live in South Asia, West Africa, East Africa, and Indonesia. Ahmadis are known for their strong missionary work. They were the first Muslim missionary group to arrive in Britain and other Western countries. Today, the Community is led by its Caliph, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, and has an estimated 10 to 20 million members worldwide.

The Ahmadiyya movement is mostly one large, well-organized group. However, early on, some Ahmadis disagreed about Mirza Ghulam Ahmad's status as a prophet and who should lead next. They formed the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement, which is now very small. Many other Muslims see Ahmadiyya's belief in Ahmad as a prophet as going against mainstream Islam, which teaches that Muhammad was the final prophet. Because of this, the Ahmadiyya movement has faced problems and persecution in many parts of the world. Some Sunni Muslims use the term Qādiyānī to refer to Ahmadis in a negative way.

Quick facts for kids Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at
The White Minaret and the Ahmadiyya flag in Qadian, India. For Ahmadi Muslims, the two symbolize the advent of the Mirza Ghulam Ahmad.
Type	Sect of Islam
Scripture	Quran
Caliph	Mirza Masroor Ahmad
Founder	Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
Origin	19th century British India
Separated from	Sunni Islam
Number of followers	10–20 million

What does the name Ahmadiyya mean?

Ahmadiyya
Arabic	أحمدية
Romanization	Aḥmadīya(t)
Literal meaning	fellowship/followers of Aḥmad, i.e. Muhammad

The Ahmadiyya movement started in 1889, but the name Aḥmadīyah was chosen about ten years later. On November 4, 1900, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad announced that the movement would be named after Muhammad's other name, Aḥmad.

He explained that the name Muḥammad means "the most praised one." This name showed the glory and success of the Islamic prophet after he moved to Medina. But Aḥmad means "highly praised" and also "one who praises the most." This name showed the beauty of his teachings and the patience he had earlier in his life in Mecca.

So, these two names show two different sides of Islam. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad believed that the "Ahmad" side, which means patience and praise, was meant to be the main way Islam would grow in later times. He felt it was wrong to name a Muslim group after anyone other than Muhammad. He said the best name for his group was "Muslims of the Aḥmadīyah Section."

What do Ahmadis believe?

Ahmadi Muslims follow the same basic beliefs and practices as most other Muslims. These include the Six Articles of Islamic Faith and the Five Pillars of Islam. Ahmadis accept the Quran as their holy book. They pray facing the Kaaba in Mecca. They follow the sunnah (the practices of Muhammad) and accept the ahadith (sayings and stories about Muhammad).

For Ahmadis, the Quran is the highest authority. The sunnah and ahadith come next. If a hadith seems to go against the Quran, it is not accepted. Ahmadis also accept the first four Rightly Guided Caliphs as true leaders after Muhammad. They believe a caliph does not have to be a descendant of Muhammad. They use the Kutub al-Sittah (six major collections of hadith). These beliefs make Ahmadis similar to the Sunni branch of Islam.

In matters of Islamic law (fiqh), Ahmadis do not strictly follow any one school of thought (madhhab). They prioritize the Quran and sunnah. However, they often use the Hanafi method when these sources are not clear.

The main difference for Ahmadi Muslims is their belief in Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. They believe he is both the promised Mahdi and Messiah that Prophet Muhammad said would appear in the end times.

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad explained his purpose by saying:

The task for which God has appointed me is that I should remove the sickness that affects the relationship between God and His creatures. I should bring back love and honesty between them. By speaking the truth and ending religious fights, I should bring peace. I should also show the Divine truths that have become hidden from the world. I am called to show spirituality, which is buried under selfish darkness. It is for me to show, through actions and not just words, the Divine powers that enter a human being and appear through prayer. Most importantly, my task is to put back into people's hearts the pure and shining Oneness of God, which is free from all forms of polytheism (worshipping many gods). This Oneness has now completely disappeared. All this will happen, not by my power, but by the power of the Almighty God, Who is the God of heaven and earth.

He believed his goal was to defend and spread Islam peacefully around the world. He wanted to bring back Islam's forgotten values of peace, forgiveness, and kindness to all people. He also wanted to establish peace in the world through Islam's teachings. He felt his message was especially important for the Western world, which he believed had become too focused on material things.

Ahmadi teachings say that all major world religions came from God. They are part of God's plan to make Islam the final religion. This is because Islam is seen as the most complete and perfect version of earlier religious teachings. Ahmadis believe that previous religions changed from their original form. The messages brought by the founders of these religions were essentially the same as Islam's, but not yet complete. The full and final development of religion came with Prophet Muhammad. However, the worldwide spread and acceptance of his message was meant to happen with the coming of the Mahdi.

So, Ahmadi Muslims see Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as that Mahdi. They also believe he is the "Promised One" mentioned in the prophecies of other religions, like Christianity and Judaism, Zoroastrianism, and Indian faiths. Ahmadi Muslims believe that God sent Ahmad to show the unity of God and to remind people of their duties to God and His creation.

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad summarized the Islamic faith by saying:

There are only two complete parts of faith. One is to love God and the other is to love humankind to such a degree that you consider the suffering and the trials and troubles of others as your own and that you pray for them.

Six Articles of Faith

Ahmadi Muslims believe in the same six articles of faith as most Sunni Muslims. These beliefs come from the Quran and the traditions of Muhammad. The only difference is how they understand the meaning of Khatam an-Nabiyyin (Seal of the Prophets).

Belief in One God

Ahmadi Muslims strongly believe that God is absolutely One (this is called Tawhid). This belief is the most important principle in Islam for them. All other Islamic beliefs come from this one. They believe that believing in the Oneness of God affects every part of a person's life. For example, the Quran says, "There is no all-encompassing power except God." Ahmadis believe this means we should only fear God. It makes people feel completely dependent on God, knowing that all good things come from Him.

They also believe that the idea of God's Oneness frees believers from worldly desires and feelings of being trapped. The founder of the Community wrote:

The Unity of God is a light which brightens the heart only after all other gods, whether inside or outside of us, are removed. It fills every part of a person's being. How can this be gained without God's help and His Messenger? A person's duty is only to overcome their ego and turn away from pride. They should not boast about their knowledge but should see themselves as if they were simply ignorant, and spend their time in prayers. Then the light of Unity will come down upon them from God and give them new life.

Ahmadis also believe that the Islamic idea of God's Oneness helps people realize that all humans are one species. This removes barriers between people. The different races, backgrounds, and colors of humans are all accepted. They also think that believing in God's Oneness creates perfect harmony between the Creator and His creation. They understand that there can be no conflict between God's word (revelation) and God's work (the universe).

Belief in Angels

Ahmadi Muslims believe in angels. They are spiritual beings created by God to obey Him and carry out His commands. Unlike humans, angels do not have free will. They cannot act on their own. Under God's command, they bring messages to Prophets, punish enemies of Prophets, praise God, and record human actions. Angels cannot be seen with physical eyes. However, Ahmadis believe they sometimes appear to humans in a spiritual way. Ahmadis see angels as real beings. Their main job is to deliver messages from God to humans.

According to the Quran, the entire universe and religious world are controlled by spiritual powers called angels. Whatever they do is completely in line with God's will and His plan for everything. Ahmadis believe that angels cannot stray from their assigned tasks or God's overall plan.

Belief in Holy Books

For Ahmadi Muslims, the third article of faith is believing in all the holy scriptures that God revealed to His Prophets. This includes the Torah, the Gospel, the Psalms, the scrolls of Abraham, and the Quran.

Before Islam, religious history is seen as a series of times when each messenger brought teachings suitable for their time and place. So, at the beginning, the divine teachings from God agreed on their main points. Only small details were different to fit the time and place. Ahmadis believe that, except for the Quran, other holy books might have been changed by humans.

Islam teaches that God sent prophets to every nation and isolated community. So, Ahmadi teachings also consider books outside the Abrahamic tradition, like the Vedas and Avesta, to be from God. Among all recognized books, the Community believes that the Quran is the final holy scripture revealed by God to humankind. The teachings of the Quran are considered to be for all time.

Belief in Prophets

Ahmadi Muslims believe that the fourth article of faith is believing in all divine prophets sent by God. They believe that when the world becomes full of wrongdoing, or when a part of the world shows these problems, or when followers of a religion become corrupt, then a Prophet of God is sent. This Prophet comes to bring back God's will.

Besides believing in all prophets mentioned in the Quran and the Old Testament, Ahmadis also consider Zoroaster, Krishna, Buddha, and Confucius as prophets.

Ahmadiyya belief states that the Islamic terms 'warner' (natheer), 'prophet' (nabi), 'messenger' (rasul), and 'envoy' (mursal) mean the same thing. However, they understand two types of prophethood:

• Law-bearing prophets: These bring a new law and religious system, like Moses (who received the Torah) and Muhammad (who received the Quran).
• Non-law-bearing prophets: These appear within an existing religious system, like Jeremiah, Jesus, and Mirza Ghulam Ahmad.

Adam is seen as the first human God spoke to and revealed His divine will to, making him the first prophet. However, Ahmadis do not believe Adam was the first human on Earth, which is different from traditional Islamic, Jewish, and Christian views. This belief is based on their understanding of the Quran.

Belief in the Day of Judgment

The fifth article of faith is about the Day of Judgment. Ahmadis believe that after believing in one God, belief in the Day of Judgement is the most important teaching in the Quran. According to Ahmadi Muslim beliefs, the entire universe will end on the Day of Judgment. The dead will be brought back to life, and their actions will be judged. People with good deeds will go to Heaven, while those with bad deeds will go to Hell.

Ahmadiyya understands Hell as a temporary place. It lasts for a very long time but not forever, similar to how it's seen in mainstream Judaism. Hell is thought of as a hospital where souls are cleaned of their sins. This view is based on the Quran and Hadith.

Belief in Divine Decree

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community believes that God's divine decree controls the final outcome of all actions in the universe. Within the limits of God's decree, humans are given free will to make choices.

Five Pillars of Islam

The Pillars of Islam (arkan al-Islam) are five basic actions in Islam that are required for all Ahmadi Muslims. The Quran presents them as a way to worship and show commitment to the faith. They are:

• (1) the shahadah (declaration of faith)
• (2) daily prayers (salat)
• (3) giving to charity (zakah)
• (4) fasting during Ramadan
• (5) the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) at least once in a lifetime, if able.

Special Teachings of Ahmadiyya

While Ahmadi Muslims share the Five Pillars of Islam and the six articles of belief with mainstream Sunni Muslims, they have some distinct beliefs.

What about the Second Coming of Jesus?

Unlike most mainstream Muslims, Ahmadi Muslims believe that Jesus was crucified but survived his time on the cross. They believe he was later revived from a deep sleep in the tomb. Ahmadis believe that Jesus died of old age in Kashmir while looking for the Lost Tribes of Israel. They believe Jesus' body is buried in the Roza Bal shrine in Kashmir, under the name Yuz Asaf.

What does "Seal of Prophets" mean?

Ahmadi Muslims believe that the Quran is God's final message to humankind. However, they also believe that God continues to communicate with chosen individuals, just as He did in the past. They believe all of God's qualities are eternal.

Ahmadi Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad brought prophethood to its perfect form. He was the last prophet to bring a new law and was the highest point of human spiritual growth. New prophets can come, but they must completely follow Muhammad. They cannot be better than him, change his teachings, or bring any new laws or religions. These new prophets are seen as reflections of Muhammad, not as independent prophets like those from ancient times.

What is Jihad?

Ahmadi Muslim belief divides Jihad into three types:

• Jihad al-Akbar (Greater Jihad): This is the struggle against one's own bad desires, like anger and hatred.
• Jihad al-Kabīr (Great Jihad): This refers to peacefully spreading Islam, especially by using writing and communication.
• Jihad al-Asghar (Smaller Jihad): This is armed struggle, but it should only be used for self-defense in extreme situations of religious persecution. Even then, it can only be done under the direct order of the Caliph.

Ahmadi Muslims point out that, according to Islamic prophecy, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad said that military Jihad is not needed in the current age. This is because Islam is not being attacked by military force, but through books and other media. Therefore, the response should also be peaceful. They believe that hate should be answered with love.

Regarding terrorism, the fourth Caliph of the Community wrote in 1989:

As far as Islam is concerned, it clearly rejects and condemns every form of terrorism. It does not provide any excuse or reason for any act of violence, whether done by a person, a group, or a government.

What is Abrogation?

Unlike most scholars from other Islamic groups, Ahmadi Muslims do not believe that any verses of the Quran cancel out or replace other verses. They believe all Quranic verses are equally valid. They emphasize the "unbeatable beauty and unquestionable truth of the Qur'ān." If two rulings seem to conflict, Ahmadis believe they can be understood by realizing that a ruling might only apply to the specific situation it was revealed for. It is effective not because it was revealed last, but because it is the best fit for the situation at hand.

How do Ahmadis view Religion and Science?

Ahmadi Muslims believe that there cannot be a conflict between God's word (religion) and God's work (science). They believe religion and science must work together. The second Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community said that to understand God's revelation, we must study His work. And to understand the importance of His work, we must study His word.

According to Abdus Salam, a Nobel laureate and devout Ahmadi Muslim, 750 verses of the Quran (almost one-eighth of the book) encourage believers to study nature, think deeply, use reason to search for truth, and make gaining knowledge and scientific understanding a part of their community's life.

What is the Cyclical Nature of History?

A unique belief is that the history of religion happens in cycles and is renewed every seven thousand years. The current cycle, starting from the time of the Biblical Adam, is divided into seven periods or ages. These are like the seven days of the week, with times for light and darkness. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad appeared as the promised Messiah in the sixth period, announcing the seventh and final age for humankind.

History of Ahmadiyya

Ahmadiyya timeline
1889	Mirza Ghulam Ahmad establishes the Ahmadiyya Muslim movement
1890	Mirza Ghulam Ahmad announces that he is 'The Promised Messiah' and 'The Imam Mahdi'
1908	Mirza Ghulam Ahmad dies. Hakeem Noor-ud-Din is elected as the First Caliph
1914	Mirza Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad is elected as the Second Caliph
1948	Mirza Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad establishes the city of Rabwah as the new headquarters
1965	Mirza Nasir Ahmad is elected as the Third Caliph
1982	Mirza Tahir Ahmad is elected as the Fourth Caliph
1984	Mirza Tahir Ahmad moves the headquarters to London, England
2003	Mirza Masroor Ahmad is elected as the Fifth Caliph
2019	The headquarters moves to Islamabad in Tilford, Surrey, England

The official history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community began on March 23, 1889. On this day, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad received loyalty from his followers in Ludhiana, India. However, the story can also be traced back to Ahmad's early life, when he began receiving messages about his future. It can even go back to the traditions of various world religions.

In the late 1800s, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian announced that he was the "Centennial Reformer of Islam" (Mujaddid). He also said he was the metaphorical second coming of Jesus and the Mahdi (guided one) that Muslims were waiting for. He gained many followers, especially in certain parts of India. He and his followers believe that Prophet Muhammad and other religious scriptures around the world had predicted his arrival. Ahmadiyya started in India as a movement within Islam. It also responded to the Christian and Arya Samaj missionary work that was common in the 1800s.

The Ahmadiyya faith believes it represents a modern revival of Islam. Ahmadiyya missionary work overseas began in an organized way as early as 1913. For many modern nations, the Ahmadiyya movement was their first contact with Muslims. Today, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has one of the most active missionary programs globally, especially in Africa. After colonial rule ended, the Community is credited with much of the spread of Islam on the continent.

First Caliphate

After Mirza Ghulam Ahmad passed away, Hakeem Noor-ud-Din was chosen as his first successor and Caliph of the Community. During his six-year leadership, he oversaw a good English translation of the Quran. He also helped set up the first Ahmadiyya Muslim mission in England and started various Community newspapers and magazines. As the Community needed more money, he created an official treasury. Most importantly, he handled disagreements within the Community. Some high-ranking officials of the Ahmadiyya Council did not agree with some of his leadership ideas and the Caliph's authority.

Second Caliphate

Soon after the first Caliph died, Mirza Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad was chosen as the second Caliph, as his predecessor had wished. However, a group led by Maulana Muhammad Ali and Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din strongly opposed his leadership. They refused to accept him as the next Caliph, which led to the formation of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement. This happened because they had different beliefs about Mirza Ghulam Ahmad's prophethood and who should lead next. Some also think that personality clashes between the dissenters and the Caliph, who had less formal education, played a role. However, the Lahore Ahmadiyya movement, based in Lahore, has not been very successful and has few followers. In the Community's history, this event is called 'The Split'.

Mahmood Ahmad was elected at a young age and led for almost 52 years. He created the Community's organizational structure and guided extensive missionary work outside India. Weeks after his election, he invited delegates from all over India to discuss how to spread Islam. Twenty years later, Mahmood Ahmad started a two-part plan: to set up foreign missions and to help Ahmadi Muslims grow morally.

The Tehrik-e-Jadid and Waqf-e-Jadid (the 'new scheme' and the 'new dedication') were first seen as a spiritual fight against those who oppressed Ahmadi Muslims. They asked Community members to give their time and money for their faith. Over time, this plan produced many writings defending Islam in general and Ahmadiyya beliefs in particular. The funds were also used to train and send Ahmadi missionaries outside India.

During his time, missions were set up in 46 countries. Mosques were built in many foreign countries, and the Quran was published in several major languages. Although the Community continued to grow under later Caliphs, sometimes faster, the second Caliph is credited with starting much of this growth. Ahmad wrote many books, the most important being the ten-volume commentary of the Quran.

Third Caliphate

Mirza Nasir Ahmad became the third Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on November 8, 1965. He continued the missionary work started by his predecessor, especially in Africa. He is known for his strong leadership and guidance during a time when the National Assembly of Pakistan officially declared the Community a non-Muslim minority.

The Nusrat Jahan Scheme, which aimed to help parts of Africa by running many medical clinics and schools, was one result of his 1970 tour of West Africa. This was the first visit to Africa by an Ahmadi Caliph. During his visit for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Basharat Mosque, the first mosque in modern Spain, he created the popular Ahmadiyya motto: Love for all, Hatred for None.

Mirza Nasir Ahmad also created the Fazl-e-Umar Foundation to honor his predecessor. He oversaw the collection of conversations and sayings of the Community's founder, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. He also directed the complete collection of the founder's dreams, visions, and verbal revelations.

Fourth Caliphate

Mirza Tahir Ahmad was chosen as the fourth Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on June 10, 1982, the day after his predecessor died. In 1984, the government of Pakistan issued Ordinance XX. This law made it impossible for the Caliph to do his duties and put the entire leadership system at risk. Because of this, Ahmad left Pakistan and moved to London, England. The Community's headquarters also moved to Fazl Mosque, the first mosque in London. For Ahmadi Muslims, this move marked a new time in the Community's history.

Ahmad launched the first Muslim satellite television network, Muslim Television Ahmadiyya. He started the Waqfe Nau Scheme, a program where Ahmadi Muslim children dedicate their lives to serving the Community. He also created various funds for helping people, such as the Maryum Shaadi Fund, the Syedna Bilal Fund for victims of persecution, and the disaster relief charity Humanity First.

The Community remembers Ahmad for his regular Question & Answer Sessions. He held these in many languages with people from different faiths, jobs, and cultures. Ahmad also wrote many books. Some of his most important works include Islam's Response to Contemporary Issues, Absolute Justice, Kindness and Kinship, Gulf Crisis and The New World Order, and his major work Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge & Truth.

Fifth Caliphate

After the fourth Caliph died in 2003, the group that elects the Caliph met in London, England, for the first time in the Western world. Mirza Masroor Ahmad was then chosen as the fifth and current Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

To spread his message of peace and encourage service to humanity, Ahmad travels globally. He meets with world leaders, holds peace conferences, and offers Islamic solutions to global problems. In response to ongoing conflicts, Ahmad has sent letters to world leaders, including Elizabeth II and Pope Francis. As the spiritual leader of millions of Ahmadi Muslims in over 200 countries, Ahmad travels worldwide. He teaches, shares messages, and communicates with communities and individuals, explaining the principles of the Islamic faith.

Where do Ahmadis live?

By 2016, the Community had been established in 209 countries. Many Ahmadis live in South Asia, West Africa, East Africa, and Indonesia. The Community is a minority Muslim group in almost every country. In some countries like Pakistan, it is almost illegal to be an Ahmadi Muslim.

Because of these factors, it is hard to count the Ahmadiyya population for both the Community itself and independent groups. For this reason, the Community says there are "tens of millions" of Ahmadis. However, most independent sources estimate the population to be at least 10 to 20 million worldwide. This means they make up about 1% of the world's Muslim population. In 2001, the World Christian Encyclopedia estimated that the Ahmadiyya movement was the fastest-growing group within Islam.

It is believed that Pakistan has the largest Ahmadiyya population, with an estimated 4 million Ahmadi Muslims. Almost all Ahmadis belong to the single, organized, and united movement led by the Caliph. The other group is the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement, which makes up less than 0.2% of all Ahmadis. Ahmadis are estimated to be between 60,000 and 1 million in India.

How is the Ahmadiyya Community organized?

The Caliph

Ahmadi Muslims believe that the Ahmadiyya caliphate is a continuation of the Rightly Guided Caliphate. They believe this was re-established when Mirza Ghulam Ahmad appeared, whom Ahmadis see as the promised Messiah and Mahdi.

Ahmadi Muslims believe that, according to Quranic verses and many hadith (sayings of Muhammad), the Khilāfah or Caliphate can only be established by God Himself. It is a divine blessing given to "those who believe and do good deeds" and uphold the unity of God. Therefore, any effort to establish the Caliphate only through human efforts is bound to fail. This is especially true when people are not righteous and are disunited, making them unable to elect a caliph.

Ahmadis believe that through visions, dreams, and spiritual guidance, God puts into the hearts and minds of believers whom to elect. No campaigning, speeches, or guessing of any kind are allowed. So, the caliph is chosen not just by people, but mainly by God.

According to Ahmadiyya thought, a caliph does not have to be the head of a state. Instead, the spiritual and religious importance of the Caliphate is emphasized. It is primarily a spiritual office. Its purpose is to uphold, strengthen, and spread the teachings of Islam. It also aims to maintain high spiritual and moral standards within the global community started by Muhammad. If a caliph happens to have government power as a head of state, it is secondary to his main role as a caliph. Ahmadi Muslims also call the caliph Amir al-Mu'minin (Leader of the Faithful). The current and fifth caliph is Mirza Masroor Ahmad.

The Consultative Council

The Majlis-ash-Shura or Consultative Council is the highest-ranking institution in the Community after the Caliphate. It was created in 1922 by the second caliph, Mirza Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad. This advisory group meets formally at least once a year. At the international level, the Caliph leads the council. Its main purpose is to advise the Caliph on important matters like money, projects, education, and other issues related to Community members.

The Caliph is expected to carry out his duties through consultation, considering the views of the council members. However, he does not have to accept all their views and recommendations. The Caliph can comment, give instructions, or announce his decisions during the meetings. He can also postpone a matter for more thought. But in most cases, the Caliph accepts the advice given by the majority. At the national level, the Amīr (national president) leads the council. After the meetings, the recommendations are sent to the Caliph for his approval. He can accept, reject, or partly accept them.

The Headquarters

The main headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is where the Caliph lives. Since the fourth Caliph was forced to leave Pakistan in 1984, the Community's headquarters has been at the Fazl Mosque in London, England. In 2019, the fifth Caliph moved the headquarters to Islamabad, Tilford, England, on land the Community bought in 1985.

Although the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina are considered more sacred, Qadian is seen as the spiritual headquarters of the Community. It is believed that in the future, the Ahmadiyya Caliphate will return to Qadian, where Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was born. However, the Ahmadiyya city of Rabwah in Pakistan, founded on September 20, 1948, by the second Caliph after the partition of India, coordinates most of the organization's activities worldwide.

Specifically, Rabwah is responsible for the two main bodies of the Community: the Central Ahmadiyya Council and the Council for 'The New Scheme'. A smaller body, the Council for 'New Dedication', is also active. All central bodies work under the Caliph's direction.

The Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya or Central Ahmadiyya Council, first set up by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in 1906, now organizes Community activities in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The Anjuman Tehrik-i-Jadid or Council for 'The New Scheme', started by the second Caliph, is responsible for missions outside India. Each council is divided into departments, such as finance, publications, education, external affairs, and foreign missions. Under the latter council, the Community has built over 15,000 mosques, over 500 schools, over 30 hospitals, and translated the Quran into over 70 languages. The Anjuman Waqf-i-Jadid or Council for 'The New Dedication', also started by the second Caliph, trains and coordinates religious teachers in rural communities worldwide.

Institutions

Among all religious institutions of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Jāmi’ah al-Ahmadīyya, also known as Ahmadiyya University of Theology and Languages, is very important. It is an international Islamic seminary and educational institute with campuses in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.

Founded in 1906 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, it is the main center for Islamic learning and training missionaries for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Graduates can be appointed by the Caliph as missionaries (often called Murrabi, Imam, or Mawlana) or as Qadis (judges) or Muftis (legal experts) of the Community, specializing in Islamic law (fiqh). Some Jamia graduates have also become Islamic historians. As of 2008, over 1,300 graduates from the university work as missionaries around the world.

Auxiliary Organizations

There are five organizations that support the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Each one is responsible for the spiritual and moral training of its members.

• The Lajna Ima’illah is the largest organization, for female members aged 15 and older.
• Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya is for male members between 15 and 40.
• Majlis Ansarullah is for male members over 40.
• Nasiratul Ahmadiyya is for girls between 7 and 15.
• Atfalul Ahmadiyya is for boys between 7 and 15.

The Community Structure

The International Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is divided into National Communities, each with its own National Headquarters. Each National Community is further divided into Regional Communities, which are then split into Local Communities. In many cases, each Local Community will have its own mosque, center, or mission house.

The Amīr, or national president, leads the National Amila (National Executive Body). This body includes national secretaries for things like finance, preaching, moral training, and education. This structure is repeated at regional and local levels, each with its own president and executive bodies.

Annual Events

Ahmadi Muslims celebrate the Muslim holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. They also observe several other functions, though these are not considered religious holidays or strictly required to be celebrated on a specific day.

The most important religious function of the Community is Jalsa Salana or the Annual Convention. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad first started this event. It is a formal annual gathering of the Community. Its purpose is to increase religious knowledge and promote harmony, friendship, and unity among members. Other functions include "Life of the Holy Prophet Day," "Promised Messiah Day," "Promised Reformer Day," and "Caliphate Day."

Persecution of Ahmadis

Ahmadis have sometimes been seen as non-believers and faced strong opposition, sometimes violent. In 1973, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation officially stated that Ahmadiyya was not linked to Islam. In Pakistan, the Government of Pakistan has officially declared Ahmadis as non-Muslims. The term Qādiānī is often used negatively to refer to them, and it is also used in Pakistani government documents.

Ahmadis have faced religious persecution and discrimination since their movement began in 1889. Ahmadis actively translate the Quran and spread their faith. Many people around the world who convert to Islam first learn about it through Ahmadis. However, in many Islamic countries, Ahmadis have been called heretics and non-Muslims. They have been attacked and often systematically oppressed.

See Also

In Spanish: Comunidad Ahmadía para niños

• Islamic schools and branches
• List of Ahmadis
• List of Ahmadiyya buildings and structures
• Muslim Television Ahmadiyya International
• Ahmadiyya hospitals