Mirza Ghulam Ahmad facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mirza Ghulām Ahmad
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, c. 1897
Born	(1835-02-13)13 February 1835 in Qadian, Gurdaspur, Sikh Empire (present-day Punjab, India)
Died	26 May 1908(1908-05-26) (aged 73) in Lahore, Punjab, British India (present-day Punjab, Pakistan)
Title	Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam
Spouse	Hurmat Bibi ​ (m. 1852)​ Nusrat Jahan Begum ​ (m. 1884)​
Children	List Mirza Sultan Ahmad Mirza Fazal Ahmad Mirza Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad Mirza Bashir Ahmad Mirza Sharif Ahmad Mirza Mubarak Ahmad Mubarika Begum Amatul Naseer Begum Amatul Hafeez Begum

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (born February 13, 1835 – died May 26, 1908) was an important religious leader from India. He founded the Ahmadiyya movement within Islam. He believed that God had chosen him to be the promised Messiah and Mahdi. These are titles for a special spiritual leader expected to come in the later days of Islam. He also claimed to be a Mujaddid, which means a reviver of Islam for his century.

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was born in Qadian, a village in Punjab, India. He became known as a writer and debater for Islam. When he was about 40, he felt that God started to communicate with him. In 1889, he gathered 40 followers in Ludhiana. He asked them to make a special promise, called a Bay'ah, to follow him. This event marked the start of the Ahmadiyya movement.

He taught that the main goal of his movement was to bring back the idea of God's absolute oneness. He also wanted to revive Islam by improving society's morals. He believed Islam should be spread peacefully around the world. Unlike many Christians and Muslims, he taught that Jesus did not die on the cross. Instead, he believed Jesus survived and died a natural death later in life.

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad traveled a lot in Punjab, sharing his religious ideas. He gained many followers during his lifetime. However, he also faced strong opposition, especially from other Muslim scholars. He often debated with Christian missionaries, Muslim scholars, and Hindu leaders.

He wrote over 90 books on religious topics. Many of his writings defended Islam and explained its teachings in new ways. He strongly believed in spreading Islam peacefully. He argued against using military force for Jihad (holy struggle) in his time. By the time he died, he had about 400,000 followers. He also built a strong religious organization with its own printing press. After his death, his close friend Hakeem Noor-ud-Din became his successor.

Ahmadi Muslims respect Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as the promised Messiah and Mahdi. However, Muhammad remains the most important figure in Ahmadiyya Islam. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad's claim to be a prophet within Islam has caused disagreement with mainstream Muslims. Most Muslims believe Muhammad was the very last prophet.

Family Background

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad's family came from a long line of ancestors. They were related to Mirza Hadi Baig, who was part of the Mughal Barlas tribe. Around 1530, Mirza Hadi Beg moved from Samarkand (now in Uzbekistan) to India. He brought his family and followers with him.

They settled in Punjab, India. Mirza Hadi founded the town known today as Qadian. This happened during the rule of the Mughal Empire emperor Babur, who was a distant relative. Mirza Hadi Beg was given land and became the judge (Qadhi) of Qadian. His family continued to hold important positions in the Mughal Empire. They were also the leaders of Qadian for many generations.

His Life Journey

Early Years and Learning

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was born on February 13, 1835, in Qadian, Punjab. He was one of twins, and the only one who survived. He grew up in an important Mughal family. At that time, Punjab was part of the Sikh Empire.

He learned to read the Qur'an in Arabic. He also studied basic Arabic grammar and the Persian language from different teachers. When he was 10, he learned from Fazl Ahmad. Later, at 17 or 18, he studied with Gul Ali Shah. His father, Mirza Ghulam Murtaza, was a doctor, and Ghulam Ahmad also learned some medicine from him.

From 1864 to 1868, he worked as a clerk in Sialkot. His father wanted him to do this. In Sialkot, he met Christian missionaries and often debated with them. After 1868, he went back to Qadian to help manage his family's property. During this time, he spent most of his time alone. He studied religious books and prayed in the local mosque. He also continued to debate Christian missionaries, especially in Batala.

In 1886, some leaders of the Arya Samaj (a Hindu reform movement) debated with Ghulam Ahmad. They asked for a sign to prove that Islam was a true and living religion. To pray and seek God's guidance, Ghulam Ahmad traveled to Hoshiarpur. He spent 40 days there in seclusion, a practice called chilla-nashini. He stayed in a small house, praying and thinking. His companions brought him food and left him alone. He only left the house on Fridays for prayers. During this time, he announced that God had given him good news about having a famous son.

Starting the Community

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (seated in the middle) with some of his friends in Qadian around 1899

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad said he was chosen by God to be a reformer as early as 1882. But he did not ask people to pledge their loyalty until later. In December 1888, he announced that God wanted his followers to make a bay'ah (pledge of allegiance) to him. In January 1889, he published a booklet. It listed ten rules that his followers should live by.

On March 23, 1889, he officially started the Ahmadiyya community. He took pledges from 40 followers. People would join by holding hands and reciting a pledge, though physical contact wasn't always needed. This way of joining continued throughout his life and after his death through his successors.

His Special Claim

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad announced that he was the Promised Messiah and Mahdi. He said he was the person mentioned in prophecies from different religions about a special leader returning. His followers say he never claimed to be the same physical Jesus who lived long ago. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad taught that Jesus died a natural death. This was different from the common Muslim belief that Jesus went to heaven alive. It also differed from the Christian belief that Jesus died on the cross.

He wrote in his books that Islamic life was declining. He felt there was a great need for a Messiah. He argued that just as Jesus appeared 14 centuries after Moses, the promised Messiah (Mahdi) should also appear 14 centuries after Muhammad.

In his book Tazkiratush-Shahadatain, he wrote about how many prophecies were fulfilled through him. He listed descriptions from the Qur'an and Hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad). These described the coming of the Mahdi and the conditions of his time. He said these descriptions matched him and his era. He claimed that his physical appearance was described in the Hadith. He also said that many other signs, like world events and conditions within the Muslim community, pointed to him.

After His Claim

Over time, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad's claim to be the Mujaddid (reformer) became clearer. In his famous work, Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, he claimed to be the Messiah of Islam. Many Muslims believe Jesus will return physically in the last age. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, however, said that Jesus survived the crucifixion. He believed Jesus died of old age much later in Kashmir, where he had traveled.

According to Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the promised Mahdi was a symbolic spiritual leader, not a military one. This was different from what many Muslims believed. With this announcement, he also rejected the idea of armed Jihad. He argued that the conditions for such a Jihad were not present in his time. He said that Islam should be defended with words and writings, not with swords. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad also wrote books inviting Queen Victoria to accept Islam.

Reactions from Religious Scholars

Some religious scholars turned against him. They often called him a heretic (someone who holds beliefs against accepted religious teachings). However, many other scholars, like Syed Ahmad Khan and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, praised him. They admired his defense of Islam. After his death, opponents accused him of working for the British government. This was because he ended the idea of armed Jihad. His claims of being the Mahdi came around the same time as another Mahdi in Sudan.

After he claimed to be the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, one of his enemies wrote a Fatwa (a religious ruling) against him. This Fatwa said he was a Kafir (disbeliever), a deceiver, and a liar. It even allowed people to kill him and his followers. This ruling was signed by about 200 religious scholars across India.

Years later, a well-known Muslim leader, Ahmed Raza Khan, traveled to Mecca and Medina. He gathered opinions from religious scholars there. He put these opinions in his book Hussam ul Harmain. In this book, Ghulam Ahmad was again called an apostate (someone who leaves their religion). About 34 scholars agreed that Ghulam Ahmad's beliefs were against Islam. They said he should be punished, even with execution if needed.

Trip to Delhi

Jama Masjid, Delhi, 1852, by William Carpenter

In 1891, Ghulam Ahmad went to Delhi. At that time, Delhi was a major center for religious learning. He wanted to show what he believed was the truth. He put out an advertisement inviting scholars to accept his claim. He also invited them to debate him about the life and death of Isa (Jesus). He especially challenged Maulana Syed Nazeer Husain, a leading scholar.

He suggested three rules for the debate:

• Police should be present to keep peace.
• The debate should be written down.
• The topic should be the death of Jesus.

Eventually, a debate was planned. Ghulam Ahmad went to the Jama Masjid (main mosque) in Delhi with 12 followers. About 5,000 people gathered there. Before the debate started, there was a discussion about the rules. It was decided that the debate should be about Mirza Ghulam Ahmad's claims, not just Jesus's death. He explained that his claim could only be discussed after proving Jesus had died. This was because many people believed Jesus was still alive and would return.

At this point, the crowd became noisy. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was told that the other side claimed he was against Islamic beliefs and was a disbeliever. They said it was not right to debate him unless he clarified his beliefs. Ghulam Ahmad wrote his beliefs on paper and had them read aloud. But because of the noise, no one could hear. The police saw that the crowd was getting out of control and violence might happen. So, they ordered everyone to leave, and the debate did not happen. However, a few days later, a written debate took place between Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and Maulwi Muhammad Bashir of Bhopal. This debate was later published.

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad traveled widely across Northern India during this time. He held many debates with important religious leaders.

Challenging Opponents

Ghulam Ahmad published a book called The Heavenly Decree. In it, he challenged his opponents to a "spiritual duel." He said God would decide who was a true Muslim based on four things from the Qur'an:

• A true believer will often receive good news from God.
• God will tell them about hidden things and future events.
• Most of their prayers will be answered.
• They will understand the Qur'an's deeper meanings better than others.

The Sun and Moon Eclipse

Ahmadis believe a prophecy about the Mahdi was fulfilled in 1894 and 1895. This happened when there was a lunar and solar eclipse during the month of Ramadan. This occurred about three years after Ghulam Ahmad said he was the Promised Mahdi and Messiah. Ghulam Ahmad declared this was a sign of his truth. The eclipses being a sign of the Mahdi are also mentioned in the writings of Ahmad Sirhindi.

Historical records show these eclipses happened on:

Lawsuit Against Him

In 1897, a Christian missionary named Henry Martyn Clark filed a lawsuit against Ahmad. He accused Ahmad of trying to murder him. The charge was that Ahmad hired a man named Abdul Hameed to kill Clark. However, Ahmad was not arrested by the police. He was found innocent by the magistrate, Captain Montagu William Douglas.

The Inspired Sermon

In 1900, during the festival of Eid ul-Adha, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad gave a sermon. It lasted an hour and was spoken in Arabic without notes. He explained the meaning of sacrifice. This event is very important in Ahmadiyya history. Two of his companions wrote down the sermon as he spoke. It became known as the Khutba Ilhamiyya, or the inspired sermon. Ahmadiyya writings say that during this sermon, his voice changed. He seemed to be in a trance, as if an unseen force was speaking through him. After the sermon, Ahmad and everyone else bowed down to God in thanks.

Challenge to John Alexander Dowie

Alexander Dowie in his robes as "Elijah the restorer"

In 1899, an American clergyman named John Alexander Dowie claimed to be a forerunner of Jesus's second coming. Ghulam Ahmad exchanged letters with him between 1903 and 1907. Ghulam Ahmad challenged Dowie to a "prayer duel." This meant they would both pray to God to show who was the false prophet.

Dowie refused the challenge. He called Mirza Ghulam Ahmad the "silly Mohammedan Messiah." Ghulam Ahmad then made a prophecy about Dowie. The challenge was made in September 1902. The Dictionary of American Biography says that Dowie lost his power after a revolt involving his own family. He tried to get his authority back through courts but failed. He may have suffered from a mental illness and had hallucinations before he died. Dowie died before Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, in March 1907.

Meeting the Agapemonites

In September 1902, Rev. John Hugh Smyth-Pigott (1852-1927) claimed to be the Messiah and even God. He was preaching in a church in Clapton, London. This church was built by the Agapemonites, a religious group. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad wrote to Smyth-Pigott. He told him that such a claim was wrong for a human. He warned him to stop making such claims, or he would be destroyed. This message was sent in November 1902. Newspapers in America and Europe published Mirza Ghulam Ahmad's warning. Despite this prophecy, Smyth-Piggot continued to claim he was divine even after Mirza Ghulam Ahmad's death in 1908. Newspapers at the time reported this.

His Last Journey

Towards the end of 1907 and early 1908, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad said he received many messages from God. These messages told him that his death was near. In April 1908, he traveled to Lahore with his family and friends. There, he gave many talks. A special dinner was arranged for important guests. At this dinner, Ghulam Ahmad spoke for about two hours. He explained his claims and teachings. He also answered questions against him. He preached about bringing peace between Hindus and Muslims. He finished writing his last book, Message of Peace, the day before he died.

His Passing Away

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was in Lahore at the home of his doctor, Syed Muhammad Hussain. On May 26, 1908, he passed away due to old age and weakness. His body was then taken to Qadian and buried there. He had previously said that an angel told him he would be buried in Qadian.

Marriages and Children

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad with his son, Mirza Sharif Ahmad

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad married two times. His first wife was his cousin, Hurmat Bibi. They later separated and lived apart for a long time. When he married his second wife, Hurmat Bibi gave him permission to live with his second wife. She decided not to get a divorce.

His Children

With his first wife, Hurmat Bibi, he had two sons:

• Mirza Sultan Ahmad (1853–1931) (who became an Ahmadi)
• Mirza Fazal Ahmad (1855–1904) (who died at 49 and did not become an Ahmadi)

With his second wife, Nusrat Jahan Begum, he had ten children.

Five children died young:

• Ismat (1886–1891)
• Bashir (1887–1888)
• Shaukat (1891–1892)
• Mubarik (1899–1907)
• Amtul Naseer (1903–1903)

Five children lived longer:

• Mirza Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad (1889–1965)
• Mirza Bashir Ahmad (1893–1963)
• Mirza Sharif Ahmad (1895–1961)
• (Nawab) Mubarika Begum (1897–1977)
• (Nawab) Sahiba Amtul Hafeez Begum (1904–1987)

His Lasting Impact

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad faced a lot of disagreement, especially from other Muslim leaders. This was because of his claims to be the Messiah. However, not everyone had a negative view of him. Many important Muslim scholars and journalists who knew him praised his character. They also admired his efforts to defend Islam and how he debated with people of other religions.

His teaching that Jesus survived the crucifixion and died a natural death in India has caused ongoing tension with Christian churches. This idea challenges central Christian beliefs like Jesus's sacrifice and resurrection. Western scholars have noted this as a key part of Ghulam Ahmad's legacy.

Ghulam Ahmad was the first to suggest that Jesus traveled to India after the crucifixion. He was also the first to identify the Roza Bal shrine in Kashmir as Jesus's tomb. These ideas have been explored more since his death by both Ahmadis and others. However, these views are still debated. Some people reject them, while others support them. Research into human history suggests a link between ancient Israelite tribes and people in South/Central Asia. This includes the Pashtuns of Afghanistan and the people of Kashmir. Ghulam Ahmad suggested this in his book Jesus in India.

Many modern Muslim scholars and thinkers now agree that Jihad is mainly a peaceful religious effort. They believe it is not always a military struggle. This view matches Ghulam Ahmad's stance. Also, some Islamic scholars now believe that Jesus has died, or they are unsure about it. However, most Muslims still hold the traditional belief that Jesus is alive in heaven.

One of the main disagreements during his life, and still today, is Ghulam Ahmad's use of the words nabi (prophet) and rasool (messenger) for himself. Most non-Ahmadi Muslims believe Muhammad was the last prophet. They think Ghulam Ahmad's use of these terms goes against the idea of the Finality of Prophethood.

His followers are divided into two main groups:

• The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the largest group. They believe Ghulam Ahmad's status as a prophet does not go against Muhammad being the final prophet. They see his prophethood as serving Muhammad's. This group is led by Ghulam Ahmad's fifth successor, called the Khalifatul Masih.
• The Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement is a smaller group. They believe the terms "prophet" and "messenger" used for Ghulam Ahmad are symbolic. This group formed in 1914.

The movement started by Ghulam Ahmad is seen as an Islamic response to Christian and Arya Samaj missionary work in 19th-century India. His followers believe it is the promised revival of Islam for later times. It has grown and now has followers in over 200 countries. It is estimated to have 10 to 20 million members. However, it has often faced strong opposition from mainstream Muslims. They see Ghulam Ahmad as a false Messiah and his teachings as wrong.

Pakistan is the only country that requires its Muslim citizens to state that Ghulam Ahmad was an impostor and his followers are not Muslims. This is required when applying for a passport or national ID card.

See also

In Spanish: Mirza Ghulam Ahmad para niños