Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi
Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi
Era	ریاض احمد گوھر شاہی
Main interests	Spirituality
Notable ideas	The Religion of God
Influenced Younus AlGohar, Messiah Foundation International, Anjuman-e-Serfroshan-e-Islam, Kalki Avatar Foundation

Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi (Urdu: ریاض احمد گوہر شاہی) was a spiritual leader. He was born on November 25, 1941. He started two spiritual groups: RAGS International and Anjuman Serfaroshan-e-Islam.

He wrote many books about spirituality in Urdu. His most famous book is Deen-e-Ilahi, which means "The Religion of God". This book has been translated into many languages.

His group, RAGS International, later changed its name to Messiah Foundation International (MFI). MFI believes that Shahi is the awaited Mahdi, Messiah, and Kalki Avatar. These are important figures in different religions.

Early Life

Shahi was born in 1941 in a village called Dhok Gohar Shah. This village is in Rawalpindi, which was part of British India at the time. He was a descendant of a famous Sufi leader named Baba Gohar Ali Shah.

When he was about 20 years old, Shahi owned a steel business. He started looking for deeper spiritual meaning in life. After a while, he felt disappointed and went back to his work. He then got married and had three children.

In 1975, he went to Sehwan Sharif. He spent three years there, living in the mountains and forests. During this time, he focused on spiritual self-improvement.

Becoming a Spiritual Leader

Shahi became well-known as a Sufi teacher in Pakistan in the late 1970s. In 1980, he started RAGS International and Anjuman Serfaroshan-e-Islam.

Today, RAGS International is known as Messiah Foundation International. The other group, Anjuman Serfaroshan-e-Islam, was reportedly closed down in Pakistan in 2011. The current leader of Messiah Foundation International is Younus AlGohar.

Shahi said he met Jesus in 1997.

Shahi speaking at an event in Karachi, Pakistan. He is talking to religious leaders from different Islamic groups.

Legal Challenges and Disappearance

Shahi and some of his followers faced legal problems in Pakistan. An anti-terrorist court in Sindh found them guilty of certain charges. After this, Shahi went to England. He was found guilty even though he was not there, and received long sentences.

Shahi was reported missing in London in 2001. After he disappeared, some people claimed to have met him in different parts of the world. They said he gave them spiritual guidance.

There are different reports about when Shahi passed away. Some sources say he died in 2001, while others say 2003. However, there is no physical proof of his body. News agencies in India reported in 2008 that Shahi was living in the United Kingdom.

Messiah Foundation International believes that he simply disappeared. Shahi's family, including his wife and children, still live in Kotri, Pakistan.

Teachings and Beliefs

Main page: Messiah Foundation International

Pakistani followers of Shahi burning their passports during a protest in India in April 2007.

Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi's teachings have caused some debate. Some religious scholars did not agree with his ideas. However, other spiritual leaders, like Hisham Kabbani, praised him.

Famous singers, such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, also spoke highly of Shahi's message. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan even shared information about Shahi at his concerts.

Claims and Disagreements

Shahi and his followers made claims that some mainstream Islamic leaders disagreed with. Shahi was accused of saying he was a prophet, but he denied this. His teachings were criticized by some Muslim leaders and the Pakistani government.

Shahi predicted that the world might face destruction in 2026 from a comet. He said that God might cause small-scale destruction to warn people.

Shahi and Younus AlGohar faced several dangers. There were attempts to harm them. For example, someone tried to attack Shahi with a hand grenade at his home in Pakistan.

The government of Pakistan banned Shahi's books. His followers were also not allowed to meet in public.

Shahi's supporters believe that his face appeared on the Moon, the sun, and the Black Stone in Mecca. They see these as signs from God. They believe these signs show that Shahi is the awaited Mahdi, Messiah, and Kalki Avatar. Shahi himself said that God revealed these images, and he was not responsible for them.

When asked why he didn't officially claim to be the Mehdi, Shahi explained that Pakistani law could lead to his arrest if he did. He said he had given enough signs for people to recognize him.

Messiah Foundation International believes Shahi is the awaited Messiah. They also believe that Jesus has returned to support the Mehdi.

Writings

Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi wrote several books. One of his books is Taryāq-e-Qalb, which means "The Cure of Hearts." It is a collection of Sufi poetry. Another important book is Deen-e-Ilahi ("The Religion of God"). This book is banned in Pakistan.

Here are some of his books:

In 2012, Messiah Foundation International republished The Religion of God. It became a best-seller for its publisher.

Messiah Foundation International says that Shahi wrote the "Goharian Philosophy of Divine Love." This is a set of ideas that guide their organization. Shahi also wrote a monthly magazine called Hatif-e-Mehdi. This magazine is also banned in Pakistan.