Recognizing the Messiah

423 Pages·2004·7.61 MB·English

Recognizing the Messiah

Assessing Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qaadiyaan:
His Claims, His Views, His Character, and His Movement

September 2004

Nuzhat J. Haneef

Copyright © 2004 by Nuzhat Haneef
(Please read the detailed Copyright Statement inside.)

Available at the Ahmedi.org Web Site: http://ahmedi.org

Copyright Statement
The copyright of this document, Recognizing the Messiah. Assessing Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qaadiyaan:
His Claims, His Views, His Character, and His Movement, is owned by its author, Nuzhat J. Haneef. The author
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ο This page, “Copyright Statement”.
ο All pages in the “Detailed Table of Contents”.
ο All pages in the “Preface”.
ο All pages in Chapter 1, “Introduction”.
ο All pages in Section 2.3, “My Current Position Regarding the Movement”.
ο All pages in Section 3.4, “Summary/Highlights of Examination Findings”.
ο All pages in Section 4.3, “Summary of the Answers”.
ο All pages in Section 6.2, “References”.
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reverting to, or converting to, or accepting Islaam. (The author considered her religion to be Islaam when she was a
member of the Ahmadiyya Movement.)

Summary of Contents

PREFACE................................................................................................................................................15
1 INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................................17
1.1 Purpose of This Document..................................................................................................18
1.2 Overview of the Document...................................................................................................19
1.3 Document Conventions........................................................................................................20
1.4 The Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam.....................................................................................23
1.5 Introduction to My Review and Analysis.............................................................................25
2 MY JOURNEY THROUGH THE AHMADIYYA MOVEMENT...........................................................................27
2.1 My Connection to the Movement.........................................................................................28
2.2 My Disillusionment with the Movement...............................................................................30
2.3 My Current Position Regarding the Movement...................................................................45
3 MIRZA GHULAM AHMAD: THE EVIDENCE EXAMINED..............................................................................49
3.1 His Prophecies and Signs....................................................................................................52
3.2 His Views, Particularly Regarding Himself........................................................................128
3.3 His Character......................................................................................................................177
3.4 Summary/Highlights of Examination Findings..................................................................260
4 COUNTER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS...............................................................................................269
4.1 Wasn’t His Coming Expected?..........................................................................................271
4.2 Doesn’t His Success Prove His Truth?.............................................................................309
4.3 Summary of the Answers...................................................................................................386
5 EPILOGUE......................................................................................................................................391
5.1 Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’s Motivation and Modus Operandi................................................392
5.2 My Journey Continues.......................................................................................................402
6 BIBLIOGRAPHY ...............................................................................................................................405
6.1 Selected Sources of Anti-Ahmadiyya Information............................................................406
6.2 References..........................................................................................................................407
ATTACHMENT: Membership Termination Correspondence................................................................419

Detailed Table of Contents

PREFACE................................................................................................................................................15
1 INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................................17
1.1 Purpose of This Document..................................................................................................18
1.2 Overview of the Document...................................................................................................19
1.3 Document Conventions........................................................................................................20
1.4 The Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam.....................................................................................23
1.5 Introduction to My Review and Analysis.............................................................................25
1.5.1 Ahmadiyya Literature Reviewed/Cited.................................................................................25
1.5.2 Introduction to Issues Addressed and Analysis.....................................................................25
2 MY JOURNEY THROUGH THE AHMADIYYA MOVEMENT...........................................................................27
2.1 My Connection to the Movement.........................................................................................28
2.2 My Disillusionment with the Movement...............................................................................30
2.2.1 Examples of My Issues with Ahmadiyya Administration.....................................................30
2.2.1.1 The Ceremonial Nature of the Khaleefah’s Garb......................................................................30
2.2.1.2 The Not-Very-Islaamic Nature of the Khaleefah’s Behavior.....................................................32
2.2.1.3 Hypocrisy of the Lajna Pledge.................................................................................................33
2.2.1.4 Invalidity of "Love for All, Hatred for None"...........................................................................35
2.2.1.5 The Myth of Musleh Mau`ood.................................................................................................38
2.2.1.6 The Bloating (and Ballyhooing) of the Bay`ats.........................................................................40
2.2.2 A Dream During My Hajj Trip.............................................................................................42
2.2.3 My Recent Study of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’s Books............................................................43
2.3 My Current Position Regarding the Movement...................................................................45
2.3.1 Summary of My Position.......................................................................................................45
2.3.2 The Ahmadiyya Movement’s Theory About Jesus...............................................................45
2.3.3 The Ahmadiyya Movement’s Interpretation of Quraan 33:41.............................................45
2.3.4 Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Ahmadiyya Movement, and Ahmadees....................................46
3 MIRZA GHULAM AHMAD: THE EVIDENCE EXAMINED..............................................................................49
3.1 His Prophecies and Signs....................................................................................................52
3.1.1 His Statements Regarding the Significance of Prophecies....................................................52
3.1.2 A Prophecy (with Several Variations) About His Life..........................................................52
3.1.2.1 The (Shifting) Promises...........................................................................................................53
3.1.2.2 The Year of His Birth..............................................................................................................54
3.1.2.3 His Age at Death.....................................................................................................................56
3.1.2.4 His Life Span According to the Ahmadiyya Movement............................................................58
3.1.2.5 Divine Support?.......................................................................................................................60
3.1.3 Prophecies and Prayers for the Deaths of Opponents...........................................................60
3.1.3.1 `Abdullaah Aatham..................................................................................................................61
3.1.3.1.1 Introduction to the `Abdullaah Aatham Case.......................................................................................................................61
3.1.3.1.2 The Prophecy Regarding `Abdullaah Aatham.....................................................................................................................61
3.1.3.1.3 The Outcome..........................................................................................................................................................................62
3.1.3.1.4 Ahmadiyya Explanations and Issues Therein.......................................................................................................................62
3.1.3.1.5 Conclusion..............................................................................................................................................................................73
3.1.3.2 Maulvee Sanaaullaah...............................................................................................................74
3.1.3.2.1 The Open Letter with Supplications by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad.........................................................................................74
3.1.3.2.2 The Outcome..........................................................................................................................................................................78
3.1.3.2.3 The Ahmadiyya Explanation.................................................................................................................................................78
3.1.3.2.4 Commentary on the Ahmadiyya Explanation......................................................................................................................78
3.1.3.3 Dr. `Abdul Hakeem.................................................................................................................81
3.1.3.3.1 The Prophecies and Claims...................................................................................................................................................81
3.1.3.3.2 The Outcome and the Lack of Ahmadiyya Explanations....................................................................................................82
3.1.3.3.3 The Bare Facts and the Truth on its Head............................................................................................................................83
3.1.3.4 Seemingly Unfulfilled "Promises" of Clear Victory..................................................................84
3.1.4 Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’s Own Death.....................................................................................84
3.1.5 A Disciple with a "Firm Root" – Meer `Abbaas...................................................................94
3.1.5.1 The Revelation........................................................................................................................94
3.1.5.2 The Renunciation and the Explanation.....................................................................................94
3.1.5.3 Analysis of the Explanation.....................................................................................................96
3.1.5.3.1 Part I........................................................................................................................................................................................96
3.1.5.3.2 Part II.......................................................................................................................................................................................99
3.1.5.3.3 Part III...................................................................................................................................................................................101
3.1.5.4 Meer `Abbaas’ Renunciation Listed as a Sign of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’s Truth.....................102
3.1.5.5 Recap and Overall Assessment of the Meer `Abbaas Case......................................................105
3.1.6 Sign # 1: Arriving at the Expected Time and Breaking the Cross......................................106
3.1.7 A Couple of Simple Signs.....................................................................................................108
3.1.7.1 Marriage to a Virgin and a Widow.........................................................................................109
3.1.7.2 Four Boys with Long Life......................................................................................................109
3.1.8 A Couple of Non-Simple Signs.............................................................................................112
3.1.8.1 The Lunar and Solar Eclipses in Ramadaan............................................................................112
3.1.8.1.1 The Ahmadiyya Description of the Sign of the Eclipses...................................................................................................112
3.1.8.1.2 Analysis of the Sign.............................................................................................................................................................113
3.1.8.2 The Plague............................................................................................................................114
3.1.8.2.1 Overview of the Ahmadiyya Case......................................................................................................................................115
3.1.8.2.2 The Condition upon which the Plague was to End or Subside.........................................................................................116
3.1.8.2.3 How One Could be Saved from the Plague........................................................................................................................117
3.1.8.2.4 The Role of the Plague in the Ahmadiyya Movement.......................................................................................................119
3.1.9 The Musleh Mau`ood Prophecy..........................................................................................120
3.1.9.1 The Prophecy........................................................................................................................120
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3.1.9.2 Birth of Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad and His Claim...............................................121
3.1.9.3 Did the Claimant Have the Prophesied Characteristics?..........................................................122
3.1.9.4 Did His Claim Seem to Get Divine Support?..........................................................................122
3.1.9.5 Has Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’s Prophecy Been Proven False?...................................................123
3.1.10 An Overall Assessment of His Prophecies and Signs..........................................................124
3.2 His Views, Particularly Regarding Himself........................................................................128
3.2.1 His Prophethood..................................................................................................................128
3.2.1.1 The Basis for Expecting Imprint Prophets..............................................................................128
3.2.1.2 Many Imprint Prophets..........................................................................................................130
3.2.1.2.1 Further Elaboration of Prophethood within Islaam............................................................................................................130
3.2.1.2.2 Imprint Prophets Have Been Appearing and May Continue to Appear...........................................................................131
3.2.1.3 No, Just One Imprint Prophet.................................................................................................132
3.2.1.3.1 Multiple Imprints Would Cause a Crack in the Jesus Hadeeth.........................................................................................132
3.2.1.3.2 Too Many Imprints Would Detract from the Status of the Seal.......................................................................................134
3.2.1.3.3 Prophets Appear only in Times of Need.............................................................................................................................136
3.2.1.3.4 Prophethood as Spiritual Rank and Reward vs. Appointment to Revive.........................................................................138
3.2.1.3.5 The First and Last – the One and Only – Imprint..............................................................................................................140
3.2.1.4 The Imprint Surpasses the Seal...............................................................................................142
3.2.1.5 Study Guide for the Ahmadiyya Theory of Prophets in Islaam................................................149
3.2.2 The Implications of Rejecting Him......................................................................................150
3.2.2.1 Inferences of Kufr and Intimations of Hell.............................................................................150
3.2.2.1.1 1899/1900 Statement: No Person Becomes a Kaafir by Rejecting My Claim.................................................................150
3.2.2.1.2 1907 Explanation: It is a Strange Thing That You Can’t See That They are Kaafir.......................................................151
3.2.2.1.3 Not Just Non-Momin But Rather Non-Muslim..................................................................................................................154
3.2.2.1.4 Not Just Non-Muslim But Going to Hell............................................................................................................................156
3.2.2.2 The Sanitized View of These Views in Ahmadiyya Literature.................................................157
3.2.2.3 The Issue of Congregational Salaat Behind a Non-Ahmadee...................................................158
3.2.2.3.1 Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’s Directives Regarding Salaat Behind a Non-Ahmadee.............................................................158
3.2.2.3.2 Reason in Ahmadiyya Literature Different from that Offered by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad..............................................160
3.2.2.3.3 Inconsistencies in Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’s own Writings Regarding the Salaat Issue..................................................161
3.2.3 The Pledge of Allegiance to Him..........................................................................................162
3.2.3.1 Ahmadiyya Bay`at Conditions...............................................................................................163
3.2.3.2 Optional Virtues Made Obligatory.........................................................................................163
3.2.3.2.1 Bay`at Conditions Imposing Optional Virtues...................................................................................................................163
3.2.3.2.2 What is Wrong with Raising the Bar?................................................................................................................................164
3.2.3.2.3 Possible Counter Arguments and Responses.....................................................................................................................165
3.2.3.3 Ahmadiyya Attitudes Regarding the Pledge............................................................................166
3.2.3.4 Broken Vows.........................................................................................................................168
3.2.4 Satanic Influence in "Revelation" to Divine Apostles.........................................................168
3.2.4.1 The Ahmadiyya Movement’s Description of the Issue and Its Position....................................169
3.2.4.2 Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’s Comments Relevant to the Issue.......................................................170
3.2.5 Abrogation of Jihaad...........................................................................................................171
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3.2.6 Miscellaneous Noteworthy Ideas.........................................................................................174
3.2.6.1 A Woman who Does Not Respect her Husband with Heartfelt Love is Not Pious....................174
3.2.6.2 The Death of Basheer Atoned for the Sins of Grieving Ahmadees...........................................175
3.2.6.3 God’s Help is Available Only to People with Completely Pure Objectives..............................176
3.3 His Character......................................................................................................................177
3.3.1 Significance of His Character..............................................................................................177
3.3.2 Personal Discipline During Youth.......................................................................................178
3.3.3 Unfulfilled Commitments....................................................................................................180
3.3.3.1 The (Much Advertised but Never Quite Materialized) Book...................................................181
3.3.3.1.1 The Story of Baraaheen-e-Ahmadiyya...............................................................................................................................181
3.3.3.1.2 Review of the Explanations.................................................................................................................................................184
3.3.3.1.3 Return the Merchandise to Get the Refund........................................................................................................................185
3.3.3.1.4 Five Plus a Zero Equals Fifty..............................................................................................................................................186
3.3.3.2 The Agreement to Refrain from Verbal Hostility and Vilification of Opponents......................186
3.3.4 Foul/Abusive Language.......................................................................................................187
3.3.4.1 Introductory Remarks about Foul/Abusive Language.............................................................188
3.3.4.2 Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’s Statements About Foul/Abusive Language.......................................188
3.3.4.3 Examples of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’s Use of Foul/Abusive Language....................................189
3.3.4.3.1 The Urdu Term ‘Haraam Zaadah’ (Bastard)......................................................................................................................189
3.3.4.3.2 Assorted Terms of Abuse....................................................................................................................................................193
3.3.4.3.3 The Arabic Word ‘Bighaa’ (Prostitution) and Related Terms..........................................................................................195
3.3.4.4 Noble Exhortation in Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’s Poetry.............................................................197
3.3.5 Petty and Unholy Content...................................................................................................198
3.3.5.1 Caricature Drawings..............................................................................................................198
3.3.5.2 Arrays of Curses....................................................................................................................202
3.3.5.3 Occult List of Numbers..........................................................................................................204
3.3.5.4 Vulgar Poetry........................................................................................................................205
3.3.6 Miscellaneous Noteworthy Traits and Behavior.................................................................207
3.3.6.1 Less Than Forthright Management of Ahmadiyya Movement Funds.......................................207
3.3.6.2 Carelessness in Quraanic References and Other Inaccuracies..................................................207
3.3.7 Extolling Victoria’s Benevolent Embrace...........................................................................208
3.3.7.1 The Letter..............................................................................................................................208
3.3.7.2 Follow-up to the Letter..........................................................................................................210
3.3.7.3 Victoria’s Empire..................................................................................................................211
3.3.7.3.1 India and Indian Muslim Subjects.......................................................................................................................................211
3.3.7.3.2 Maintaining and Building Empire.......................................................................................................................................213
3.3.7.4 Expectations of Truth and Support of Justice by the Messiah..................................................214
3.3.8 The 50 Horses and Spying on Friday...................................................................................216
3.3.8.1 Introduction to the Section on 50 Horses and Related Matters.................................................217
3.3.8.2 The Numerous Locations of the 50 Horses.............................................................................217
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