Ahmadi احمدیہ Ahmadiyya
Total population
200 million (2002 estimates)[1]; exceeding tens of millions [2] Al Aḩmadī Governorate (Al Ahmadi) is one of the six governorates of Kuwait. ...
Regions with significant populations
India  Pakistan  Bangladesh  Indonesia West Africa East Africa  Germany  United Kingdom  Canada
Religions
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement
Scriptures
Qur'an, Hadith
Languages
Urdu, Arabic

Ahmadi (Urdu: احمدیہ Ahmadiyya), is the collective name given to the two distinct groups^[3] (The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement) comprising of followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (d. 1908) from Qadian, in Punjab, India. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad claimed to have fulfilled the prophecies about the world reformer of the end times who was to herald the Eschaton as predicted in the traditions of various World religions, the Mujaddid (divine reformer) of the 14th Islamic century, the promised Messiah (“Second Coming of Christ”) and Mahdi.^{[4][5][6][7][8]} Ahmadis consider themselves Muslims and claim to practice the Islam that was taught and practiced by Muhammad and his companions, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad termed his movement the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat (community) envisioning it to be a revitalization of Islam. However, Ahmadis are not considered to be Muslims by Sunnis and Shias.^[9][10][11] Urdu ( , , trans. ... The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (Arabic: الجماعة الأحمدية; transliterated: ) is one of two communities arising from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat founded in 1889 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (1835-1908). ... The Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement, Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat-i-Islam (not to be confused with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association), formed as a result of an ideological differences[1] between the Ahmadiyya Community (also known among some Muslim groups as Qadianism), after the demise Maulawi Nur ud-Din in 1914, the first... Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (مرزا غلام احمد) (February 13, 1835 - May 26, 1908 corresponding to Shawal 14, 1250 AH - Rabi al-thani 24 1326 AH). ... , Qadian( ਕਾਦਿਆਂ ) is a small town and a municipal council in Gurdaspur, north-east of Amritsar, situated 18 km east of Batala city in the state of Punjab, India. ... , This article is about the Indian state of Punjab. ... // In the three Abrahamic Religions (Islam, Judaism, and Christianity), the End Times are depicted as a time of tribulation that precede the predicted coming of a Messiah figure. ... For the eschatological beliefs of various religions, see End Times. ... Major world religions have been distinguished from minor religions using a variety of methods, though any such division naturally reflects a particular bias, since many adherent of a religion are likely to consider their own faith major. Two methods are mentioned in this article, number of adherents and the definitions... A Mujaddid (Arabic: مجدد), in Islamic tradition, refers to a person who, Muslims believe, is sent by God in the first half of every century of the Islamic calendar. ... In Judaism, the Messiah (Hebrew: , Standard  Tiberian ; Aramaic: , ; Arabic: , ; the Anointed One) at first meant any person who was anointed with oil on rising to a certain position among the ancient Israelites, at first that of High priest, later that of King and also that of a prophet. ... This article refers to the religious usage of the term. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Muhammad al-Mahdi. ... Muhammad in a new genre of Islamic calligraphy started in the 17th century by Hafiz Osman. ... Sunni Islam (Arabic سنّة) is the largest denomination of Islam. ... Shiʻa Islam (Arabic شيعى follower; English has traditionally used Shiite) makes up the second largest sect of believers in Islam, constituting about 30%–35% of all Muslim. ...

The original Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat split into two separate groups^[12] after Mirza Ghulam Ahmad's death, known respectively as the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and the smaller Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement for the Propagation of Islam (Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat-i-Islam). These groups vary in their specific interpretations of Ahmad's teachings and claims. They also differ in their views on who should have succeeded Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, and how such a successor should be chosen.^[13][14] The Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement for the Propagation of Islam, Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat-i-Islam (Urdu: أحمدية أنجومان اشاعات الاسلام) (not to be confused with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community), formed as a result of ideological differences[1] between the Ahmadiyya Community, after the demise of Maulawi Hakeem Noor-ud-Din in 1914, the first Khalifa...

The Ahmadi view on certain beliefs in Islam has been controversial to mainstream Muslims since its birth. Majority of Muslims have not accepted Mirza Ghulam Ahmad's claims and do not consider Ahmadis to be Muslims, citing in particular the Ahmadiyya view on the death and return of Jesus, the Ahmadiyya concept of Jihad and their view on the finality of Muhammad with particular reference to interpretation of verse ^{[Qur'an 33:40]} of the Qur'an. ^[15] Ahmadis however argue that their beliefs are in accordance with Islam,^[16][17] and using arguments from the Qur'an, Hadith and opinion of Islamic jurists and theologians, challenge the contention of the groups calling them non-Muslims.^[18] This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ... Khatme Nabuwwat ختم النبوه or finality of Prophet-hood is an islamic belief that Prophethood has come to an end after Muhammad. ... The Qur’ān [1] (Arabic: , literally the recitation; also sometimes transliterated as Quran, Koran, or Al-Quran) is the central religious text of Islam. ...

[edit] History

The Ahmadiyya movement claims to represent the latter day renaissance of the religion of Islam. At the end of the 19th century, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian proclaimed himself to be the "Reformer of the age" (Mujaddid), Promised Messiah, Mahdi of the age. (Note that the two sub-sects of the Ahmadiyya interpret this last claim very differently). He claimed to have fulfilled the prophecy of the return of Jesus. He and his followers claimed that his advent was foretold by Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, and also by many other religious scriptures of the world. In 1889, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad laid down the foundation of his community, which was later given the name of "Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat". Since its inception, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat's objective has been the revival of Islam. Soon after the death of the first Caliph, the movement split into two sects over the question of the Finality of Prophethood. The Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement affirmed the traditional Islamic interpretation that there could be no new prophet after Muhammad and viewed itself as a reform movement within the broader Ummah.^[19] The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, however, claimed that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad had indeed been a prophet (albeit a "non-law-bearing" one) and that mainstream Muslims who rejected his message were guilty of disbelief. The question of "Khilafat" was also an issue in the split of the Ahmadiyya movement. The Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement believes that an "Anjuman" (body of selected people) should be in charge of the Jamaat. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, however, believes that Caliphs are appointed by God and they are in charge. A Mujaddid (Arabic: مجدد), in Islamic tradition, refers to a person who, Muslims believe, is sent by God in the first half of every century of the Islamic calendar. ... The Muslim faith has a tradition that at some future time in the latter days a reformer will come into the world to revive Islam and establish it as the dominant faith. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Muhammad al-Mahdi. ... For other uses, see Prophecy (disambiguation). ... This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ... μ This article is about the Christian season. ... Muhammad in a new genre of Islamic calligraphy started in the 17th century by Hafiz Osman. ... The Quran identifies a number of men as prophets of Islam. ... For main article see: Caliphate The Caliph (pronounced khaleef in Arabic) is the head of state in a Caliphate, and the title for the leader of the Islamic Ummah, an Islamic community ruled by the Sharia. ... Khatme Nabuwwat ختم النبوه or finality of Prophet-hood is an islamic belief that Prophethood has come to an end after Muhammad. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... For other uses, see Mainstream. ... The Khilafat Movement (1919-1924) was a movement amongst the Muslims of British India (the largest single Muslim community in one geo-political entity at the time) to ensure that the British, victors of World War I, kept a promise made at the Versailles. ... Anjuman The most successful Punjabi film herione in the 1980s, Anjuman came from Multan to Lahore. ... The term Jamaat (Arabic: Assembly) can apply to the following: Jamaat-e-Islami - a South Asian Islamist movement based in Pakistan, Bangladesh (Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh) and India (Jamaat-e-Islami Hind). ...

Some of the first people to convert to the Ahmadiyya movement were highly educated people from secular and religious circles. These included many civil servants and also from the military, such as Ali Gouhar of the British-Indian Army.^[20] The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has established offices in 189 countries and claims to have a population exceeding tens of millions.^[21] The Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement has branches in 17 countries.^[22] There is no reliable information available regarding the population numbers of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement.

Overseas Ahmadiyya missionary activities started as early as 1920's. For many modern nations of the world, the Ahmadiyya movement was their first contact with the proclaimants from the Muslim world.^[23] Ahmadiyya movement is considered by some historians^[24] as one of the precursors to the African-American Civil Rights Movement in America. According to some experts,^[25] Ahmadiyya were "arguably the most influential community in African-American Islam" until the 1950s, when Nation of Islam gained support among black communities.^{[citation needed]} Many notable Jazz musicians converted to Ahmadiyya Islam.^[26] The influence of Ahmadiyya movement was later reduced by the splits among the community caused by Nation of Islam as well as the Sunni scholars during the 1950's.^[27] Various movements seeking civil rights, human rights and social justice since the Second World War have become known as a civil rights movement. ... For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... The Nation of Islam (NOI) is a religious and social/political organization founded in the United States by Wallace Fard Muhammad in 1930 with the self-proclaimed goal of resurrecting the spiritual, mental, social, economic condition of the black man and woman of America and belief that God will bring... For other uses, see Jazz (disambiguation). ... Year 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

[edit] Current status

In some countries it is an offence for the Ahmadiyya Movement to preach their religion as Islam. In Pakistan, parliament has declared Ahmadis to be non-Muslims. In 1974, the government of Pakistan amended its constitution to define a Muslim "as a person who believes in the finality of the Prophet Muhammad". ^[28] Due to this strong clash of beliefs, Ahmadis have been the target of many attacks led by various religious groups. ^[29] As a result of the cultural implications of the laws and constitutional amendments regarding Ahmadis in Pakistan, persecution and hate-related incidents are constantly reported from different parts of the country. All religious seminaries and madrassahs in Pakistan, belonging to different sects of Islam have prescribed essential reading materials specifically targeted at refuting Ahmadiyya beliefs. ^[30] In a recent survey in Pakistan, pupils in private schools of Pakistan expressed their opinions on religious tolerance in the country. The figures assembled in the study reflect that even in the educated classes of Pakistan, Ahmedis are considered to be the least deserving minority in terms of equal opportunities and civil rights. In the same study, the teachers in these elite schools showed even lower amount of tolerance towards Ahmadis than their pupils. ^[31] Since both groups claim to be the true heirs to Mirza Ghulam Ahmad's legacy even though they have radically different interpretations of his teachings (see below), the term can be quite ambiguous. Lahori Ahmadis claim that mainstream Muslim critics of Ahmadis often fail to note the important distinctions between the groups, treating all "Ahmadis" as members of the "Ahmadiyya Muslim Community."

In Bangladesh, fundamentalist Islamic groups have demanded that Ahmadiyyas be declared "officially" as kafirs. Ahmadiyyas have become a persecuted group, targeted via protests and acts of violence. According to Amnesty International, followers have been subject to "house arrest", and several have been killed. In late 2003, several large marches, lead by Moulana Moahmud Hossain Mumtazi, were directed to occupy an Ahmadi mosque. The march was supported by thousands of protesters, armed with sticks, bricks, and other weapons; they chanted slogans of hate-filled and violent rhetoric. In 2004, all Ahmadi publications were banned, the official reason being that they "hurt or might hurt the sentiments of the majority Muslim population". ^[32] This article is about an Islamic term. ...

[edit] Beliefs

Ahmadiyya beliefs mostly mirror those of Islam in general, including belief in the prophethood of Muhammad, reverence for historical prophets, belief in a single creator God (strong monotheism). They accept the Qur'an as their holy text, face the Kaaba during prayer and accept the authority of hadiths (reported sayings of and stories about Muhammad). Allah is the Arabic language word for God. ... For the Celtic Frost album, see Monotheist (album) In theology, monotheism (from Greek one and god) is the belief in the existence of one deity, or in the oneness of God. ... The Kaaba (Arabic: ; IPA: ) , also known as (), ( The Primordial House), or ( The Sacred House), is a large cuboidal building located inside the mosque known as al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. ... Hadith ( transliteration: ) are oral traditions relating to the words and deeds of Prophet Muhammad. ...

[edit] Distinct Ahmadi beliefs

Although the central values of Islam (prayer, charity, fasting, etc.) are shared by mainstream and Ahmadi Muslims, distinct Ahmadi beliefs include the following: The Five Pillars of Islam (Arabic: أركان الإسلام) is the term given to the five duties incumbent on every Muslim. ...

• That the prophecies concerning the second coming of Jesus were metaphorical in nature and not literal and that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad fulfilled in his person these prophecies and the second advent of Jesus, was the promised Mahdi and Messiah.^[33]

• That the Qur'an is purley the word of God, the last message and law for mankind, it has no contradictions (or abrogations), and has precedence over the Hadith or traditions; i.e., that one verse of the Qur'an does not cancel another and that no Hadith can contradict a verse of the Qur'an. Hadith that appear to contradict the Qu'ran are not accepted by Ahmadi Muslims. The text of the Quran from beginning to end is contextually related and each sura is contextually related to the preceding Sura i.e. the themes of the Qur'an are connected and all chapters, verses and words are perfectly arranged.(see: Tafseer-e-Kabeer)^[34]

• That Jesus, contrary to mainstream Islamic belief, was crucified and survived the four hours on the cross. He was later revived from a swoon in the tomb.^[35] Ahmadis believe that Jesus died in Kashmir of old age whilst seeking the Lost Tribes of Israel.^[36] Jesus' remains are believed to be entombed in Kashmir under the name Yuz Asaf. Ahmadis believe that Jesus foretold the coming of Muhammad after him, which Christians have misinterpreted.^[37]

• That Jesus Christ did not bring a new religion or law i.e. was not a law-bearing prophet but was last in the line of Hebrew/Israelite prophets who appeared within the dispensation of Moses akin to that of David, Solomon, Jeremiah, Isaiah etc.
• That Jihad can only be used to protect against extreme religious persecution, and that Muslims have used Jihad as a tool for political opportunism.^[38]

• That the "Messiah" and the "Imam Mahdi" are the same person, and that it is through his teachings, influence, his prayers and that of his followers that Islam will defeat the Anti-Christ or Dajjal in a period similar to the period of time it took for nascent Christianity to rise (300 years) and that the Dajjal's power will slowly melt away like the melting of snow, heralding the final victory of Islam and age of peace.

• That the history of religion is split into seven epochs or ages, parallel to the seven days of the week, with periods for light and darkness and that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad appeared as the Promised Messiah at the sixth epoch heralding the seventh and final age of the world[45] as a day in the estimation of God is like a thousand years of man's reckoning[46] (Quran:22:48). According to Ghulam Ahmad just as the sixth day of the week is reserved for Jumu'ah (congregational prayers) likewise his age is destined for a global gathering or assembly in which the world is to unite under one universal religion which according to him was Islam.

• The two Ahmadiyya groups have varying beliefs regarding the finality of the Prophethood of Muhammad. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community believes that Muhammad brought prophethood to perfection and was the last law-bearing prophet and the apex of man's spiritual evolution. New prophets can come but they must be subordinate to Muhammad and cannot exceed him in excellence nor alter his teaching or bring any new law or religion.^[39] The Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement believes that Muhammad is the last of the prophets and no prophet, new or old, can come after him.^[40]

This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ... Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (مرزا غلام احمد) (February 13, 1835 - May 26, 1908 corresponding to Shawal 14, 1250 AH - Rabi al-thani 24 1326 AH). ... Tafseer e Kabeer (The major Commentary) is a ground breaking work on exegesis of Quran undertaken in modern times. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Kashmir (or Cashmere) may refer to: Kashmir region, the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent India, Kashmir conflict, the territorial dispute between India, Pakistan, and the China over the Kashmir region. ... An Israelite is a member of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, descended from the twelve sons of the Biblical patriarch Jacob who was renamed Israel by God in the book of Genesis, 32:28 The Israelites were a group of Hebrews, as described in the Bible. ... Yuz Asaf (Kashmiri: युझ असफ, یوذسف), Judasaf, Yus Asaph, or Shahzada Nabi Hazrat Yura Asaf is a prophet revered among the Sabians. ... The word Hebrew most likely means to cross over, referring to the Semitic people crossing over the Euphrates River. ... Moses with the Tablets, 1659, by Rembrandt This article is about the Biblical figure. ... This article is about the Biblical king of Israel. ... This article is about the Biblical figure. ... For other uses, see Jeremiah (disambiguation). ... Isaiah the Prophet in Hebrew Scriptures was depicted on the Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo. ... For other uses, see Jihad (disambiguation). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Antichrist. ... al-Dajjal sometimes spelled Dajal, (Arabic: الدّجّال, al-dajjāl) (The Deceiver/impostor), also known as the false Messiah (see also: Antichrist) is an evil figure in Islamic eschatology, who will appear before Yawm al-Qiyamah (The Day of Resurrection, Judgement Day). ... Jumuah (also known as Friday prayer) is a congregational salat (prayer) that Muslims hold every Friday, just after noon. ...

[edit] Comparison of belief between Islam, Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement, and Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

Islam holds Jesus (Arabic: `Īsā) to have been a messenger and a prophet of God. ... Apostasy (from Greek αποστασία, meaning a defection or revolt, from απο, apo, away, apart, στασις, stasis, standing) is a term generally employed to describe the formal renunciation of ones religion, especially if the motive is deemed unworthy. ... , // Shāhāda is a town in the northwest corner of Maharashtra state in India, now in Nandurbār District (formerly in Dhule District). ... Kalima does not render you a Muslim- it is a bunch of words meaning nothing. ... For other uses, see Faith (disambiguation). ... Seal of the Prophets (ar. ... For other senses of this word, see Prophet (disambiguation). ... Islam holds Jesus (Arabic: `Īsā) to have been a messenger and a prophet of God. ...

[edit] Views of mainstream Muslims

Orthodox Muslims consider both Ahmadi sects to be heretics and non-Muslims for a number of reasons, chief among them being the question of finality of prophethood,^[64] since they believe members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community do not regard the Islamic prophet Muhammad to be the last prophet^[65] (the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement does not subscribe to this belief^[66]). Ahmadis claim that this is a result of misinterpreting Mirza Ghulam Ahmad's statements referring to his coming "in the spirit of Muhammed",^[66][67] (similar to John the Baptist coming in the spirit and power of Elijah^[68]). Both Ahmadi sects believe Mirza Ghulam Ahmad to be the Mahdi and promised Messiah,^[69] St. ... Elijah, 1638, by José de Ribera This article is about the prophet in the Hebrew Bible. ...

Mainstream Muslims do not accept this claim, and do not believe Mirza Ghulam Ahmad to have fulfilled the prophecies about the Promised Messiah and Mahdi. According to mainstream Muslims Ghulam Ahmad's failiure to establish a perfect worldwide Muslim government and the manner of his death invalidate his claim to be the promised Mahdi and Messiah and hence he is seen as a false prophet. False prophet is a label given to a person who is viewed as illegitimately claiming charismatic authority within a religious group. ...

Both Ahmadi groups are considered non-Muslims by the Pakistan government, and have this fact recorded on their travel documents. In contrast Ahmadi citizens from Western countries and other moderate Muslim nations perform Hajj and Umra as the Saudi government is not made aware they are Ahmadis when applying for the visa. A court decision has also upheld the right of Ahmadiyyas to identify themselves as Muslims in India.

As the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement’s view regarding Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’s status as a Prophet is closer to traditional Islamic thought, the Literature published by the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement has found greater acceptability among the Muslim Intelligentsia.^[70][71]

Some mainstream Muslims group both Ahmadi sects together and refer to them as "Qadianis", and their beliefs as "Qadianism"^[72] (after the small town of Qadian in the Gurdaspur District of Punjab in India, where the movement's founder was born). However most, if not all, Ahmadis of both sects dislike this term as it has acquired derogatory connotations over the years and furthermore they prefer to differentiate their two separate movements. Furthermore, mainstream Muslims will not use the term "Muslim" when referring to Ahmadis, even though both sects refer to themselves as such citing the fatwas given by the Islamic scholars. However, as members of Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement deny the prophethood of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, some orthodox Islamic Scholars consider the Lahore Ahmadiyya as Muslims.^[73] In earlier times in Pakistan and India, there was widespread persecution of Ahmadis by certain Muslim groups. Sporadic violence as well as persecution of a more subtle nature against Ahmadis continues even today.^[74] Gurdaspur District is a district in the state of Punjab, situated in the northwest part of India. ...

[edit] Relationship with Christians

Christian missionaries during the life of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad were actively engaged in debates, prayer duels and written arguments with the Ahmadiyya Movement. The Ahmadiyya Movement considered Christian nations (particularly of the developed world) as being part of the prophesised Dajjal and Gog and Magog. The Ahmadiyya view of death of Jesus has also been a source of ongoing friction with the Christian Church. al-Dajjal sometimes spelled Dajal, (Arabic: الدّجّال, al-dajjāl) (The Deceiver/impostor), also known as the false Messiah (see also: Antichrist) is an evil figure in Islamic eschatology, who will appear before Yawm al-Qiyamah (The Day of Resurrection, Judgement Day). ... Gog and Magog redirect here. ... Entombment of Christ by Pieter Lastman The death of Jesus is an event described by the New Testament, as occurring after the Passion of Jesus, as a result of his crucifixion. ...

Abbott Freeland, observed in his book, Islam and Pakistan,^[75]

The primary significance of the Ahmadiyya Movement lay in its missionary emphasis. Every Muslim believed that Islam was the only religion free from error. The Ahmadis made it part of their principles to show the errors of other religions to their adherents and to proselytize energetically for Islam. In a sense, the Ahmadis represent the Muslims emerging, religiously speaking, from the withdrawal that had begun with the arrival of the British, just as the Muslim League represents the political emergence from that same withdrawal. .................................. Although the sect most attacked by Muslims in India and Pakistan, it has also been the one which has worked hardest, in both its branches, to defend and extend Islam against the competition offered by other faiths.

Ghulam Ahmad was constantly engaged in controversies with the British missionaries. Western historians have recorded this effort as one of the features of Ghulam Ahmad's legacy.^[76]

[edit] Chronology with leaders

• 23 March 1889: Ahmadiyya movement founded.
• 1914: Split into two branches, one remaining in Qadian, today known as Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam (Jamaat-i Ahmadiyya), and one being established in Lahore, known as the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement for the Propagation of Islam (Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat-i-Islam).

Only two leaders are recognized by both branches of the sect:

• 23 March 1889 - 26 May 1908: Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the founding Messiah and Mahdi (b. 1835 - d. 1908)
• 27 May 1908 - 13 March 1914: Maulana Hakeem Noor-ud-Din (b. 1841 - d. 1914), the first Caliph, after whose death the movement was split:

Leaders recognized by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (Qadian Branch), referred to as Khalifas ('Successors'): Maulana Hakeem Noor-ud-Din, the first Successor to Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian was born at Bhera, Distt. ...

• 27 May 1908 - 13 March 1914: Maulana Hakeem Noor-ud-Din (b. 1841 - d. 1914)
• 14 March 1914 - 7 November 1965: Mirza Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad (b. 1889 - d. 1965)
• 8 November 1965 - 9 June 1982: Mirza Nasir Ahmad (b. 1909 - d. 1982)
• 10 June 1982 - 19 April 2003: Mirza Tahir Ahmad (b. 1928 - d. 2003)
• 22 April 2003 - today: Mirza Masroor Ahmad (b. 1950)

Leaders recognized by the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement (Lahore Branch), referred to as Emirs: Maulana Hakeem Noor-ud-Din, the first Successor to Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian was born at Bhera, Distt. ... The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (Arabic: الجماعة الأحمدية; transliterated: ) is based on the Ahmadiyya movement founded in 1889 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (1835-1908). ... In Talmud, there is a passage which indicates that on the death of the Messiah his spiritual Kingdom will pass to his son and grandson. ... Mirza Tahir Ahmad (* 18 December 1928 in Qadian, † 19 April 2003 in London) was Khalifatul Masih IV., Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. ... Categories: Possible copyright violations ...

• 27 May 1908 - 13 March 1914: Maulana Hakeem Noor-ud-Din (b. 1841 - d. 1914)(referred to as Khalifa)
• April 1914 - 13 October 1951: Maulana Muhammad Ali, M.A. LL.B. (b. 1874 - d. 1951)
• 1951 - 15 November 1981: Maulana Sadr-ud-Din, B.A., B.T. (d. 1981)
• 1981 - 15 November 1996: Dr. Saeed Ahmad Khan, M.B.B.S., Director, Health Services, West Pakistan (b. 1900 - d. 1996)
• 1996 - 14 October 2002: Prof. Dr. Asghar Hameed, Ph.D. (Mathematics, Edinburgh, U.K.), Professor at University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore (b. 1919 - d. 2002)
• 3 November 2002 - today: Prof. Dr. Abdul Karim Saeed, M.R.C.P. (U.K.), Head of Department of Medicine, Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad (b. 1945)

[edit] Some prominent Ahmadis

• Muhammad Zafrulla Khan - First Foreign Minister of Pakistan (1947-54), President of the UN General Assembly (1962-64), President of the International Court of Justice (1970-73)
• Dr. Abdus Salam - Awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1979
• Mirza Tahir Ahmad (1928-2003) - Fourth Successor and Imam of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community ^[77]
• Akhtar Hussain Malik - Lieutenant General of the Pakistan Army, 1965 war hero
• Zafar A Chaudhry - Air Marshal and Chief of Air Staff of Pakistan Air Force (1972-74)
• M M Ahmad - Prominent Civil Servant of Pakistan and former Executive Director of the World Bank
• Iftikhar Janjua - Major General of the Pakistan Army - 1965 war hero, killed in 1971 war
• Gen Abdul Ali Malik. War Hero of Chawinda, 1965 IndoPak war
• Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din - Lawyer, founder of the Woking Muslim Mission in UK, founder of The Islamic Review, companion of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
• Dr. Basharat Ahmad - Prominent religious scholar and author, companion of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
• Naseer Ahmad Faruqui - Chief Election Commissioner Pakistan, (d.6 Dec 1991)
• Maulana Muhammad Ali - Religious scholar and first Muslim author of an English language translation of the Quran
• Obaidullah Aleem - Famous Urdu Poet.
• Malik Ram - Urdu Scholar
• Yusef Lateef - Jazz musician and Grammy Award winner
• Mahershalalhashbaz Ali - Well Known Actor, Lead on the USA Network's program The 4400.
• Sahibzada Abdul Latif: Martyr of Ahmadiyya Islam, Afghan king's [Amir Abdur Rahman Khan] advisor and representative of the Afghan government in formation of the Durand Line^[78]
• Adnan Virk : Canadian sports anchor and reporter, currently working for the Canadian sports network, The Score.

[edit] References

1. ^ "Review of Religions" January 2002, Vol.97 Issue 01 pg. 8
2. ^ http://www.alislam.org/introduction/index.html
3. ^ "The Split in the Ahmadiyya Movement" by Maulana Muhammad Ali
4. ^ "The Fourteenth-Century's Reformer / Mujaddid", from the "Call of Islam", by Maulana Muhammad Ali
5. ^ http://www.alislam.org/books/3in1/chap2/index.html
6. ^ http://www.alislam.org/books/truth/reflection.html
7. ^ http://www.alislam.org/library/books/revelation/part_7_section_1.html
8. ^ http://www.alislam.org/books/misunderstandingremoved.html
9. ^ 1974 Declaration by World Muslim League. World Muslim League. April 1974.
10. ^ A Study of the Fatwa by Rashid Rida on the Translation of the Qur'an
11. ^ Pakistani Constitutional Amendments of 1974 Declaring Qadianis as a non-Muslim Minority
12. ^ "The Split in the Ahmadiyya Movement" by Maulana Muhammad Ali
13. ^ "The Split in the Ahmadiyya Movement" by Maulana Muhammad Ali
14. ^ "Refutation of Maulvi Muhammad Ali's Account of Ahmadiyya Dissensions"
15. ^ "Pseudo-Islamic Cults-The Ahmadiyya/Qadiani Movement", thetruereligion.org
16. ^ Accusations Answered AAIIL
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