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Islamic ideology of
the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement
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Our beliefs are the same as those held by other Muslims, namely, that
the Holy Quran is the word of God which is to guide mankind forever, and
that the Holy Prophet Muhammad was the perfect model of Islamic teachings
whose example shall forever be binding on every Muslim to follow. We believe
that, as the principles and teachings of religion reached perfection and
completion in the Holy Quran and the example displayed by the Holy Prophet,
it follows that the Quran is the final Book of God, and Muhammad (may
peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him) is His Last Prophet, after
whom no prophet can appear.
Each new age, however, brings fresh challenges. Also, with the passage
of time, the original face of the religion becomes obscured, and faith
in people's hearts loses its strength and vitality. To remedy this,
God has promised to raise among Muslims, from time to time, men known
as Mujaddids (revivers of religion) whose mission from God
is to:
(i) Restore the original teachings of the religion in their
true form and spirit;
(ii) Uncover fresh truths from the Holy Quran to answer the
challenges and doubts of the new age;
(iii) Revive living faith in the hearts by showing their own
personal example of the fruits of a close connection with God.
In the modern age, it was Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad who was
raised by God as the Mujaddid to accomplish these tasks. As
Islam and the Muslims were facing their worst plight at the time he
arose, his revivalist mission was required to be the most momentous
of all the mujaddids. He was, therefore, that great Mujaddid
who fulfilled the Holy Prophet's prophecy that the Messiah would appear
among the Muslims.
Hazrat Mirza highlighted certain features of the Islamic teaching which
had been ignored over the course of time, but which were now crucial
to the needs of the age. He also corrected several serious misconceptions
about Islam prevalent among both Muslims and non-Muslims, and re-established
the original teachings. All these points hold the key to the defence
and propagation of Islam in today's world, and may be called the distinguishing
beliefs of the Lahore Ahmadiyya movement. We summarise below the
main aspects of Islam which the movement has thus brought to the fore.
We proclaim that Islam is:
1. International -- God
raised Prophets in all nations, not only among the Israelites (as already
accepted by Muslims) but also in India, China, Persia etc. A Muslim
must believe in and respect all these prophets and their scriptures.
Islam restores the original purity of the eternal truths taught by them,
and broadens the scope of their national teachings to provide a faith
for all humanity. Goodness, good people and truth may be found in all
nations. God is equally just to all human beings, irrespective of their
race, nationality or religion.
2. Tolerant -- It gives
full freedom to everyone to hold, practise and adopt any belief and
religion. Differences of belief and interpretation, with whomsoever
these may occur, must be tolerated. Criticism against Islam must be
answered only by word, and any offence felt must be borne with patience;
responding by physical violence is alien to the teachings of Islam.
The common image of Islam as an intolerant faith is completely false.
3. Peaceful -- It condemns
all use of force except in unavoidable self-defence. All battles of
early Islam were purely defensive. Muslims must live peacefully under
any rule which grants them freedom of religion. The impression that
Islam urges its followers to wage war or rebellion to establish its
rule is entirely wrong. The concept of Jihad is greatly misunderstood:
it primarily signifies a spiritual, intellectual and moral struggle
to reform oneself and others.
4. Non-sectarian -- Any
person professing the words "There is no god but Allah, and
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah" must be treated as one's
fellow Muslim. No inquisition is allowed into anyone's beliefs or motives.
Issuing so-called rulings, on some pretext, to expel from Islam those
who profess the Kalima is entirely against Islamic teachings.
5. Rational -- It urges
use of reason and knowledge in all matters, including religious affairs.
Blind following and acceptance are disallowed, and independence of thought
is granted. Blind, unthinking obedience to religious leaders is condemned.
6. Living -- Acts of
worship are not rituals to be performed without thought or feeling.
They are meant to put the human soul in living contact with a Living
God. We must know the purpose of prayer, fasting, etc. and carry them
out in their true spirit. God listens to man's supplications and answers
his prayers. In every age there arise, among Muslims, saints who have
closeness and communication with God. Their example shows others that
there is a Living God Who speaks to man.
7. Supporter of women
-- A great deal of misunderstanding prevails on this point, mainly due
to local customs being confused with the teachings of Islam. According
to Islam, a woman is a full, responsible human being, just as a man
is. She should have the same control over determining the course of
her life (including matters of marriage and divorce) as a man has over
his life.
8. Highly moral -- It
requires Muslims to develop the highest personal moral virtues, and
display these qualities even at the cost of personal or national interest.
An Islamic society is not created by imposing laws and regulations
on people. It is only created by reforming the character of individuals
through moral training and example, and this was what the Holy Prophet
Muhammad did.
9. Heart-winning -- It
seeks to conquer hearts and minds by showing the logic, truth and beauty
of its teachings, in a gentle, loving spirit. It condemns force or coercion
to spread the faith or make people conform to it.
10. Complete -- The Holy
Quran and the Holy Prophet provide complete and perfect guidance for
all mankind, for all time to come. The Holy Prophet is the perfect exemplar
of the highest moral virtues. After him, no prophet or authority is
to arise. As Hazrat Mirza wrote:
"I firmly believe that our Holy Prophet Muhammad is the
Last of the Prophets, and after him no prophet shall come for this nation,
neither old nor new." (Nishan Asmani, p. 28).
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