The Importance of the Finality of Prophethood and the Legal Status of Its Deniers
The Beliefs of the Qadianis
Under the patronage of the British government and motivated by greed, a clerk of the district court of Sialkot, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani, claimed to be a prophet and messenger. He hailed from Qadian, a small, underdeveloped village in Batala, Gurdaspur (India). Initially, Mirza Ghulam Qadiani introduced himself as a debater against Christianity and Hinduism to gain the emotional and psychological sympathy of Muslims. Gradually, he claimed to be a reformer (Mujaddid), then a reviver (Muhaddith), a subservient prophet (Ummah Prophet), a shadowy prophet (Zilli Nabi), a reflective prophet (Baroozi Nabi), the promised Messiah, and eventually a prophet with his own religious laws and commandments. He even declared that he himself was “Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah” (May Allah protect us from such blasphemy). Later, his son Mirza Bashir said that Allah sent “Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah” again in the form of Mirza Qadiani. He further added that Mirza Qadiani himself is “Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah” (God forbid), who has come again to propagate Islam. Therefore, they claimed that there was no need for a new Kalimah (declaration of faith), as the name “Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah” in the current Kalimah referred to Mirza Qadiani.
The Qadianis (Ahmadis) believe that Mirza Qadiani is Muhammad, his wife is “Mother of the Believers,” his daughter is “Leader of Women,” his family is “Ahl al-Bayt” (family of the Prophet), his close followers are “Companions,” his so-called revelations are “the Quran,” his conversations are “Hadith,” his town of Qadian is “Mecca,” Rabwah is “Medina,” and his cemetery is “Jannat al-Baqi” (the revered cemetery in Medina). These statements are utterly intolerable, even for the least devout Muslim, and no self-respecting Muslim can endure hearing such blasphemy. If the numerous insults and slanders of the Qadianis against Islam and its revered figures were compiled, it would fill volumes. Some of their insults against the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) are so severe that it turns one’s stomach to even read them.
The rejection of Qadianism (Ahmadiyya) has been addressed by Islamic scholars with clear arguments from the Quran, Sunnah, and the consensus of the Ummah, all of which firmly uphold the belief in the finality of prophethood.
Belief in the finality of prophethood is one of the core tenets of Islam, and the Qadiani doctrine is fundamentally opposed to it. Below are further clarifications and evidence refuting Qadianism:
1. Quranic Evidence:
The Quran contains several verses that clearly emphasize the finality of prophethood.
Surah Al-Ahzab (33:40): “Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets. And Allah has knowledge of all things.”
This verse unequivocally states that Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is the last prophet, and no prophet can come after him.
Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:3): “This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as your religion.”
This verse makes it clear that Islam was completed through Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), leaving no room for any future prophets.
2. Hadith Evidence:
Numerous authentic Hadiths further confirm the finality of prophethood:
Sahih Bukhari: “In my Ummah, there will be thirty liars, each of them claiming that he is a prophet, but I am the Seal of the Prophets; there is no prophet after me.” (Sahih Bukhari, Book of Tribulations)
This Hadith clearly establishes that anyone claiming prophethood after Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is a liar and their claim is false.
3. Consensus of the Ummah:
There is unanimous consensus (Ijma) among the Muslim Ummah on the belief in the finality of prophethood. Scholars and jurists from all eras have agreed that Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is the last prophet, and no prophet will come after him. No respected scholar or Mujtahid has ever disagreed on this matter.
Refuting Qadiani Claims
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani’s claim to prophethood has been categorically rejected by the Muslim Ummah. Some aspects of his claim and their refutations are as follows:
The Claim of Shadow or Reflective Prophethood: Mirza Ghulam Ahmad initially claimed to be a “shadow” or “reflective” prophet, meaning that he was a prophet in the light of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). However, there is no concept of such prophethood in Shariah. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “There will be no prophet after me,” meaning that any claim to prophethood after him, in any form, is false.
The Claim to be the Messiah and Mahdi: Mirza Qadiani also claimed to be the Mahdi and the Promised Messiah. However, according to Islamic belief, Prophet Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him) will return near the Day of Judgment, and he will not bring any new prophethood or new religious laws.
Legal Rulings by Scholars
Muslim scholars have unanimously declared the Qadianis (Ahmadis) outside the fold of Islam. In 1974, the National Assembly of Pakistan also declared them a non-Muslim minority due to their heretical beliefs. This decision was endorsed by scholars worldwide, who recognized Qadianism as a dangerous fitna (trial) against Islam.
The Legal Status of Qadianis
Due to their heretical beliefs and agendas, the democratically elected government of Pakistan, with unanimous consensus, declared the Qadianis a non-Muslim minority on September 7, 1974, and documented it in the Constitution of Pakistan under Article 106(2) and 260(3).
The Qadianis often claim they are being oppressed in Pakistan, that their rights are being usurped, and that they are denied freedom of expression. They appeal to international bodies like the United Nations, and at times, they seek pressure from Jews and Christians. However, our simple and justified stance is that they should not call Mirza Qadiani “Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah.” The Kalimah is for Muslims, and they should not attempt to hijack it. The Qadianis refuse to desist, and instead, they continue to propagate their false beliefs under the banner of Islam.
To prevent Qadianis from using Islamic symbols and mocking them, the Pakistani government issued the Anti-Qadiani Ordinance on April 26, 1984, which forbids them from calling themselves Muslims or using Islamic terms for their religion. Under this ordinance, a new section 298(C) was added to the Pakistan Penal Code:
Section 298(C) of the Pakistan Penal Code: “Any person of the Qadiani or Lahori group (who call themselves Ahmadis or by any other name) who directly or indirectly poses as a Muslim, calls their faith Islam, or propagates or promotes their religion, or invites others to accept their religion, or in any manner outrages the religious sentiments of Muslims, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term that may extend to three years and shall also be liable to a fine.”
Conclusion
Defending the finality of prophethood is not only a religious obligation but also a way to attain the intercession of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). We can protect the belief in the finality of prophethood through various means, including raising awareness, monitoring Qadiani activities, and ensuring that legal measures are followed to prevent the spread of their false beliefs. May Allah grant us the strength to safeguard the sanctity of Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) finality of prophethood.
