KALIMA in Ahmadiyyat

Abuse of Muslim Epithets

Another Deception Exposed

Dr. Syed Rashid Ali
(Originally written in April 1996. Updated January 2001)

Part 1

Introduction

Kalima is the most fundamental article of faith for every Muslim everywhere and combine faithfuls of diverse nationality into a universal Muslim Brotherhood, which transcends all boundries. Qadianis/ahmadis, the followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani, on the other hand also claim to recite the same Kalima, to which muslims take a strong exception.

>>khalid@bio.bu.edu (Rasheed A. Khalid, a qadiani), replying on soc.religion.islam under the heading, 'Prophets after Mohammad - Part V', wrote:

>I think that it is not up to us to decide who is a Muslim and who is not. That is, among those who call themselves Muslim, only Allah can decide the truth to their professed faith.

[story of Amr bin Aas deleted. This is the story of Amr bin Aas who, while on a battle-front, killed a person who recited the Kalimah when he approached him.]

So, although I have a great deal of respect for our Brother Abdur Rahman Lomax, I'm not comfortable letting him enjoy a right which I don't allow myself :-), or which even the Holy Prophet (pbuh) didn't allow himself - by saying: "did you open up his heart?", he implied that no one can tell what's in someone else's heart except Allah, and so we should not be judgemental about the faith of others, rather, we should be mindful of our own, which in itself, is not easy to maintain to the required degree :-)"

Another Qadiani sent an emotional letter saying that:

"I have only one remark, as to why I personally am against dropping the name "muslim". It is very simply because we are muslims. Islam is the religion that was revealed to the Holy Prophet. AlMighty Allah promised to name us from his own lips (metaphorically speaking of course) in the Bible and he associated this naming with the coming of Haz. Muhammad Mustafa (SAW). Then he gives us our name muslim in the Quran. Now tell me honestly. No matter what you believe, would you EVER be willing to give up a name that GOD has promised to you. If you follow the teachings of the Holy Prophet, if you believe that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad (SAW) is his messenger (The Kalima), and you read the Quran, and you practice the religion you ARE muslim. and you would never DARE drop the name. You see we have no choice, God gave us all the name muslim."

A very strong and convincing point indeed. A defence, which is very commonly put forward by the followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani. It might be possible that such Qadianis/ahmadis are ignorant of those writings of their founder which reveal his heresy. However such an argument generates a mixed reaction and forces a Muslim to adopt a more submissive attitude towards them with remarks like: "OK! Leave them alone! Allah knows best!"

On the other hand, such an arguments on the part of Qadianis/ahmadis make them appear oppressed and persecuted at the hands of Muslims and generate a lot of sympathy for them. In fact, Qadianis/ahmadis have made a very strong case of 'Human Rights Violation' and 'Persecution of Ahmadis' in Pakistan on religious grounds, citing examples of Muslims trying to prevent them from (ab)using The Kalima in any form. Just two examples would suffice to show how Human Rights Champions have reacted to Qadiani/Ahmadi propaganda of their alleged persecution in Pakistan.

Amnesty International reports:

"...members of the Ahmadiyya community...can be imprisoned and even sentenced to death solely for the exercise of their right to freedom of religion... "

Pakistan: violations of human rights of Ahmadis September 1991. AI Index: ASA/33/15/91

Dr Karen Parker of Human Rights Commission says:

"It is patently obvious that Ordinance XX violates these international standards because it penalizes Ahmadi Muslims for believing they are Muslim and for worshiping and assembling as they wish...It denies to them even the language and terminology of their religion...it clearly subjects Ahmadi Muslims to persecution..."

RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION IN PAKISTAN: THE AHMADI CASE AT THE SUPREME COURT

(A Commentary by Karen Parker, J.D. for International Educational Development Humanitarian Law Project A Non-governmental Organization at the United Nations December 1993)

One wishes that such eminent persons/organizations should at least have tried to know the feelings of the agrieved party (Muslims) and then have tried to analyse the problem before passing such remarks. However such negative attitude towards Muslims is not unexpected from them. In any case it is imperative that we should analyze the problem in its proper perspective and try to show the other side of the coin, hoping that the 'Islam-phobic' West would try to understand the Muslim point of view. Perhaps someday some 'Unbiased Human Rights Expert' might set the records straight.

It is worth noting that the books written by Mirza Ghulam A. Qadiani in the early years of his career expressed such beliefs which were more or less similar to the beliefs of Ahle Sunnah wal-Jama'ah (Sunni Muslims). However with the passage of time, as he climbed the ladder from a Islamic Debator to Reformer to Mujaddid to Messiah and then to become a Prophet, his beliefs changed accordingly. But very cunningly he kept twisting and transforming the meanings of various verses of Holy Quran and Ahadith of Holy Prophet (pbuh) to adapt to his heresy and yet continuing to claim adherence to Islam and Muslim Ummah. Metamorphosis that has taken place in the meanings of Finality of Prophethood and Life and Second coming of Jesus (as) are just two examples of such shift of beliefs.

Regarding the claims and beliefs which were frankly contradictory to Hadith or to which he could not find any support from the traditions of Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), even in a remotely metaphorical sense, this is what he has done:

"The basis for my claim is not Hadith but Holy Quran and that WAHI which descends upon us. Yes, in support we also cite those Hadith which are according to Quran and DOES NOT CONTRADICT MY WAHI. Rest of the Hadith, I THROW THEM AWAY LIKE A WASTE PAPER." (Roohani Khazain vol.19 p.140)

However, in an attempt to identify themselves with the Muslims, Ahmadiyya Movement's propaganda literature continue to quote the same early writings of Mirza Ghulam which portray his so-called sunni beliefs. Most of the newer generation of modern educated qadianis/ahmadis either do not have access to these later writings or they are brainwashed to such an extent that try to justify frankly blasphemous writings of Mirza Ghulam, without giving it a second thought.

It is therefore important to analyse the whole issue in the light of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad's writings and answers to the following questions must be examined in their light:

What exactly is the Kalima?
What are Muslim Epithets?
Why do muslims, especially in Pakistan, react so strongly?
Why is it considered abusive for a Qadiani to recite the Kalima?
Should Qadianis be allowed to recite the Kalima?
What is a Qadiani Kalima?
Who is the oppressor, Muslims or Qadianis?

However before we examine these issues, let me just clarify one point which is frequently raised by Qadianis, behind which they constantly take refuge and fool innocent people. They say that they recite the Kalima Shahadah and since no one knows what is in the heart of a person, therefore they are Muslims, but Allah says in Quran:

When the Hypocrites come to thee they say "We bear witness that thou art indeed the Apostle of Allah."
Yea Allah knoweth that thou art indeed His Apostle and Allah beareth witness that the Hypocrites are indeed liars. (Al-Quran 63.1)
In other words, Allah is bearing witness that even though a MUNAFIQ (hypocrite) will recite the Kalima Shahadah, but still Allah bears witness that they are liars. Why? Because they recite only with their tongues and not with their hearts. Now how are we suppose to know what is in the hearts of a person who is reciting the Kalima Shahadah? This is what Allah says:

O ye who believe! when ye go abroad (to fight) in the cause of Allah investigate carefully and say not to anyone who offers you a salutation: "Thou art none of a believer!" Coveting the perishable goods of this life: with Allah are profits and spoils abundant. Even thus were ye yourselves before till Allah conferred on you His favors: therefore carefully investigate for Allah is well aware of all that ye do. (Al-Quran 4.94)

In other words Allah is teaching us not to label someone Kaafir simply to get worldly gains. Surely by the Grace of Allah we (Anti Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam) are not labelling Qadianis as Kaafir simply to gain some material benefits. Next Allah encourages us to investigate the claim of a person who pretends to be a Muslim. How do we investigate? Naturally this investigation does not mean we try to look into the hearts of every Qadiani to see with what intention he is reciting the Kalima. We should analyse the writings of their founder and thier leaders, to see what it is exactly that they mean by the Kalima.
We Muslims believe and attest to everything revealed in Quran and everything said and done by Holy Prophet Muhammad SAAW, and His Sahaba, irrespective of whether we have read it or not, heard it or not, follow it or not, all of it is part of our faith. Similarly whatever Mirza Ghulam Qadiani claims to be his revelation, whatever he his companions have said and written, it has to be part of the faith of every Qadiani, irrespective of whether he knows it or not. Ignorance cannot be a plea.

In the following sections, InshaAllah it will be my tasks to try to investigate this this issue in the light of the writings of Mirza Ghulam and the Ahmadiyya Heirarchy.