The Danger of Deviating from the Qur'an and Hadith: A Cautionary Look at Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani’s Claims

Islam is a complete way of life, and its foundation rests firmly on two primary sources: the Holy Qur’an and the authentic Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). If someone wishes to establish any belief or ideology outside of the Qur’an and Hadith, it is clear that such a person is, in essence, withdrawing themselves from the fold of Islam. This is not merely a matter of opinion, but a deeply rooted principle in Islamic creed.

The Controversial Claims of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian made a controversial and dangerous claim: he considered himself a prophet. While claiming prophethood, he blatantly misinterpreted the Qur'an and Hadith. According to his interpretation, Khatm-e-Nubuwwat (Seal of Prophethood) does not mean that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the final prophet. Rather, he argued that other prophets may still come — and in fact, will come. On this basis, he proclaimed himself as a prophet.

Distorted Understanding of Finality of Prophethood

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad's statement was clear: if someone were to place a sword on his neck and say, “No prophet will come after Muhammad (peace be upon him),” he would still boldly respond, “You are a liar. After Muhammad, the Prophet will surely come.” According to him, Allah’s treasure is not exhausted, and therefore thousands of prophets can and will come.

This belief is a direct contradiction to the fundamental doctrine of Islam that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is Khatam an-Nabiyyin — the Final Prophet. This concept is clearly established in the Qur’an (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:40) and elaborated upon in numerous authentic Hadiths. Denying this core belief leads a person outside the bounds of Islam.

Takfir and Declaration of Muslims as Disbelievers

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad took his ideology even further. His interpretation can be summed up like this: “The person who believes in Musa (Moses) but not in ‘Isa (Jesus), or the one who believes in Muhammad but not in Ghulam Ahmad, is a disbeliever — a pure disbeliever — and he is outside the fold of Islam.” This extreme view demonstrates that everything contrary to his belief system is considered false or invalid by him.

Separation from the Muslim Ummah

This ideology has led his followers — known as Qadianis or Ahmadis — to isolate themselves from the broader Muslim community in several key religious matters:

Marriage Restrictions: Qadiani men are prohibited from marrying Muslim girls. If a suitable Qadiani match is not found, then, according to their belief, the Muslim girl should remain unmarried. However, marriage is a compulsory provision in Islam, and forcing someone to stay unmarried due to a false belief system is against the spirit of Islamic teachings.
Funeral Prayer (Janazah): Qadianis are instructed not to perform Janazah prayers for Muslims. But according to authentic Hadith, it is a sin to avoid attending the funeral of a fellow Muslim. Yet, in their doctrine, they are forbidden from participating. This further widens the divide between them and the mainstream Muslim Ummah.
Friendship and Brotherhood: Qadianis believe that they cannot befriend or show solidarity with Muslims. Despite this, they continue to claim themselves as Muslims, which adds to the confusion and misguidance for those unfamiliar with their true beliefs.
Congregational Prayers: According to Qadiani doctrine, it is forbidden to pray behind a Muslim imam. This is because Muslims do not recognize Ghulam Ahmad as a prophet. Consequently, they have established a separate prayer system, further distancing themselves from the unity of the Muslim community.

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad's interpretations and declarations stand in complete contradiction to the teachings of Islam. He distorted the meaning of established Islamic terms and concepts to suit his personal agenda and misguided ideology. His followers have adopted practices that isolate them from the core of the Muslim Ummah, in matters of prayer, social interactions, and fundamental beliefs.

May Allah protect the Ummah from such dangerous misconceptions and guide those who have gone astray back to the straight path. Ameen.