The institution of Prophethood in Islam is divinely ordained. A true Prophet is divinely chosen and directly educated by Allah Himself. This article addresses several theological and historical inconsistencies in the claims of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani, founder of the Qadiani movement, particularly his self-declared Prophethood.
Do Human Teachers teach Prophets?
According to the Quran and Sunnah, a Prophet receives direct knowledge and guidance from Allah:
“He [Allah] taught Adam all the names…”
(Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:31)
“And He [Allah] revealed to His servant what He revealed.”
(Quran, Surah An-Najm, 53:10)
Prophets are the medium through which divine revelation reaches humanity. They do not acquire religious knowledge from human teachers in the conventional sense. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was unlettered (Ummi), yet possessed the most profound and perfect knowledge:
“He it is Who raised among the unlettered ones a Messenger from among themselves, reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom…”
(Quran, Surah Al-Jummah, 62:2)
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and His Worldly Teachers
In stark contrast, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani openly acknowledged his worldly teachers:
“My teachers were Maulvi Fazl Ilahi, Fazl Ahmad, Gul Ali Shah, and Hakim Ghulam Murtaza.”
(Kitab al-Bariyya, p.180; Ruhani Khazain, vol. 13, p.180)
This admission raises serious doubts about his claim to Prophethood, as it contradicts the divine model, which states that prophets are directly taught by Allah and not by human tutors.
Can a Mentally Disturbed or Politically Subjugated Person Be a Prophet?
Purity of Prophets in Islam
Prophets are free from physical, mental, and moral defects that could repel people or compromise their mission. Allah chooses them based on His wisdom and purifies them for their role:
“And We made them leaders guiding by Our command. And We inspired them to do good deeds…”
(Quran, Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:73)
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’s Alleged Illnesses and Motivations
In various writings, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and his followers acknowledged his psychological issues and English loyalty. His followers try to justify his prophetic claims through sympathy and situational excuses like “political pressure” or “mental disorders” (e.g., epilepsy, hysteria, or melancholia ‘miraq’).
Such justifications are unacceptable in Islamic theology. A prophet cannot claim revelation as a response to worldly pressures or personal psychological disturbances. If hypothetically Allah were to ask Mirza, “Why did you claim Prophethood after I had sealed it with Muhammad (PBUH)?” could “mental illness” or “British subjugation” be valid excuses?
Was Mirza’s Death a Divine Sign Against His Claim?
Claim of “Cutting the Life Vein” of Liars
Qadiani followers sometimes claim that if someone is false in attributing words to Allah, He will “cut off their life vein.”
“And if he [the Prophet] had made up about Us some false sayings, We would have seized him by the right hand. Then we would have severed from him the aorta.”
(Quran, Surah Al-Haqqah, 69:44–46)
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’s Death from Cholera
Mirza’s last and most emphatic claim of Prophethood was published in Malfuzat, volume 10, page 127:
“We claim to be a Prophet and a Messenger.”
Shortly after this declaration, he died of cholera, a humiliating and agonizing disease.
If the claim is that liars’ “veins” are cut, and Mirza died a sudden, painful death, then isn’t this consistent with the Quranic threat to false prophets? If not, why did he meet such an end right after making his final prophetic claim?
Does Reciting the Kalima Guarantee One Is a Muslim?
Definition of Ahl al-Qiblah (People of the Qiblah)
While facing the Qiblah and reciting the Kalima are outward signs of Islam, faith in its essential doctrines is obligatory. Denying the necessities of religion, such as the Finality of Prophethood, Resurrection, or Divine Legislation, removes a person from the fold of Islam.
Ahl al-Qiblah Criteria in Classical Scholarship
Imam Tahawi’s famous creed (Aqidah Tahawiyyah) says:
“We do not declare any member of the People of the Qiblah to be a disbeliever due to a sin, so long as he does not consider it lawful.”
But this exclusion does not apply to one who rejects fundamental doctrines such as Khatm-e-Nubuwwat.
Why Even Lahori Ahmadis Are Deemed Outside Islam
Mainstream Qadianis (Rabwah group) declare the Lahori Ahmadis non-Muslim because the latter deny Mirza Qadiani’s Prophethood. Yet the Lahoris also believe in Mirza’s excellence and spiritual station. This shows that even among themselves, Qadianis do not accept the “Kalima” as a sufficient criterion without belief in their additional doctrines.
Was Mirza the “Promised Messiah”?
Mirza’s Own Prophecy on the “Promised Messiah”
In Tiryaq ul-Qulub (Appendix 2, p.159; Ruhani Khazain vol. 15, p.483), Mirza claimed:
“After the death of the Promised Messiah, a kind of barrenness will spread in humanity. They will resemble animals and savages. Humanity will vanish. They will not distinguish between halal and haram, and the Day of Judgment shall come on them.”
Contradiction in Reality
- Did humanity vanish after Mirza died in 1908? No.
- Do people still recognize halal and haram? Yes.
- Is human civilization continuing? Undeniably.
Even within the Qadiani community, people marry, build businesses, preach, and follow laws—none of this aligns with Mirza Qadiani’s dire prophecy.
Therefore, either his “Messiah prophecy” was false, or the implications of his death must apply to his followers, branding them, according to his words, as “savages” devoid of genuine humanity.
Conclusion
The claims of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani fail the essential Quranic and Hadith-based tests for true Prophethood. His worldly education, mental health issues, humiliating death, contradictions in doctrine, and failed prophecies all disqualify him from being considered a Prophet or Messiah.
Belief in the finality of Prophethood with Muhammad (PBUH) is a non-negotiable pillar of Islamic creed:
“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets.”
(Quran, Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:40)
