Mirza Ghulam Ahmad

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Biography

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was an Indian religious leader from Qadian, Gurdaspur, who lived during the period, 13 February 1835 – 26 May 1908. Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam - Islamic religious movement, he was also known as the Aḥmadiyyah. He claimed that he was the mahdi (a promised Muslim “saviour”) and a reappearance (buruz) of the Prophet Muhammad, and also Jesus Christ and Lord Krishna back to earth. Many of his unorthodox teachings were incorporated into the beliefs of the Aḥmadiyyah. After his death, it was disputed by his followers if he was indeed a prophet or not.

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was born in Gurdaspur on 13 February 1835. He was born into a rich family and received early education in Persian and Arabic. His father who served as a government clerk in Sialkot from 1864 until 1868, wanted him to join British government service or practise law. But Mirza was not willing to accept it initially. He became a writer and debater for Islam, and when he reached 40, following the death of his father, he felt that God began to communicate with him.

In 1889 he formed a divine community with the support of 40 believers which later came to be known as Ahmadiyya movement. In his opinion, it was the reinstatement of the absolute oneness of God and the revival of Islam through the moral reformation of society along Islamic principles. He travelled extensively across the Punjab preaching his religious ideas. Among his sons, Mirza Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad and Mirza Bashir Ahmad followed his legacy, and preached his lessons. Hakeem Noor-ud-Din was his close associative who was chosen as his first successor on 27 May 1908, a day after his death, becoming the first caliph of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Published: November 04, 2018

Updated: November 04, 2018