Role of the Ahmadiyya Movement
- The Ahmadiyya Movement is a modern Muslim messianic or Islamic revival movement and was founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian in 1889.
- He commenced this movement as a protector of Islam against the rhetoric of the Arya Samaj and Christian missionaries.
- A Muslim group with Indian roots is known as the Ahmadiyya and they follow liberal principles.
- The movement rejected jihad (the holy war waged against non-Muslims) and like the Brahmo Samaj, was built on the tenets of a single, universal religion for all people.
- Western liberalism, Theosophy, and Hindu religious reform movements all had a significant impact on Ghulam Ahmad and his movement.
- He described himself as the leader of the Mohammedan Renaissance.
- Although Ghulam Ahmad referred to himself as a minor prophet, he followed Muhammad as the true and great Prophet.
- Ahmadiyya Movement is the only Islamic movement that believes Mirza Ghulam Ahmad is the Messiah. Although Ghulam Ahmad referred to himself as a minor prophet, he followed Muhammad as the true and great Prophet.
- They also believe that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad came to put an end to religious strife and violence as well as to restore morality, peace, and justice and they supported human rights and tolerance, as well as maintaining the mosque’s autonomy from the government.
- By creating a network of schools and universities, the movement promoted Western liberal education among Indian Muslims. Ghulam Ahmad wrote more than 75 books, among them was Faith-i Islam, to spread education and awareness.
- The Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam was separated into two groups after the demise of the first Khalifa in 1914. These were the Ahmadis and the Lahore group.
Role of Ahrar Movement and Ahmadiya Movement in Muslim Reform
Muslim Socio-Religious Reform Movements first began to emerge in the nineteenth century. This was brought about by the impact of modern education, western ideas, and Christian missionaries. Also, the Muslim community was affected by the religious diktats and fatwas issued by the Muslim clerics. Elite and well-educated Muslims in India felt a loss of influence. This was primarily brought about by the transfer of authority from the Mughals to the British and the substitution of English for Persian as the language of employment and promotion in the new political system. As a result, they committed themselves to advancing Islamic principles and purifying and bolstering Islam.