The Ahmadiyya community, also known as Kadianis, is a religious movement founded in 1889 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in the Punjab region of India. The movement has been the subject of controversy and debate, particularly within the Islamic world, where many consider Ahmadis to be non-Muslims.
The primary reason that Ahmadis are considered non-Muslims is their belief that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was a prophet of God. This belief is seen as contradictory to the fundamental Islamic belief that Prophet Muhammad was the final prophet and that no new prophets will come after him. Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad is the “seal of the prophets” and that his message is the final revelation of God to humanity.
Ahmadis argue that they do not believe in any prophet after Prophet Muhammad and that they accept him as the final prophet. However, their belief that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was a prophet is seen as a violation of the principle of the finality of prophethood in Islam. Ahmadis believe that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was a reformer sent by God to renew the faith of Islam and to bring Muslims back to the true teachings of the Quran and Sunnah.
Another reason that Ahmadis are considered non-Muslims is their rejection of the traditional Islamic belief in the physical return of Prophet Jesus. Ahmadis believe that Prophet Jesus did not physically ascend to heaven but instead died a natural death and that his return is metaphorical. This belief is seen as contradictory to the mainstream Islamic belief in the physical return of Prophet Jesus, which is a central tenet of Islamic eschatology.
Ahmadis are also known for their peaceful and inclusive approach to Islam, which is seen by some as a departure from traditional Islamic practices. For example, Ahmadis believe in the separation of religion and state and promote religious freedom and tolerance. This approach is seen as controversial by some Muslims who believe that Islam should have a more dominant role in politics and society.
Ahmadis were declared non-Muslims by the state in 1974, and it is a criminal offense for Ahmadis to identify themselves as Muslims or to practice their faith publicly.