Mirza Ghulam Ahmad is the founder of the Ahmadiyya sect which claims to follow the tenets of Islam. But there is a subtle difference as Mirza Ghulam also claims that he is the Mahdi, but this is not accepted by mainstream Islam (both Sunni and Shia). This has led to the sect being ostracized by mainstream Islam and in most countries except India the Ahmadiyya community is considered as heretic and not allowed to call themselves Muslim. Despite this the sect has a presence in 184 countries of the world, though their main concentration is in India and West Punjab (Pakistan).
Mirza Ghulam and the Avatar Kalki
Mirza Ghulam apart from claiming that he was the long awaited Mahdi was closely associated with evaluating Hindu and Sikh thought. In this connection he had many discussions and debates with Arya Samaj Hindu leaders. He was of the View that Rama and Krishna were prophets but not Gods. In addition he claimed that he was the Avatar Kalki, the incarnate of Vishnu, the supreme Hindu God, revered as the creator. Hindu religious thought has the belief that the Avatar Kalki who is an incarnate of Vishnu will appear on earth during the Kala Yuga (present age) to relieve people of their miseries.
Mirza Ghulam further claimed that Hindus believed in one god earlier but strayed from this concept and embraced polytheism (many gods). These are nothing short of revolutionary claims and Hindus do not accept that Mirza Ghulam is the Avatar Kalki. His claim that Ram and Krishna were prophets but not Gods is also at variance with Hindu religious thought which exalts Rama and Krishna as Gods. Mirza Ghulam wrote prodigiously on this subject and also had many discussions with Hindu religious heads in Lahore.
Mirza Ghulam and Sikhs
Mirza Ghulam also claimed that Sikhs and Guru Nanak was a sect of Muslims and Guru Nanak was a Sufi Muslim saint. He was of the view that the Sikhs had digressed from their Sufi past and allowed practices to creep in that took them away from Islam. His claim that Guru Nanak was in fact a Muslim Pir and undertook the Hajj was expounded by him in his discourses and lectures. It must be mentioned that Sikhs deny all the claims of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad.
Last word
Ghulam Ahmad also recognized Buddha as a prophet. There is no doubt that Mirza Ghulam was a man of profound intellect and the proof is that the Ahmadiyya sect has nearly 10 million followers. But his claim of being the Mahdi and the Avatar Kalki as well is opinion on the Sikhs and Rama and Krishna do not seem to hold much water. Nobody accepts the theories of Mirza Ghulam, but we must give him credit for recognizing the Hindu Gods and the Buddha as prophets, which shows that he had no animosity towards
Mirza Ghulam and the Avatar Kalki
Mirza Ghulam apart from claiming that he was the long awaited Mahdi was closely associated with evaluating Hindu and Sikh thought. In this connection he had many discussions and debates with Arya Samaj Hindu leaders. He was of the View that Rama and Krishna were prophets but not Gods. In addition he claimed that he was the Avatar Kalki, the incarnate of Vishnu, the supreme Hindu God, revered as the creator. Hindu religious thought has the belief that the Avatar Kalki who is an incarnate of Vishnu will appear on earth during the Kala Yuga (present age) to relieve people of their miseries.
Mirza Ghulam further claimed that Hindus believed in one god earlier but strayed from this concept and embraced polytheism (many gods). These are nothing short of revolutionary claims and Hindus do not accept that Mirza Ghulam is the Avatar Kalki. His claim that Ram and Krishna were prophets but not Gods is also at variance with Hindu religious thought which exalts Rama and Krishna as Gods. Mirza Ghulam wrote prodigiously on this subject and also had many discussions with Hindu religious heads in Lahore.
Mirza Ghulam and Sikhs
Mirza Ghulam also claimed that Sikhs and Guru Nanak was a sect of Muslims and Guru Nanak was a Sufi Muslim saint. He was of the view that the Sikhs had digressed from their Sufi past and allowed practices to creep in that took them away from Islam. His claim that Guru Nanak was in fact a Muslim Pir and undertook the Hajj was expounded by him in his discourses and lectures. It must be mentioned that Sikhs deny all the claims of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad.
Last word
Ghulam Ahmad also recognized Buddha as a prophet. There is no doubt that Mirza Ghulam was a man of profound intellect and the proof is that the Ahmadiyya sect has nearly 10 million followers. But his claim of being the Mahdi and the Avatar Kalki as well is opinion on the Sikhs and Rama and Krishna do not seem to hold much water. Nobody accepts the theories of Mirza Ghulam, but we must give him credit for recognizing the Hindu Gods and the Buddha as prophets, which shows that he had no animosity towards
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