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According to Iman Jihad, the establishment of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a result of prophecies foretold. And by that, the prevailing decline and internecine strife among Muslims of our time are matters of which the Holy Prophet Muhammad prophesied. Through divine revelation, he prophesied one thousand four hundred years ago that in latter days, the religion would be in a state of decline - at which time, Muslims would split into several sects. He described the pitiable plight of Muslims in such detail; as of a view of our time had unfold to him. Thus, the Prophet's predictions has come true. His prophecies contain graphic descriptions of Muslims of our time. However, along with such sorrowful forewarnings, Prophet Muhammad(saw) also gave glorious tidings. He said that in spite of the dire distress true Islam would not perish and by that, God will raise in the beginning of every century Reformers who will restore the purity of Islam. 'The Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community was no doubt a Reformer'; said Iman Jihad.
For over a century, Ahmadiyya Muslims have been preaching fulfilled prophecies made some 1,400 years ago by the Prophet Muhammad. The fulfillment of some of which is the rejuvenation of Islam, a lunar and solar eclipse which was to occur in the month of Ramadhan (marking the appearance of the Promised Messiah / Imam Mahdi). The reestablishment of the institution of successor-ship to prophethood called Khilafat (Caliphate), is also among the list of prophecies. These prophecies are well known in the Muslim World. However, the blessings of their manifestation and representation, says Iman Jihad, is exclusive to Ahmadi Muslims only.
The Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is an international revival movement within Islam. Established in 1889, it spans over 200 countries with a membership exceeding 160 million. Its current headquarters is in the United Kingdom. The Ahmadiyya Muslim sect is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long awaited Messiah has come in the person of its founder, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (1835-1908). In 1889, upon receiving revelation from God, he claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide (Imam Mahdi), whose advent was foretold by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).Thus, his claim constitutes the basis of the beliefs of Ahmadiyya Muslims.
So what was the challenge for Iman Jihad when he decided to leave the Sunni Muslim sect to join the Ahmadiyya Muslim community?
“What there is to say is confrontational – and indeed very challenging for Sunni Muslims who wish to recant, or join a different sect. For non-Ahmadiyya Muslims, such a decision is “apostasy” – punishable to death. Because of the sensitivity of this issue, I will not deliberate it in my own words but rather quote from one of the many writings of Ahmadiyya scholars against this un-Islamic belief and practice”. From the Foreword of the book (The Truth about the Alleged Punishment for Apostasy in Islam) written by the fourth Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, we read:
“From the earliest days till now Islam and the world of Islam have not been harmed so severely by any external enemy as by some simple-minded Muslim ulema (theologians) themselves. In fact, the enemies of Islam have utilized the unwise religious edicts of these naive ulema (theologians) as a basis to attack Islam.
The wrong trend among the ulema took place when, under the influence of changing socio-political environment, they preferred to adopt some politically colored Islamic interpretations and ignored the clear teachings of the Qur’an and the noble precedence set by the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). Killing of apostate is one of such erroneous trends and baseless convictions. In fact, this menacing tenet is based neither on the Qur’an nor on the practice of the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him). It was merely a political idea invented with the help of some biased ulema, and used by Abbasid caliphs and other rulers to grind their political axe. Later it took such momentum that even the unbiased ulema were influenced by this wrong trend. Unfortunately, the later generation of ulema, who followed the old schools of thought, adopted this un-Islamic view uncritically without further research.
This dangerous and untenable belief produced very grave consequences. On minor differences some eminent scholars of Islam were declared apostates by the ulema who opposed them. The rulers and some politically powerful ulema used this weapon against their opponents. These agonizing chapters in the history of Islam remind us of the Christian rule of Spain when Christians upholding similar views, most savagely punished, for minor differences, their own Christian brothers”.
With the exception of Ahmadiyya Muslims, no other sect in Islam today has central authority to which obedience is incumbent, says Iman Jihad. Disconnected from central Islamic leadership, Iman Jihad nevertheless left the Sunni Muslim sect and joined the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community where he believes the True Religion of Islam has been rejuvenated. There he made the initiation pledge at the hand of their spiritual leader (Khalifa - Fifth, Successor to the Promised Messiah).In explaining his dissociation from the Sunni Muslims, Iman Jihad states: “Promptly after the demised of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), central leadership (Khilafat) became the most important institution in Islam. Though this institution had disappeared with the fall
He continue to say: “Accepting the Khalifa (Caliph) in every age is compulsory in Islam. In fact, in these latter days, accepting Khalifa is not only compulsory, but is compliance with instructions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) which indicated that when tribulations befall the Muslims in the latter days, and they have divided into sects (a critical situation facing Muslims today), the Prophet said: ‘If there be a group of Muslims united under one Amir (Khalifa), then join them, otherwise, dissociate yourself from all factions and be secluded in a corner, or take refuge under a tree (i.e. in the forest) and be there till you die.’”
Concerning this says Iman Jihad, at the time of converting to Islam, most converts are not cognizant of the fact that division among Muslims was prophesied by the Holy Prophet Muhammad who said that all sects in Islam are hell bound except for one sect. He went on to say that by the time converts get to learn of this, they are already programmed by their clerics with false information and hatred towards other sects, particularly against the Ahmadiyya Muslims. The attempt to eliminate the Ahmadiyya Muslim sect is an effort of all non-Ahmadiyya Muslim cleric. Collectively they have judged Ahmadiyya as non-Muslim and outside the fold of Islam says Iman Jihad. Converts must investigate this matter for themselves said Iman Jihad, because according the Prophet Muhammad, in the latter days only one group will be true Muslims and by that, said Iman Jihad; every Muslim must search for this group himself. The fact that the non-Ahmadiyya Muslims are not united under one leader (Caliph) as required in Islam - and have not taken to the forest as instructed by the Prophet, is the clearest indication that they are not the rightly guided Muslims – and this is a fact the seeker after truth must consider said Iman Jihad.
So what drew Iman Jihad Fedee to Islam in the first instance – being born and raised in a Christian family – and even more so, in a predominating Christian society? He said this was a question he was often asked, adding eagerly: “My answer to this question is simple, rational and logical, and should be of importance to all who claim to be serious Christians, because foremost, Islam is fulfillment of Biblical prophecies, and for this reason the seeker after truth gravitates towards Islam. Secondly, he said, the teachings of Islam is simple and free from all irrational beliefs, and it enjoined upon man and woman to use their faculties of reason to which the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad said: "It is incumbent upon Muslims (man and woman) to search for knowledge". By that, says Iman Jihad, “if religion is to have its natural and proper place in the physical and spiritual life of its followers, it must be founded upon facts, and the search for and assimilation of facts is one of the duties of a Muslim”.
Now, having said this, it is the belief of Muslims that no true Prophet and Messenger of God comes into this world unless it has been so willed by God. And for this, says Iman Jihad, it has always been the Wisdom of Almighty God that before the advent of a true Prophet and Messenger, God reveals the future coming to preceding prophets so that they could prophesy to their people what is to come so that they may be prepared for the acceptance of the truth when it comes.
So, according to Iman Jihad, it stood to reason that if the Prophet of Islam is a true Prophet and Messenger from God, the coming of such a great Holy Person had to have been foretold in preceding scriptures – and indeed his coming are found in the religious Scriptures of almost every faith, but the Bible being the forerunner of Islam contains the largest number of prophecies. In concluding, he gave the following examples in support to his argument:
Arabia is the land of the Promised One
“The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye traveling companies of Dedanim. The inhabitants of the land of Tema (ninth of Ishmael’s twelve sons) brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled. For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war. For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of a hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail: And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the Lord God of Israel hath spoken it” (Isaiah 21:23-17).The first point to bear in mind in connection with the above prophecy is that Arabia is the scene of the prophecy. This is most significant. Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) appeared in Arabia.
Secondly, the prophecy speaks of him that fled. The flight of Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) is a momentous event in the history of the world. It is upon that flight called Hijrat of Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) from Mecca to Medina that the Muslim calendar begins.
Thirdly, they fled from the swords conclusively proves the fulfillment of the prophecy in the Prophet of Arabia. Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) fled from Mecca when his house was surrounded by his deadly enemies who stood there, drawn swords in hand, thirsty for his blood.
Fourthly, another important and clear testimony of the fulfillment of the prophecy in the Prophet of Islam is to be found within a year… all the glory of Kedar shall fail … the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished. This was fulfilled in the Battle of Badr which occurred within a year from the flight of Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) and, in which battle, the Quraish of Mecca sustained a crushing defeat; most of their mighty men fell.
This event in the early history of Islam is also in fulfillment of the prophecy of Revelation 12:7-8 which says:
“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.”It will be erroneous to think of the literal heaven as a battleground where a war between good and evil has been fought. The word heaven as mentioned in the above verse is allegorical; meaning an earthly Holy Place as Mecca has been since the time of Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael (peace be upon them). In fact the entire prophecy of Revelation 12 is metaphorical, and concerns Hagar’s branch of Abraham’s family. In the prophecy, Michael signifies a Prophet who was to come after Jesus so to “rule all nations with a rod of iron” (verse five). To this, the prophecy fulfilled the purpose of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, the notable descendant of Abraham, Hagar, Ishmael and Kedar (may Allah be please with them).
The next Prophecy is “he shined forth from Mount Paran”; this read’s as follows
“And he said, The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them” (Deut. 33:2).Explanation: Coming from Sinai refers to the appearance of the Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) and rising up from Seir alludes to that of Jesus (peace be upon him). The Prophet who shone forth from Mount Paran could be no other than the Holy Prophet of Arabia, Paran is the ancient name for Mecca. What unmistakable points to the identity of Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) are “he came with ten thousands of saints” and “from his right hand went a fiery law for them.” At the time of the conquest of Mecca, ten thousand holy men followed at his heels and he was the bearer of the law of Qur’an. Hence these prophecies have been wonderfully fulfilled in the person of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him).
In conclusion, let us consider the fact that God is not a God of confusion. Had God not willed Islam to be the last and final of religions, He would not have fulfilled these prophecies after the advent of Jesus (peace be upon him). Thus, the promised nation (Kingdom) made to Hagar and Ishmael (peace be upon them) in the wilderness (Gen. 21:18) remained unfulfilled for six-hundred years after the advent of Jesus (peace be upon them). Until then, according to Matthew 6: 9-13, the followers of Jesus (peace be upon him) were instructed by Jesus to wait in supplication for its fulfillment. Jesus also announced the end of the Jewish Kingdom – but, to be succeeded by another. So it is to the coming of this promise we inferred the meaning of Jesus’ prophetic parable where he is reported to have said:
“The stone which the builders (of the house of Abraham) rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you (children of Israel, from the house of Abraham), the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” (Matthew 21:42-46).In light to the above mentioned prophecies, the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace be upon him), is the only one who totally fulfilled them. Islam is therefore the promised spiritual Kingdom supplicated for in the Lords Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) as taught by Jesus(as) and to which God proclaimed in the Qur’an that, it is: "He it is Who sent His Messenger (Muhammad) with guidance and the religion of truth, that He (God) may make it prevail over every other religion, even though the idolaters may dislike it” (Qur’an 9: 33). “And whoso seeks a religion other than Islam, it shall not be accepted from him, and in the life to come he shall be among the losers” [Qur’an 3:86].
Thus the living and everlasting blessings of God continues till the Day of Judgment through Islam; it is the true living religion of our time where unfilled prophecies foretold in preceding Holy Books find fulfillment.
Source/Credit: Prophecy News Live
Read original post here: St. Lucia - VOICE OF A MUSLIM CONVERT
Read more about Iman Jihad on his blog: I am a Muslim
Iman jihad can be reached at: mailto:imanjihad@email.com
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Please note the meaning of the following abbreviations:
The name of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, has been followed by (saw) which is an Arabic abbreviation for the salutation Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam (may the peace and blessings of Allah Almighty be upon him). The name of other Prophets are followed by (as), an Arabic abbreviation for Alasihissalam (on whom be peace). The actual salutations have not generally been set out in full, but they should nevertheless, be understood as being repeated in full in each case. The symbol (ra) is used with the name of the Disciples of the Holy Prophet (saw). It stands for Radi Allahu ‘anhu/‘anha/ ‘anhum (May Allah be pleased with him/with her/with them.
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