A movement that was started in Punjab in 1879 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, born in Qadian, India. This movement became a strong missionary force. A description of Ahmad can be found at this Ahmaddiya page. In 1974, it was declared by Pakistan government to be a non-Muslim community because it recognizes its founder as a prophet after Muhammad. Ahmadis believed that he is the Promised Messiah, but this goes against the Qur'anic teaching that Jesus is the Messiah.

* Muslims believe that Muhammad is the last of a long line of prophets to come, and the title "Seal of the Prophets" is interpreted to mean that. (See also SEAL OF THE PROPHETS).

* Like other Muslims, Ahmadis believed that death on the cross is an accursed death which Allah will not allow on his prophets. Unlike orthodox Muslims, Ahmadis believed that Jesus was crucified on the cross, though that he did not die there. Instead, they believed that Jesus was in a swoon, and then was revived in the cool of the night, and later went to the 10 lost tribes of Israel in Kashmir and Tibet, and died after living a long, full life, and was buried in Kashmir. Ahmadis point to the prophecy by Jesus in Matthew 12:40 which says that just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the bowels of the earth. They pointed out that since Jonah was alive while in the fish, Jesus was also alive. This is of course due to Ahmadis not understanding the proverbial saying of the Jews.

* Ahmadis believe the Jesus, son of Mary, will not return, but instead someone else with the characteristics of Jesus Christ will return.

* Ahmadis claim that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad is the second coming of Jesus. Compare this with the Bible:

“Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many."” (Matthew 24:4-5)

Further Reading

The Ahmadiyya Sect of Islam (provides discussions of their specific claims)

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