I Realized Mirza was no 'Isa Lookalike
Brigadier (retired) Ahmad Nawaz Khan

I am extremely grateful to Allah Ta'ala since, after being the victim of Ahmadiyyat for thirty years, He guided my family and me back to Islam. It happened one day, as I was reading some of the Islamic poetry of Allamah Iqbal. It affected my heart and caused me to reflect upon my situation and the reality of this deen. Soon after, Allah Ta'ala granted me an opportunity to research the subject in more detail; It did not take me long to discover the Truth and unveil the emptiness of the Ahmadi drama.

I am thankful to Allah Ta'ala in every way. I have, alhamdolellah, been blessed with seven sons and three daughters. My three daughters are in the Army Medical Core; three of my sons are physicians in Pakistan Army; two are in the foreign affairs services; one is in P.I.A. and one is in U.N.O. By the grace of Allah Ta'ala, all my children are good practicing Muslims, very much devoted to Islam and true followers of Prophet Muhammed(s.a.w.). Indeed, Allah Ta'ala has showered me with his blessings.

However, the greatest blessing of all is the peace of mind that I found in Islam, after I was led away from Ahmadiyyat. I am truly grateful to Allah Ta'ala for this, since it was only by His infinite mercy that my children and I were led away from the falsehood of the Ahmadi leadership and to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad(s.a.w.).

As Muslims, it is our belief that, before the Day of Judgement, 'Isa(a.s.) will return to this world to fight the Dajjal. No Muslim has ever denied this in the history of Islam. But Mirza Galam Ahmed conjectured that the prophecies on the second coming of 'Isa(a.s.) allude to the fact that someone with the qualities of 'Isa(a.s.) will be born! By rejecting the doctrine of return of 'Isa(a.s.) and advancing this conjecture, Mirza Ghulam opened the door for his subsequent claim at being that alleged 'Isa-lookalike, allegedly commissioned to fulfill the mission stated by Rasulollah(s.a.w.).

I would like to point out that not only the claim of Mirza to be the "prophesied 'Isa-lookalike" is without any merit in Islamic teaching, but also it has no logical connection with what he was and accomplished. For the sake of brevity and clarity, let us set aside the debate on the question of the return of 'Isa(a.s.) and concentrate on the claim of Mirza and his associates.

The point I encourage you to consider here is whether there is any similarity between Mirza Ghulam and 'Isa(a.s.) and whether Mirza Ghulam even came close to fulfilling what he himself had acknowledged the alleged 'Isa-lookalike would be sent to fulfill. Upon an examination of the evidence, I trust every person will realize that, even if by "the return of 'Isa(a.s.)", Rasulollah(s.a.w.) had been unclear (astakhforellah) and had actually meant that an 'Isa-lookalike will be born, still Mirza Ghulam could not have been that person! In short, there is no logical or rational support for any of the claims propagated by the family and inheritors of Mirza Ghulam's business.

Obviously, there were tremendous differences between the characters, habits, births and capabilities of Mirza Ghulam and 'Isa(a.s.), and there is absolutely no resemblance in their physical features. For the purpose of comparison, the following is a brief description of the tasks that Mirza carried out, versus what 'Isa(a.s.) is supposed to complete upon his return. This should suffice to reveal the truth to anyone seeking it.

In the Qur'an and Hadith, Prophet 'Isa(a.s.) is referred to as 'Isa bin Maryam(a.s.) (Jesus son of Mary). Also, his grandfather's name is mentioned as 'Imran (Surah Aal-e 'Imran and Surah Maryam). In comparison, Mirza's father's name was Gulam Murtaza and his mother's name was Chiragh Bibi. Thus Mirza's name was not "'Isa bin Maryam"; he was the grandson of Murtaza.

The Hadith informs us that 'Isa(a.s.) will be married in the family or nation of Shu'ayb(a.s.), in Jordan (Miqrezi, vol. 5, p. 350). In comparison, Mirza was married in India.

According to Hadith, 'Isa(a.s.) will appear in Syria and the center of his activities will be in the Middle East. In comparison, Mirza never walked in the Middle East.

Hadith informs us that 'Isa(a.s.) will perform Hajj and 'Umrah and then will visit Roza-e-Mubarak (grave) of Prophet Muhammad(s.a.w.), in Madina-e-Munawwarah. He will wear Ahram from the place called al-Roha, which is located sixty miles towards Badr from Madina-e-Munawwara (Musnad Ahmad, v.2, p290), and perform Hajj and/or 'Umrah. Mirza never performed Hajj or 'Umrah and had never been to Roza-e-Mubarak of Prophet Muhammad(s.a.w.).

According to traditions, 'Isa(a.s.) will wage war against the unbelievers and wrong doers, including Jews, until Islam is the only religion on the face of the earth (Bukhari,v6, p75). In contrast, Mirza abolished Jihad and, not only never fought against the Jews, he was very friendly with them. It was due to this friendship that, while Muslims were being oppressed in Israel, Mirza's followers were allowed to establish a Center in Israel's city of Heyfa.

The traditions state that, upon 'Isa's(a.s.) return to this world, all Christians will embrace Islam. Like a pot filled with water (Musnad Ahmad p.430, Abu Dawud, v.4, p.17), only Muslims will be left in this world. Compared to this, in Mirza Ghulam's time, Christianity became stronger and the power of Jews also increased. Mirza also praised the Christian queen of England, who had forcibly subjugated India from the hands of the Muslim leaders.

The Hadith inform us that, after 'Isa's(a.s.) appearance and victories, there will be total peace in the world and all wars will come to an end. In contrast, both of the World Wars occurred after Mirza was born. India and Pakistan alone have fought three major wars since that time and the amount of evil and immorality which has appeared on this planet, during and after Mirza's life, have been unprecedented throughout human history.

We furthermore are told that, after 'Isa's(a.s.) descend, there will be unprecedented wealth around the globe. No one will be willing to accept charity and everybody will be well off. A poor person cannot be even found (Sahih Muslim v.2, p.193, Musnad Ahmad v.3, p.345) to accept charity. However, since Mirza's time, there have been billions of poor individuals and families around the globe, even in the wealthiest of the nations.

According to hadith, 'Isa(a.s.) will eat foods not cooked on fire (Kanz al-Ummal v6, p126), but Mirza's favorite food was roasted meat.

As taught by authentic traditions, 'Isa(a.s.) will die in Madina-e-Munawwara and will be buried next to the grave of Prophet Mohammed(s.a.w.), in his Roza-e-Mubarak (Musnad Ahmad, v.2, p.437). But Mirza died in Lahore, Pakistan, and is buried in Qadian, India.

At the time of his death, 'Isa(a.s.) will have reappeared on this earth for 40 years (Abu Dawud, Vol. 2, p. 266). Contrary to this fact, Mirza was born in 1833 and died at the age of 76, in 1908. He claimed to be a Mujaddid (renewer) in 1884, Messiah in 1891 and a prophet in 1901. By any method of calculation, his age contradicts authentic teachings.

Soon after the death of 'Isa(a.s.), the signs of Day of the Judgement will begin to manifest. Thirty years after the clan of Banu Tamim, which had helped 'Isa(a.s.), has died off and, after the death of scholars, the knowledge of Qur'an will be taken away from this world. Mirza and his successors have all died for a long time and such a thing has not occurred.

After reviewing these fundamental and irrefutable differences, allow us to revisit the original question. Even if someone were to incorrectly believe that the second coming of 'Isa(a.s.) alludes to the birth of an 'Isa-lookalike, still Mirza Ghulam can not be given the benefit of a doubt to be that lookalike. Indeed, Mirza does not even come remotely close to the prophecies regarding the return of 'Isa(a.s.).

May Allah show the right path to all those who seek it, and give the wealth of His love and the love of Rasullulah, Prophet Muhammad(s.a.w.), like he has given me. Allahumma Rabbana Aameen.

"It is those who believe and confuse not their beliefs with wrong - that are (truly) in security, for they are on (right) guidance." (The holy Quran, Al-Anaam, 6:82)