What a wonderful
perfection has Khatm-i-Risalat shown to the world!
It has made the
river of Nabuwwat (Prophethood) to flow in the Ummat.
On the basis of
this blessing we have achieved the foremost position,
in comparison
with the other Ummats.
What is the
harm, among the followers of the Holy Prophet Mohammad, if
one has appeared
among us as a Prophet?
For the true
Believer, if there is any glad tiding, it lies in this point, and whatever
miracle is
now possible
among the Muslims, it is only on this account!
-Paigham-i-Sulha,
February 12, 1914)
In a recent series of
conversations over e-mail, Ahmadi brothers of different denominational groups- Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Lahore Ahmadiyya
Movement, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya (Haqiqi), Jamaat-e- Ahmadiyya Al Muslimeen and the
Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam- shared their differing perceptions on the meaning
and scope, ambit and purpose of the spiritual title of “Ummati-Nabi” as applicable to the Promised Massih (as).
It is
instructive to note that till the death of Khalifatul Massih Awwal Hadhrat Maulvi
Hakkim Nur-ud-Din (ra) in March 1914,
all Ahmadis, including those who went on to form the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement (LAM)
and unjustly ACCUSE Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad (ra) of doctrinal
revision, believed that the Promised Massih (as) was indeed a Nabi
in the Ummat-e-Muhammadiyya. Yet, after the Great Split in the Jamaat,
the Lahore Ahmadis indulged in doctrinal revisions to position themselves away
from their own previous beliefs and proclamations.( See the poem published in their Journal a month before the Split in March 1914).
Members of the LAM and
the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya (Haquiqi), as participants debating Ummati-Nabi expressed their deeply held views, strongly and
aggressively. Some of the brothers like Dr. Rashid Jahangiri and Mr.
Mushtaq Ahmed Malik of the United States and Mr. Abdur Rahman
Puthiyavalappil of Dubai are so convinced about their own viewpoints that
they challenge the world, pledging substantial rewards for those who can
“disprove” their thesis, which is that the Promised Massih (as) was not
a Nabi in the Ummat-e-Muhammadiyya.
It is, however,
interesting to note that these contemporary scholars do not, and indeed they
cannot, dispute the fact that Allah (twa) through hundreds of recurring,
sublime revelations called or addressed the Promised Massih (as) by the titles “Ummati” as well as “Nabi”. They would also (have to)
agree, when confronted with the evidence from the writings of the Promised
Massih (as) that the two “titles” can be used as a composite title. They might as well agree that the Promised
Massih (as) has taught them that wherever the title “Nabi” has been used against his name, it should be read as Ummati-Nabi, to denote specifically
the fact that he received the grace of
Nubuwwat through the fact of his being a perfect member/follower of
Ummat-e-Muhammadiyya.
Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sahib, the ideological genitor
of the present disputants, after a forensic examination of all the writings of
the Promised Massih (as), did not find the term “Ummati Nabi” objectionable and in fact, went on to use the
term repeatedly in his
writings, including in the book “Prophethood
in Islam”. The ‘progenies’ and ‘off-shoots’ and ‘clones’ of his thought
process now object to the genitor’s view regarding the acceptability of the
term “Ummati Nabi” on the
ground of ‘superior forensic research which escaped the genitor’ in the first
place! It is instructive to note that even after knocking down the Maulvi Sahib
and insisting that only “Ummati wa
Nabi” is acceptable, in terms of implications
of this ‘research finding’,
they are not moving an inch further from where the Maulvi Sahib has already
left them!!
In a recently published
E-Book on the subject of Ummati-Nabi, the present writer has compiled the many
writings that explain the viewpoint of the Promised Massih (as) on the matter,
and also advanced certain arguments on the composite usage of the two
words/titles. After a perusal of all those material, it is for readers to judge
whether we have succeeded in making a persuasive case in favour of considering
the Promised Massih (as) as “Ummati-Nabi” in the sense of a Nabi within the Ummat-e-Muhammadiyya. The Book can be read here.
In his Friday Sermon of October 11, 2013 the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir
Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius offered brief remarks/ some comments on
the Debate:
Before ending, I would like to inform you on the
debate on the subject of “Ummati-Nabi” which has been going on in emails
circulation. Since August-September
2013, our brother from Delhi, Hazrat Mukarram Fazil Jamal Sahib compiled all
his arguments on this subject in a book entitled “Ummati-Nabi”.
Despite presenting solid arguments, whereby he cites what the Promised Messiah
(upon him be peace) affirmed on the subject, that Allah told him that he was a
prophet, but at the same time the Promised Messiah (upon him be peace) clearly
described in what way he is a prophet (Nabi). He cannot be a “Nabi”
(prophet) without being an “Ummati” (follower). In his saying “Ummati”,
he meant clearly that it is the Ummah of Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him)
that he is referring to.
But the (so-called) “great defenders” of Ahmadiyyat, the anti- “Mahmudi” like they have pinpointed out, like Rashid Jahangiri,
Mustaq Malik, Abdur Rahman Puthiyavalappil etc., refuse to see the light on
this matter. Despite launching big challenges and even promised money rewards
for the one who can prove that the respected Promised Messiah (upon him be
peace) said that he was an Ummati-Nabi, but then when our brother Hazrat Mukarram Fazil Jamal put that clearly before
them, black on white, they make the blind!
They promise great reward but they intrinsically know that they will
never accomplish what they said now that the truth has been established. We are in
no need of their money, but the challenge, it is them who launched it and our
brother Hazrat Mukarram Fazil Sahib accepted their challenge and gave back to
Hazrat Massih Maud (upon him be peace) and Hazrat Musleh Maud (May Allah
be pleased with him) their honour and dignity, such honour which these people
crushed under their dirty feet. Advice: Concede your defeat, stop vociferating dirty words and KEEP YOUR WORD ON THE CHALLENGE WHICH YOU
HAVE LAUNCHED!
After all, the hatred which they have for Hazrat
Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (May Allah be pleased with him) prevent them
from recognising this truth. They will never have the courage to affirm the
truth which our brother has succeeded in proving to them because they will
never want to admit defeat before a “Mahmudi”.
By the way, in which way you mean Mahmudi: being or holding the quality of being praised and worthy of reverence or
follower of Hazrat Mirza Mahmud Ahmad (May Allah be pleased with him) or even
is it another Mahmud or realm? In which
way do you perceive “Mahmudi”? And in which way are you an “Ahmadi”?
Perhaps you should revise your perception, dear challengers! You put forward
such insinuations which the Messiah (upon him be peace) has not referred to or
said!
Thus such ones like Rashid Jahangiri has boiled
with anger and revolted against our brother, but now I tell him and all those
who continue to trample the truth and the name of Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin
Mahmud Ahmad (May Allah be pleased with him), verily Allah will soon seize you in that which you are saying. May
your tongues and hands perish because of the insanity you wrote and said! May the verdict of Allah soon come in
favour of the truth so that the world may witness who is really truthful and
who is liar in the eyes of Allah, Insha-Allah,
Ameen.
Let us pray that Allah the Almighty preserved the Ummat-e-Muhamadiyya united and give us
all the spirit of cooperation to do Khidmat Deen-e-Islam. Insha-Allah,
Ameen.