Written by: Muhammad Aamir Hashim Khakwani
The question of declaring Qadianis (Ahmadis) as non-Muslims can be understood from two fundamental perspectives:
The primary concern is whether the group in question truly falls outside the fold of Islam, or whether it is simply a matter of scholarly disagreement.
In Islam, the belief in the Finality of Prophethood after Tawhid (monotheism) holds a central and foundational position. Recognizing the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as the final messenger of Allah is among the core tenets of Islam. The Qur’an and authentic Sunnah present clear and decisive evidence for this, and the entire Muslim Ummah has unanimously agreed upon this doctrine for centuries.
After the passing of the Prophet ﷺ, anyone who claimed prophethood was deemed a liar. The Islamic state firmly resisted such claimants, at times even executing them and declaring their followers non-Muslim. On this matter, there has been complete consensus among all sects of Muslims—Sunni, Shia, Barelvi, Deobandi, and Ahl-e-Hadith.
The followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani, who consider him a prophet, claim to believe that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is Khatam al-Nabiyyin (Seal of the Prophets). However, they redefine this by calling Mirza Ghulam Ahmad a "shadow prophet" (Zill-e-Nabi).
This concept was entirely rejected by Muslim scholars, and a nationwide religious movement was launched against it. All religious schools of thought in Pakistan agreed that Qadianis are disbelievers and should be officially declared non-Muslims.
There was no disagreement among the masses regarding the Qadianis being non-Muslim. However, Qadianis employed deceptive methods—they would hide their identity, initially express beliefs similar to Muslims, and only later would they preach Qadianism. This hypocritical approach raised deep concerns among religious circles.
This led to a state-level initiative to address the issue through constitutional amendment.
There are other groups in Pakistan whose beliefs differ from mainstream Islamic doctrine, such as:
These communities live peacefully, do not attempt to deceive or mislead Muslims, and do not claim to be part of the Muslim Ummah. Thus, no public movement was launched to declare them non-Muslim.
Unlike ordinary minorities, Qadianis employed deceit, hypocrisy, and misguidance. Their methods caused social unrest, religious confusion, and breached public peace. Reports of conflict and tension between communities became common. Therefore, the state found it necessary to take constitutional action.
Initially, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto believed that if Qadiani leaders were given a chance, they might be able to convince the nation. However, when Mirza Nasir Ahmad (Qadiani leader) said that:
"Anyone who does not accept Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as a prophet is a disbeliever and his children are illegitimate"
It became evident that Qadianis' beliefs were completely incompatible with mainstream Islam.
Thus, the Parliament—across all political and religious lines—unanimously declared Qadianis and Lahoris as non-Muslims.
According to Allama Iqbal, Parliament has the right to perform Ijtihad (independent legal reasoning) and should do so in light of scholarly consensus.
In the case of Qadianis, this principle of Ijtihad was rightly employed, and the constitutional amendment was a logical, necessary, and correct decision.
At the time, Qadianis and their sympathizers claimed:
"Today you are declaring us non-Muslims; tomorrow you’ll declare Shi‘as, Barelvis, and others as disbelievers too."
However, over forty years have passed, and no major religious or political party has ever demanded that Shi‘as or Barelvis be declared non-Muslims.
This proves that their concerns were unfounded.
❖ Understanding the Issue from Two Key Angles
The question of declaring Qadianis (Ahmadis) as non-Muslims can be understood from two fundamental perspectives:
① Determining the Group's True Religious Status
The primary concern is whether the group in question truly falls outside the fold of Islam, or whether it is simply a matter of scholarly disagreement.
In Islam, the belief in the Finality of Prophethood after Tawhid (monotheism) holds a central and foundational position. Recognizing the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as the final messenger of Allah is among the core tenets of Islam. The Qur’an and authentic Sunnah present clear and decisive evidence for this, and the entire Muslim Ummah has unanimously agreed upon this doctrine for centuries.
After the passing of the Prophet ﷺ, anyone who claimed prophethood was deemed a liar. The Islamic state firmly resisted such claimants, at times even executing them and declaring their followers non-Muslim. On this matter, there has been complete consensus among all sects of Muslims—Sunni, Shia, Barelvi, Deobandi, and Ahl-e-Hadith.
② The Qadiani Issue
The followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani, who consider him a prophet, claim to believe that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is Khatam al-Nabiyyin (Seal of the Prophets). However, they redefine this by calling Mirza Ghulam Ahmad a "shadow prophet" (Zill-e-Nabi).
This concept was entirely rejected by Muslim scholars, and a nationwide religious movement was launched against it. All religious schools of thought in Pakistan agreed that Qadianis are disbelievers and should be officially declared non-Muslims.
❖ Public Movement and State Response
There was no disagreement among the masses regarding the Qadianis being non-Muslim. However, Qadianis employed deceptive methods—they would hide their identity, initially express beliefs similar to Muslims, and only later would they preach Qadianism. This hypocritical approach raised deep concerns among religious circles.
This led to a state-level initiative to address the issue through constitutional amendment.
❖ Other Groups with Deviant Beliefs
There are other groups in Pakistan whose beliefs differ from mainstream Islamic doctrine, such as:
- Zikris in Balochistan
- Baha’is from Iran
- Bohris and Isma'ilis
These communities live peacefully, do not attempt to deceive or mislead Muslims, and do not claim to be part of the Muslim Ummah. Thus, no public movement was launched to declare them non-Muslim.
❖ Why Was a Constitutional Amendment Needed Against Qadianis?
Unlike ordinary minorities, Qadianis employed deceit, hypocrisy, and misguidance. Their methods caused social unrest, religious confusion, and breached public peace. Reports of conflict and tension between communities became common. Therefore, the state found it necessary to take constitutional action.
❖ Two Possible Solutions
- No State Intervention:
Religious parties and the public would have taken the law into their own hands, leading to violence and chaos. - State-Led Legislative Solution:
The issue was brought to Parliament, where Qadiani leadership was given a fair opportunity to present their stance.
After several days of extensive debate, the Parliament unanimously declared both Qadianis and the Lahori group as non-Muslims through a constitutional amendment.
❖ Bhutto Government and the Amendment
Initially, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto believed that if Qadiani leaders were given a chance, they might be able to convince the nation. However, when Mirza Nasir Ahmad (Qadiani leader) said that:
"Anyone who does not accept Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as a prophet is a disbeliever and his children are illegitimate"
It became evident that Qadianis' beliefs were completely incompatible with mainstream Islam.
Thus, the Parliament—across all political and religious lines—unanimously declared Qadianis and Lahoris as non-Muslims.
❖ Role of Ijtihad and Parliament
According to Allama Iqbal, Parliament has the right to perform Ijtihad (independent legal reasoning) and should do so in light of scholarly consensus.
In the case of Qadianis, this principle of Ijtihad was rightly employed, and the constitutional amendment was a logical, necessary, and correct decision.
❖ Concerns Raised by Qadianis and Their Supporters
At the time, Qadianis and their sympathizers claimed:
"Today you are declaring us non-Muslims; tomorrow you’ll declare Shi‘as, Barelvis, and others as disbelievers too."
However, over forty years have passed, and no major religious or political party has ever demanded that Shi‘as or Barelvis be declared non-Muslims.
This proves that their concerns were unfounded.
