◈ A Critical Analysis of Contradictions in Parwez Sahib’s Ideology ◈
By: Forum Translation (Translated from Urdu)
The denier of Hadith, Ghulam Ahmad Parwez, consistently claimed that his ideology was free from contradictions and that he recognized the Qur'an as the sole source of Islamic law. He asserted that all his interpretations were rooted in Qur’anic truths, which he described as immutable and eternal. However, a review of his various writings and statements reveals that his thoughts lack consistency and are, in fact, riddled with contradictions. Over different periods, he presented new interpretations of Qur'anic verses, yet he never acknowledged the inconsistencies. Below, we present key themes from his thoughts along with the contradictions found within them.
① First View: The Husband Has the Right to Strike the Wife
In his interpretation of the verse “وَاضْرِبُوهُنَّ” from Sūrah al-Nisā’, Parwez Sahib stated in January 1949 that a husband has the right to strike a rebellious wife:
“If the woman has a virtuous disposition, then advice will suffice. But if she does not desist, then strictness can be applied.”
[Tolu-e-Islam, January 1949, p. 67]
② Second View: The Right to Punish Lies with the Court
By October 1949, Parwez Sahib altered his position and said that the right to punish does not belong to the husband but to the court:
“If the husband's advice fails to resolve the matter, then the issue should be brought before the court, and the court will decide what type of punishment should be given to the woman.”
[Tolu-e-Islam, October 1949, p. 92]
③ Third View: Reform Should Be Through Society
In 1957, Parwez Sahib adopted a new stance that all three measures (advice, separation, and striking) fall under the responsibility of society:
“Society should attempt advice and reform. If the problem persists, then the court may administer physical punishment.”
[Tolu-e-Islam, February 1957, p. 43]
① First View: The Age Was Nine and a Half Centuries
“Due to the strength of the human body in ancient times, long lifespans were not surprising.”
[Maʿārif al-Qur’ān, Vol. 2, p. 376]
② Second View: The Age Was 200 Years
“In Arabic, the word ‘sanah’ also means ‘harvest season’. Based on that, the age of Nūḥ would be two hundred years.”
[Jū’-e-Nūr, p. 34]
① First View: Destruction Due to Rejection of Truth
“The people of Nūḥ rejected the message of truth. As a result of their crimes, they were destroyed.”
[Maʿārif al-Qur’ān, Vol. 2, p. 370]
② Second View: Destruction Was a Natural Disaster
“Natural disasters like floods are not the result of a people’s actions.”
[Jū’-e-Nūr, p. 29]
① First View: Refers to the Language of Birds
“Prophet Sulaymān was taught the language of birds.”
[Maʿārif al-Qur’ān, Vol. 3, p. 405]
② Second View: Refers to Cavalry Regiments
“Manṭiq al-Ṭayr does not mean the language of birds, but rather knowledge of cavalry regiments.”
[Barq-e-Ṭūr, pp. 253–254]
① First View: Sacrifice Is Obligatory
“Pray to your Lord and offer sacrifice.”
[Maʿārif al-Qur’ān, Vol. 4, p. 369]
② Second View: A New Interpretation of Sacrifice
“This verse is not about sacrifice but rather a command to strive for collective welfare and prosperity.”
[Mafhūm al-Qur’ān, p. 1488]
Contrary to Parwez Sahib’s repeated claims, his various writings clearly demonstrate contradictions in his thoughts. While asserting a singular, definitive understanding of the Qur’an, he himself presented conflicting interpretations of different verses. These contradictions raise serious questions regarding the consistency and reliability of his ideological framework.
By: Forum Translation (Translated from Urdu)
❖ Contradictions in the Ideology of Parwez Sahib
The denier of Hadith, Ghulam Ahmad Parwez, consistently claimed that his ideology was free from contradictions and that he recognized the Qur'an as the sole source of Islamic law. He asserted that all his interpretations were rooted in Qur’anic truths, which he described as immutable and eternal. However, a review of his various writings and statements reveals that his thoughts lack consistency and are, in fact, riddled with contradictions. Over different periods, he presented new interpretations of Qur'anic verses, yet he never acknowledged the inconsistencies. Below, we present key themes from his thoughts along with the contradictions found within them.
❖ The Qur'an and the Matter of Punishing Women
① First View: The Husband Has the Right to Strike the Wife
In his interpretation of the verse “وَاضْرِبُوهُنَّ” from Sūrah al-Nisā’, Parwez Sahib stated in January 1949 that a husband has the right to strike a rebellious wife:
“If the woman has a virtuous disposition, then advice will suffice. But if she does not desist, then strictness can be applied.”
[Tolu-e-Islam, January 1949, p. 67]
② Second View: The Right to Punish Lies with the Court
By October 1949, Parwez Sahib altered his position and said that the right to punish does not belong to the husband but to the court:
“If the husband's advice fails to resolve the matter, then the issue should be brought before the court, and the court will decide what type of punishment should be given to the woman.”
[Tolu-e-Islam, October 1949, p. 92]
③ Third View: Reform Should Be Through Society
In 1957, Parwez Sahib adopted a new stance that all three measures (advice, separation, and striking) fall under the responsibility of society:
“Society should attempt advice and reform. If the problem persists, then the court may administer physical punishment.”
[Tolu-e-Islam, February 1957, p. 43]
❖ The Age of Prophet Nūḥ (عليه السلام)
① First View: The Age Was Nine and a Half Centuries
“Due to the strength of the human body in ancient times, long lifespans were not surprising.”
[Maʿārif al-Qur’ān, Vol. 2, p. 376]
② Second View: The Age Was 200 Years
“In Arabic, the word ‘sanah’ also means ‘harvest season’. Based on that, the age of Nūḥ would be two hundred years.”
[Jū’-e-Nūr, p. 34]
❖ The Cause of Destruction of the People of Nūḥ
① First View: Destruction Due to Rejection of Truth
“The people of Nūḥ rejected the message of truth. As a result of their crimes, they were destroyed.”
[Maʿārif al-Qur’ān, Vol. 2, p. 370]
② Second View: Destruction Was a Natural Disaster
“Natural disasters like floods are not the result of a people’s actions.”
[Jū’-e-Nūr, p. 29]
❖ Manṭiq al-Ṭayr (Speech of the Birds)
① First View: Refers to the Language of Birds
“Prophet Sulaymān was taught the language of birds.”
[Maʿārif al-Qur’ān, Vol. 3, p. 405]
② Second View: Refers to Cavalry Regiments
“Manṭiq al-Ṭayr does not mean the language of birds, but rather knowledge of cavalry regiments.”
[Barq-e-Ṭūr, pp. 253–254]
❖ Rulings on Sacrificial Offerings (Qurbānī)
① First View: Sacrifice Is Obligatory
“Pray to your Lord and offer sacrifice.”
[Maʿārif al-Qur’ān, Vol. 4, p. 369]
② Second View: A New Interpretation of Sacrifice
“This verse is not about sacrifice but rather a command to strive for collective welfare and prosperity.”
[Mafhūm al-Qur’ān, p. 1488]
❖ Conclusion
Contrary to Parwez Sahib’s repeated claims, his various writings clearly demonstrate contradictions in his thoughts. While asserting a singular, definitive understanding of the Qur’an, he himself presented conflicting interpretations of different verses. These contradictions raise serious questions regarding the consistency and reliability of his ideological framework.
