Was Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani an Ahl-e-Hadith? A Detailed Research Review
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah (Tawḍīḥ al-Aḥkām), Vol. 2, p. 363
Who Was Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani?
Was Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani a non-muqallid, i.e., Ahl-e-Hadith?
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله، أما بعد:
If by “non-muqallid” one means Ahl-e-Hadith, then the claim that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani was non-muqallid is completely false and utterly baseless.
In fact, before his false claim to prophethood, Mirza Qadiani clearly demonstrated himself to be a staunch muqallid.
The following 20 evidences — drawn from researchers, Deobandi and Barelvi scholars, and explicit statements from Mirza Qadiani and his followers — prove his adherence to Hanafi fiqh from the beginning to the end of his life.
20 Evidences of Mirza Qadiani’s Taqleed and Hanafi Affiliation
Statements from Barelvi & Deobandi Scholars
1️⃣ Faiz Ahmad Faiz Barelvi
“His forefathers were Hanafi Muslims, and Mirza himself in his early life followed them step by step.”
(Mehr Munir, p. 165–166)
2️⃣ Muhammad Hayat Khan Barelvi
Same testimony: Mirza’s family and he himself were Hanafi in early life.
(Preface to Saif-e-Chishtiyai)
3️⃣ Mirza’s book Fatḥ-e-Islam — Deobandi view (Rashid Ahmad Gangohi)
Rashid Ahmad Gangohi acknowledged Mirza at that time was not to be declared a kāfir and did not call him an innovator yet.
(Makatib Rashidiyyah, p. 90)
4️⃣ Ashraf Ali Thanwi — via Abdul Majid Daryabadi
“We have no disagreement with him in tawḥīd; our only difference is in one matter of prophethood — the belief in finality of prophethood.”
(Sachhi Baten, p. 212)
5️⃣ Dr. Khalid Mahmood Deobandi
Mirza and Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi shared opposition to reformist movements.
(Mutalaʿa Barelwiyyat, Vol. 1, p. 216)
6️⃣ Ghazi Ahmad’s meeting with Mirza Nasir Ahmad Qadiani
“In fiqh we follow Imam Abu Hanifah.”
(Min al-Ẓulumāt ilā al-Nūr, p. 93)
7️⃣ Bashir Ahmad Qadri Deobandi
Acknowledges Mirza never objected to Ahl-e-Hadith views publicly but remained in Hanafi alignment.
(Tark-e-Taqleed ke Bhayanak Nataij, p. 47–48)
8️⃣ Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s report from Khwaja Ghulam Farid Chishti
“He is a pious man of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamaʿah, upon the straight path.”
(Mehr Munir, p. 204–205)
9️⃣ Molana Muhammad Dawood Arshad
Mirza and his forefathers were Hanafi.
(Aftab Golra aur Fitna Mirzaiyyat, p. 150)
🔟 Khalil Ahmad Saharanpuri Deobandi
Admits Deobandi elders initially had good opinion of Mirza.
(al-Muhannad ʿala al-Mufannad, p. 268–269)
Statements from Mirza Qadiani & His Followers
1️⃣ Mirza’s dislike for Ahl-e-Hadith
“My heart never approved of these people…”
(Malfuzat, Vol. 2, p. 515)
2️⃣ Mirza Bashir Ahmad Qadiani
“The Promised Messiah used to present himself as Hanafi…”
(Sirat al-Mahdi, Vol. 2, p. 48–49)
3️⃣ Hakim Nur al-Din
“Hazrat Mirza Sahib was Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamaʿah, specifically Hanafi.”
(Kalam-e-Amir, p. 54)
4️⃣ Muhammad Ali Lahore Qadiani
“From beginning to end of life, he was openly Hanafi.”
(Tahreek-e-Ahmadiyyat, p. 11)
5️⃣ Mirza Bashir Ahmad again — instructed Hakim Nur al-Din to announce “I am Hanafi.”
6️⃣ Criticism of Ahl-e-Hadith
“In the Jews, the deniers of ʿIsa were the Ahl-e-Hadith…”
(Kashti-e-Nuh, p. 65)
7️⃣ Against Wahhabis (Ahl-e-Hadith)
“Our religion is contrary to Wahhabis; one must first adopt Hanafi colour to enter Qadianism.”
(Malfuzat, Vol. 1, p. 534)
8️⃣ Murtaza Khan Hasan Qadiani
“We especially follow Imam Abu Hanifah’s fiqh.”
(Mujaddid-e-Zaman, p. 217)
9️⃣ Harsh attack on Ahl-e-Hadith
“Amazing is the intellect of those who say they are Ahl-e-Hadith and non-muqallid…”
(Tuhfa Golrawiyyah, p. 121)
🔟 Mirza Nasir Ahmad — Friday sermon
“Our fiqh is Hanafi fiqh.”
(Nawa-i-Waqt, 11 Dec 1976)
Additional Evidence
1️⃣ Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Qadiani
“Our debate was with Ahl-e-Hadith…”
(Zikr-e-Habib, p. 295)
2️⃣ Mirza’s view on Sharīʿah
“If there is no Qurʾān and ḥadīth proof in any matter, follow Hanafi madhhab.”
(Ruhani Khaza’in, Vol. 19, p. 67)
Conclusion
From these clear and referenced proofs:
- Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani was never Ahl-e-Hadith or non-muqallid.
- He was Hanafi from beginning to end, associating himself with Deobandi and Barelvi circles in early years.
- Deobandi and Barelvi scholars initially referred to him as “pious Muslim” and “Maulana.”
- His own words, those of his successors, and his followers confirm his Hanafi adherence.
- His strong opposition to and criticism of Ahl-e-Hadith is undeniable from his writings and statements.
Therefore: Calling Mirza Qadiani Ahl-e-Hadith or non-muqallid is an outright lie and slander.
