Hoshiarpur, the birthplace of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat

Though Qadian town in Gurdaspur is the headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, but Hoshiarpur is considered highly important in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat’s history as it is the birthplace of the Jamaat in Hoshiarpur in the late 19th century.

At that time the first Khalifa of the Jamaat, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, of Qadian had made a declaration with regard to its formation based upon the divine prophecy he had on completion of his seclusion period here.

Hoshiarpur was not only a city of historical significance, but also a highly spiritual city for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. It was the place where a religious movement was started, founded on prayer, prophecy and the desire to spread the true teachings of Islam peacefully all over the world.

Mirza in 1886 went into a 40-day seclusion (chilla) in a small house in Hoshiarpur in the Kanak Mandi area in the house of Shiekh Mehar Ali, who was the 6th generation of Hoshiar Khan, considered to be the founder of Hoshiarpur city.

The missionary in charge of the Jamaat, Hoshiarpur, told The Tribune, “At the end of 40th day, Mirza received a prophetic revelation (divine prophecy) that a righteous son would be born to him. The boy, according to the prophecy, would have spiritual and intellectual qualities and would spread the word of Islam to the remotest ends of the globe”. This was later referred to as the “Prophecy of the promised son” or “Musleh Maud.

“Following this spiritual experience, Mirza had a ‘jalsa’ (public gathering) at Kanak Mandi Chowk, Hoshiarpur, and announced the launch of a movement, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. He proclaimed himself to be the Mahdi, a God-endowed reformer who had descended to revive the peaceful and spiritual teachings of Islam. But other Muslim factions vehemently objected to his assertion. They saw it as contradictory to the assertion that Prophethood was over, which holds crucial significance in Islam.

In spite of resistance, the Ahmadiyya movement spread throughout the world and is today has representatives in more than 200 countries.

Its central teachings focus on peace, coexistence with other faiths, service to mankind, non-violence and respect for education. Ahmadiyyas hold the belief that jihad in the contemporary age must be carried out with the tongue — through speech, pen and peaceful means.

The house and the room where Mirza stayed secluded have been preserved and well maintained by the Jamaat, and each year Ahmadiyyas around the globe celebrate Musleh Maud Day, especially in Hoshiarpur. This is done to commemorate the prophecy mentioned in 1886 and Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad’s life. He was the second Khalifa of the Jamaat, and Ahmadiyyas believe that he actually embodied the prophecy.

Jalandhar