1.    What is the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community? Is it a new brand of Islam?

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) – founder of Islam – prophesied 1400 years ago that a time would come when Muslims would be divided into more than 70 sects. The Muslim clerics would then be the worst creation on earth and Muslims would not practise their religion anymore. When we look at the current fragmentation in the Islamic world, we can witness the fulfilment of such a prophecy. But the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prophesied also that at such a time God would send a Messiah and Guided-one to reunite the Muslims and re-establish true Islamic values. Hence, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad claimed to be this Promised Messiah and Reformer of the Islamic faith and founded the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in 1889 in India to revive the Islamic faith. Consequently, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is not a new brand of Islam but sets out to attempt to re-establish true Islamic teachings and values in more than 200 countries with millions of followers worldwide.

2.    What are your differences with regard to mainstream Muslims?

We believe and follow the same Quran and the same Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as all Muslims. We practise the same 700 Islamic commands as all other Muslims. The only difference is that the majority of Muslims are expecting Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) as the Promised Messiah and are still waiting for his advent from the heavens, whereas we believe that Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) has passed away as all other previous Prophets. Therefore a new person would appear among Muslims with the same characteristics and duties as Jesus Christ and according to our belief this person was Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (1835-1908). 

3.    Why is the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community persecuted in some Muslim countries?

All Muslims believe in Islam as the last and complete religion and in the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) as the last law-bringing Prophet. We Muslims of the Ahmadiyya Community also believe that after the Holy Prophet (peace be upon Him) no prophet can appear with a new religion or new law, but someone could appear as a servant and subordinate Prophet of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), likewise as after the Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) many subordinate prophets appeared without bringing a new law.
Now, because we believe in Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as the Promised Messiah and as a subordinate Prophet of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), we are persecuted and discriminated against in many so-called Islamic countries. For example, in Pakistan since 1974 we are officially declared to be Non-Muslims and so we are neither allowed to call ourselves Muslim and nor can we practise our Islamic faith. Despite being Muslims and all Islamic commands we are banned from performing the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). Indeed, we face large-scale persecution and discrimination not only in Pakistan but also in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Algeria and many other so called Muslim countries.

4.    Why is “Love for All, Hatred for None” the motto of the Community?

According to our belief Islam has mainly 2 objectives:
Firstly, to create a bond of love and harmony between a human being and His Creator, Who is a universal God and Sustainer of whole mankind.
Secondly, to live in peace and love with the whole creation of God and discharge our responsibilities towards our fellow human beings.
Hence, to fulfil these two objectives the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the perfect example for all human beings and throughout his life he was a mercy for mankind. Therefore all Muslims should be a mercy for mankind. “Love for All, Hatred for None” is just the summary of the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and all the 700 Islamic commandments.

5.    What is the goal of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community?

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, who is worldwide united under the Divine guidance in form of spiritual Caliphate, is trying to remove prejudice and misconceptions by preaching and practising just and peaceful Islamic values. We do not have economic or political ambitions and nor do we want to conquer any territory or land but we want to win over the hearts of people by demonstrating the true Islamic values of love, peace, humanity and mutual respect. Despite having limited resources, our community is striving all over the world to serve humanity irrespective of differences of religion, race and nation. In times, where materialism and atheism are increasing, we want to show mankind the purpose of their creation and the way to eternal happiness.