Ahmadiyya Caliphate

The Ahmadiyya Caliphate is a non-political caliphate that began on May 27, 1908, after the death of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad said he was a Prophet, a Messenger, the promised Messiah, and Mahdi.

The leaders of this Caliphate are called Khalīfatul Masīh, meaning Caliph of the Messiah, or simply Khalifa. They guide the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community around the world. The current leader is the 5th Caliph, Mirza Masroor Ahmad.

After Ghulam Ahmad’s death, the leaders first guided the community from Qadian in India. Later, in 1947 when Pakistan was created, the community’s headquarters moved to Rabwah in Pakistan. In 1984, new laws in Pakistan made it hard for Ahmadi Muslims to openly practice their faith, so the 4th Caliph moved the headquarters to London, England, to the Fazl Mosque.

Many Muslims who follow mainstream Sunni or Shia traditions see the Ahmadiyya movement as different from traditional Islam, and most do not recognize their Caliphate.

Overview

Ahmadi Muslims believe that the caliphate is very important. It helps continue the work of a prophet after the prophet's death. In the Ahmadiyya community, the caliphs are seen as successors to the prophets.

Ahmadis think the caliphate is chosen by God. Even though people elect the caliph, it is believed that God helps believers choose the right person. The caliph is a religious leader, focused on supporting and spreading Islam. The caliphate helps organize the Muslim community and keep high moral standards.

Basis in Qur'an and Hadith

According to Ahmadiyya belief, the Qur'an says that God will choose a good leader after the prophets. One verse, number 56 in Surah Al-Nur, says God will let believers follow their religion safely.

The founder of Islam, Muhammad, also talked about this. He said in Musnad Ahmad that after prophets, good leaders called Khilafat will come. This good time will come back again later.

The second Manifestation of God’s power

The succession of the caliph is believed by the Ahmadis to be a big sign of God’s power. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, wrote about this in his last book called Al-Wassiyyat (The Will). He said that after he passed away, God would send this sign to keep guiding the community.

The Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement does not share this belief. They follow a different idea called Anjuman (Council) that was also described in the same book.

List of Ahmadiyya Caliphs

Timeline

The Ahmadiyya Caliphate started on May 27, 1908. This happened after Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, passed away. Followers see it as a renewal of an important Islamic leadership role. The leaders of this community are called Khalīfatul Masīh, which means "Caliph of the Messiah." They guide the community in their faith.