Belief in the Finality of Prophethood and the Origins of Mirzāiyat: An Analytical Study in the Light of Tafsīr Lahorī by Aḥmad ʻAlī Lahorī

Abstract

The belief in the Finality of Prophethood is a fundamental tenet of Islamic faith, affirming that Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is the last messenger, with no prophet to come after him. This doctrine has been the cornerstone of Islamic theology and is explicitly supported by Qur’ānic verses and Aḥādīth. However, the emergence of Mirzāiyat, founded by Mirzā Ghulām Aḥmad Qādiānī in the 19th century, posed a direct challenge to this core belief. This article examines the ideological confrontation between traditional Islamic scholarship and the claims of Mirzāiyat, particularly in light of Tafsīr Lahorī by Maulānā Aḥmad ʻAlī Lahorī. The study explores the theological, historical, and intellectual dimensions of this conflict, highlighting how scholars have systematically refuted Mirzā Ghulām Aḥmad's claims using classical exegeses, ḥadīth literature, and logical reasoning.

The article further delves into the scholarly resistance led by prominent Islamic scholars such as Maulānā Anwar Shah Kashmīrī, Maulānā Murtaḍa Ḥassan Chāndpūrī, and Maulānā Sanaullah Amritsarī. Their academic and intellectual contributions played a crucial role in countering the reinterpretation of Khatm-e-Nubuwwat (Finality of Prophethood). Through an analytical review of Tafsīr Lahorī, this study provides insight into the importance of safeguarding Islamic beliefs from distortion. The research underscores the necessity of continued scholarly engagement to protect the integrity of Islamic doctrine and counter contemporary ideological challenges posed by movements seeking to alter traditional beliefs.