“Renaissance” literally means “Re-birth”. It refers to a revolutionary restatement of an original message that has been lost through corruptions and with the passage of time. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) stated that in its latter period, the condition of Islam and of the Muslims would be dire. He is recorded as having prophesied:

Islam will have three centuries of greatness after which, it will ascend back to heaven for a thousand years. (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 4)

There will come a time upon the people when nothing will remain of Islam except its name only and nothing will remain of the Quran except its inscription. Their mosques will be splendidly furnished but destitute of guidance. Their divines will be the worst people under the heaven and strife will issue from and return to them. (Mishkatul Masabih, The Book of Knowledge {Kitabul Ilm}, Vol 1, p.91)

This dire condition would be resolved by the coming of an individual known in Islam as the Imam Mahdi (lit. “The Guided One”) also referred to in some traditions as the second coming of Jesus:

Whosoever lives from among you shall meet Jesus, son of Mary who is the Imam Mahdi, the Arbiter and the Judge. (Musnad Ahmed bin Hanbal, Vol. 2, p. 411)

Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (peace be on him) founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam claimed to be that individual who was to revive the Islamic teachings and bring back the Muslim people to Islam. He claimed that outside of the fold of his movement, the true Islamic teachings would not be found in their original purity as taught by the Prophet Muhammad(peace be on him). He laid a heavy emphasis on returning to the Holy Qur’an and the practise of the Prophet Muhammad(peace be on him) as the primary sources of guidance for the world.

His claim in his own words:

I do not believe in the appearance of a war-waging Mahdi and a war-waging Messiah. Nay, I hate such absurd ideas and regard them with contempt. And I have been declared a disbeliever, not only because of my denial of the appearance of this supposed Mahdi and this supposed Messiah in whom they believe, but also because I have publicly announced, having been informed of it by God through revelation, that the real and true Promised Messiah who is also the real Mahdi, tidings of whose appearance are to be found in the Bible and the Quran and whose coming is promised also in the Hadith (traditions), is myself; who is, however, not provided with any sword or gun. I have been commanded by God to invite people with humility and gentleness to God, Who is the true God, Eternal and Unchangeable, Who has perfect Holiness, perfect Knowledge, perfect Mercy, and perfect Justice.

I am the light of this dark age; he who follows me will be saved from falling into the pit prepared by the Devil for those who walk in darkness. I have been sent by God to lead the people of the world to the true God through peace and humility, and to reassert the reign of morals in Islam. God has provided me with heavenly signs, for the satisfaction of seekers after truth. He has done wonderful things in my support; He has disclosed to me secrets of the unseen and of the future which, according to the holy books, is the sign of a true claimant to divine office, and He has vouchsafed to me holy and pure Knowledge. (Jesus In India, Chapter – Introduction)

He further prophesied the success of the movement on the basis of Divine Revelation:

The time is approaching when God will grant worldwide popularity to this Movement and this dispensation will spread in the East and the West and the North and the South, and in the world. Islam and this Movement will become synonymous terms. This is a revelation from God on high for Whom nothing is impossible. (Tohfa Golarawia, by Hazrat Ahmad, the Promised Messiah, p. 56)

This event will therefore examine the claims of the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to be the same Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi as prophesied within Islam. This will also be an opportunity for all and sundry to ask questions on this invaluable topic. “When you hear the advent of Mahdi it is then enjoined on you to enter into his Baiat (i.e. to enter into his fold) even if you have to walk on snow by crawling and creeping to reach him.” (Musnad Ahmad Bin Hanbal, Vol. 6, p. 29-30)

Speaker: Muhammad Ibrahim Ikhlaf, Head of the UK Arabic Desk, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in Islam.

Darwin Lecture Theatre, Darwin Building, Gower Street (Entrance via Malet Place), WC1E 6AP