AHMADIYYAT

REALITY OR METAPHORE

Non-Ahmadi religious commentators tend to insist on adherence to

strict-literal interpretation of the prophecies in the Holy Qur’an and
Hadith regarding the advent of the Promised Messiah, Imam
Mahdi, Dajjal (Anti-Christ), Yajooj Majooj (Gog Megog) and
certain other latter day events. They do so while refusing to
consider the richer and deeper meanings of such prophecies.

In particular, these commentators insist that the prophecies relating

to “second advent of Jesus” will be literally fulfilled by Jesus
himself. Further, based on a literal reading of the Holy Qur’an and
Hadith, they insist that Jesus Christ “ascended” to the heavens in
his physical form. As a result, they believe that, presently, Jesus is
alive and shall return descend physically from the sky to earth in
the latter days in literal fulfillment of the prophecies regarding his
second advent.

In another example, these commentators predict that the dajjal

(anti-Christ) shall possess divine attributes as he will have the
power to resurrect the dead. They also predict that, according to
prophecy, the sun will, one day, rise from the west.

These strict and literal interpretations of prophecy are against the

teachings of the Holy Qur’an. These commentators claim that
others can possess God’s attributes and they predict events which
will defy the laws of nature as described in the Holy Qur’an.

The Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam does not deny the authenticity

of such prophecies. However, the Ahmadi view is that an
interpretation of them which conflicts with the Holy Qur’an and
Sunnah cannot be valid. Therefore, Ahmadies prefer to interpret
such prophecies in light of the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and
Hadith and strive to discover the hidden and deeper meaning
within these prophecies. Some prophecies can and will be fulfilled
literally, but other prophecies refer to events metaphorically. Below
are some examples of the use of metaphors in Islamic teachings.

METAPHORES IN THE HOLY QUR’AN

In Hadith the descent of “Son of Mary” (‫ )ابن مریم‬has been

prophesied. The non-Ahmadi Muslim scholars insist that as Jesus
Christ is son of Mary, so it is he himself who shall descend in later
days. Nobody else can be termed as “son of Mary”. However, the
Holy Qur’an, Hadith and Arab customs about names and nick-
names tell us a different story. Few examples are quoted here:

Jesus Christ has been likened to Adam

(3:60) Surely the case of Jesus is like the case of Adam.

Prophet Joseph was termed as an “angel”.

[12:32] And when they saw him they found him to be a person of
great dignity and in their amazement cut their hands, and said, Allah
be glorified! This is not a human being; this is but a noble angel.'

Traveler is called “son of path”

[2: 216] Whatever of good and abundant wealth you spend should be
for parents and near relatives and orphans and the needy and the
wayfarer.

An uncle of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and

Blessings of Allah be upon him) is called “father of fire”.
[111:2] perish the two hands of Abu Lahab, and perish he!
The actions and incidents of the Jews of the time of Moses are
reminded to the Jews of the time of the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) as if
they happened to them.
[2:50] And remember the time when We delivered you from Pharaoh's
people who afflicted you with grievous torment, slaying your sons and
sparing your women; and in that was a great trial for you from your
Lord.
[2:51] And remember also the time when We divided the sea for you
and saved you and drowned Pharaoh's people while you looked on.

The scholars who do not practice what they preach are

resembled to donkeys who, carry loads of books but do not
know what is written therein.
[62:6] The likeness of those who were charged with the Law of Torah,
but did not carry out its commandments, is as the likeness of an ass
carrying a load of books. Evil is the likeness of the people who reject
the Signs of Allah. And Allah guides not the wrongdoing people.

The disbelievers are termed as cattle rather worse than them

[25:45] Dost thou think that most of them hear or understand? They
are like cattle - nay, they are worst than cattle in their behavior.

Those who reject divine message are called deaf, dumb and
blind, though physically they were not deaf, dumb and blind.
[2:19] They are deaf, dumb and blind; so they will not return.

They are also called “dead” though they were physically alive
[43:41] Canst thou, then, make the deaf hear, or guide the blind and
him who is in manifest error?

Those who believe and die while fighting in the cause of Allah
are called “alive”; rather the Muslims are prohibited to call
them deceased.
 [2:155] And say not of those who are slain in the way of Allah that
they are dead; nay they are living, only you perceive not.

The Muslims are advised to become like the disciples of Jesus

Christ

[61:15] O ye who believe! be helpers of Allah, as said Jesus, son of

Mary, to his disciples, 'Who are my helpers in the cause of Allah?' The
disciples said, 'We are helpers of Allah.'

METAPHORES IN HADITH

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be

upon him) has also mentioned many analogies which cannot be
literally interpreted. He is quoted s saying:

“I am city of knowledge and Ali is its gate.” (Tirmdhi and Hakim)

Obviously, these terms, city and its gate, cannot be taken on their
face value. It denotes a person who encompasses the knowledge
and a person who is the source to achieve this knowledge,
respectively.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be

upon him) resembled himself to Moses and Hadhrat Ali to Aaron.
(Bukhari Kitab-ul-Anbia, vol-, p-482)

Abi Kabsha was a monotheist person in Makka, before the Holy

Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him).
Due to his similarity of beliefs about unity of God, the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him)
was called by the Makkans as “Ibn-e-Abi Kabsha” (Son of Abi
Kabsha).

A companion of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and

Blessings of Allah be upon him) is called “father of cats”
One of the signs of the Promised Messiah is that he will break the
cross and kill the swine. All non-Ahmadi Muslim scholars do not
take it literally and say that it is a metaphor which means to end the
power of Christianity.

These quotations from Qur’an and Hadith clearly prove that

prophecies are metaphorical, especially those wherein the coming
of someone is foretold. It does not necessarily mean that the same
person shall come whose name is being mentioned rather another
person of similar qualities and task is most commonly meant. This
is what the famous saying, “history repeats itself” means. The
characteristics of earlier people emerge in different personalities
but same persons playing those characters do not come again.

PROPHECIES IN THE BIBLE ABOUT THE HOLY PROPHET

MUHAMMAD (PEACE AND BLESSINGS OF ALLAH BE UPON
HIM)

The Holy Qur’an states, in reference to the Holy Prophet (s.a.) as

the “Messenger”, that his advent was foretold in the Bible:

[7:158]"... Those who follow the Messenger, the Immaculate One,

whom they find mentioned in the Torah and the Gospel which are with
them."

Regarding such prophecies, all non-Ahmadi Muslim commentators

agree that the reference contained in such prophecies are
metaphoric and are not to be interpreted literally. For example, the
Old Testament states:
"And he said, the Lord came form Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto
them; he shined forth from Mount Paran, and he came with ten
thousand saints; from right hand went a fiery law for them."
(Deuteronomy 33:2)
In this prophecy, the “Lord” came from 3 places; Sinai, Seir and
Mount Paran. All Muslim commentators interpret this verse to
refer to Moses, Jesus and the Holy Prophet (s.a.) respectively. In
this instance, non-Ahmadi Muslim commentators have no issue
with rejecting a strict literal interpretation.

In another example, the New Testament makes reference to “the

Comforter” and “the Holy Ghost” as follows:

But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom Father will send in
my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your
remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14-26)

Once again, both non-Ahmadi and Ahmadi Muslim commentators

agree that the references to “the Comforter” and “the Holy Ghost”
are metaphoric and are to the Holy Prophet (s.a.).

JOHN THE BAPTIST AS SECOND COMING OF ELIJAH

In the New Testament, Jesus himself provides an example of

interpreting prophecy metaphorically when he stated that the
second advent of Elias was not fulfilled literally but by John the
Baptist. According to the Jews, it has been prophesied in the Bible
that the Prophet Elijah, who went up bodily to the heavens shall
come back before the coming of Messiah.

“And it came to pass, as they still went on,, and talked that, behold,
there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them
both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” (2
KINGS 2:11)

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the Prophet before the coming of the
great and dreadful day of the Lord.” (MALACHI 4:5)
 When Jesus was questioned regarding it, he stated that it had
been fulfilled by John the Baptist.

“And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.”
(MATTHEW 11:14)

“And his disciples asked him, saying, why then say the scribes that
Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias
truly shall come first, and restore all things. But I say unto you, that
Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him
whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of
them.” (MATTHEW 17:10-12)

Jesus demonstrated that he did not interpret prophecies regarding

second advents literally. Ironically, despite Jesus’ own words,
prophecies relating to his second advent are interpreted literally by
both Christians and non-Ahmadi Muslims.

The foregoing examples from the Holy Qur’an, Hadith and the
Bible manifestly prove that the prophecies regarding latter-day
events, especially regarding second coming of Jesus are not to be
fulfilled literally but have metaphoric meanings.