Qadiani Problem is a book written by Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi. It was first published in 1953. The term "Qadiani" is a religious slur which refers to members of the Ahmadiyya Community, Ahmadiyya branch of Islam.

Synopsis

The book deals with some of the interpretations of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad who claimed to be a prophet. It discusses the finality of prophethood, the claimed prophethood of Ahmad, and its consequences in Muslim society. It also mentions the status of the Ahmadiyya Community and the political plans which Maududi associated with them. In one of the appendices of the book, a discussion has been given which is claimed to have occurred between Allama Iqbal and Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru. In this discussion Allama Iqbal is said to have expressed his views regarding followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and have rationalised his view that followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad be given a status of a different religious community in India.

Reception

A comprehensive rebuttal was published by the Mirza Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad, second Ahmadiyya leader at the time because the book was considered to be hate speech by the Ahmadiyya branch of Islam.

Legacy

In 1953, Maududi and his Jamat e Islami party participated in a campaign against the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan, joined by traditionalist ulama who wanted Ahmadi Muslims designated as non-Muslims. Ahmadis such as Muhammad Zafarullah Khan sacked from all high level government positions, and intermarriage between Ahmadi Muslims and other Muslims prohibited. The campaign generated Lahore riots of 1953, riots in Lahore, leading to the deaths of at least 2000 Ahmadis, and selective declaration of martial law.Jamaat-e-IslamiGlobalSecurity.org
Retrieved 1 July 2007. Maududi was arrested by the military deployment headed by Lieutenant General Azam Khan (general), Azam Khan and sentenced to death for his part in the agitation.Leonard Binder: ''Religion and politics in Pakistan'', p. 263. University of California Press, 1961. However, the anti-Ahmadi campaign enjoyed much popular support, and strong public pressure ultimately convinced the government to release him after two years of imprisonment. According to Vali Nasr, Maududi's unapologetic and impassive stance after being sentenced, ignoring advice to ask for clemency, had an "immense" effect on his supporters. It was seen as a "victory of Islam over un-Islam", proof of his leadership and staunch faith.Seyyed Vali Reza Nasr: ''Mawdudi and the Making of Islamic Revivalism'', p. 139. Oxford University Press, 1996.

References

Books by Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi 1953 non-fiction books {{Islam-book-stub