From Sufism to Ahmadiyya: A Muslim Minority Movement in South Asia

by Adil Hussain Khan

Overview

The Ahmadiyya Muslim community represents the followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835–1908), a charismatic leader whose claims of spiritual authority brought him into conflict with most other Muslim leaders of the time. The controversial movement originated in rural India in the latter part of the 19th century and is best known for challenging current conceptions of Islamic orthodoxy. Despite missionary success and expansion throughout the world, particularly in Western Europe, North America, and parts of Africa, Ahmadis have effectively been banned from Pakistan. Adil Hussain Khan traces the origins of Ahmadi Islam from a small Sufi-style brotherhood to a major transnational organization, which many Muslims believe to be beyond the pale of Islam.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780253015235
Publisher:	Indiana University Press (Ips)
Publication date:	04/06/2015
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Adil Hussain Khan is Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies at Loyola University New Orleans.

Table of Contents

Introduction
1. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani before Prophethood
2. The Prophetic Claims of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
3. Authority, Khilāfat, and the Lahori-Qadiani Split
4. Politics and the Ahmadiyya Movement under Mirza Bashir al-Din Mahmud Ahmad
5. Religion and Politics after Partition: The Ahmadi Jihad for Kashmir
6. Early Opposition and the Roots of Ahmadi Persecution
7. Persecution in Pakistan and Politicization of Ahmadi Identity
Conclusion

What People are Saying About This

Georgetown University - John Voll

Adil Hussain Khan provides a remarkably comprehensive picture of the Ahmadiyya, examining both the specific aspects of internal development of the movement and also its involvement in modern global developments. His analysis of the evolution of a major religious movement from an old-style brotherhood into a modern politicized organization will be of help to all who are interested in the modern history of religious organizations.

York University - Michael Nijhawan

Offers a fresh and original historical analysis of the Jama'at-i Ahmadiyya based on a detailed reading and interpretation of original sources, some of which are made available to an English readership for the first time.

Editorial Reviews

" From Sufism to Ahmadiyya: A Muslim Minority Movement in South Asia is an important book on an area of history that is not well covered. It will be essential reading for all who work on Pakistan or on modern South Asian Islam. "—American Historical Review

"From Sufism to Ahmadiyya is among the finest works on Islam in modern South Asia that exhibits a remarkable assemblage of intellectual, institutional, and social history. And while focused on a modern context, Khan's command over pre-modern Muslim intellectual traditions shines throughout the book."—Nova Religio

"Khan examines the origins of the controversial South Asian Ahmadi Islam movement and its progression from a Sufistyle brotherhood to a major international organisation. He explores the persecution members of this movement have faced from other Muslim sects, studying how this experience has shaped Ahmadi identity. 57.5 Oct.-Nov. 2015"—Survival

"Overall From Sufism to Ahmadiyya adopts a position of responsible scholarly scrutiny to develop several interesting perspectives that shed new light on a sensitive topic."—The Muslim World Book Review

"Offers a fresh and original historical analysis of the Jama'at-i Ahmadiyya based on a detailed reading and interpretation of original sources, some of which are made available to an English readership for the first time."—Michael Nijhawan, York University

"Adil Hussain Khan provides a remarkably comprehensive picture of the Ahmadiyya, examining both the specific aspects of internal development of the movement and also its involvement in modern global developments. His analysis of the evolution of a major religious movement from an old-style brotherhood into a modern politicized organization will be of help to all who are interested in the modern history of religious organizations."—John Voll, Georgetown University

From the Publisher

From Sufism to Ahmadiyya: A Muslim Minority Movement in South Asia is an important book on an area of history that is not well covered. It will be essential reading for all who work on Pakistan or on modern South Asian Islam.

American Historical Review

From Sufism to Ahmadiyya is among the finest works on Islam in modern South Asia that exhibits a remarkable assemblage of intellectual, institutional, and social history. And while focused on a modern context, Khan's command over pre-modern Muslim intellectual traditions shines throughout the book.

Nova Religio

Overall From Sufism to Ahmadiyya adopts a position of responsible scholarly scrutiny to develop several interesting perspectives that shed new light on a sensitive topic.

The Muslim World Book Review

Khan examines the origins of the controversial South Asian Ahmadi Islam movement and its progression from a Sufistyle brotherhood to a major international organisation. He explores the persecution members of this movement have faced from other Muslim sects, studying how this experience has shaped Ahmadi identity. 57.5 Oct.-Nov. 2015

Survival

"Offers a fresh and original historical analysis of the Jama’at-i Ahmadiyya.... based on a detailed reading and interpretation of original sources, some of which are made available to an English readership for the first time." —Michael Nijhawan, York University

Michael Nijhawan