Department of Khatm-e-Nubuwwat Protection

The Role of Ahle Hadith Scholars in the Khatm-e-Nabuwwat Movement

A Historic Day

7 September 1974 is a historic and unforgettable day in Islamic history. On this day, after tireless struggle and countless sacrifices by the scholars and leaders of the Ahle Hadith, Deobandi, and Barelvi schools of thought, the Mirzais/Qadianis were unanimously declared non-Muslims. This day is no less than a moment of pride and honor for us, as it represents the fruits of the relentless efforts and sacrifices of our elders and predecessors. Through their struggle, a long-standing issue was resolved.

However, after this historic declaration, the Qadianis rebelled against the Constitution and refused to accept their status as non-Muslims.

Early Resistance Against Mirza Ghulam Qadiani

In 1891, when Mirza Ghulam Qadiani made a false claim to prophethood, Maulana Muhammad Hussain Batalvi (رحمہ اللہ) was the first to expose his disbelief. With the signatures of more than two hundred scholars, including Allama Syed Nazir Hussain Muhaddith Dehlvi (رحمہ اللہ), a unanimous fatwa was issued declaring Mirza Ghulam Qadiani outside the fold of Islam.

The first Mubahila (prayer challenge) against Mirza Qadiani was held in June 1893 at the Ahle Hadith Eidgah in Amritsar by Maulana Abdul Haq Ghaznavi (رحمہ اللہ).
The first written debate on the life of Prophet Isa (علیہ السلام) was conducted in Delhi in 1894 by Maulana Bashir Ahmad Shahsawani (رحمہ اللہ), from which Mirza fled.

The first booklet against Qadianism was written by Maulana Ismail Aligarhi (رحمہ اللہ), and the first full book was authored at a young age by Allama Qazi Suleman Mansoorpuri (رحمہ اللہ), who later became a world-renowned biographer of the Prophet ﷺ.

Shaikh-ul-Islam Sanaullah Amritsari (رحمہ اللہ)

The first great scholar to reach Qadian and intellectually dismantle Mirza Ghulam Qadiani and Qadianism was Shaikh-ul-Islam Maulana Sanaullah Amritsari (رحمہ اللہ), remembered across all schools of thought as “The Conqueror of Qadian.” It was during a mubahila with him that Mirza Qadiani met his end. His scholarship and courage are acknowledged by scholars of all sects even today.

Scholarly Contributions in Arabic and Urdu

Among the most significant scholarly contributions were the works of Allama Ehsan Elahi Zaheer Shaheed (رحمہ اللہ), such as:

Al-Qadianiyyah
Mirzaiyyat aur Islam

These books, published in Arabic and Urdu, gained widespread recognition nationally and internationally. He authored 16 books on deviant sects, earning him a distinguished status throughout the Muslim world.

The 1953 Khatm-e-Nabuwwat Movement

In the 1953 Khatm-e-Nabuwwat movement, Ahle Hadith scholars played a leading and powerful role, alongside scholars of Deobandi and Barelvi schools.
Prominent Ahle Hadith figures included:

Maulana Syed Muhammad Dawood Ghaznavi (Secretary General of Majlis-e-Amal)
Maulana Muhammad Ismail Salafi (Gujranwala)
Maulana Abdul Hameed Sohdari
Allama Muhammad Yusuf Kalkattvi
Maulana Moin-ud-Din Lakhvi
Maulana Abdul Rasheed Siddiqi (Multan)
Maulana Hafiz Abdul Qadir Roopri
Maulana Hafiz Ismail Roopri
And thousands of other Ahle Hadith scholars

Many of them endured imprisonment and severe hardships. The services of Maulana Ali Muhammad Samsam, Maulana Ahmad Din Ghakharvi, and others remain unforgettable.

Origins of the Qadiani Fitnah

The fitnah of Qadianism originated in the Indian town of Qadian, founded by a self-styled British agent, Mirza Ghulam Qadiani, who made false claims ranging from sainthood to prophethood (نعوذباللہ), solely to please the British rulers.

The Final Phase – 1974 Movement

The movement reached its decisive climax in 1974, following a violent Qadiani attack on students at Rabwah on 29 May 1974. This incident reignited nationwide protests.

A countrywide movement emerged, leading to mass arrests of scholars from all schools of thought. An emergency meeting resulted in the formation of the Central Majlis-e-Amal Tahaffuz-e-Khatm-e-Nabuwwat, with Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Binnori (رحمہ اللہ) appointed as its leader.

The movement spread rapidly from Faisalabad across Pakistan under the leadership of giants like Allama Ehsan Elahi Zaheer Shaheed, Maulana Hafiz Abdul Qadir Roopri, and others.

Historic Decision in Parliament

Eventually, the issue reached the National Assembly of Pakistan. Scholars prepared detailed questionnaires, and Maulana Muhammad Ibrahim Kameer Puri (رحمہ اللہ) represented the scholars with exceptional knowledge and courage.

During the parliamentary proceedings, Mirza Nasir Ahmad was completely defeated in debate and ultimately admitted defeat. After extensive discussions, on 7 September 1974, the National Assembly unanimously declared Qadianis as non-Muslims.

A Divine Victory

Prominent scholars such as Agha Shorish Kashmiri, Allama Ehsan Elahi Zaheer Shaheed, and others expressed gratitude to Allah that the finality of Prophethood ﷺ was safeguarded not on the streets, but within the Parliament, affirming that anyone claiming prophethood after Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is outside Islam.