Why Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad sahib for a long time held belief that Eisa AS (Jesus) was physically alive?
Submitted by Rashid Jahangiri
Critics of HMGA object that he held belief that Eisa AS was physically alive till the time he got impressed by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan (the educationalist and founder of Aligar Muslim University), and for his own personal gain and to establish himself as substitute of Eisa AS.
In my recent overseas trip, a thought came to my mind that I hope will satisfy HMGA critics. It was regarding Masjid al-Qiblatayn (Per Wikipedia: Masjid al-Qiblatayn (Arabic: المسجد القبلتین), or the Mosque of the Two Qiblas, is a mosque in Medina that is historically important for Muslims as the place where, after the Islamic Prophet Muhammad received the command to change the direction of prayer (qibla) from Jerusalem to Mecca, the entire congregation led by a companion changed direction in prayer. Thus it uniquely contained two prayer niches (mihrabs). Recently the mosque was renovated; the old prayer niche facing Jerusalem was removed, and the one facing Mecca was left. The Qiblatayn Mosque is among the earliest mosques in Islam's history, along with Quba Mosque and Al-Masjid al-Nabawi, barring the Great Mosques of Mecca and Jerusalem, which are associated with earlier Prophets, in Islamic thought.).
Holy Prophet Muhammad SAWS use to pray facing Masjid al-Aqsa i.e. Jerusalem. Although his wish was he should be facing Kabbah i.e. Makkah but he kept facing Jesusalam even after migration to Madina. He was doing this in tradition of previous prophets, or the accepted norms of time, until he was directly commanded by Allah SWT during the prayer. To immediately implement Allah SWT command, while in state of prayer he walked towards the back of congregation and continued his prayer facing Makkah. It was 180 degree change in direction of Qibla.
Same was the case with HMGA. He held belief that Eisa AS was physically alive, as that was the accepted norm among Muslims, until he was directly corrected by Allah SWT. HMGA in this support provided reasons from Holy Quran.
HMGA was never directed by Allah SWT on the birth of Eisa AS. So he held the prevailing belief of fatherless birth of Eisa AS. He never discouraged others from accepting that Eisa AS was fathered by a man. Moreover mission of propagation of Islam and HMGA spreads with establishment of Death of Jesus and not Birth of Jesus.
From Zahid Aziz:
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad wrote in 1898, the same year in which Sir Syed Ahmad Khan died:
"(Sir) Syed sahib agreed with me in three matters. Firstly, as regards the issue of the death of Jesus. Secondly, when I published the announcement that the British government has a greater call on our duty than the Sultan of the Ottomon empire, Syed sahib supported my article and wrote that everyone should abide by it. Thirdly, as regards this book Umahaat-ul-Momineen (a scurrilous book against the Holy Prophet Muhammad) his view was that a refutation should be written, and no petition be sent (to the government to ban it). His practical actions show this because he started writing a refutation as his preferred way of response. Ah! If Syed sahib were alive today he would most certainly have openly supported my view. Anyhow, in such matters (i.e., responding to abusive literature against Islam) the method of action adopted by Syed sahib is an excellent example to all decent Muslims which they must follow." (Ruhani Khaza'in, v. 13, p. 402; bolding as in original.)
Sir Syed did not believe that Jesus was born without a human being as his father. I have extracted the relevant pages from his Urdu commentary of the Quran at this link. Hazrat Mirza sahib did not agree with Sir Syed on this.
From ikram:
What Rashid points out is in line with code of conduct of an appointee. As a matter of doctrine an appointee one can only state what he is told by God. For example, the Prophet conveyed the monotheistic base of Islam, not because he wished it so, but was explicitly told to do so:
18:110. Say: I am only a mortal like you — it is revealed to me that your God is one God… [Muhammad Ali – Zahid Aziz]
Even the companions of the prophet sought distinction from him about his opinions whether they were his personal or ordained. They learned by experience that the Prophet at times can be inaccurate in his assessment that we see in his opinion in the matter of pollination practices of owners of date orchards in Medina. He opined against the manual pollination and the next crop yield was less than what was expected. Later, at the Battle of Badr, he was asked to clarify the basis of his decision in setting camp location for his contingent. Once he admitted that it was his personal decision, he was offered a counter opinion to which he agreed and ordered relocation of the camp. Similarly, HMGA separated his personal opinions from those ordained to him.