Striking Similarities: Death of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS) and Notable Sunni Imams

Introduction

Anti-Ahmadis allege prophets do not suffer illness. They claim that the illness and subsequent death of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (عليه السلام) was not befitting a pious person’s or prophet’s death. However, notable Sunni Imams also passed away from abdominal diseases and were considered martyrs. Criticizing Ahmad (عليه السلام) not only equals blasphemy against these pious muslim scholars but also the Holy Prophet (ﷺ).

4 Sunni Imams

The four great Imams of Sunni Islam are Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik ibn Anas, Imam Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi’i, and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal. They founded the four recognized schools of Islamic jurisprudence (madhhabs): Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali. Their brief introductions are presented in the figure below:

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (عليه السلام) beautifully compares these 4 imams to 4 walls who preserved the true teachings of Islam during times of trials and innovations:

امام شافعی اور حنبل وغیرہ کا زمانہ بھی ایسا تھا کہ اس وقت بدعت شروع ہو گئی تھی۔ اگر اس وقت یہ نام نہ ہوتے تو اہل حق اور نا حق میں تمیز نہ ہو سکتی۔ ہزار ہاں گندے آدمی ملے جلے رہتے۔ یہ چار نام اسلام کے واسطے مثل چار دیواری کے تھے۔ اگر یہ لوگ پیدا نہ ہوتے تو اسلام ایسا مشتبہ مذہب ہو جاتا کہ بدعتی اور غیر بدعتی میں تمیز نہ ہو سکتی۔

The era of Imam Shafi and Hanbal etc. was such that at that time innovations (biddat) had begun to emerge. If these names had not existed at that time, it would not have been possible to distinguish between the people of truth (ahl-e-haq) and those who were not righteous. Thousands of corrupt people would have remained mixed together. These four names were like four walls for Islam. If these people had not been born, Islam would have become such an ambiguous religion that it would not have been possible to distinguish between the innovators and otherwise.

_{[Al Badr, 3 Nov 1905, pg 4] [Malfuzat Vol. 8 p. 26}]

Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (RH)

“When I put a basin under him I saw that his urine was nothing but bright red blood with no other fluid in it at all…On Thursday he grew worse…On Thursday night he stopped moving. He began to suffer from retention of urine and other pains but his mind remained clear. At night I slept beside him. If he wanted anything he would shake me and I would hand it to him.”

_{[The Life of Ibn Hanbal by Ibn Al-Jawzi, p.256]}

Imam Malik (RH)

”One narration cites him to have revealed, “I suffer from salsalat al-bawl (emitting drops of urine)…He remained ill for 22 days…”

_{[Final Moments of the Pious, p.102]}

Imam Sha’afi (RH)

“He suffered a lot from disorders and sickness, and especially hemmorhoids.”

_{[Final Moments of the Pious, p.105]}

A Distinct Case: Imam Abu Hanifa (RH)

Imam Abu Hanifa (RH) did not die from an abdominal illness like Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (عليه السلام). However, the point being shown here is that Allah’s righteous and pious individuals have often endured immense suffering. Likewise, their final moments in this temporary abode are often marked by hardship, pain, and sacrifice.

Imam Abu Hanifa (RH) was poisoned and flogged in captivity until he passed away as a martyr. However, he remained steadfast under persecution. Similarly, some Prophets also faced painful deaths – e.g., Prophet Yahya (عليه السلام) was martyred. Does their suffering somehow diminish their righteousness? Will anti-Ahmadis now claim these deaths were not befitting of the pious?

“…The transmitters agree that he was imprisoned …Sources differ as to whether he died in prison after the flogging, which most say, or died in prison by being poisoned according to those who say that al-Mansur was not content to flog him, but poisoned the shaykh to hasten his end….It is related that he stayed in prison after the flogging until he died, and Da’ud ibn Rashid al-Wasiti said, “…He was taken out each day and given ten lashes until he had received 110 lashes. He was told, ‘Accept the qadiship!’ and he would reply, ‘I am not fit.’ The beatings continued and he said silently, ‘O Allah, put their evil far from me by Your power.’ When he continued to refuse, they poisoned him and so killed him.”

_{[Imam Abu Hanifa by Muhammad Abu Zahra]}

2 Great Muhaditheen

The following are brief introductions of two of the greatest muhaditheen in islam who passed away as martyrs like Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (عليه السلام).

Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani (RH)

““Excess diarrhoea led to his death.”

_{[Final Moments of the Pious, p.101]}

Abu Uthman Al-Sabuni

“His condition changed for the worse at that point and he felt a pain in his stomach. He descended the pulpit and the intense pain made him scream. He was led to the bathroom but remained writhing in pain till sunset. Still screaming and shrieking, he was taken home.“

_{[Final Moments of the Pious, p.233-234]}

Conclusion

• Pious believers can get sick and suffer.
• Imams of Sunni Islam also suffered.
• Just like notable Sunnis Imams, Ahmad (عليه السلام) also died from an abdominal illness and was a martyr.
• When Anti-Ahmadis raise objections & mock the death of Ahmad (عليه السلام), they are not only insulting the pious Muslim scholars but also the Prophet (ﷺ) himself.

Additional Resources

Full Instagram Post with Scans and References: https://www.instagram.com/p/DP_8Sl-DiX_/?igsh=MTRrd3phY20yNnd6dQ==