Full Refutation: Did Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS) disrespect Imam Hussain (RA)?

Introduction

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad AS deeply loved and respected Ahlul Bayt. His writings are filled with praise, admire and respect for the family of the Prophet Muhammad SAW. A beautiful and heartwarming example can be seen below:

But Husain (may Allah be pleased with him) was undoubtedly pure and manifestly righteous, and without question he was among those chosen ones whom God Himself purifies with His own hand and fills with His love. Without a doubt, he is from the chieftains of paradise, and harboring even an iota’s worth of rancour against him is a means of being deprived of faith. And this Imam’s righteousness, love for God, patience, steadfastness, devotion and worship is a perfect example (uswa hasana) for us. We are followers of the guidance granted to this innocent Imam. Perished is the heart that bears enmity towards him, and truly successful is the heart that demonstrates love for him in practice and reflects, through complete devotion, all the marks of his faith, character, courage, piety, steadfastness, and love of God; just as the image of a beautiful person is perfectly reflected in a clear mirror.

[Majmu‘ah-e-Ishtiharat, Vol. 3, p. 375]

In this article, we will refute the lies and misquotations of the Anti Ahmadis regarding their claim that Promised Messiah AS disrespected Ahlul Bayt i.e the family of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) or Hazrat Ali RA or Imam Hussain RA.

Anti Ahmadis present the following reference and claim that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad AS disrespected Imam Hussain RA.

وَأَمَّا حُسَيْنُ فَاذْكُرُوا دَشْتَ كَرْبَلَا إِلَى هَذِهِ الْأَيَّامِ تَبْكُوْنَ فَانْظُرُوا

There is a marked difference between me and your Husain,
For I am ever supported and helped by Almighty God.

But, so far as Husain is concerned, recall what happened in the desert of Karbala;
You still cry over it. You ought to reflect.

[The Miracle of Ahmad, pg. 130]

This allegation is a prime example of how Anti-Ahmadis nitpick on one line while hiding the rest of the context, a practice that Christians and Islamophobes do regarding the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Islam.

Refutation

This passage is an accusatory response to a Shia scholar named Ali Hairi who believed Imam Hussain RA was God, or possessed all divine attributes and powers of Allah. He had exaggerated the status of Imam Hussain (RA) above even the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). This is why the Promised Messiah AS uses the word “your” to distinguish that it is not our Hussain RA but rather the imaginative/fictional Imams of the Shia that is god.

Immediately before writing the poem, Promised Messiah (AS) clarifies that there is no disrespect of Imam Hussain (RA) in the Qasidah. Anti-Ahmadis won’t mention this ever!

This is going to be the final battle, so the Shiite should seek help from Husain, and Golarhi from some of his own elders.
…
What I have written in the qasidah about Imam Husain, may Allah be pleased with him, or about Hadrat ‘Isa [ Jesus], peace be upon him, is not based on human understanding. Evil indeed is he who speaks foul of God’s perfect and righteous servants based on his own selfish notions. I believe firmly that no one can survive even for a night after having spoken impertinently about such righteous people like Husain and Hadrat ‘Isa. Instead, according to the wa‘id مَن ْ عَادَا وَلیًّا لِي [He who is at enmity with a friend of Mine] such a person is quickly seized.
[The Miracle of Ahmad, pg. 66]

Similarly, the context of the Qasidah completely explains everything. These are few couplets immediately before and after those which are quoted by the Anti-Ahmadis that clearly show that it is talking about the fictional Imam Hussain (RA) that Shias have made up.

Do you consider him [Husain] to be more pious than the entire world?
O exaggerator, what have you gained from such exaggeration?

You have believed Husain to be better than the entire creation,
And all those whom God has created.

This would be like the statement issued by the Christians regarding ‘Isa [Jesus],
O ye who are so similar to the Christians!

I find it amazing how the hearts of these two groups have come to bear such striking resemblance;
Indeed, the heavens may well-nigh rend asunder because of what they say.

Was Husain better than all the Prophets?
Was he an intercessor for the Prophets and more pious than all of them?

Be on your guard! For Almighty God invokes His curse on the person,
Who tells lies by making exaggerated statements and utilizes not the insight granted to him.

I consider Shirk [associating partners with Allah] among the Shias to be as perilous as Shirk among the Christians;
I see the ignorant embracing the Shiite faith and Christianity.

Therefore, O Ali Hairi! Fear God and repent;
If you have decided to confront me, then here I am to confront you.

Like the idol-worshippers you have made rounds of Husain’s grave;
He still failed to grant you salvation and did not come to your help.

This exposed the weakness and shortcomings of the person, that is, Husain,
About whom you said that on the Day of Judgment he would intercede even on behalf of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, so reflect.

You believe that Husain is the Chief of all mankind;
And that every Prophet shall be granted salvation and forgiveness by his intercession alone.

If the Faith could warrant such Shirk,
Then the advent of all the Messengers of God was simply absurd.

This belief is a calumny and denigration of the high spiritual station of the Prophets;
O beast of the jungle! May you perish! Why have you become so audacious?!

You declared Husain to be better than all the Messengers;
And thus you crossed all limits of truthfulness. And, surely God is a witness to this

In times of trial and hardship you seek help only from him,
As if Husain is your Lord, O wicked liar!

Your religious scholars fell down before him like ones prostrating;
How can you now hold the disbelievers and Christians guilty of such acts of sinfulness?

You have forgotten the honour and glory of Almighty God,
And recite only the name of Husain. Do you think you can deny this?

The Promised Messiah (AS) clearly compares the Shia scholar to the Christians who claim Isa (AS) is god and also uses the same words used for trinitarian Christians in the Holy Quran, “Indeed, the heavens may well-nigh rend asunder because of what they say.“

He then quotes their beliefs that:

• Imam Hussain (RA) is better than Muhammad (SAW)
• Better than all prophets
• All prophets attain salvation through Imam Hussain (RA)
• Shia scholars ask only Hussain (RA) for Dua
• They even prostrate towards Imam Hussain (RA) just like the Christians!

Conclusion

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS) never disrespected anyone from the Ahlul Bayt. He used this Qasidah to warn the Shias about their Shirk and asked them to worship the God that is helping him everyday, rather than a mere human who had died long ago.

The Qasidah from which the Anti-Ahmadis make this allegation is filled with defense of Tawhid (unit of Allah) and refutation of Shirk. Anti Ahmadis who have an issue with this Qasidah are no different than the Christians who also make a mere human their deity and worship him rather than Allah.