Ahmadiyyat in the Service of Islam
by Naseer Ahmad Faruqui
Chapter 16: Appendix (The Mujaddids that have appeared in Islam)
List of Mujaddids [Reformers] who have appeared in Islam [A.H. in the list means: ‘After Hijri’ — After the Holy Prophet’s Migration to Madina from Makka):
| Islamic Era Century | Name of Mujaddids (Reformers) |
|---|---|
| First century A.H. | Hazrat Umar ibn Abdul Aziz |
| Second century A.H. | Hazrat Imam Shafi‘i and Hazrat Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal |
| Third century A.H. | Hazrat Abul Hassan Ashari and Hazrat Abu Sharh |
| Fourth century A.H. | Hazrat Abu Ubaid Naishapuri and Hazrat Qazi Abu Bakr Baqlani |
| Fifth century A.H. | Hazrat Imam Ghazali |
| Sixth century A.H. | Hazrat Sayyid Abdul Qadir Gilani |
| Seventh century A.H. | Hazrat Mueen-ud-Din Chishti and Hazrat Imam ibn Taimiyya |
| Eighth century A.H. | Hazrat Hafiz ibn Hajar Asqalani and Hazrat Saleh ibn Umar |
| Ninth century A.H. | Hazrat Sayyid Muhammad Jaunpuri. |
| Tenth century A.H. | Hazrat Imam Jalal-ud-Din Sayuti |
| Eleventh century A.H. | Hazrat Mujaddid Alif Sani |
| Twelfth century A.H. | Hazrat Shah Waliullah Muhaddith Dehlavi |
| Thirteenth century A.H. | Hazrat Sayyid Ahmad Brelvi |
| Fourteenth century A.H. | Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Sahib |
The names of the Mujaddids of the first thirteen centuries have been taken from Hujaj-ul-Karamah by Nawab Siddiq Hassan Khan, who was one of the leading authorities on the Hadithand the history of the Muslims, including their saints, about whom he has written this book. He was given the title of Nawab by the ruler of Bhopal State (India) for his religious eminence and distinguished services to Islam.
The institution of Mujaddidand the claims of the Mujaddidsof the first thirteen centuries are almost universally admitted by all Muslims of the Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat. They are indeed saints of the highest eminence in their times. So their claims to be Mujaddidsare rightly recognised.
It will be noticed that in some centuries there were two Mujaddidsat or about the same time, though frequently in different regions. That was probably necessitated by lack of communications and intercourse in those days between the people.
It should also be noted that in the fourteenth century A.H. no person other than Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Sahib claimed to be the Mujaddid. So in Allah’s infinite wisdom no possibility of doubt or confusion has been allowed to arise. If Hazrat Mirza Sahib was not theMujaddid of the fourteenth century, which is now over, who else claimed to be one?
The prophecy of the Holy Prophet [Muhammad] (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) cannot possibly be wrong, confirmed as it is by the appearance of Mujaddidsin each century Hijra for thirteen centuries. They were personages of the highest spiritual and moral eminence, whose truthfulness and integrity are beyond doubt.
How is it that the prophecy of the Holy Prophet, so eminently fulfilled during thirteen consecutive centuries, was not fulfilled — Allah forbid — in the fourteenth century, if Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Sahib was not the Mujaddid of that century? To that question we have received no answer.