Pathway to Paradise — Page 22
PATHWAY TO P ARADISE 22 found in Srinagar , Kashmir, India. 3. The Coming of the Promised Messiah All Muslims believe that in the Latter days a Reformer (Messiah and Mahdi) would appear and restore the religion of Islam to its former glory. There are many Hadith which refer to the coming of the Reformer, and present signs for his advent. This Reformer is referred to by various titles in the Hadith, such as “Messiah,” “Mahdi” and “Jesus, son of Mary. ” Non - Ahmadi Muslims have adopted the belief that as Jesus did not die but ascended bodily to heaven, he will return as the Messiah in the latter days of Islam. They also claim that the Mahdi (who they believe is a different person and would be from the fold of Islam) will spread Islam with a sword and wage war on all those who disbelieve. Ahmadi Muslims reject this interpretation. They believe that Jesus has already died as all mortals must, and thus he cannot return. They interpret the second advent of Jesus (peace be on him) as a spiritual event, similar to the second coming of Elijah, as explained by Jesus himself. Just as John the Baptist had come fulfilling the prophecy of the second coming of Elijah, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (peace be on him) has come fulfilling the prophecy of the second advent of Jesus (peace be on him). Ahmadis believe th e Mahdi and Messiah are one and the same person, and that person is Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian. He came to revitalize the religion of Islam and his sword was his pen, with which he asserted the truth and superiority of Islam.