The political character of the movement was ‘revealed’ by some senior Ahmadis mainly on personal requests and on the condition of anonymity. In most cases they avoided to part with the ‘real’information perhaps for the fear of betrayal or excommunication. Certain inside ‘palace stories’ were disclosed by young dissidents, Ahmadyya elders of Labore (group) or paighamis (as they are called by Qadianis of Rabwah jama’at), members of three defunct - rather extinct - Qadiani groups, Arupi party, the Late Khawaja Ismail of London Jama’at and Haqiqat Pasands. The Ahrar and Tahafuz-e-Khatam-e-Nabuwat activists gave their personal narratives with some elements of exaggeration. However every possible care has been taken to sift facts from wild allegations and insinuations in an objective and impartial manner to record the established fact of history. I am indebted to all of them. Many prominent religious scholars have written a lot on Ahmadyat but these works are mainly based on theological discussions and augumentative defence of their beliefs. It is high time to expose its political character by availing the authentic material available at the India Office Library, London and many places in Pakistan.
The present study traces the political history of the Ahmaddiya movement since its birth and its relations with the British imperialism and the militant Jewish nationalism. The ignominious role played by Ahmadis in our independence movement and afterwards in the internal politics of Pakistan has been highlighted.
I am grateful to Prof. Dr.Mahmud Ahmad Ghazi, Director General, Dawah Academy, Islamabad, for his valuable suggestions and encouragement. I also extend my thanks to Prof Zafarullah Beg for his commendable ideas and helpful views.
I sincerely thank Malik Abdul Hamid for his labour of love, He volunteered to type the manuscript and performed the assigned work with carer and devotion. Some work was done by Mr. Zamir Akhtar with keen interest.
B.A.
23 March, 1994.