born 0441; 1839, Qadian, India
died May 26, 1908, India
Indian Muslim leader, founder of the Ahmadiyyah sect.
Born into a prosperous family, he led a life of contemplation and religious study. Claiming in 1889 to have had a special revelation from God, he gathered a small band of disciples. He declared himself to be the mahdi and the reincarnation of Muhammad , Jesus , and Krishna . He was opposed by the orthodox Muslim community, but a number of his teachings became the basis of the beliefs of the A 1E25; madiyyah. He attempted to establish missionary organizations and schools on the Christian model but did not try to reconcile Christian and Muslim doctrine.