I don't want to post too much on these Qadiani debates, here is how I feel (although my feelings change readily):
I have to confess that I've had little interaction with Qadiani's. I know very little about their religion. Islam is something, which I believe, most believers are drawn to on their own (with the help of Allah). Islam provides believers with spiritual relief, a sense of community, a set of morals and cultural rootedness. I am comfortable with my understanding of Islam, although I struggle on a daily basis, and feel no threat from other brands or versions of Islam - I only fear Allah.
It seems to me that the question, which needs to be answered, is one of semantics. It's a question of labels and who wears them and who is permitted to label themselves with the label of Islam. These questions are going to plague Muslims for some time. The answers to these questions and the debate occurring here in this forum, on a smaller scale is one of the ** biggest ** challenges Muslims have ever had to face.
1) How can we define Islam in this age of post-modernity?
2) Who can define Islam today - who has the authority?
3) How do we enforce the definitions? Or should they be enforced, is there an ordinance in the Qur'an or Sunnah requiring Muslims to enforce proper labeling?
4) Is there a punishment for those who have corrupted the message?
I think the answers to the first two questions are difficult to ascertain. I don't see any use in ripping away the label of 'Islam' from Qadianis'. I don't fear that any person will lead others astray from the path of Allah (unless they wish to be led astray out of their own weakness). For it is Allah who leads whom He pleases:
"This day are those who disbelieve in despair of (ever harming) your religion; ** so fear them not, fear Me! ** This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favour unto you, and have chosen for you as religion al-Islam." (5:3)
"And who doeth greater wrong than he who inventeth a lie against Allah when he is summoned unto Al-Islam ? ** And Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk ** ." (61:7)
To the best of my knowledge there are no ordinances in the Qur'an calling for the punishment of those who corrupt the message. If there were Jews and Christians would be punished. They too have corrupted the message. They too were at one point Muslims. They both deny the finality of Muhammad's prophethood (as do Qadiani's, according to some). The difference between them and Qadiani's is that they do not claim to be Muslims, hence they avoid the scrutiny of Muslims who feel that Qadiani's are leading others astray and confusing non-believers with their message by claiming it is the true 'Islam'. But Allah has discussed those who are led astray in the Qur'an on countless occasions (this list is a long one):
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1) "What aileth you that ye are become two parties regarding the hypocrites, when Allah cast them back (to disbelief) because of what they earned ? Seek ye to guide him whom Allah hath sent astray ? He whom Allah sendeth astray, for him thou (O Muhammad) canst not find a road." (4:88)
2) "He whom Allah causeth to go astray, thou (O Muhammad) wilt not find a way for him" (4:143)
3) "Those who deny Our revelations are deaf and dumb in darkness. Whom Allah will sendeth astray, and whom He will He placeth on a straight path." (6:39)
4) "And whomsoever it is Allah's will to guide, He expandeth his bosom unto the Surrender, and whomsoever it is His Will to send astray, He maketh his bosom close and narrow as if he were engaged in sheer ascent. Thus Allah layeth ignominy upon those who believe not." (6:125)
5) "Thou sendest whom Thou wilt astray and guidest whom Thou wilt: Thou art our Protecting Friend, therefore forgive us and have mercy on us, Thou, the Best of all who show forgiveness." (7:155)
6) "He whom Allah leadeth, he indeed is led aright, while he whom Allah sendeth astray - they indeed are losers." (7:178)
7) "Those whom Allah sendeth astray, there is no guide for them. He leaveth them to wander blindly on in their contumacy." (7:186)
8) "It was never Allah's (part) that He should send a folk astray after He had guided them until He had made clear unto them what they should avoid. Lo! Allah is Aware of all things." (9:115)
9) "Say: Lo! Allah sendeth whom He will astray, and guideth unto Himself all who turn (unto Him)" (13:27)
10) "He whom Allah sendeth astray, for him there is no guide." (13:33)
11) "And We never sent a messenger save with the language of his folk, that he might make (the message) clear for them. Then Allah sendeth whom He will astray, and guideth whom He will. He is the Mighty, the Wise." (14:4)
12) "Allah confirmeth those who believe by a firm saying in the life of the world and in the Hereafter, and Allah sendeth wrong-doers astray. And Allah doeth what He will." (14:27)
13) "Had Allah willed He could have made you (all) one nation, but He sendeth whom He will astray and guideth whom He will, and ye will indeed be asked of what ye used to do. " (16:93)
14) "And he whom Allah guideth, he is led aright; while, as for him whom He sendeth astray, for them thou wilt find no protecting friends beside Him, and We shall assemble them on the Day of Resurrection on their faces, blind, dumb and deaf; their habitation will be hell; whenever it abateth, We increase the flame for them." (17:97)
15) "He whom Allah guideth, he indeed is led aright, and he whom He sendeth astray, for him thou wilt not find a guiding friend." (18:17)
16) "Nay, but those who do wrong follow their own lusts without knowledge. Who is able to guide him whom Allah hath sent astray ? For such there are no helpers." (30:29)
17) "Allah verily sendeth whom He will astray, and guideth whom He will; so let not thy soul expire in sighings for them. Lo! Allah is Aware of what they do!" (35:8)
18) "Such is Allah's guidance, wherewith He guideth whom He will. And him whom Allah sendeth astray, for him there is no guide." (39:23)
19) "He whom Allah sendeth astray, for him there is no guide." (39:36)
20) "A day when ye will turn to flee, having no preserver from Allah: and he whom Allah sendeth astray, for him there is no guide." (40:33)
21) "Thus doth Allah send astray the disbelievers (in His guidance)." (40:74)
22) "He whom Allah sendeth astray, for him there is no protecting friend after Him. And thou (Muhammad) wilt see the evil-doers when they see the doom, (how) they say: Is there any way of return ?" (42:44)
23) "And they will have no protecting friends to help them instead of Allah. He whom Allah sendeth astray, for him there is no road." (42:46)
24) "Hast thou seen him who maketh his desire his god, and Allah sendeth him astray purposely, and sealeth up his hearing and his heart, and setteth on his sight a covering ? Then who will lead him after Allah (hath condemned him) ? Will ye not then heed ?" (45:23)
25) "Thus Allah sendeth astray whom He will, and whom He will He guideth. None knoweth the hosts of thy Lord save Him. This is naught else than a Reminder unto mortals." (74:31)
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These verses don't negate a Muslims responsibility to warn non-believers. So if Qadianis are astray they should be warned - not by violence, but by word of mouth, not insulting words, but words which are in compliance with the method of preaching followed by our Prophets who were patient, loving and invited others to their Islam through their worthy example (Recall: 'There is no compulsion in religion' 2:256). There is no command in the Qur'an to punish those who have corrupted Allah's scripture, just to warn them. The following verse is good advice for Muslims:
** ...whoso goeth right, goeth right only for (the good of) his own soul; and as for him who goeth astray - (Unto him) say: Lo! I am only a warner. (27:92) **
Muslims should warn others. The best warner is the one who sets an example of greatness for others to follow and dispels myths regarding Islam and is able to converse with others regarding the message of Islam in a congenial amicable manner. This is the best way to invite others to Islam. We can continue debating the authenticity of our 'Islam(s)' here, weather anyone will alter their beliefs is doubtful. That being said, I think its still worthwhile, I'm learning and I'm sure others are as well (as long as we steer clear of personal attacks or offensive remarks).
Achtung ;)
** "Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion." (109:6) **