Destructive religious movements that emerged in Asia during the nineteenth century AD (thirteenth century AH)

Abstract

This study addresses a critical issue that has long preoccupied the Muslim world: intellectual infiltration aimed at fragmenting Muslim unity from within and distorting collective consciousness. The focus is placed on religious movements that emerged in Asia during the 19th century, which, despite their religious facade, were fundamentally driven by intelligence agendas serving the interests of major European colonial powers. Adopting a historical inductive approach, the study explores the intellectual and cultural roots that facilitated the emergence of such movements, including ancient civilizations, traditional religions, Jewish influences, European expansionism, the general scientific awakening, and Arab scientific institutions. Specifically, the research examines three movements: Babism (1844), the Baháʼí Faith (1868), and Qadianism (1876), analyzing their core doctrines and teachings. The aim is to raise awareness among Muslim youth—particularly those traveling to regions where these groups are active—about the true nature of these movements, which disguise themselves under the cloak of Islam, while in fact, they have no genuine connection to it.