How can someone other than Jesus (as) be the returned Messiah?

In the way Jesus (as) himself explained it. When people demanded the return of Elijah from him, he pointed to John the Baptist. Those who are promised to return do not come back in the body, but in another person who carries their spirit and character.

The best answer is given by Jesus (as) himself. In his time people expected the prophet Elijah to return before the Messiah. According to tradition Elijah had gone up to heaven in a chariot of fire, and people were waiting for his bodily return. When Jesus (as) was asked about this, he pointed to John the Baptist. In effect he said that this was the Elijah they were waiting for.

Yet John had a different name and different parents from Elijah. Nothing outward linked the two. Still Jesus (as) declared that the promise had been fulfilled in him. Whoever accepts this judgement also has the standard for the return of Jesus (as). People whose return has been foretold do not come back in the body. They come in spirit, in character, in teaching and in the way they act.

The Holy Qur’an confirms that Jesus (as) was a messenger like the others and died a natural death. Whoever has died does not return to this world. That is why the hadith above says that the promised one will be an Imam from among the Muslims themselves.

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), the Promised Messiah, is therefore not a reincarnation of Jesus (as). He lived his attitude anew. Like Jesus (as) he placed forgiveness above revenge. He taught people to be patient when struck and to pray for anyone who insults them. He rejected armed struggle for the faith and relied on prayer and the word of God. That is the likeness that matters.