Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh) (1928-2003)

Huzoor (rh) as a student in London

Personal Biography

Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh) was born on the 18^th of December 1928, in Qadian, India. He is the son of the Second Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad (ra), and is the grandson of the Promised Messiah (as).

Faith inspiring incident: Once, when he was only 10 years, he was asked by Maulana Abdul Rahim Nayyer, “Which reward would you cherish most for doing good work?” “Allah – Only Allah” was the reply of Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh).

He studied at Jamia Ahmadiyya Rabwah and obtained a Shahid degree. He studied further in the UK at the School of Oriental Studies, London. Following this, he decided he wanted to dedicate his life for the Jama’at and submitted himself for Waqf.

Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IV (rh)served the Jama’at in many positions. He was given charge of Waqf-e-Jadid where he went to great efforts to promote the missionary work inside Pakistan. From 1960-66 he served as naib sadr Khudamul Ahmadiyya and then later served as sadr Khudamul Ahmadiyya from 1966-69. In 1974, the Jama’at faced bitter persecution in Pakistan. Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh) was appointed by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) as part of the delegation to the National Assembly of Pakistan who’s job it was to prove the truth of the Jama’at’s beliefs. He was appointed as Director of the Fazl-e-Umar foundation in 1970. From 1979-82 he served as Sadr Majlis Ansarullah. These leadership roles put Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh) in good stead for his ultimate leadership role, which came into effect after the demise of Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad (rh).

Regarding his father Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad (ra)

“As children it was very seldom that we took the liberty of responding in a relaxed way to a playful attitude on his part. Occasionally we did and personally I did more than the other children and sometimes made him laugh and that was my personal distinction.”

“My father was very cautious about praising us in any way or letting us know that he liked something. Occasionally he made a remark of appreciation. Otherwise he kept quiet. He wanted us to develop independently, without any support from him. “He always tried to make us aware that we were ordinary people and that we had no special advantages in being his sons.”

(A Man of God by Iain Adamson, page 18-22)

Huzoor (rh) pictured on the far left with his father Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra)

Huzoor (rh) pictured with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh)

Khilafat

Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad was elected as the fourth Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on the 10^th of June 1982, the day after His Predecessor, Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad (rh), passed away. In 1984, General Zia-ul Haque passed an ordinance in Pakistan whereby no Ahmadi could call himself/herself Ahmadi. This meant that Ahmadi’s could not give the Islamic greeting of Assalamoalaikum, recite the Holy Qur’an, pray five times a day or even say the adhaan. Such conditions made it impossible for a Khalifa to lead his community. General Zia ordered that Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh) was not to leave the country at any cost and he hatched a plan to capture him, which he felt would put an end to the community. However, as was Allah’s plan, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh) departed from Pakistan, right under the noses of the authorities who were not able to spot him!

He came to the Fazl mosque in London on April 30^th 1984, thus beginning a new chapter in the history of Khulafa-e-Ahmadiyya. After his migration to London, persecution of Ahmadis in Pakistan intensified and under Allah’s command, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh) challenged General Zia to a Mubahala (prayer contest). Meaning, both parties pray and God inflicts his punishment on the liars, which will serve as a sign of truth for the other party. Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad said that even though General Zia did not formally accept, God will show his signs nonetheless. On August 17^th 1988, General Zia-ul Haque and many of his associates were killed in a mysterious plane crash. Thus, God demonstrated the truth of Ahmadiyyat by showing His punishment to the liars and those who persecuted the innocent.

Inspiring incident

whilst Shauki (Huzoor’s daughter) and I were at Huzoor ’s (rh) home the door opened with a big noise and there was a lot of commotion. Huzoor (rh) came in looking quite anxious. He came on a bicycle without telling anyone and all security were running after him. He asked my wife to make him some strong tea as he did not like the tea that was served to him earlier. He was however preoccupied and searching for something. It was only when we went to Qasrai Khilafat later that we learnt Huzoor (rh) had misplaced his ring and had literally gone into Sajda. I heard him praying in a very emotional state to God “if I can not look after a ring how can I look after Khilafat.”

(Tariq commemorative edition, chapter 3)

Highlighted work

During Khilafat Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh) visited different counties to meet members of the Jama’at and to propagate the message of Islam. These tours served to strengthen and uplifted the spirituality of the community worldwide, creating an awakening in the Ahmadi masses.While abroad he was able to address large audiences in press conferences and lectures. He was also able to inaugurate mosques such as the Bashaarat mosque in Spain – the first mosque in Spain in over 700 years! In 1983 he laid the foundation stone for the first Ahmadiyya Mosque in Sydney, Australia. 1992 saw Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh) inaugurate the Baitul Islam Mosque in Toronto, Canada. Two years later in 1994 Baitur Rahman mosque in Washington was inaugurated .

On 3^rd April 1987 Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad launched the scheme of Waqfe-Nau, whereby Ahmadi parents were encouraged to dedicate their children to the service of the Jama’at before their birth.

While the banning of Jama’at publications in Pakistan was commonplace, Allah opened up His way of spreading the message of Islam. In 1992, MTA (Muslim Television Ahmadiyya) was launched from London.

Did you know? MTA (Muslim Television Ahmadiyya) was the name chosen for this Jama’at channel by Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh). It also spells out the initials of his name! Mirza Tahir Ahmad (MTA)

MTA, which began with broadcasting only the Friday sermon once a week has now expanded to stream 24/7 on 9 international channels. New and exciting programmes are always being introduced such as ‘This Week with Huzoor’, ‘Kids space’, ‘Little Legends’ and ‘Roundup’ to name a few!

Following on from this the first international Bai’at (initiation ceremony) at the UK annual conference in July was televised live across the world for the masses to be a part of. The memorable scenes which are reminiscent of jalsa first took place in 1993 have been the long awaited grand finale of the jalsa.

Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh) had such compassion and empathy for the less fortunate that in 1992 he founded the international charity Humanity First. The scope of services for this charity was to encompass all human beings, regardless of their background. This charity has gone on to serve humanity in projects such as installing water wells, building schools and hospitals, performing cataract operations and caring for orphans to name many others.

Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh) had an extraordinary talent of speech and penned dozens of books. on a variety of different topics. To name a few: Revival of Religion; Homeopathy, Steps to Exercise, Revelation Rationality. He also completed the Landmark translation of the Holy Qur’an in Urdu. Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh) was well remembered for his charismatic personality. He showed love and attention to all and every Ahmadi family can recall beautiful family meetings (mulaqaats) with his Holiness where he touched the hearts of members of the community. On MTA, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh) was well known for his regular classes on the commentary of the Holy Qur’an, his question and answer sessions and his children’s classes. The recorded programmes broadcast on MTA serve as a treasure trove for the Ahmadiyya community.

Demise

Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh) passed away on the 19^th of April 2003, in London, UK. He is buried in Islamabad, Tilford.

May Allah the Almighty have mercy on his (rh) soul, Ameen.