(1841-1914)
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (1908-1914)
First Successor to the Promised Messiah

Maulana Hakeem Nooruddin (May Allah be pleased with him) was born in the village of Bhera in Punjab in 1841. He was the youngest of seven brothers and two sisters. (1)

He was taught the Holy Quran by his mother and it was from her and his father that he developed his life long love for the Quran. 

His quest for knowledge was encouraged by his father Hafiz Ghulam Rasul and he learnt Arabic, Urdu and Persian while studying a diverse range of topics. 

He developed a keen desire to study medicine, in the form of Yunani Tibb, a traditional system of healing and health medicine, with origins in ancient Greece. (2)  

He began his tutelage under the much respected ,Hakim ‘Ali Husain.

Over the years, Maulana Nooruddin (May Allah be pleased with him) developed into a notable scholar and physician, serving for many years as the Royal Physician. 

He first met the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (Peace be upon him) on a visit to Qadian in March 1888. 

He immediately recognised that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (Peace be upon him)  was indeed chosen by God. 

On the 23rd of March, 1889 when Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (Peace be upon him) proclaimed himself to be the Promised Messiah and Mahdi of the time, Maulana Nooruddin (May Allah be pleased with him) was the first member to be initiated into the newly formed Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.  

He served the community with unparalleled love and diligence. When the Promised Messiah (Peace be upon him) passed away on the 26th of  May 1908, Maulana Nooruddin (May Allah be pleased with him) was chosen as the first successor or Caliph.

He brought stability and helped to consolidate the community at this very difficult time.

His Holiness, Maulana Nooruddin (May Allah be pleased with him) continued to serve the community with love and devotion until his own demise on March 13th, 1914.

He was a devoted follower of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)  and the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) and a true advocate of Islam.

References:

1. Hazrat Maulvi Nooruddin. Khalifatul Masih 1 : By Sir Muhammad Zafrullah Khan (ra)
2. https://www.britannica.com/science/Unani-medicine

(1889-1965)
Khalifatul Masih II (1914-1965)
Al Musleh Mauod (The Promised Reformer)
Second Successor to the Promised Messiah

On the 20th of February,1886, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(peace be upon him) known as the Promised Messiah, made a remarkable prophecy about the birth of a son who would have grand spiritual attributes.(1)

On the 12th of January 1889, the Promised Messiah(peace be upon him) was blessed with this son, who was named Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad.(May Allah be pleased with him)

The Promised Messiah(peace be upon him) had received a revelation detailing the many attributes of his son, one being that:

“He will come into the world and will heal many of their disorder through his Messianic qualities and through the blessings of the Holy Spirit.” (2)

The Holy Prophet Muhammad(peace and blessings be upon him) had given the tidings of the advent of a spiritual, pious and promised son of Mahdi/Messiah. He said that he would come to revive and strengthen Islam during its terrible decline. The Prophet of Islam(peace and blessings be upon him) called this spiritual son, Musleh (Reformer), and the Promised one. 

Consequently, Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad(May Allah be pleased with him) became known as Musleh Maud, The Promised Reformer. 

Musleh Maud(May Allah be pleased with him) received his education in the District Board Primary School and later at Taleem ul Islam High School.(3) However, formal education was not the route that God had intended for him and many later incidents proved that God Himself wanted to be his teacher. 

Musleh Maud(May Allah be pleased with him) had a very pious upbringing and was dedicated to prayer and the service and advancement of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. 

He was only 19yrs old when his father, the Promised Messiah(peace be upon him) passed away. He had no desire to lead the community and was the first to pledge his allegiance to Maulana Hakim Nooruddin(May Allah be pleased with him), the 1st Caliph.

The 1st Caliph had a deep respect and love for Musleh Maud(May Allah be pleased with him) and would often advocate for him to be the future leader of the community. 

On Friday, the 13th of March, 1914,  the 1st Caliph, passed away. On the 14th of March, 1914, Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad(May Allah be pleased with him) was proposed to be the second successor to the Promised Messiah(peace be upon him). After some initial reluctance he accepted this great duty. 

So, at the very young age of just 25, Musleh Maud(May Allah be pleased with him) took up the mantle of Caliphate and over a period spanning 54yrs took the community to new heights of success and development. 

Some of his notable achievements were:

• Navigating the community through the Partition and migration to Pakistan.
• Moving the community headquarters to Rabwah, Pakistan and literally setting up a whole new town.
• Establishing a detailed organisational structure such as Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders, Youth, Boys, Women and Girls Associations. He developed organizations for Outreach, Teaching, Collecting funds etc at both central and regional levels.
• Educating and consolidating the understanding behind the need to have a Caliph.
• The development of two powerful schemes, Foreign Missions Scheme and the New Dedication Scheme. The former raised funds for the development of infrastructure like mosques, mission houses and for printing of books, teaching material, The Holy Quran etc. The latter one was about raising funds to train and support teachers to spread the message of Islam. 

Both schemes have been extremely powerful in promoting the message of Islam across the world.

These are just some of the many achievements during his time as Caliph. 

Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad(May Allah be pleased with him) breathed his last on the 8th of  November ,1965. 

In his time as Caliph his drive, determination, intellect, love for his faith and utter devotion to his duty, fully validated his title of Musleh Maud.( May Allah be pleased with him.)

References:

1. The Promised Son: Rashid Ahmad Chaudhry
2. The Divine Revelation Concerning the Musleh Mau’ood: https://www.alislam.org/articles/divine-revelation-concerning-musleh-mauood/ 
3. Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad: Moulvi Bashir Ahmad Dehlavi https://www.alislam.org/articles/hazrat-mirza-bashiruddin-mahmud-ahmad/ 

(1909-1982)
Khalifatul Masih III (1965-1982)
Third Successor to the Promised Messiah

In Talmud, there is a passage which indicates that on the death of the Promised Messiah(peace be upon him) his spiritual kingdom will pass to his son and grandson. (1) In his book, The Philosophy of Divine Revelation, the Promised Messiah(peace be upon him) thanks God for the gift of four sons and the birth of a grandson at a later date. The much awaited prophecy concerning a grandson was fulfilled on the 16th of  November, 1909 with the birth of Mirza Nasir Ahmad.(May Allah be pleased with him)

The 3rd Caliph was a Hafiz. (Someone who has memorised the entire Holy Quran.) His speeches were acclaimed due to the wealth of knowledge he shared with the audience. He also gained his Master of Arts degree at Oxford and for several years had been the Principal of the Talim ul Islam College as well as holding a number of other offices. 

He served the community diligently under the guidance of his father, the 2nd Caliph. He loved nature, gardening, horse riding and encouraged the community to take interest in cycling, horse-riding, catapult shooting, rowing and swimming.²

He had a deep understanding of religion, and of all worldly subjects ranging from Science, Economics, Politics to Geography and History.

On the 8th of November, 1965, when the 2nd Caliph passed away, he was succeeded by his son, His

Holiness Mirza Nasir Ahmad.(May Allah be pleased with him)

During his time as Caliph he greatly expanded the missionary activities of the community as well as travelled extensively through Europe and Africa to physically meet the members of this blessed, growing community. 

During his African tour in 1970, at Gambia, God instilled into his mind a grand scheme, known as the Nusrat Jehan Fund. It was launched and was directed towards the establishment of schools, hospitals, clinics and broadcasting stations in Africa.

His Holiness also launched a number of very successful projects, most notably: 

• The Fazl-e Umar Foundation: To continue the projects started by the Second Caliph.
• The Ahmadiyya Centenary Jubilee Fund: 

The main objective for establishing this was:

1. To spread the message of Islam to the ends of the Earth.
2. To establish additional Ahmadiyya Mission houses.
3. To publish Islamic literature in 100 languages of the world.
4. To install a modern printing press in Pakistan.
5. To establish a radio station in an African country.
6. To translate the Holy Quran into six languages.(3)

One of the most difficult times that the 3rd Caliph dealt was the crisis of 1974, when Ahmadis were declared as Non-Muslims by the Parliament of Pakistan. At this time there was great hardship and suffering experienced by the Ahmadiyya community. His Holiness also bore with serenity the barrage of abuse hurled at him by his opponents proving that he was no ordinary man, but God’s humble and protected servant.

He successfully helped to navigate and hold the community together through this most trying of times. 

Under the guidance of his Holiness, the Ahmadiyya Community progressed at a remarkable speed, propagating Islam throughout the world, building and running schools, colleges, hospitals, outreach centres, mosques, translating and publishing of the Holy Quran.

On the 9th of June, 1982. After serving over sixteen years as Caliph, having achieved so much in his time leading the community, the 3rd Caliph passed away.

References:

1. A glimpse into the Life of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III : Imam B. A. Rafiq
2. Hazrat Hafiz Mirza Nasir Ahmad – Khalifatul Masih III: https://www.alislam.org/articles/hazrat-hafiz-mirza-nasir-ahmad/ 
3. Centenary Jubilee Fund: https://www.alislam.org/book/brief-history-ahmadiyya-muslim/centenary-jubilee-project/ 

1928-2003
Khalifatul Masih IV (1982-2003)
Fourth Successor to the Promised Messiah

Mirza Tahir Ahmad(May Allah be pleased with him) was born in Qadian on the18th of  December ,1928. He was the son of the 2nd Caliph and grandson of the Promised Messiah. (1)

He grew up righteous and virtuous under the guidance of his illustrious father, devout mother and with divine blessings. (2)

His Holiness Mirza Tahir Ahmad(May Allah be pleased with him) completed his High school education in 1944 at Taleem ul Islam High School, Qadian, and then his Higher secondary education from Government College Lahore.

His mother wished him to be a doctor, however, he was not so inclined towards it and preferred Human affairs and Social work.

In 1953, he obtained his Religious Scholars degree from the Theological Academy in Rabwah. 

He also went on to study at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London UK. 

His Holiness had a keen and enquiring mind. Aside from studying books in Urdu, he also read Shakespeare, Conan Doyle, Dickens, Books on Evolution and Poetry. He, of course, studied the Holy Quran and although he never committed it all to memory, he had a deep understanding of its contents.

He served the community with love and diligence in a number of leadership positions during the time of both Second and third Caliphs.

On the 9th of June 1982 , the 3rd Caliph passed away and the following day Mirza Tahir Ahmad(May Allah be pleased with him) was duly elected as the 4th Caliph. 

During his tenure , His Holiness travelled extensively throughout Europe. 

Of note was his trip to Spain where he inaugurated the historic Basharat Mosque at Pedro Abad the first one to be built in that country for over 500 years.

His Holiness also visited Africa in 1988. This tour of six countries spanning over five weeks was highly successful. Tumultuous welcome greeted him everywhere in  Gambia, Sierra-Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria. Various Presidents, Ministers, Parliamentarians and Paramount Chiefs also met him. (2)

Key moments in the 4th Caliph’ time:

• Migrating from Pakistan in 1984 due to rising hostilities against the community and his Holiness in particular. With violence, persecution and severe restrictions against  Ahmadi Muslims, culminating in Ordinance XX on April 26, 1984,  his Holiness decided to migrate to England on April 29th-30th 1984. 
• Setting up of the Waqf-e-Nau scheme, under which Ahmadi Muslim families were urged to dedicate their children for the service of the community. 
• The Monumental achievement of starting our very own television channel on the 21st of August, 1992. Previous trial satellite transmissions were organized into the blessed system called Muslim Television Ahmadiyya (MTA). In this way the prophecy vouchsafed to the Promised Messiah(peace be upon him) has been further fulfilled.

“I shall cause thy message to reach the corners of the earth”

In July 2002, Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad(May Allah be pleased with him) addressed his last Annual Conference held in the UK. In his address he presented an account of stunning achievements during his time as Caliph.

From 1984:

–  13,065 new mosques and 985 new missions were established in countries around the world. 

• Increased translations of the Holy Quran.
•  The establishment in 84 additional countries and on the whole in 175 countries around the world.

Mirza Tahir Ahmad(May Allah be pleased with him) passed away on Saturday, the 19th of April , 2003.

A man of fierce intelligence, compassion and deep love for all the members of the community.

Under his 21 years of vibrant and dynamic leadership, the community progressed immensely. 

“He was accessible to the masses through his extensive world-wide tours, hundreds of question-answer sessions in public and on Muslim Television Ahmadiyya. In addition to his religious and spiritual duties, he served the community as a great homeopathic physician, a prolific writer and a keen sportsman” (3)

References:

1. Tariq magazine July 2004: https://www.alislam.org/library/periodicals/tariq-uk/chapter1.pdf#page=9
2. Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad- An introduction: https://www.alislam.org/articles/hazrat-mirza-tahir-ahmad-an-introduction/
3. Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad: https://trueislam.com/leadership/the-fourth-khalifa-rh/ 

2003 – to date
Khalifatul Masih V
Fifth Successor to the Promised Messiah

His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad( May Allah be his helper)  was born on the 15th of September 1950 in Rabwah, Pakistan to the late Mirza Mansoor Ahmad and the late Nasira Begum Ahmad. He is the great grandson of the Promised Messiah(as) and grandson of the 2nd Caliph.

His Holiness( underwent his Primary education at Taleem-ul-Islam High School Rabwah and obtained his Bachelor degree from Taleem-ul-Islam College Rabwah.

Upon completing his Master Degree in Agricultural Economics in 1977 from the Agriculture University in Pakistan, His Holiness formally dedicated his life to the service of Islam.

From 1977 to 1985, His Holiness served in Ghana, engaged in social, educational and agricultural development projects (1). He is credited with successfully growing wheat on Ghanaian soil for the first time in the nation’s history, thus revolutionizing the country’s economy and paving the way for self sufficiency. (2) 

His Holiness returned to Pakistan in 1985 and served at  various senior administrative posts within the Community for 18 years until his election as Caliph.

After the demise of the 4th Caliph, Mirza Masroor Ahmad (May Allah be his helper) was elected to this lifelong position on the 22nd of April 2003. As a consequence he had to leave Pakistan as it was untenable for him to lead the community from there.

The key achievements in his tenure so far have been:

• The launching of The National Symposium in 2004. His Holiness has been committed to the message of peace and unity from the beginning of his time as Caliph. He has advocated for the motto of Ahmadiyyat which is, ‘Love For All Hatred for None.” 
• His Holiness has travelled globally to promote and facilitate service to humanity. He regularly meets Presidents, Prime ministers and other Heads of states. He has been the Keynote Speaker in many of these meetings helping leaders understand the true message of Islam.
• His Holiness receives thousands of letters everyday as well as used to meet people daily prior to the Pandemic. He provides solace, advice and prayers for all he interacts with. Every Friday he delivers a sermon dealing with a variety of issues. This sermon is heard world wide. His love for the community is immense.
• Like his predecessors he has toured Europe and Africa, trying to bind and strengthen the ties with his community. 
• Despite the persecution that Ahmadi Muslims are subjected to in various Muslim majority nations, His Holiness expressly forbids any violence. He has instructed Ahmadi Muslims worldwide to respond only through prayers and entirely peaceful means.
• The development of Islamabad in Tilford Surrey as the centre of worldwide operations and the building of the beautiful Mubarak Mosque onsite. 

His Holiness is leading the community in a very troublesome time. Worldwide, the threat of war is real, belief in God is at an all time low and the current world pandemic has left many struggling financially and emotionally. Yet, he leads with compassion, love and most importantly his faith.

His Holiness currently resides in Islamabad Surrey with his family.

References:

1) Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad: https://www.alislam.org/profile/hazrat-mirza-masroor-ahmad/ 

2) Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad:  https://www.alislam.org/library/periodicals/tariq-uk/chapter1.pdf#page=9