Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (December 18th, 1928 – April 19th 2003), Khalifatul-Masih IV (rta), was the supreme head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He was elected as the fourth successor of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), the Promised Messiah, on June 10th 1982. Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad passed away on April 19th, 2003. His successor, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba), is the present Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad was born on December 18th, 1928, in Qadian, India, to Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad (ra) and Hazrat Syeda Maryam Begum. He received his early schooling in Qadian before immigrating to Pakistan, where he completed his Shahid Degree with distinction from Jamia‘ [Theological Academy] Ahmadiyya Rabwah and an Honors degree in Arabic from Punjab University. He then studied for two years at the University of London at the School of Oriental and African Studies before returning to Pakistan. It was during this time that he traveled extensively throughout the West, learning the language and experiencing the cultures of the world. This experience helped him see the many challenges and social habits throughout the world, which would help him in his future endeavors.
Upon his return in 1957, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rta) married Hazrat Asifa Begum and was appointed the vice president of the newly established Waqf-e-Jadid Foundation, whose main task was to educate community members who lived in rural areas of Pakistan.
Immediately after being elected to be the Khalifa [spiritual head] of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community he became a champion of peace in the world, touring various countries and preaching the message of “Love for All, Hatred for None.” In his 21 years of Khilafat, he propounded many Islamic teachings to the world, from women’s rights, race equality, living an ideal family life, preaching the faith, striving in financial sacrifice, shunning un-Islamic customs, focusing on prayers, and exegesis of the Holy Quran. He was also a prolific scholar, orator, writer, poet, and homeopath.
As a result of Ordinance XX, the anti-Ahmadiyya legislation which passed on April 26th, 1984, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rta) was forced to leave Pakistan immediately. Due to the prohibitions placed by Ordinance XX, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rta) was unable to perform his duties as the leader of the Community without violating the Ordinance. As a result, he was compelled to leave Pakistan and migrate following its promulgation, eventually moving the headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to London. As the spiritual head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rta) established Muslim Television Ahmadiyya (commonly referred to as MTA). This satellite-based channel broadcasted its first show on August 21st, 1992 from London. It started with a weekly one-hour program, transmitting the weekly Friday sermon delivered by Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rta). Today, MTA broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is watched globally by millions of people. Broadcasts are simultaneously televised into six languages.
Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rta) regularly held question and answer sessions both with Ahmadis and non-Ahmadis from around the world. Since his migration to England, separate sessions were held in Urdu and English. In addition to these, separate question and answer sessions were held with Arabic, French, and Bengali speakers through translators. Towards the end of his life, these question and answers were held almost on a daily basis.
He touched the lives of millions and continued to spread the message of peace until his death on April 19th, 2003.