A brief life sketch of Hadhrat Hafiz Mirza Nasir Ahmad (rh) (1909-1982), Khalifatul Masih III (1965-1982), Third Successor to the Promised Messiah (as).
In Talmud, there is a passage which indicates that on the death of the Messiah his spiritual Kingdom will pass to his son and grandson. Again, in Haqiqatul Wahi, the Promised Messiah thanks God for the grant of four sons and the birth of a grandson at a future date. The much awaited prophecy was fulfilled when Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad was granted a son on 16th November, 1909. He was named Nasir Ahmad. The grandson spoken of in the prophecy is none other than Hazrat Hafiz Mirza Nasir Ahmad, Hazrat Ummul Momineen (wife of the Promised Messiah) used to call Nasir Ahmad 'my Mubarak and my Yahya'. In one of her dreams, she saw that Mubarak had come back and clung to her saying: 'Mother, I shall not go away now.' Hazrat Nawab Mubaraka Begum also had a dream to this effect.
Further, on 26th September, 1909, before the birth of Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad, the second Caliph, wrote to a friend that God had informed him that He would give him a son who would strengthen the fabric of Islam. The prophecy about the grandson speaks of Yahya. Basing his conclusion on the word 'Yahya', the Promised Messiah thought rightly that the child would be given a long life unlike Mubarak Ahmad son of the Promised Messiah who died at a tender age. From the Holy Quran, we learn that Yahya was taught the word of God at a young age. Similarly, Hazrat Hafiz Mirza Nasir Ahmad committed the Quran to memory in his younger years.
Hazrat Hafiz Mirza Nasir Ahmad succeeded as the third Caliph in the year 1965. Since then he tremendously expanded the Missionary activities of this Community. He has made historic tours to Europe in 1967, Six West African countries in 1970. Hazoor toured America, Canada, England, West Germany, Holland, Norway and Sweden in 1976 and inaugurated the 'Nasir Mosque' in Sweden. Again Hazoor visited Switzerland, Holland, Sweden, Denmark and West Germany, attended the London Conference in 1978 and later Hazoor laid the foundation stone of 'Basharat Mosque' in Pedroabad, Spain.
'The Fazle Omar Foundation', 'The Nusrat Jehan Leap Forward Programme', 'The Jubilee Fund', only to name a few, are the highlights of the achievements of the third Caliph. But his golden achievement is the guidance he offered to the Community when Pakistan declared this God- fearing Community a Non-Muslim minority. That the Community in its totality has not suffered from disintegration, establishes the fact that the Caliph is no paper-tiger and that he can stand trials and tribulations. Equally historic is his sermon that we are Muslims.
'We have passed through painful times and now we are receiving reports that where-ever the number of Ahmadis is small and they are weak they are being boycotted. They cannot obtain food or drink. Shopkeepers are told not to sell even the indispensable necessities of life to them, and water carriers have been told not to supply water to them. We are not worried that we are being afflicted with hunger, as we have been warned of it in the Holy Quran:
'We will surely try you with somewhat of fear and hunger, loss of wealth and lives and the fruits of your labour.' (2:156)
Reports that are coming in indicate that just now the emphasis is on depriving the Ahmadis of food and drink. On receipt of such reports I call to mind and remind those who are in touch with me that our beloved master, the Seal of the Prophets, Muhammad Mustafa (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was during the Meccan period besieged along with all the Muslims in the narrow valley of Abu Taib for a period of 2 and half to 3 years. They were all sorely tried and were denied the necessities of life. Allah so ordained that they were able to obtain just enough to maintain life with difficulty.'
Under the guidance of Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad (may mercy of Allah be upon him) the Ahmadiyya Community progressed at a remarkable speed in the propagation of Islam throughout the world building and running schools, colleges, hospitals, preaching centres, mosques, translating and publishing of Holy Quran.
After over sixteen years of Khilafat, having unqualified success in stepping stones to further triumphs of Islam, Hazoor passed away on 9th of June, 1982. (may his soul rest in peace).