The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam — Page vi
4 The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam After his demise in 1908, the Promised Messiah (as) was succeeded by Ḥaḍrat Maulawi Nūr-ud-Dīna, Khalifatul Masīḥ I. On the death of Hadrat Maulawi Nur-ud-Dina in 1914, Hadrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmada, who was also the Promised Messiah's as Promised Son, was elected as Khalifah. Hadrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmadra remained in office for nearly fifty-two years. He died in 1965 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Hadrat Ḥāfiz Mirza Nasir Ahmadth, the Promised grandson of the Promised Messiah (as). After seventeen years of meritorious services he passed away in 1982. He was succeeded by his younger brother, Hadrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadh as Khalifatul Masīḥ IV who, having led the Community to its present strength and global recognition, passed away on the 19th April, 2003. Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalīfatul Masīḥ Vat, is the present head of the Community and enjoys the distinction of being the great-grandson of Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as).