Strasbourg, France, Friday, 11 October: Where every Friday Sermon of Hazrat Khailfatul Masihaa is of historic importance, some sermons become even more historic when they mark the inauguration of a mosque. Today’s Friday Sermon inaugurated the Mahdi Mosque in Strasbourg, France.
Huzooraa unveiled the plaque of the mosque and led the congregation in silent prayer. Millions of Ahmadis joined in this prayer through MTA International. This was followed by the Friday Sermon that Huzooraa delivered in this mosque, hence making 11 October a historic day in the history of Islam Ahmadiyyat.
After reciting the Tashahud, Ta‘awuz, and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa recited verse 18 of Surah at-Taubah (chapter 9). Huzooraa said that Allah has blessed us with a mosque in Strasbourg, France where the Jamaat consists of 75 percent new Ahmadis and those of non-Pakistani ethnicities. Referring to the recited verses, Huzooraa said that Allah instructs us to worship Him and the verse also points to the Day of Judgment, belief in which motivates one to worship Allah the Almighty.
Huzooraa read an excerpt of the Promised Messiahas that highlights the importance of belief in the Day of Judgment in making one a true believer.
Huzooraa said that those who build a mosque declare their belief in the worship of Allah and that too in congregation. It also shows that they are ready to sacrifice their wealth in the way of Allah. This spirit of financial sacrifice then leads to a greater passion of propagating the message of Allah the Almighty. Such are the people who are the rightly-guided ones but this comes with a responsibility: becoming exemplary models for others.
Those contributing towards building the mosque should continue to pray to Allah that He enables them to populate the mosque with prayers. They should pray that with the mosque, Allah enables them to become a manifestation of the saying of the Holy Prophetsa that Allah builds a house for those who build a mosque.
To attain this status, every Ahmadi should closely keep an eye on their prayers and see that Salat is offered as prescribed by Allah the Almighty. Rights of Allah and rights of His creation should be fulfilled in the best possible manner.
Thousands of mosques are built around the world but if they become hub of inciting hatred or introducing innovations in faith, then such mosques cannot lead to Paradise. For a mosque to be a lighthouse that guides towards Paradise, one has to follow the advice of the Imam of the Age i.e. the Promised Messiahas. He has advised us in great detail about what deeds to adopt to be able to attain the love of God. We have to express our love for Allah through our deeds to be able to win the love of our Creator.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa presented excerpts from the writings of the Promised Messiahas that clearly express Allah’s expectations from us. The excerpts of the Promised Messiahas that Huzooraa presented eloquently spoke about how Salat is to be offered, how it transforms us, how it leads to the well-being of the society at large.
Huzooraa emphasised that everyone should strive to offer salat in congregation especially in western countries where travelling is a lot easier.
Huzooraa instructed the Strasbourg Jamaat to make the most of this mosque that Allah has blessed them with. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that everyone should strive to offer salat in congregation, otherwise we will be denying a great blessing of Allah.
Before concluding his Sermon, Huzooraa mentioned that 2,640 square metres comprise the premises of the Mahdi Mosque. Huzooraa mentioned that by the grace of Allah, the construction work became possible in half the amount that was quoted by the architects. Of the 530,000 euros spent, Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya has contributed most of it and has pledged to also contribute the remaining amount. Huzooraa instructed that members of Majlis Ansarullah and Lajna Imaillah should also contribute towards building another mosque in France.
The full English text of this Friday Sermon will be published in Al Hakam in due course.