Friday Sermon
17 May 2019
Inauguration of Masjid Mubarak
Upon entering the mosque, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated:
Assalamo alaikum wa rahmatullah [may the peace and mercy of Allah be upon you]. I have just unveiled the plaque to commemorate the opening of the [Mubarak] mosque and the official inauguration has now taken place.
When Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra inaugurated Masjid Mubarak in Rabwah, he said that arrangements should be made to offer two nawafil [voluntary prayers] before the inauguration. However, since this could not be arranged at that time, he said that they would perform sajda-e-shukar [prostration in gratitude to Allah] instead. (Khutabat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 32, pp. 48-49, Khutba Jumuah 23 March 1951)
Usually, the tradition has been that whenever I unveil a plaque for an inauguration, we offer silent prayer. However, today, keeping in line with that practice, instead of a dua, I will perform sajda-e-shukar and all of you should join me for God Almighty has granted us this modest headquarters [markaz] and also this mosque. Following this, the Friday Sermon shall commence.
Join in me Sajda-e-Shukar.
[The congregation of worshippers then joined Huzooraa in performing Sajda-e-Shukar.]
After this brief announcement, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa recited Tashahud, Ta‘awuz, Surah al-Fatihah and verses 30-32 of Surah al-A‘raf and then stated:
The translation of these verses is as follows:
“Say, ‘My Lord has enjoined justice. And fix your attention aright at every time and place of worship, and call upon Him, making yourselves sincere towards Him in religion. As He brought you into being, so shall you return.’ Some has He guided, and as for others error has become their desert. They have taken evil ones for friends to the exclusion of Allah, and they think that they are rightly guided. O children of Adam! look to your adornment at every time and place of worship, and eat and drink but exceed not the bounds; surely, He does not love those who exceed the bounds.” (Surah al-A’raf, Ch.7: V.30-32)
Alhamdolillah [All praise belongs to Allah] today, God Almighty has granted us the opportunity to offer the Friday prayer at this mosque in Islamabad. As I mentioned a few sermons ago regarding the move of the headquarters to Islamabad, managing of the offices adjacent to the Fazl Mosque had become very difficult and there was a need for a larger and better space for offices. Now, by the grace of God Almighty, with the completion of the construction project in Islamabad, our requirements have been fulfilled to a large extent.
Likewise, within the space available, some of those serving the Jamaat and working in the offices have also been provided with accommodation. Similarly, the residence of the Khalifa has also been constructed. It is important that a mosque be available adjacent to the residence of the Khalifa so that people may easily offer prayers behind him and he can perform other tasks such as delivering sermons and speeches, etc.
Although, we are officially inaugurating this mosque today with the Friday prayers, but in reality, the prayers and other activities had commenced as soon as I moved here. Large delegations of Khuddam, Atfal and Lajna continued to visit from outside. Sittings with them took place in this mosque. As for those with whom other events took place in the smaller halls, there was adequate space to accommodate them in the mosque to offer the prayers. The capacity of this mosque is approximately four times greater than that of the Fazl Mosque. However, when the delegations visited, it became evident that even this mosque proved to be too small during those occasions. However, there is a multipurpose hall adjacent to the mosque, which has been constructed in the direction of the qiblah. This has been used to offer prayers as it also has additional capacity.
Nonetheless, the purpose of mentioning these details is that, by the grace of God Almighty, in the UK Jamaat as well as other various countries of the world, mosques are being constructed. Owing to the grace of God Almighty, in the past 10 or 15 years, Jamaats have paid special attention to the construction of mosques. However, this mosque, which I have named “Masjid Mubarak”, is significant because the residence of the Khalifa is located here. Similarly, for those serving the Community, there is adequate residence for approximately 29-30 families. All of the offices, with whom I deal with on a daily basis have also been constructed here. Thus, this site and this mosque holds a special significance as it serves as the Markaz [headquarters].
May God Almighty enable this mosque to be a true reflection of the Masjid Mubarak. May it be granted the beneficence of God Almighty and may it be blessed in every respect.
When the name of the mosque was under consideration, various names came to mind and suggestions for some names were also received. However, the revelation of the Promised Messiahas came to mind as a result of which I named it as such. The revelation is as follows:
مُبَارِکٌ وَمُبَارَکٌ وَکُلُّ اَمرٍ مُبَارَکٍ يُجْعَلُ فِيهِ
The translation of this in the very words of the Promised Messiahas is, “This mosque is the source and recipient of blessings and every blessed deed will be performed therein.” (Tadhkirah, p. 83, Vol. 4)
May God Almighty enable this mosque to also become the recipient of the prayers of the Promised Messiahas, which he offered in Masjid Mubarak in Qadian, as well as his desire and heartfelt prayers for Islam to spread across the world and triumph. And may this mosque and this centre always serve as a means through which the unity of Allah and the message of Islam will be spread across England, Europe and the entire world. May the move of the headquarters here prove to be a blessed one in every regard. May all of the initiatives launched by Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya always receive the blessings of God Almighty. Moreover, may this mosque also become the recipient of the blessings of God Almighty associated with the mosque of the Promised Messiahas.
Until yesterday I was not aware of this fact and it was only then that this came to my attention that even when Rabwah was initially established, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said the very same words at the construction of Masjid Mubarak that may it also serve as a reflection of Masjid Mubarak in Qadian. (Khutbaat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 30, p. 316, Khutbah Jumuah 30.9.1949). Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra mentioned this in reference to Masjid Mubarak in Rabwah. Nevertheless, Khilafat remained there for a long time and even today, the central offices are present there. However, having migrated from there, new offices, buildings and mosques have been required here for the past 35 years. Due to the law of the country [Pakistan], Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya had to migrate from Rabwah. Subsequently, in order to fulfil the needs here as well, God Almighty opened the doors for progress even greater than before. May God Almighty continue to increase the resources of the Jamaat which He has blessed us with.
The opponents, in their estimation, thought to seize the blessings which God Almighty had granted us, however, may God Almighty through establishing this mosque and headquarters manifest signs of even greater blessings than before.
The intellectual state and level of ignorance of those who believe that the progress and destiny of the Jamaat lies in their hands is such that someone showed me a social media clip in which a politician of the Pakistan People’s Party was passing some comments and said that they had placed restrictions on the Ahmadiyya Jamaat and did not allow them to flourish in Pakistan. However, the new government has now come into office and allowed Ahmadis and “Qadianis” to establish their headquarters in Islamabad [Pakistan]. This is the state of their intellect. Some time ago, another politician also passed an ignorant statement similar to this, after which they released a statement saying that they were mistaken and that they had not understood the matter correctly.
Nevertheless, these are the views of who are engrossed in worldly pursuits. Little do they know that the progress of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat is purely owing to the blessings of God Almighty. Neither can any worldly government halt the progress of the Jamaat, nor is Ahmadiyyat in need of support from any worldly government. As long as we follow the commandments of God Almighty and as long as we endeavour to acquire His pleasure, we will continue to be the recipients of the blessings of God and will continue to witness this progress. Hence, we should continue to assess our conditions.
Those people, who have been granted the opportunity by God Almighty to reside in this new dwelling and those who, due to the headquarters being established here, are coming to settle in the surrounding areas, or are currently settled here, should endeavour to reform themselves in such a manner that other people are able to see a true manifestation of Islam and Ahmadiyyat in this area. Our life devotees and workers have lived in Islamabad for many years and the local people are acquainted with Ahmadis. The locals have also been introduced to Ahmadiyyat through the Jalsas [annual conventions], which had been held here for a long time until 2004, and are now currently being held in Alton, a place near here. Irrespective of all of this, the situation is now completely different and as such, the local people will also look at us from a new perspective. The local people have already taken note of the fact that Ahmadis have suddenly started to acquire homes here and have said that the reason for many people moving here is because the residence of the Caliph, leader of the Ahmadiyya Community, has relocated here.
Therefore, you will have to set an example that is even better than before and you will have to leave a good impression on them. If our neighbours are disturbed by our noise, failure to adhere to the traffic regulations or any other reason, then we will be conveying the wrong message to the locals. Our gratitude to God Almighty will be mere lip service if we are not demonstrating the correct message of Islam through our conduct. Being grateful to God Almighty necessitates that our words, actions and teachings are all in line with one another. It should not be the case that we say one thing and do another. God Almighty has provided us with guidance in the Holy Quran in relation to mosques as well. Even in the verses which were recited, we have been reminded of very important matters. If we remain mindful of these matters then, alongside fulfilling the rights of worship of God Almighty, we will also fulfil the rights of His creation.
In these verses, God Almighty clearly announces to the believers, i.e. the Muslims, that if they wish to earn the pleasure of God Almighty, they ought to adopt faith and adhere to religion purely for the sake of God Almighty. If one fails to do so, then instead of progressing, they shall fall into an abyss of misguidance. The purpose for which mosques are established must be fulfilled, only then can one become the recipient of God Almighty’s bounties. One must perform worship solely for the sake of God Almighty in order to become heirs to the rewards of God Almighty. One must cleanse their minds of worldly inclinations and desires; only then can one attain the grace of God Almighty. When one strives to achieve this five times a day, only then can one be counted among those who adheres to faith purely for the sake of God Almighty.
Thus, God Almighty commands us to purify ourselves and this is only possible when one remains firmly on faith only for the sake of God Almighty. Those people who do not strive to attain guidance, those who do not remain on their faith purely for the sake of God Almighty consequently fall into an abyss of misguidance. These people are such that instead of seeking the protection of God Almighty, they have befriended Satan. Despite this they believe that their actions are in accordance with the pleasure of God. This is the condition of those who reject the One sent by God. It is the condition of the evil-minded Muslim “scholars” of today who, along with themselves, are misguiding the masses. In their imagination, they believe that there is no one who practices Islam more accurately than them. In order to achieve their objectives, they do not leave any means, manner or design untried, and even governments remain in fear of them.
These days in Karachi, Pakistan, this same sort of opposition is on the rise, and even the government there insists that we demolish our minarets. We have tried to reason with them countless times stating these are minarets of old mosques which have been built 50-60 years ago, but they do not understand. There is an unprecedented fear of the Muslim clerics. These people are continuing to increase in their oppression upon the members of the Jamaat. They have exceeded all bounds in their hate-filled propaganda and agendas against the Promised Messiahas. It is these sorts of people regarding whom God Almighty states that misguidance and transgression has become their prerogative. The so-called Muslim scholars who are behind this indeed fall into the category of those regarding whom the Holy Prophetsa said that the mosques of that era would apparently seem populated to the onlookers – which is what we see nowadays in non-Ahmadi mosques – but they would be devoid of divine guidance, and that disorder would emerge from within them and would return to them, and such people would be the ones who defame Islam and would be the worst among all of creation. (Sha‘bul Iman lil Baihaqi, Vol. 3, pp. 317-3318, Hadith 1763, Maktabah Al-Rushd, Beirut, 2003)
In such a situation, our responsibility increases even more towards purifying our own condition of worship and making the world aware of the true teachings of Islam. God Almighty Himself opens many more ways and means for the spread of Islam’s true teachings than our own efforts, and the establishment of new headquarters is an example thereof. Hence, we should understand our responsibilities. If it had been left to our personal efforts or to the efforts of the Jamaat, this could have never been built. It is only due to the sheer grace of God Almighty that He granted us a new headquarters. During the blessed days of Ramadan, the days in which God Almighty has secured for us the means for our spiritual betterment, it is all the more incumbent upon us to strive even more than before towards adopting our faith exclusively for the sake of God Almighty.
The Promised Messiahas guided us on how to purify our faith and to make it exclusively for God Almighty. At one place, describing this, he writes:
“It is written in the Holy Quran:
ادۡعُوۡہُ مُخۡلِصِیۡنَ لَہُ الدِّیۡنَ
‘Pray unto Him, being sincere to Him in religion’ (Surah al-A‘raf, Ch.7: V.30). One should remember God Almighty and ask for His blessings with sincerity. One should possess sincerity, virtue and turn to Him in such a manner that He alone is the Lord and the true God.”
The Promised Messiahas further states:
“In short, the essence of the principles of worship are that one ought to stand before God as if they are beholding Him or that God is watching them. One should be free from all types of impurities and shirk [associating partners with God] and should keep in mind God Almighty’s grandeur and providence.”
The Promised Messiahas further states:
“One should make those supplications granted to us as well as other prayers as much as possible, seek forgiveness and repent often and express one’s weakness over and over so that the soul may be purified; also, so that one may develop a true bond with God Almighty and that they may be submerged in His love.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 9, p. 451)
Thus, when one practices faith sincerely for the sake of God Almighty, the soul will become pure, and one shall have the opportunity to cleanse themselves. They will fulfil the rights due to the worship of God and they shall strive to act upon the commandments of God Almighty.
Someone showed a video from social media wherein Muslims had made full preparations for iftari [breaking of the fast]. Thereafter, they began hurling abuse at one another, perhaps over the food, which quickly escalated to exchanging of fists. They were punching one another, fighting, tearing at each other, all the while the food was scattered everywhere. Some people were fighting in one place and others further away. They neither had any respect for their elders, nor did they have any regard for those younger than them. They were fighting one another all whilst in a state of fasting, and as is their custom, they came to pray wearing long dresses and robes, but all of them were involved in the brawl. God Almighty has said that one should not utter anything immoral whilst in a state of fasting, not to reply to anyone who hurls abuse and instead merely say that they are fasting. God Almighty has also said that He Himself is the reward for the one who fasts. Can God Almighty be the reward for such people observing the fast in this manner? Are these the ones who attain the pleasure of God Almighty? Is this the purification of the soul which they are achieving through fasting?
The importance of accepting the Imam of the age becomes even clearer from all this and just how much the Muslims are in need of reform through the Imam of the age. Since he has appeared and they refuse to accept him, this all draws our attention even more to analyse ourselves, to reform ourselves, to remove even the smallest of rancour and restlessness in our hearts and that we should fulfil the rights of fasting. We should worship God Almighty whilst being sincere to Him and act upon His commandments.
On one occasion the Promised Messiahas stated:
“Today the image of Islam has undergone great distortion. All kinds of immoralities have become rampant (i.e. all types of wrongs, evils and vices have become widespread) and that sincerity which is mentioned in åïÎۡäðÕðêۡæî äîçï ÇäÏñðêۡæî ‘Being sincere to Him in religion’ has been lifted to the heavens. (It is not found anywhere.) Sincerity and loyalty, love and trust in God Almighty is all but finished. Now God Almighty has ordained that these faculties be revived once again.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 6, pp. 352-353)
The Promised Messiahas states:
“In this day and age, lowly traits such as pretentiousness, self-admiration, egotism, arrogance, conceit have greatly flourished. (In other words, people are progressing in adopting these evil behaviours) but the good qualities such as being sincerely devoted to faith have ascended to the heavens”.
The Promised Messiahas further states, “Qualities such as resigning to the will of God and putting one’s trust in Him have become non-existent.” This means that people do not have faith in God. A believer entrusts God Almighty with their affairs, but this is not witnessed amongst the so-called believers. They quarrel over trivial matters and their moral condition has become deplorable. However, the Promised Messiahas states, “God desires to once again sow the seeds of establishing high morals.” (Al Badr, Vol. 3, No. 10, 8.3.1904, p. 3)
Earlier the Promised Messiahas stated that God Almighty desires to revive those morals qualities, whereas in this particular quote, he states that God Almighty desires to sow the seeds of establishing the moral qualities – this indeed has taken place through the advent of the Promised Messiahas. Moreover, God Almighty desires to revive these moral qualities, to purify the acts of worship, to offer the rights due to God and the rights due to humanity through the Promised Messiahas. We must become branches of the trees and plants that have grown forth from these seeds. We can accomplish this by purifying our worship for the sake of God Almighty and by taking heed from the weaknesses of others, we ought to strive to reform our own selves and attaining the pleasure of God Almighty should become our foremost priority.
On one occasion, the Promised Messiahas stated,
“Sincerity is the precondition for good acts.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 8, p. 354)
An action lacking sincerity and a deep longing to attain the acceptance of God Almighty is futile. Such prayers are also of no use. Hence, this is an admonition for us that there is no benefit of worship until it is offered with sincerity and devotion.
The Promised Messiahas states:
“Let it be known that according to the Holy Quran, the natural state of man has a very strong relationship with his moral and spiritual states, so much so that even a person’s manner of eating and drinking affects his moral and spiritual states.”
As mentioned already, the incident that took place during an iftari where people had gathered to eat during the month of Ramadan, their outward condition depicts their spiritual state. These actions connote that they have no spirituality left within them. Thus, these matters should draw our attention towards this.
The Promised Messiahas further states:
“If the natural state of a person is subjected to the control of the directions of divine law, it becomes their moral state and deeply affects their spirituality, just as it is said that whatever falls into a salt mine is converted into salt.”
The Promised Messiahas states that if one was to be mindful of the commandments of God Almighty in relation to one’s natural faculties, for example, if one were to eat and drink in moderation, and similarly there are many other natural faculties, which if governed according to the Shariah, they would become high moral qualities. The Promised Messiahas says that once they become part of one’s moral qualities, they will deeply impact one’s spirituality.
The Promised Messiahas further continues:
“That is why the Holy Quran has laid stress on physical cleanliness and postures, and their regulation in relation to all worship and inner purity and spiritual humility.”
Cleanliness of one’s body, physical etiquettes and to keep oneself presentable is also necessary because only then can one become a truly well-poised person with a balanced nature. The Promised Messiahas further states,
“Upon reflection, this very philosophy is borne out as exceedingly accurate; namely, that physical conditions deeply affect the soul. For instance, when our eyes are filled with tears, even if the tears are artificially induced, a spark from these tears impacts the heart (the heart is greatly affected) and following the tears, the heart becomes sorrowful. In the same way, when we begin to laugh, even if the laughter is artificially induced, the heart begins to feel cheerful.”
The Promised Messiahas further says:
“It has also been observed that physical prostration in prayer induces humility in the soul. (At times, by simply going into the position of prostration instils a feeling of humility and meekness within a person.) As a contrast, when we draw ourselves up physically and strut about with our necks raised and our chests pushed forward, this attitude induces a mood of arrogance and vain glory. These instances establish clearly that physical conditions certainly affect spiritual conditions.” (Islami Usul ki Philosophy, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 10, pp. 319-320)
The Promised Messiahas states that the type of food one eats also has an effect on one’s spirituality. Thus, one needs to adopt moderation in relation their diet as well. One should not be given to a diet consisting of only meat and nor should one only have a diet of greens and vegetables. One should adopt moderation in all the various foods God Almighty has provided for mankind and which He has declared as halal [lawful] and tayyab [pure and wholesome] and one should not exceed beyond the limits. Subsequently, such a practise will also affect one’s spirituality. When one adopts a balanced diet, they also develop a balance in their moral state and will remain inclined to the worship of God. The Promised Messiahas states that it is indeed the beautiful teaching of Islam which has provided us guidance in all matters. Furthermore, the Promised Messiahas states that it is an immense favour of God Almighty which He has bestowed on man that He has laid down certain principles to maintain good health. In fact, God Almighty has stated:
کُلُوۡا وَاشۡرَبُوۡا وَلَا تُسۡرِفُوۡا
That is to say, indeed one should eat and drink but in moderation and not eat excessively. (Ayyamus-Sulh, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 14, p. 332)
The reason for this is because this will also adversely affect one’s physical condition which then ultimately has an impact on one’s spirituality as well.
Thus, a true servant of God, who wholly devotes himself in the worship of God, not only seeks to improve his spiritual condition and develop a bond with God Almighty, but also seeks to improve his physical condition and utilise all the bounties endowed to him by God Almighty in order to attain His pleasure. The comforts and luxuries of the world and consuming food and drink are not a believer’s ultimate objective, rather one only seeks to derive benefit from these worldly bounties in order to attain the pleasure of God Almighty. Endeavouring to attain the pleasure of God Almighty is in fact the ultimate objective. Similarly, a believer is always mindful of fulfilling the rights of God Almighty’s creation. It is only the religion of Islam which not only draws the attention of man to fulfil the rights of God, but also towards fulfilling the rights of God Almighty’s creation.
Thus, in offering our gratitude at the establishment of the new headquarters here, we should raise the standard of our worship and also our moral conditions. Particularly now in this new environment, the non-Ahmadi neighbours will be observing us with a particular focus, therefore we need to strive even more than before to demonstrate the beautiful teachings of Islam through our practise and our speech. If we lead our lives whilst being mindful of this objective, this alone can become a huge means of our tabligh [preaching the message] and moreover, this will enable us to become grateful to God Almighty and become the recipients of His blessings.
I would also like to mention here that some people display an excellent conduct towards their neighbours and towards others in their society, however their conduct at home towards their wives and children is extremely poor. This does not just impact them alone – although on a personal level God Almighty will punish them for these injustices – however their actions also have an impact on the unity and harmony of the Jamaat. The discord in the home impacts the children and instead of becoming an excellent asset of the Jamaat in the future, they become distant from the Jamaat and their faith.
In order to propagate the message of Islam and to become wholly devoted to God, it is vital to provide the young generation with a proper upbringing. However, if one’s own practise is contrary to this, it will consequently cause children to go astray. Thus, in this respect, this is something that has to be addressed at a Jamaat level. The children will look at their fathers and will think that although he seems to be very religious and is considered very respectable in the Jamaat, yet his conduct at home is completely different, and this ultimately ruins the children. Also, owing to the disputes at home, discord and resentment gradually develops between the families of the husband and wife, consequently affecting the society at large. Thus, homes in which such issues have developed should make a firm resolve to establish peace in their homes. Moreover, as a way of expressing their gratitude to God Almighty for His grace and blessing for attaching them with the Jamaat, they should bring about a change in themselves by being wholly devoted to God Almighty and adhering to His commandments. Similarly, those women who become angry over trivial issues, they should also bring about a change in their conditions for the sake of their children’s upbringing. They should make this month of Ramadan unique in this respect as well in that they are to bring about a reformation within their homes through the blessings of this month.
During the month of Ramadan, many people’s attention has been drawn towards mosques. However, the true adornment of the mosque is in fact taqwa [righteousness] and so, one should also strive to excel in this as well. The Promised Messiahas has stated that whilst treading on the path of righteousness, one should safeguard themselves from all kinds of display of pride, arrogance and vanity. The more God Almighty bestows His blessings, the more we ought to reflect upon striving to find ways of winning the pleasure of God Almighty in all aspects of our lives. We should not become like those who pray but only incur the wrath of God and their prayers become a means of their ruin, in fact, we should be counted amongst those who seek to attain the pleasure of God Almighty and become the recipients of His rewards. The foremost purpose of establishing this headquarters here is in order to serve our faith. However, even if we were to look at it from a worldly perspective, it is a great blessing of God Almighty which He has granted us. As I mentioned earlier, it was not possible for us to acquire this merely though our own efforts. Thus, through the establishment of the headquarters here, God Almighty has rewarded us both spiritually and from a worldly perspective as well. Thus, we should be grateful to God Almighty by keeping in view all these various aspects.
When a worldly person witnesses the scale of the mission of our community, they are left astonished. However, they are even more astounded when they learn that this is all happening purely due to the blessings of God Almighty and the sacrifices of the members of the Jamaat – because in reality we are a very small community whose resources are extremely limited. Such people then realise that the Living God exists even today and grants help and succour to whomsoever He wills. Thus, through this means as well a worldly person becomes inspired by our teachings and receives the message of Islam. In order to demonstrate the existence of God Almighty, it is essential for our speech and actions to be such that they inspire others.
Thus, from whichever aspect we look, we are humbled before God for He has enabled us, out of His blessings, to develop this land. Although it is equal to the size of a small neighbourhood of a town, or in fact even smaller, however as I mentioned earlier, it holds great significance as it serves as the headquarters.
God Almighty has granted us a centre in that part of the world which not only lacks belief in the unity of God but is also engrossed in shirk [associating partners with God]. From here, we ought to spread the unity of God with a new resolve and fulfil the mission of the ardent devotee of the Holy Prophetsa. Then, we will see that day in which entire towns and cities will proclaim the unity of God and those people, who today utter what they like against the Holy Prophetsa, will feel a sense of pride coming under the flag of the Holy Prophetsa and will send salutations upon him.
Thus, this responsibility is not only for the residents of Islamabad or those who have taken residence nearby, but rather every Ahmadi residing in this country and Ahmadis around the world ought to strive to find ways how one can wave the flag of the Unity of God and how one can bring the world under the flag of the Holy Prophetsa; they ought to strive as to how they can further aid the mission of the Promised Messiahas; how they can assist the objectives of the Khalifa and how they can support him through prayers and their own efforts.
God Almighty has granted us the opportunity to inaugurate this mosque in the month of Ramadan. I am not aware if this has taken place during the era of any previous Khalifa, however, in my time, this is the first occasion in which I have inaugurated a mosque in the month of Ramadan.
Derive full benefit from this blessed month, in which prayers are greatly accepted, and pray ardently for the progress of Ahmadiyyat and for the purpose behind establishing the new headquarters in this part of the world. May this headquarters continue to expand and may the Ahmadi population nearby continue to increase. May we witness the masses entering into the fold of Islam. May we witness the schemes of our enemies go to ruin. May we be granted safe passage to Rabwah and also to Qadian, the abode of the Promised Messiahas. May the journey to Mecca and Medina – the home of our guide and master, the Holy Prophetsa and the permanent headquarters of Islam – be made accessible for us. May the people living there receive the true message of Islam and may they accept it and attest to the truth of the Ardent Devotee of the Holy Prophetsa. May God Almighty enlighten all those who harbour prejudice [against Ahmadiyyat] owing to their ignorance and may He hold all those accountable who are instilling hatred amongst the people against Ahmadiyyat only because of their hatred and to fulfil their agendas. May the Muslims unite by performing Bai‘at at the hand of the Promised Messiahas and through this unity, may they become embodiments of the true teachings of Islam and may the rest of the non-Muslim world swiftly come under the banner of Islam.
I will also speak briefly regarding the mosque and the construction project overall. By the grace of Allah, in this mosque, the prayer hall is approximately 314 square meters and can accommodate approximately 500 worshippers. Similarly, adjacent to this there is a hall which can accommodate 1,200 people and another place in which 110 people can offer their prayers. In addition to this, there is a covered area in front of the entrance to the hall in which a further 300 people can offer their prayers. Combining these – 1,200 and 300 – makes it 1,500 worshipers, but the total number of people who can offer their prayers here is over 2,000 people.
As I mentioned earlier, houses have been constructed as well as offices. Although there are only three office blocks, however, there are almost five offices in these blocks. This space should also suffice for MTA for their studios etc. There are adequate facilities to perform ablution and washrooms etc. Furthermore, solar panels have been installed and they have tried to install all modern-day facilities in order to provide ease.
This project was such that despite its enormous scale, there was no separate financial appeal made for it and according to my knowledge, this is the first project which has been completed without the need of a separate appeal. As for the design of the mosque, some people like the design whereas others do not. In any case, according to the experts, its design saves electricity and energy. Similarly, according to them, as opposed to the conventional designs, this is cheaper to construct. In terms of the calligraphy of the mosque, previously our mosques had never been adorned with this much calligraphy, but owing to the design of the mosque, I said that there is no harm in doing so as they are attributes of God Almighty. For this, Razwan Baig Sahib, who organises a Quran Exhibition during Jalsa Salana, wrote them and helped a lot in this regard. May God almighty reward him. Similarly, the editor of The Review of Religions, Amer Safir assisted greatly in this. Then there were two missionaries, one of whom graduated this year from Jamia Canada – Basil Butt – Musa Sattar and Musawer Din, they glued together each word, or each letter rather, using a special glue. This was an arduous task, may God Almighty reward all of them. In addition to this, the UK audio-video team and the MTA team also worked very hard; may God Almighty reward them for this.
With regard to the overall construction, a committee was formed who would assess the situation from time to time. There were two people who supervised the project on a daily basis; Idris Sahib, who was on waqf-e-arzi [temporary devotion] and the other is a waqf-e-nau, Fateh Ahmad, who is an engineer and waqf-e-zindagi [life devotee]. Although there may be some shortcomings, nonetheless, they supervised the project and are still continuing with the project. In addition to this, a member of the committee who sacrificed his time to come here on a voluntary basis was Chaudhry Zaheer Sahib. He worked very well in this regard. May Allah reward him also. He took a personal interest in the project and due to his experience, he managed to resolve many issues.
As mentioned earlier, there was no special scheme launched for this development, despite the fact that this was an enormous project. Alongside this, there were major projects in other countries as well; especially in Qadian, Mali and Tanzania. On occasions, I would worry lest we have to temporarily stop any one of these projects, but then God Almighty would shower His blessings and each project reached completion.
In Tanzania, a multi storey building has been constructed which has many offices and other amenities. A new mosque has been constructed and a new complex along with it. In Mali, a large mosque has been built and as well as other buildings. An excellent complex has been built with complete facilities, and whoever has seen it has complimented it. In Mali, seeing the new mosque and the new buildings, people have begun to say that from this, it seems that the Jamaat is very rich.
In terms of worldly affluence, we are not rich, however God Almighty has granted us true wealth in the form of His blessings. Therefore, as long as we seek the blessings of God Almighty, He will continue to shower His blessings. If we fulfil the due rights owed to Him, God Almighty will continue to send down His blessings. May God Almighty enable us to do so.
In recent days, a doctor from USA went to Mali for waqf-e-arzi [temporary devotion]. He says:
“When I left from the airport, I saw a beautiful mosque alongside a large building. I asked the driver, ‘Who has constructed this beautiful mosque?’ The driver replied, ‘This mosque belongs to the Ahmadis and this is where you are going.’”
Thus, whoever sees the mosque, compliments it. Indeed, it was an enormous project, which was completed due to the blessings of God Almighty. The planning etc. was carried out by the Ahmadi Engineers and Architects Association [IAAAE]. May God Almighty reward them for their hard work.
Nonetheless, may God Almighty continue to shower His blessings. May He enable us to complete all the projects currently under construction and may He enable us to continue with more projects in the future. God Almighty has instilled within the members of the Jamaat to offer financial sacrifices. It is through these sacrifices that all these projects are completed and are being completed and, God willing, shall be completed in the future.
May God Almighty increase the financial capacity of the members of the Jamaat and may He bless their wealth and offspring. As there was no special appeal for these projects and they were carried out using the overall budget of the Jamaat, therefore all the Jamaats around the world have a part in this. There is no distinction that certain Jamaats gave more or less. May God Almighty reward everyone and bless their wealth and offspring.
[Translated by The Review of Religions. Originally published in Al Fazl International on 3 June 2019, pp. 5-9]