Today’s historic Friday Sermon was delivered by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V from the Bait ul Futuh mosque in London.

Huzoor^(aba) made the inaugural sermon of the mosque by reciting verses of the Holy Quran and proceeded to give facts and figures as regards the planning and the actual construction of the mosque. Huzoor^(aba) began by evoking the blessed memory of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rahma’ullah) who had commenced this project four years ago and said that it was most natural to think of him today and that we should continually pray for him.

Huzoor^(aba) said that from February 2001 onwards when Khalifatul Masih IV (rahma’ullah) handed over the responsibility of the project to Rafiq Hayat Sahib (Current UK Ameer) the project progressed commendably. Nasir Khan Sahib along with Anjum Usman Sahib in particular made tremendous sacrifices and worked diligently to bring the building of the mosque to a conclusion. Huzoor^(aba) urged to remember all those who have participated in the building of the mosque in our prayers. Huzoor^(aba) talked about the great financial sacrifices made by the Community for Bait ul Futuh and prayed that may this mosque be a symbol of the peaceful message of Islam to the West.

Citing ahadith to explicate the importance of building of mosques Huzoor^(aba) said that one who makes mosques on this earth for the pleasure of Allah will have a similar abode in the hereafter. Huzoor^(aba) stressed that building of the mosque was not the final aim

and that the real objective is to populate them and have them filled with righteous people and to continually pray for our reformation. Reading from the extracts of the writings of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) Huzoor^(aba) said the reason God created man was that he may worship Him, that it is important to inculcate a love of the Creator as well as a love of the creation in one’s heart. Huzoor^(aba) said Islam promotes spiritual as well as temporal development, in that man is enjoined to work hard and seek provision for himself with the ultimate objective being to negate one’s own self in the love of God.

Emphasising the vital need to populate mosques Huzoor^(aba) urged the Community to ensure that the situation never arises that a remark can be made in that we build beautiful mosques but do not appreciate the requisites of worship of God, rather Huzoor^(aba) wished that each and every Ahmadi is an embodiment of ‘ebaad ur Rahman’ (servants of the Gracious God).

To further elucidate the significance of mosques Huzoor^(aba) related several ahadith enjoining to go to mosques adorned with righteousness, to keep worldly and contradictory affairs away from the mosque, to avoid personal issues whilst in the mosque and to avoid bringing infants to the mosques. Huzoor^(aba) said Allah’s favourite area of town is where the mosque is and that when people recite or study/teach the Holy Quran in the mosque, they are covered in Allah’s merciful beneficence. Huzoor^(aba) emphasised the cleanliness of mosques and said that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) enjoined that one is rewarded even if one picks up a speck in order to clean the mosque. Huzoor^(aba) explained the great importance of the congregational prayer offered in a mosque and said that it was 25 times better in Allah’s sight than saying Salat at home.

Huzoor^(aba) prayed that may Bait ul Futuh be a mosque in accordance with the lofty standards set by the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). He said the true adornment of a mosque is not in the architectural splendor rather it is in the sincerity of the worshippers. Huzoor^(aba) prayed that may each mosque of the Community be built on the foundation of taqwa (righteousness) and may we be included in the true and sincere worshippers of Allah who submit to the All Powerful God. Huzoor^(aba) urged each Ahmadi to work towards populating the mosques so that the triumph of Islam and Ahmadiyyat is gleaned therein.