Huzur delivered his Friday Sermon from the newly build mosque Bait un Nur in Calgary, Canada. Huzur said although the mosque had been inaugurated with congregational Prayers, its formal opening was taking place with the Jummah Khutba today. Huzur said the Canadian Jama’at had felt the need for and had wished to build a mosque in Calgary for a long time. However, there is wisdom in God’s ways, had they built this mosque a few years ago they might not have been able to build it as big and beautiful as it.

Huzur said on arrival at Calgary airport yesterday he was received by the Mayor and by some provincial ministers who had praised the beautiful mosque. Huzur said at that time he had not seen the mosque but driving up towards the mosque he saw the minaret and the dome from a distance. We should be grateful to God that He has enabled the Canadian Jama’at to build this mosque. Huzur said it cost 15 million Canadian dollars to build this mosque. It was a huge project undertaken by the Jama’at. Huzur said he would receive letters, in fact he is still receiving letters from those who had pledged money for the mosque but have not been able to pay for some reason. They ask for Huzur’s prayers to be able to fulfil their promises. Huzur said with the grace of Allah the Jama’at has given huge sacrifices to have this mosque built and may Allah grant excellent reward to those who have done so and may He bless the earnings of all who are anxious to fulfil their promises. Huzur said the construction of this mosque proves that despite living in these [Western] countries people of the Community participate most eagerly in the building of mosques. For general information Huzur explained that the building is a huge complex housing a main hall, a multi-purpose hall, a dining hall and accommodation facilities as well as offices of the auxiliary organisations. Although the mosque is sufficient for us at the moment, may Allah increase our requirements and also enable us to offer more mosques. Indeed, the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) had said that mosques are a means of extending the Community. May Allah make this mosque fulfil this objective and may the process continue. Huzur read out extracts from the noble writings of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) about building of mosques. Huzur said in this day and age our mosques in the Western world are a source of attracting the world towards Islam. At a time when there is an anti-Islam movement underway our mosques should represent peace and harmony and thus attract the non-Muslims. In line with the wishes of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace), this new mosque is built purely for the sake of Allah and with no evil intent, indeed it could never be so because we are the followers of the true and ardent devotee of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) who came in this world to bring man closer to God.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that those who give precedence to faith over worldly matters and are sincere in their devotion to Allah are the ones who are dear to Allah. Huzur said the dues of a mosque are paid when congregational Salat is offered in a mosque and when in addition to worship of God there is love and harmony between people. A mosque is truly useful when in it the dues of Allah and the dues of people are paid. Otherwise there are many mosques around the world which do not serve these purposes. These mosques belong to people who have not accepted the Imam of the age. Indeed many people outside our Community now openly admit that their mosques are devoid of the lesson of love and peace that our mosques give. This is in line of the prophecy of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) who had said that a time will come when Islam will remain but in name and the Qur’an will be nothing more than mere words and mosques will be apparently populated but they will be devoid of faith and their Imams will be the worst of creation. Evil will rise from among them and will rebound to them. Huzur said we are fortunate that as Ahmadis after coming into the bai’at of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) we are enabled to constantly self-examine and try and pay the dues of Allah as well as the dues of mankind. Huzur said simply building a beautiful mosque is not enough; the expensive chandeliers within will be no avail, the lofty mosque that can be seen from a distance will be of no avail. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) had said that there will be a time when lofty mosques will be built but they will be devoid of guidance. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that it is not essential that a mosque is built of strong material. The Prophet’s Mosque remained made of unbaked bricks for a very long time, however, its foundation was laid on very strong taqwa (righteousness). Huzur said we have mosques in Africa which are of humble structure; however, these very mosques are a source of making a strong Jama’at. Huzur said we build mosques according to the situation and also to attract others and this mosque is also built with this thought. It has already become a centre of attention and will continue to do so. However, it should be remembered that after the construction a very significant task remains and that is populating it with pure and pious people who are full of taqwa and who turn to God and worship Him and have His fear and who fulfil the dues of mankind and are compliant to the administrative system of the Community.

Huzur said our mosques are built on the objectives of the Abrahamic prayers. Citing verse 126 of Surah Al Baqarah, the translation of which reads: ‘And remember the time when We made the House a resort for mankind and a place of security; and take ye the station of Abraham as a place of prayer. And We commanded Abraham and Ishmael, saying, 'Purify My House for those who perform the circuit and those who remain therein for devotion and those who bow down and fall prostrate in Prayer’ Huzur said this mosque has been made with great sacrifice and must not be left as a beautiful building. It’s beauty will be enhanced when worshippers will come to it for the five daily Prayers and will be receiving the guarantee in accordance with the saying of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) of safeguarding themselves from one Salat to the next and from one Friday Prayers to the next Friday Prayers. Huzur said therein lies your peace and the peace of the area. Referring to the verse cited Huzur said the ‘station’ of Abraham was a ‘station of taqwa’. Huzur read out a revelation of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) in which Allah addressed him as Abraham or Ibrahim. The revelation signifies that Allah would not leave the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) on his own and that he will have a large progeny like Prophet Ibrahim (on whom be peace). Huzur said the Quranic verse citing ‘station of Abraham’ also signifies that when the ummah of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) will be spilt in sects an ‘Ibrahim’ will come. Huzur said perfect obedience of this Ibrahim will be required to attain salvation. Huzur said each Ahmadi should pay particular attention to this and the best example of obedience is to try one’s utmost to practice the Ten Conditions of Bai’at. Only then would we be counted as the spiritual progeny of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Huzur said it is our task to build mosques according to what we can manage and attract the world to Islam and to sacrifice our children for the sake of faith so that there will always be people who will spread the message of the One True God in the world.

Huzur said he wished to draw attention to the fact that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) enjoined to adapt our worship and our devotion to the manner of the Ibrahim of the age. Huzur said indeed in this age our salvation lies in following what the ‘Just one’ (Adl) of this age has taught us. Huzur said we should not compromise our creed/ belief. Our creed is the state of our heart in comparison to which everything pales in insignificance and the creed is that in according to the prophecy of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani is the Promised Messiah and once we take his bai’at we have to obey him completely. Some times people get involved in matters which compromise their belief in the Promised Messiah. Indeed the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that one who exhibits weakness in creed is an oppressor. Huzur said he would present one example of such weakness which is on the increase and in his view is really a weakness in belief. Marriage a good and meritorious act, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) drew attention to it. In Islam widows are also in a way commanded to get married and people are told not to hinder them. However, this very meritorious act becomes a trial for some Ahmadis. The administrative system of the Community is not blameworthy in this. This happens when a person marries a woman outside the Community and either to avoid displeasing the Community or on the insistence of the woman’s family has the Nikah read by someone outside our Community. Huzur said this mistake excludes the person from the bai’at of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) because their Nikah has been read by someone who effectively rejects the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Huzur said one’s honour is aroused when one’s father is insulted but when it comes to the honour of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) some people compromise their sense of honour. Such people could seek permission and have the Nikah read by an Ahmadi. They should also consider that rather than follow the teachings of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and keep piety in view when marrying they are giving in to their vain desires. Huzur said some young woman also marry outside the Community and as a result although they do not wish their children to be brought up outside Ahmadiyyat they are helpless in the matter. Huzur said each Ahmadi should pledge to give precedence to faith over worldly matters. Huzur said he also wished to say that when it comes to disciplining people who have broken the rules, as a matter of principle he follows it but it pains him a lot.

Huzur said a mosque is a source of peace however, unfortunately some do not fulfil the rights of mankind despite coming to the mosques regularly. Huzur said the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) has endlessly enjoined these matters and it is most unfortunate that some Ahmadis are distancing themselves from these teachings. Huzur said some office-holder do not practice fairness and back those who are in the wrong. He said such people do not honour their pledge, do not honour their trusts and will be counted as perfidious.

Huzur prayed that may each Ahmadi be enabled to pay the dues after joining the Community of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace), may we build mosques and worship in them as the Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be on him) commanded us and the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) expect of us. May we live with mutual peace, love and harmony and while the mosque may enhance our love of worship of God, it may also bring us together in unity and may we give precedence to faith. Huzur said as the communications grow through this mosque may we take the message of Ahmadiyyat to the world not just with our words but also with our practice, therein lies the advancement of the Community. May Allah enable us all to do so.