Building of Mosques and Our Responsibilities

‘Say, ‘My Lord has enjoined justice. And fix your attention aright at every time and place of worship, and call upon Him, making yourself sincere towards Him in religion. As He brought you into being, so shall you return.’ (7:30)

‘O children of Adam! adorn yourself at every time and place of worship with garment of fear of Allah, and eat and drink but exceed not the bounds; surely, He does not love those who exceed the bounds.’ (7:32)

With His grace God has enabled the Ahmadis of Brisbane and the Ahmadis of Australia to build a mosque in Brisbane, Australia. We could not thank God enough for this favour. The site was purchased about fifteen years ago and a mission house and a Prayer hall was built. When Hazrat Khalifatul Masih visited Brisbane for the first time in 2006 he felt that in spite of these buildings the site did not have the vigour/liveliness that can now be felt with the building of the mosque. It is a favour of God that he has established a strong connection between the Jama’at and Khilafat, a connection which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. This is by virtue of the Bai’at and the teaching of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace), who mentioned a bond of love, brotherhood and obedience in his conditions of Bai’at and this bond is now also prevalent among the Jama’at and the system of Khilafat, which was established by him.

Mosques are also our need and will be built as and when the Jama’at requires them. Khilafat was just mentioned because these mosques are also built in response to the inspiration of the Khalifa of the time. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said that he has been drawing attention in this regard that mosques are a source of Tabligh. During his visit of Brisbane in 2006 he had said that the Prayer centre was very well but a proper mosque should be built. The Jama’at responded dutifully and with the grace of God had the mosque built on site. The various impediments faced during the building of the mosque would have given the people here a measure of the vastly different view of mosque others have. Although some neighbours objected to the building of the mosque, after efforts over eight to nine months the local council gave permission for the building and thus construction started in December 2012 and now we have a beautiful mosque. The new construction as well as renovation of the earlier buildings cost 4.5 Australian dollars. Members of the Jama’at gave most generously for the project. One member contributed 125,000 dollars while another contributed 100,000 dollars. Everyone contributed what they could afford, perhaps more than they could afford. As is the tradition of Ahmadi ladies, here too they donated their jewellery for the building of the mosque. May God bless all those who made sacrifices!

It should be remembered that this spirit of sacrifice, love, sincerity and obedience should not be borne of any temporary sense of enthusiasm in an Ahmadi but should be lasting and enduring and should also be instilled in our next generation. Indeed, this spirit and fervour will only endure when attention is given to the commandments of God, when a true connection is made with one’s God, when the dues of mosque are paid, when the dues of coming in the Bai’at of the true and ardent devotee of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) are paid. We will then also be able to fulfil the dues of this mosque.

Today’s sermon was based on a few commandments of God to encourage us and our next generations to continue to pay these dues. The verses recited at the start are verses 30 and 32 of Surah Al Ar’af and they are regarding mosques. They cite what is expected of believers as well as they advise them that those who are associated with mosques will attain God’s grace if they become true worshippers of God. First and foremost, justice is enjoined; establishment of justice which starts from the first