Friday Sermon delivered by
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(at)
The Prayer Duel and the Grand Victory – Opening of the Historic Fath-e-Azeem Mosque in Zion, USA
After reciting Tashahhud, Ta’awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(aba) said:
Today, by the grace of Allah we have gathered for the inauguration of the mosque in Zion. Allah Almighty has enabled the Community in USA to construct a mosque in a city which holds great importance to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. His Holiness(aba) answered a journalist about the importance of this city, stating that it is the city of an opponent of the Community. In order to shed light upon the historical significance of the city, the Community has also held an exhibition which people can benefit from.
His Holiness(aba) said that for a false claimant to speak ill of the Promised Messiah(as), for him to perish, for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to then be established in his city and for a mosque to be contructed in Zion should render all of us extremely grateful to Allah Almighty.
A Great Sign for the Truthfulness of The Promised Messiah(as)
His Holiness(aba) said that the Holy Prophet(sa) stated that those who are not grateful to others are not grateful to God. Hence, this day is not only a day of immense joy for Ahmadis, but also a day for immense gratitude, for Allah Almighty manifested a great sign in this place for the truthfulness of the Promised Messiah(as). Indeed, Allah Almighty vouchsafed the progress of the Community to the Promised Messiah(as), but we will only be able to witness this when we are grateful and worthy. 120 years ago, the prophecy of the end of this false claimant and enemy of Islam was made, having been informed by Allah Almighty, and how wonderful a sign it is that now the Community has been enabled to construct a mosque in the very place where that person claimed no Muslim shall be allowed to enter without first accepting Christianity.
His Holiness(aba) explained that our task does not end here, even if this Community has spread to over 200 countries around the world and after having built a mosque here. Rather, the task of the Promised Messiah(as) was to spread the message of Islam to every corner of the world. It was also promised that this will come to pass, yet, it will not happen without prayer.
The True Purpose of Constructing Mosques
His Holiness(aba) explained that mosques are constructed so that people may worship five times a day, remember God and refrain from worldliness. But if this is not the result after constructing this mosque, then we will not partake of the blessings of this mosque. The Promised Messiah(as) stated that the Community must continue to support him with fervent prayers. Hence, it is our duty to make worship an integral part of our lives and inculcate it within our children. How fortunate indeed are those who attain this and witness the blessings of God shower upon them. His Holiness(aba) said that we must therefore assess ourselves in this regard.
His Holiness(aba) stated that it should not be the case that due to our deeds, we delay the fulfilment of the promises of Allah, or that we remain deprived of them. Indeed, the Holy Prophet(sa) was the most beloved prophet to Allah the Almighty. His humility was such that despite being promised victory during the Battle of Badr, he would weep profusely seeking Allah’s help, and explained that it was his duty to seek Allah’s help with utmost humility. Thereafter, the great victory that was bestowed was such that it was unparalleled in all of history. The Promised Messiah(as) explained that it was the prayers of that one so lost in his love for Allah Almighty that granted the victory.
A Manifestation of the Great Victory Against Alexander Dowie – ‘Fath-e-Azeem’ Mosque
His Holiness(aba) said that this mosque has been named ‘Fath-e-Azeem’ Mosque, as it is a manifestation of that great victory which was granted to the Promised Messiah(as). The end of that enemy was declared a great victory, which we witnessed come to fulfilment approximately 115 years ago. His Holiness(aba) quoted a newspaper in that time which mentioned that great indeed is the Promised Messiah(as) who prophesied the end of Alexander Dowie. This man from India has claimed that he is the Messiah promised to come in this era. It further mentions that if Dowie runs from the challenge of the Promised Messiah(as), then it will be a defeat for him and prove his claims are false. The Promised Messiah(as) said that he and Dowie should pray for the demise of one another to see who is true in their claim.
His Holiness(aba) said that Dowie perished in such a deplorable state; his city fell prey to internal dissension, he lost all his fortunes, his physical and mental health deteriorated, and his own followers began praising Islam. His Holiness(aba) said that this is certainly a proof of the truthfulness of the Promised Messiah(as), but it is not where our joy ends. Rather, we must find new avenues to spreading the message, and continue to reform ourselves in order to attain true joy. The first great victory was the victory during the Battle of Badr, yet it did not diminish in the level of righteousness, gratefulness and worship of the Muslims. Therefore, we must not think that we have attained a great victory here and lose focus on the true goal.
The Help of God and Our Responsibility
His Holiness(aba) stated that it is the work of God which had enabled this Community to spread to over 200 countries, and the world has come to know the name of the Promised Messiah(as). All those who stood against him perished. By all means, divine communities face persecution, yet despite all the enemy’s efforts and power, they fail in their mission.
His Holiness(aba) said that we must display the same example which was shown by the Muslims at the time of the Holy Prophet(sa), and support the Promised Messiah(as) to do justice to our pledge we made to him. We must raise our standards of worship in order to fulfil the very purpose of life, for which we have been created. People will only pay attention to this mosque when we do justice to our worship of God, and only then will we be able to fulfil the mission of the Promised Messiah(as). Hence, every Ahmadi must assess themself.
Prayer is Our only Weapon
His Holiness(aba) said that there are many beautiful mosques around the world, but those who attend them do not fulfil their purpose. Worship does not mean to quickly offer the prayers aimlessly. It should in fact be observed carefully in order to attain nearness to God. Hence, we must fill these mosques whilst fulfilling the commandments of Allah Almighty and observe prayer in order to attain His pleasure.
His Holiness(aba) said that the world witnessed the humiliation of Dowie, and this victory proclaimed the truthfulness of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) as this prophecy was fulfilled. This was a sign not for the destruction of the enemy, but for the grandeur of Islam, and to display that now is the time for the Promised Messiah’s(as) community to prevail. Hence, today it is our duty to establish the unity of God to the people, increase in our righteousness, and develop our relationship with God. Moreover, we must cleanse our inner state, so that further avenues to victory are opened. Every sign of victory should bring about a revolutionary change within us. This day must cause a spiritual revolution to take place within us, otherwise, the end of Dowie will be of no benefit to us whatsoever. The great victory must be the great change that happens within us and when the world comes under the banner of the Holy Prophet(sa).
His Holiness(aba) prayed that may Allah Almighty enable us and our progeny to attain this. His Holiness(aba) also said that further details of this mosque will be given in future.
Summary of Friday Sermon prepared by The Review of Religions.
