“When we fulfil the rights of God, it creates within us the spirit of helping humanity” – Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

 On 28 August 2023, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered the keynote address at a special reception held to commemorate the opening of the Mubarak Mosque in Florstadt, Germany.

His Holiness officially inaugurated the Mosque prior to the reception by unveiling a commemorative plaque and offering a silent prayer in thanks to God Almighty. Thereafter, His Holiness led the Zuhr and Asr prayers at the Mosque and inspected the new premises.

Later, 120 guests, including dignitaries, politicians and local neighbours of the Mosque attended a special reception held in the Aralia Hall in Florstadt.

During his keynote address, His Holiness spoke of how Islam protects the rights of all people and safeguards religious freedom for all faiths.

Explaining the true purpose of mosques, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“A Mosque is a House of Allah according to Islam. A Mosque is a place where people gather together to worship the One God and inspire one another to exhibit kindness and love towards each other in line with the teachings of God Almighty… It is impossible for a person who truly fulfils the rights of a Mosque to carry out any action that goes against the rights of the worship of Allah the Almighty and the rights of humanity.”

His Holiness referred to chapter 22, verse 41 of the Holy Quran, where permission for a defensive war was granted to the early Muslims and said that the following words of the Quranic verse, “there would surely have been pulled down cloisters and churches and synagogues and mosques, wherein the name of Allah is oft commemorated”, testified to the fact that Islam protects the rights of all religions.

Explaining the verse, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“It is a fundamental teaching of Islam to protect all religions and to respect every faith. This is why we say that we respect Prophet Moses, Prophet Jesus, the prophets of the Hindus and Buddha (peace be upon them all). We respect every faith that has come to the world. We are commanded to respect all people. The Holy Quran says that you should not vilify even the idols of those who worship them because they will abuse the One God in retaliation. Thus, if they hurl abuses at God, it will create unrest and an atmosphere of conflict. This is the teaching of Islam underpinning true Mosques.”   

Commenting on the location of the Mosque, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“This Mosque is built in the town centre where there are shops and a greater level of materialistic trade. However, in such places, there should also be a representation of faith so that the people learn about the true spiritual teachings and become acquainted with that [spiritual richness] which God Almighty is bestowing upon the people. By having the Mosque in such a location, people are reminded that whilst they benefit from material riches, they should also be grateful to their Creator and should always keep Him in their minds, as it is the teaching of Islam that if you are grateful to Allah the Almighty, He will increase His favours upon you. Therefore, I believe that it is also important for mosques and other places of worship to be situated in busy locations where people are occupied in trade and material pursuits so that they do not become completely submerged in materialism and so that they may turn to God.”        

As His Holiness concluded his address, he referred to the comprehensive nature of the teachings of Islam and how they seek to protect people in all circumstances.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said that we must condemn injustice and that both the oppressor and the oppressed must be helped. His companions said that they understand how to help the oppressed by saving them from the oppressors but enquired how they could help the oppressor. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said that they must help the oppressor by stopping him from carrying out his cruelties because if he continues to carry out the injustices, he will face the wrath of God. Thus he will ruin himself in this life and the next.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor further explained and said:

“Thus, a religious person does not only look to this life; he has his eyes set firmly upon the life to come as well. A religious person does not only care for himself, rather, he cares to protect the people from the punishment of the life to come and to save the people from incurring God’s displeasure. This is the reason we try to fulfil the responsibilities of our worship. When we fulfil the rights of God, it creates within us the spirit of helping humanity. It generates a desire to help both the oppressed and the oppressor.”   

Prior to the address, the national president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Germany, Abdullah Wagishauser, introduced the Mosque, after which Mr Herbert Unger, Mayor of Florstadt, Mr Michael Hahn, Mayor of the neighbouring town of Niddatal and Mr Tobias Utter, member of the Hessian State Parliament spoke about their appreciation of the Mosque and the efforts of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for the local community.

The event concluded with a silent prayer led by His Holiness.