The Devotion of Life — Page 340
340 Residents of Rabwah and After taking up residence in Rabwah, Hadrat Khalifatul Masih II ra delivered a moving and spiritually uplifting Friday Sermon on September 30, 1949, asking the residents of Rabwah to always remain ready to serve the cause of faith. He said that only those sincere persons should live in the holy city who were life devotees in practical terms and always put their trust in God. He said: “Now the construction of our buildings has commenced here. People have started living here. Shops are open. Some industries are being set up as some mills are installed. Labourers have arrived and professionals have arrived. Offices have moved here. These are, however, all temporary arrangements. For permanent arrangement, there will be a condition that only those shall be allowed to live in Rabwah who would devote their lives for the sake of serving the faith. I do not mean that any resident of this place cannot run a shop or start a trade. He can do so, but in practice he has to remain devoted to serve the religion. Whenever the need may arise, he would be obliged to stop his work and serve the Movement without any hesitation or excuse. For example, if a delegation for Tabligh is going out, or his services are needed in the area for some other work, then he would have to cease his personal occupation and go out. Land will be given to the people with these conditions; and those who would not abide by these rules would not obtain land here. ”