A Message for Our Time — Page 16
16 I slaamnl ter ior Publ love and protect their neighbours and to be ever ready to help them in their times of need. Furthermore, I should clarify that the definition of a ‘neigh- bour’ in Islam is extremely vast. It not only includes people who live nearby, but also includes people who live further afield, a per- son’s travel companions, work colleagues, subordinates and many others besides. In effect, the Holy Quran has declared that all the people living in a Muslim’s town or city are their neighbours. The Holy Prophet of Islam sas also repeatedly instructed Muslims to fulfil the rights of their neighbours. Indeed, he said Allah the Almighty had emphasised the importance of discharging the rights of one’s neighbours so fervently to him that he began to think that perhaps they would be included amongst a person’s rightful inheritors. Consequently, if we have built a mosque here in Philadelphia, and if we have established a community of Ahmadi Muslims, we have done so with the intention of increas- ing the peace and prosperity of this city and serving its people. Now that this mosque is open, the local Ahmadi Muslims will consider all people in this city as their neighbours and recognise that they have many rights over them and will strive to fulfil them to the best of their abilities. Whenever any of you stand in need of help, we pledge to be there to aid and assist, in whatever way we can. In times of grief and despair, we will always be there to wipe away the tears of our neighbours and to support and comfort them. Thus, I am sure that you will see for yourselves that where this new mosque is an added physical attraction and landmark in this city, even more significantly, it will spiritually enhance and