A Message for Our Time — Page 30
30 I slaamnl ter ior Publ So woe to those who pray, but are unmindful of their Prayer. They only like to be seen of men. These verses categorically declare that the prayers of those peo- ple who worship God, but who fail to discharge the rights owed to His Creation, will be rejected. Their worship and entry into a mosque is nothing but an act and a superficial gesture. The Holy Quran is very clear that their prayers are meaningless and their hypocritical ways will lead only to their disgrace and despair. Consequently, the reality is that true Muslims, who worship Allah the Almighty with sincerity, can never do anything that harms, or negatively affects, the peace and well-being of a society. Nor can they seek to undermine or seize the rights of other people, because to do so would be to betray their faith and to abandon the teach- ings of the Holy Quran and of the Holy Prophet Muhammad sas. Thus, let me once again reassure you about this mosque. You have no reason to be anxious or concerned. The doors to this mosque will be forever open to all peace-loving people. They will always be open to those who value humanity. I am entirely confident that, God Willing, this mosque will prove to be a symbol of peace, radiating nothing but love, compassion and brotherhood throughout the city and far beyond. It will serve as a beacon illuminating its surroundings and spreading light in every direction. It will be a House of Peace in which the worshippers join together to serve their neighbours and to fulfil their rights. It will represent the enlightened teach- ings of Islam and dispel all fears and myths that exist about our religion. God Willing, any lingering fears that may remain in the hearts and minds of the local community will vanish altogether.