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:: Candle Post #136 :: The Source of the Light of Our Spiritual Hearts ::

Ya Ali Madad! On the occasion of the commemoration of the great spiritually uplifting event of Idd-e-Ghadir, the first Imamat Day of our first beloved Holy Imam, Amirul-Mu'mineen, NOOR Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.), please accept our heartfelt felicitations!

May NOOR Mowlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini Hazar Imam (a.s.) grant peace, prosperity, happiness, barakat, higher spiritual enlightenment, spiritual & luminous tayid (help) and empowerment to you, your family, your Jamat and the worldwide Jamat! Ameen.

Table of Contents:

1. Festival Card and Its Significance
2. How is Walayah Practised Today?
3. How to Live in an Enlightened and Self-Realized Manner?
4. Recitation of Angelic Salwat

Part 1: Festival Card and Its Significance

In the present context, the seven pillars of Ismailism as articulated Noor Mowlana Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) are being practised as follows:

1. Walayah 'Guardianship': Denotes love and devotion to God, the Prophets and the Fatimid Imams.
2. Taharah 'Purity': Emphasizes all aspects of purity and its related practices.
3. Salah 'Prayer': All types of prayers designated by Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam.
4. Zakah 'Charity': This is Dasond which is submitted to Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam.
5. Sawm 'Fasting': Fasting is physical as well as spiritual.
6. Hajj 'Pilgrimage': The didar of the Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam is the most aspired pilgrimage.
7. Jihad 'Struggle': The definition of greater jihad is struggle against one's vile instincts (nafs-i-amara)

Part 2: How is Walayah Practised Today?

In order to answer the above question, let us first read article (D) in the preamble of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslim constitution:

(D)

The authority of the Imam in Ismaili Tariqah is testified by Bay'ah by the murid to the Imam which is an act of acceptance by the murid of the permanent spiritual bond between the Imam and the murid. This allegiance unites all Ismaili Muslims worldwide in their loyalty, devotion and obedience to the Imam within the Islamic concept of universal brotherhood. It is distinct from the allegiance of the individual murid to his land of abode.

The most important pillar of Walayah 'Guardianship' is incorporated in the Constitution of Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims and also in our Holy Dua, which we recite three times every day. The sequence of requirements in the article of Bay'ah is: (1) loyalty; (2) devotion; and (3) obedience. Thus, when we recite the fourth part of our Holy Dua, we should not only think of obedience but also of loyalty and devotion. These three qualities are integrated in our Tariqah practice and have to be completely internalized.

Part 3: How to Live in an Enlightened and Self-Realized Manner?

In Pandiyat-i Jawanmardi, Imam NOOR Mowlana Shah Mustansir bi'l-laah II (a.s.) teaches us how to live in this world, and also become enlightened and self-realized:

1. "Some people appeal to God while they have no knowledge of the Imam of their time, or oppose him. They should enter the Ark of Noah of the time because all other ships will be drowned. Therefore follow the (spiritual) authority and your leader, so that you may sit in the house of the Truth, entering the Ark of the Noah of your time, and reaching the land safely. That authority, that Noah of your time, is the Imam of your time. Know him, and enter the Ark of Noah, i.e. the path of his preaching (tariqa'i dawat-i u), so that your faith may become perfect and your souls may become safe from calamities. The house which has no windows or openings remains dark. Similarly, the heart of one who does not know the Imam of his time, who is the sun of that period, remains dark, without light and enlightenment. It always remains in darkness of irritation and enmity. Darkness causes one suffering and to stray from the path, becoming lost."
   Source: Pir Pandiyat-i Jawanmardi text, p. 29
    
   
2. "The (real) believer is one whose words (iqrar wa qawl) are unshakeable and true (haqq), whose thoughts of the heart are true, whose promise, whose love and affection are true. From head to foot that slave of God must be sincere and true (haqq). He must be sweet-worded and mild, his soul (ruh) must be sincere. He must be continually preoccupied with the remembrance of God (dhikr), always remaining in meditation (bandagi) and dhikr and praise of God, lauding and recognising God the All-High (Shinakht-i Haqq ta'ala). His actions must be pious, his behaviour proper. He must carry out the commandments and injunctions of his Lord (Khudawand) and pir. He must keep on his tongue the mention of Five Holy Persons (Panj Tan), mentioning and glorifying God with great affection. He recognizes his Master (Aqa), the Supreme Lord (Sahibu'l-amr), the Imam of the time, follows his path, always remaining obedient and listful (attentive) to him, delivering himself, his affairs, and everything that he possesses to that Lord (Mawla) who is the Imam of the time, and the Lord of the world and of all who inhabit it."
   Source: Pir Pandiyat-i Jawanmardi text, p. 7
    
   
3. "You should occupy yourself with matters and work with which God may be pleased, and must not act against the commandments of God. From whatever you earn, you must put aside a tithe, which is a religious duty (mal-i wajibad), and deliver it to the treasury of your Mawla who is 'Ali Murtada, the Master of this world and of the hereafter. You must do it with a feeling of perfect love, with sincere intention, smilingly and rejoicing that the tithe paid by you has reached the luminous presence of your Mawla, and has been accepted. Then offer thanks (because this proves) that your earnings were lawful to you, as the tithe has reached the Mawla, and was accepted. Then the other nine parts are lawful to you, and you will see many benefits from this, both in this world and the hereafter."
   Source: Pir Pandiyat-i Jawanmardi text, p.54-55
    
   
4. "The whole year you must fast, just as ordinary Muslims (zahiriyan) fast for one month. The meaning of this fast is austerity. Control yourselves, keep yourselves away from bad qualities, evil and indecent actions and devilish acts, so that the mirror of your hearts may be gradually polished.

   ...—you must be patient, persevering in austerities, and keeping your inner self fasting as long as you live."
   Source: Pir Pandiyat-i Jawanmardi text, p.59
    
   

5. "Therefore, accept wholeheartedly (ba-jan) whatever the spiritual guide (murshid) teaches you, when he gives his advice, religious instruction and admonition; this will bring you in truth and righteousness to the Truth (haqiqat) and to the recognition the Imam of the time (Imam-i hadir). You must be thankful for this, because it is valuable for the traveller on his road to have a guide, a candle and a light, so that he may ultimately reach his home safely and without suffering."
   Source: Pir Pandiyat-i Jawanmardi text, p.40

Part 4: Recitation of Angelic Salwat

The recitation of angelic salwat with knowledge, understanding and ardent love leads to the purification of the soul, spiritual upliftment and enlightenment. It is one of the best ways to demonstrate ardent love to our beloved NOOR Mowlana Hazar Imam. Click here to download a PDF document entitled "Angelic Salwat and Conditions for Harnessing its Full Potential" (14 Questions and Answers).

The recitation of angelic salwat with knowledge, understanding and ardent love leads to the purification of the soul, spiritual upliftment and enlightenment. It is one of the best ways to demonstrate ardent love to our beloved NOOR Mowlana Hazar Imam. Click here to download a PDF document entitled "Angelic Salwat and Conditions for Harnessing its Full Potential" (14 Questions and Answers).

Let us offer gratitude to the present and living Holy Imam and recite a bouquet of salwats to strengthen our knowledge (ilm) and faith (iman). May NOOR Mowlana increase our conviction to become true Ismaili Muslims! Real Audio and mp3 sound tracks are available for your convenience.

Idd Mubarak!

Ardent Supplications:
Ya Ali, Ya NOOR Mowlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini Hazar Imam, create Sunshine in our hearts, light in our foreheads, and bless us all with the inner vision of the Truth!

Ya Ali, Ya NOOR Mowlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini Hazar Imam, grant the global Jamat luminous (noorani) and spiritual (ruhani) tayid (help) to advance materially, spiritually and intellectually. Ameen.

Rakh Mowla je Noor te Yaqeen (Certainly, we trust in Mowla's Light only),
Noorallah Juma
SalmanSpiritual.com
Thursday, September 15, 2016

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Article by Dr. Noorallah Juma