Salman Spiritual
Towards the Inner Vision of the Truth
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"He it is Who sendeth down clear revelations unto His slave, that He may bring you forth from darkness unto light; and lo! for you, Allah is Full of Pity, Merciful." — Holy Qur'an 57:9

 

Gem No. 5: What is the Relationship between Bandagi (Meditation) and Iman (Faith)?

 

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

 

Ya Ali Madad! This post has five parts.

 

Part 1. Knowledge Section on Bandagi:

Let us reflect on the following teachings of Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah (a.s.)

"Jo ibâdatni âdat nahi padsho anê susti karsho to amârâ upar tame tetlu(n) imân majbut hashê to pan tamâru imân astê astê khasi jashê atlê tamâru imân jatu rahêshê" (Zanzibar, 18-8-1905)
 
Literal translation: If you do not develop the practice of ibadat (bandagi) and become lazy, then in spite of having a strong faith, your faith will slowly diminish and it will fade away.
 
(Source: Gawahrê Rahêmat, p. 33)
"Jê shakhsh ibâdat nathi karto tè hakni roji nathi khâto anê tênâ dil upar shêtân kabu kari tênu(n) imân lu(n)ti lyê chhê. (Amadâwâd, 14-2-1896)
 
Literal translation: The person who does not perform ibadat, then whatever sustenance he gets from God (roji), it is not lawful for him. The devil will have control over his heart and plunder his faith.
 
(Source: Gawahrê Rahêmat, p. 32)

From the above teachings, it is clear that bandagi (luminous prayer, meditation) is the key mechanism to sustain one's faith. Noor Mowlana Sultan Muhammad Shah (a.s.) has also taught us that faith is light, therefore enlightenment can only happen if one practices bandagi.

The practice of bandagi is a fundamental pillar of personal search under the guidance of the Holy Imam. Therefore, whenever we hear the word 'enlightenment' in Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam's firmans, he is referring to being regular in the practice of bandagi.

Please reflect deeply upon the following words of Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam from his Irshad Mubarak of July 11, 2007: "... let spiritual enlightenment guide you". In my humble opinion, Mowla has given a tremendous emphasis on the practice of bandagi as this is the key to: (1) survival in this materialistic and turbulent world, and (2) enlightenment and eternal existence in the next world.

Part 2. Dhikr Section:

The ism-i azam is the door to luminosity, therefore it is a treasure that should be constantly remembered. Here is a humble dhikr to emphasize this point. Let us pray to NOOR Mowlana Hazar to empower us to practice the luminous prayer at a luminous time with a luminous word, i.e., perform bandagi with ism-i azam, the Supreme Name of God, with a greater effort, strength and enthusiasm.

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Ism-i azam: The Great Divine Name

Recited by Noorallah Juma

Al-hamdu lillahi rabbil 'alamin.
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds!

 

Part 3. Anant Nâ Nav Chhugâ Verses (Chhugo Number 3, verses 1 to 5):

Recited by Shafiq Rawji

Āshāji hētsu(n) nāri tēri āsaj karti
nē kashu(n) kidho sā(n)hiji
jān tamē lainē āvjo
to karie narsu(n) vān hari ana(n)t ana(n)t
hari anatē(n)jo sāmi shāh
anantē(n)jo a(n)t tu(n)hē jānējē
Hari ana(n)t ...................................
1
Oh Lord Your (devoted) wife was affectionately relying on You
and always followed her Lord
(Oh devoted souls) come and bring together your lives
and be in the company of the Husband (the Lord)
Hari You are eternal; ........................
1
Āshāji pēli rāt vivāj tani
tārē karo satiyu(n)nā kājaji
tē tamē sa(m)bharo ha(n)sājinā rājā
nārinā sāro kāj
Hari ana(n)t ...................................
2
Oh Lord The first night will be entirely devoted to the (spiritual) wedding
at that time perform the work for the devotees
Listen about this Oh the King of the souls
and perfect (purify) the deeds of the wife
Hari You are eternal; ........................
2
Āshāji hēt karinē nāri āvi
tē bāl ku(n)vāri nāriji
chhedo nākhi sāmi tamēj dhā(n)kjo
jēm lok nē dēkhē lagār
Hari ana(n)t ...................................
3
Oh Lord The (devoted) woman has arrived filled with love
and she is the youthful unmarried woman
By fitting the skirt, only You veil me
so that the rest of them may never notice (my imperfections)
Hari You are eternal; ........................
3
Āshāji chār jugni amnē āshāj poti
kaljugmā(n) kidhi tamē sāraji
amē nāri tamē nāthji
tamē amārā bharthār
Hari ana(n)t ...................................
4
Oh Lord The entire hopes and desires (of all the souls)
of the four eras have reached us
In the present era, You have perfected (fulfilled) them
We are the (devoted) wives and You are the Master
and You are our Husband
Hari You are eternal; ........................
4
Āshāji nar har motā tamē nāthji
amē tamāri nāriji
nich nārini tamē pataj rākhajo
amanē āshā chhē tamāri
Hari ana(n)t ...................................
5
Oh Lord You are the great Husband, the Lord and the Master
and we are Your wives
maintain the status of the lowly wives
We have our reliance on You
Hari You are eternal; ........................
5

 

Part 4. Angelic Salwat
Let us recite angelic salwats to invoke Divine grace and mercy.

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad:
O Allah! Bestow Peace on and through Muhammad and his Descendants

33 beads recited by Noorallah Juma

or

101 beads recited by Noorallah Juma

Al-hamdu lillahi rabbil 'alamin.
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds!

 

Part 5. Global Prayers and Three Grand Aspirations
Through the barakat of spiritual knowledge, tasbis and angelic salwat by many individuals of the global Jamat, O Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam, bless the global Jamat with:

  1. Spiritual and luminous tayid (help) to advance materially, spiritually and intellectually;
  2. Sunshine in our spiritual hearts and actualization of the inner vision of the Truth;
  3. Empowerment to present a Material Nazrana of time, knowledge and financial resources;
  4. Empowerment to present a Spiritual Nazrana in the form of a pure heart which is in a state of constant dhikr; and
  5. Empowerment to present a Luminous Nazrana in the form of a sound heart (qalb-i salim) which is in a state of constant dhikr and enlightenment.

 

Haizinda — Qayampaya
(Our Present Imam is Living and His NOOR is Eternal)

 

Bandagi Gems: