1. "And when ye have completed your devotions, then remember Allah as ye remember your fathers or with a more lively remembrance. But of mankind is he who saith: "Our Lord! Give unto us in this world," and he hath no portion in the Hereafter." [Holy Qur'an 2:200].
    
   
2. "Such are those who buy the life of the world at the price of the Hereafter. Their punishment will not be lightened, neither will they have support." [Holy Qur'an 2:86].
    
   
3. "Whoso desireth the harvest of the Hereafter, We give him increase in its harvest. And whoso desireth the harvest of the world, We give him thereof, and he hath no portion in the Hereafter." [Holy Qur'an 42:02].
    
   
4. "Lo! We purified them with a pure thought, remembrance of the Home (of the Hereafter)." [Holy Qur'an 38:46].
    
   
5. "O my people! Lo! This life of the world is but a passing comfort, and lo! The Hereafter, that is the enduring home." [Holy Qur'an 40:39].
    
   
6. "O ye who believe! When it is said unto you, make room in assemblies, then make room; Allah will make way for you (in the hereafter). And when it is said, 'Come up higher! Go up higher; Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have knowledge, to high ranks.' Allah is informed of what ye do." [Holy Qur'an 58:11].
    
   

1. Create pure thoughts of returning to He who is above all else
2. Think of our state of separation
3. Yearn for union with our Beloved
4. Act and keep on moving in the direction of spiritual elevation
5. Focus on ways of achieving a high rank through mystical knowledge
6. Realize that salvation is not possible without bandagi
7. Meet all the requirements and prerequisites of bandagi
8. Practise bandagi with concentration, courage, rigor, humility and determination

Rean martabâ bohot badâ hey,
sab khalkat pâwê ârâm,
Pir payegambar walee Oleeâ,
rât bandagisê sab pâa nâm,

The status of night is great (because it contains a luminous hour).
The entire creation attains rest during the night.
Pirs, Prophets, Friends and Saints,
attained a lofty status through luminous prayers (bandagi).

Merâj rasul bhee râtmê (n) pâyâ,
âshak wasal pâwê mâshuk,
Jo tu(n) sâcha âshak hey,
to rean bandagisê mat chuk .....171

The Messenger also attained Merâj (highest ascension of the soul) at night
and the lover attains union with the Beloved (through luminous prayer).
If you are a true lover (of Soul and Light),
then do not miss the night's luminous prayer (bandagi)

Part 3: Prayer for Asal Me Wasal (Merging into the One who is Above all else)
 
The prayer in the second paragraph of the second part of our Holy Dua is an ardent wish to be graced with eternal spiritual peace through a mystical experience. It is also a desire of the soul to meet the Beloved. Through this dua, we can create a greater awareness of the first three steps of our action plan:

1. Create pure thoughts of returning to He who is above all else
2. Think of our state of separation
3. Yearn for union with our Beloved

"O God! O our Master! You are eternal life and everlasting peace by Your essence and attributes. The everlasting peace is from You and it returns to You. O our Sustainer! Grant us the spiritual life of true peace and usher us into the abode of peace. O Glorious and Bounteous One! You are blessed and sublime."
 
The beauty of this prayer is that it is a part of our Holy Dua and we say it three times a day! This prayer which is given to us by our Holy Imam also points to the ultimate purpose of our religion which is to taste the experience of visiting the abode of eternal peace while we still physically alive and then enter the eternal abode of peace when we physically die from this world!
 
In order to support the above view point, let us reflect on two particulars duas of NOOR Mowlana Hazar Imam. During the Golden Jubilee, Khudavand prayed: (1) for the eternal peace and rest of the souls of all his Ruhani spiritual children; and (2) that we may in peace and with spiritual enlightenment to guide us. Please take time to explore the link between the above mentioned aya from the Holy Qur'an and the duas of Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam. Hopefully, this will enable us to affirm the reasons why it is vital to advance spiritually while we still physically alive!
 
Part 4: Mystical Poem of Rumi
 
"Die now, die now in this Love die;
when you have died (spiritually) in this Love,
you will receive new (spiritual) life.
 
Die now, die now and do not fear this (spiritual) death;
for (after this spiritual death)
you will come forth from this earth and seize the heavens
 
Die now, die now, and break way from the carnal soul (ego);
for this carnal soul (ego)
is a chain and you are as prisoners.
 
Take an axe to dig through the prison;
when you have broken the prison (i.e., if you defeat your egos)
you will be kings and princes.
 
Die now, die now before the beauteous King;
when you have (spiritually) died before the King,
you will all be kings and renowned.
 
Die now, die now, and come forth from this cloud (i.e., material existence);
when you come forth from this cloud;
you will be radiant full moons.
 
Be silent, be silent; silence is a sign of death;
it is because of (the real spiritual) life
that you are fleeing from the silent one."
 
Source: Jalal al-din Rumi -- Mystical poems of Rumi. Translated from Persian by A. J. Arberry. Published by The University of Chicago Press, Chicago. 1968. p. 70.
 
Part 5: Teaching of Pir Hasan Kabirdin
 
In the first verse of the ginan Aash Tamari Shri Ho Kayam Sami, Pir Hasan Kabirdin has also presented the concept of inheriting the spiritual kingdom through the following wisdom filled words:

Eji	Aash tamari shri ho kayam sami saheb chinta kije Ya Shah sab gatiye Shah ke khade re umayo shah raj rikisar ghar dejo
O Lord!	We cherish our hopes in You, so keep us in your care and thoughts, O Lord! All Jamats stand before You with enthusiasm and supplicate: O Lord! bestow believers with (spiritual) kingdom.	1

Part 6: Another Teaching of Pir Hasan Kabirdin
 
In the sixth verse of the ginan, Abdhu man jite, Pir Hasan Kabirdin has also presented the concept of completely sacrificing the ego through the following wisdom filled words:

Abdhu âshâ mâro chinitâ jâro anê hu(n) khudi karo rasoi âsan jito nindrâ jito, kirtâr karê so hoi, abdhu kirtâr karê so hoi.
O Saint! Shun desires, control your thoughts and sacrifice your ego (nafs-i amara). Control your posture during bandagi and discipline your sleeping patterns. Whatever you do will happen; O Saint! Whatever you do will happen.	6

Part 7: What Sacrifice Can We Offer on Idd-ul Adha?
 
There is a wide variety of ways of celebrating Idd-ul Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice. Therefore, it is imperative to participate in the Idd Namaz, bond with the Jamat and offer charity to support noble causes of the community. This is the basic teaching of Islam.
 
From an esoteric Ismaili point of view, the sacrifice of the ego is the greatest sacrifice that one can perform. This is a long term commitment to purify oneself because it involves the training of the mind, nurturing the soul and enlightening the spirit. In the context of the knowledge presented above, let us commit to the goal of sacrificing our ego on the occasion of Idd-ul Adha.
 
The Baitul Khyal satado for spiritual upliftment starts on Friday, November 11, 2011 in Canada. During this period of 7-days, let us commit to become regular in the practice of bandagi. However, the point of the satado is to harness the energy and inspiration to practise bandagi every morning! This is not easy, because it requires a change in lifestyle as mentioned in the ginan verse of Pir Hasan Kabirdin. However, according to teaching of Noor Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) in the verse of Kalâmê Mowlâ mentioned above, Meraj (highest ascension of the soul) is only possible through the practice of bandagi.
 
Through the practice of bandagi, the Prophets, Pir and highly elevated souls have moved mountains of difficulties for the Jamat and humanity at large. The Golden Jubilee game changer, 'with spiritual enlightenment to guide you', should inspire us to rise up to fulfill the vision of our present and living Imam, Noor Mowlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini (a.s.). The practice of bandagi will not only bring us closer to He who is above all else but it will also create the tenderness of the heart, humility, submission to the Divine will and universal love in our being. With these attributes and internal cleanliness, we can increase the quality of the services of time and knowledge and material resources to a much higher level.
 
Faithful mumins will inherit light as described in the following verse of the Holy Qur'an:
 
"On the day when thou (Muhammad) wilt see the believers, men and women, their light shining forth before them and on their right hands, (and wilt hear it said unto them): Glad news for you this day: Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein ye are immortal. That is the supreme triumph." (Holy Quran 57:12; Pickthall's translation)
 
The above ayat is the most practical example of the Golden Jubilee game changer: 'with spiritual enlightenment to guide you'. Our goal is to become light borne and use the Power, Grace, Barakat and Peace of the Light of the Eternal Ali (a.s.) to create a better world for the whole humanity!
 
Idd Mubarak and Baitul Khyal Satado 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.
 

1. Idd-ul-Adha: The Greatest Sacrifice of Hazrat Ismail (a.s.)
   (Learn about the spiritual meaning of sacrifice)
2. Idd-ul-Adha: The Inner Meaning of the Sacrifice of Hazrat Ismail (a.s.)
   (Learn more about the spiritual meaning of sacrifice)
3. What is in the spiritual treasury of NOOR Mowlana Hazar Imam?
4. Tawil of Selected Qur'anic Terms
5. The Form and Essence of Sacrifice as decribed in Khutba of al-Mansur
6. Tawil of Dua-e-Qunut (Dua-e-Qunut in an integral part of Idd Namaz)
   

Part 4: Recitation of Angelic Salwat
 
The recitation of angelic salwat tasbi with knowledge, understanding and ardent love leads 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.
 

Listen to Real audio streams online:           [33 times| 66 times| 99 times| 198 times| 990 times]             or download angelic salwat sound track in mp3 format

Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (1) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (2) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (3) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (4) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (5) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (6) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (7) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (8) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (9) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (10) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (11) (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants)

               Al-hamdu lillahi rabbil 'alamin.
               Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds!
 
Part 5: Links to Previous Salgirah Cards:
 
2001 :: A Time to Reflect on the Concept of the Present, Living Imam
2002 :: A Time to Reflect on the Holy Imam as the Holder of Keys to Paradise
2003 :: A Time to Reflect on the Presence of the Holy Imam on this Earth (II)
2004 :: A Time to Reflect the Concept of Light upon Light
2005 :: A Time to Reflect on the Presence of the Holy Imam on this Earth
2006 :: Prayers and Wish List for our Holy Imam's 70th Birthday
2007 :: Golden Noorani Didar Dhikr CD
2008 :: What is in the Spiritual Treasury of NOOR Mowlana Hazar Imam?
2009 :: What Gift Should We Submit to our Beloved Mowla?
2010 :: The Heart That Knows
Dhikr Sound Tracks
 
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.
 

• Tier 1:The World of Matter (Nasut): We are living in a physical world and are engaged in voluminous, material activities.
   
  
• Tier 2: The World of Soul (Malakut): We believe that everything has a soul. Therefore, our task in this world is to nurture and purify our own soul and take it back to its origin. Malakut is the ocean of Universal Soul.
   
  
• Tier 3: The World of Light (Noor)(Jabrut): In order to be enlightened, the purified soul has to enter into this tier. Jabrut is the ocean of the Universal Intellect.
   
  
• Tier 4: The world of Oneness (Tawhid)(Lahut): This is the place where the subject merges into the object, thus the purified and enlightened soul merges into the glorious radiance of eternity.
   
  

• Tier 1: Global financial crisis and economic instability, higher unemployment, global unrest and threats to security, impacts of climate change, health issues of an aging population, accessibility to high quality education, governance of diverse societies, poverty, failed states, etc.
   
  
• Tier 2: Spiritually, we are seeking upliftment of the soul in face of intense pressures of globalization and materialism. We are struggling to nurture our souls in a hectic world; and
   
  
• Tier 3: We are seeking enlightenment, however this is only graced upon purified souls. To be enlightened, we have to become light borne. Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam has given us the dua for spiritual enlightenment. It is this higher spiritual enlightenment that has to continually guide us from within in all aspects of our lives. In other words, we have to carry the Light of Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam within ourselves! Therefore, we should practice our faith with conviction in order to enter into this tier.
   
  

• Firstly, we are increasing our consciousness to seek support from the Light of Ali by calling on the Light itself.
   
  
• Secondly, we do know that we have to use our intellect to solve our problems. However, we also have to be receptive so that the Universal Intellect (Aql-i Kulli), in form of Light, can inform our partial intellects (aql-i juz'i).
   
  
• Thirdly, we have to be extremely humble and become an ardent lover of Light in order to be graced with the its taste and vision. We also have to learn to work within the realm of the Light and understand that utmost purity, humility and obedience are required.

1. 2005 :: The Status of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.)
   
2. 2006 :: The Universal Role of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.)
3. 2007 :: Expansion of the Heart of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.)
4. 2007 :: The Holy Prophet's Experience of Monoreality
5. 2007 :: The Spirituality of the Holy Qur'an and the Holy Prophet (s.a.s.)
6. 2009 :: The Everlasting Barakat of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.)
7. 2011 :: The Character of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.)

• Firstly, we are increasing our consciousness to seek support from the Light of Ali by calling on the Light itself.
   
  
• Secondly, we do know that we have to use our intellect to solve our problems. However, we also have to be receptive so that the Universal Intellect (Aql-i Kulli), in form of Light, can inform our partial intellects (aql-i juz'i).
   
  
• Thirdly, we have to be extremely humble and become an ardent lover of Light in order to be graced with the its taste and vision. We also have to learn to work within the realm of the Light and understand that utmost purity, humility and obedience are required.

1. Noore Ali Mushkil Kusha, Noore Ali, Hazar Imam
2. Balance between Din & Duniya :: Noor Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.)
   
3. Balance between Din & Duniya :: Noor Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) (PDF)
   
4. Eighteen Bandagi Gems :: Knowledge about Luminous Prayers
5. Eighteen Bandagi Gems :: Knowledge about Luminous Prayers (PDF)
6. Creation of Light Within the Personal World Through Ism-I Azam
7. Creation of Light Within the Personal World Through Ism-I Azam (PDF)

• Firstly, we are increasing our consciousness to seek support from the Light of Ali by calling on the Light itself.
   
  
• Secondly, we do know that we have to use our intellect to solve our problems. However, we also have to be receptive so that the Universal Intellect (Aql-i Kulli), in form of Light, can inform our partial intellects (aql-i juz'i).
   
  
• Thirdly, we have to be extremely humble and become an ardent lover of Light in order to be graced with the its taste and vision. We also have to learn to work within the realm of the Light and understand that utmost purity, humility and obedience are required.

1. MP3 and Real Streaming Audio Files on Audio.SalmanSpiritual.com
2. Noore Ali Mushkil Kusha, Noore Ali, Hazar Imam
3. A Modern View of the Balance Between Din and Duniya
4. Balance between Din & Duniya :: Noor Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.)
   
5. Balance between Din & Duniya :: Noor Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) (PDF)
   
6. Eighteen Bandagi Gems :: Knowledge about Luminous Prayers
7. Eighteen Bandagi Gems :: Knowledge about Luminous Prayers (PDF)
8. Creation of Light Within the Personal World Through Ism-I Azam
9. Creation of Light Within the Personal World Through Ism-I Azam (PDF)

Ya Ali Madad. On the occasion of Idd-e-Navroz please accept our heartfelt felicitations! May Mowla grant peace, prosperity, happiness, barakat, higher spiritual enlightenment, spiritual & luminous tayid (help) and empowerment to you, your family, your Jamat and the worldwide Jamat in the New Year. Ameen.
 
Let us first reflect upon the card which was prepared by the Late Alwaez Rai Amiraly Amlani which was first published in 2004:
 

The Ismaili Muslim Tariqah is an esoteric Tariqah and culminates in mystical dimensions for those who conduct a personal search under the supervision of Noor Mowlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini Hazar Imam (a.s.). These are difficult matters because we hope to go beyond this material world of cause and effect, and into the world of Soul and Light. The challenge is to first start reflecting deeply on mystical experiences so that we can understand the position of our True Imam. This will lay a firm foundation for our personal search for higher spiritual enlightenment. Then, we can start or continue with our personal search.

In this posting, I will be presenting: (1) key concepts of mysticism (Sufism); (2) a summary of historical events regarding the luminous links between the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s) and Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.); and (3) a luminous dhikr, Noore_Karim_Hazar_Imam, which describes the position of our Holy Imam.
 
Download Noore_Karim Hazar_Imam sound track in mp3 format; or
 
Download Noore_Karim Hazar_Imam sound track in wma format.
 
Lyrics for the above sound track are presented in Part 7.
 
Part 1: Excerpt from Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam's Interview

Through Ismaili Mail, I came across the audio and the transcript of Independent Television Interview given by Mowlana Hazar Imam on 4th June, 1985. The resources are located on the NanoWisdoms site at the following URL: http://www.nanowisdoms.org/nwblog/3134/. There were a couple of sentences which caught my eye:

" It is certainly true to say that the Western World doesn’t necessarily understand the theology of Shi’ism nor indeed the theology of many mystical sects whether they are Shia or Sunni or Christian. Mysticism, in its, in its essence is difficult.."

The quotation leads to the question, what is mysticism? Let us explore this concept further.

Part 2: William C. Chittick's Analysis

Here are a couple of paragraphs from Professor Chittick's lecture which was presented at the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies, Brigham Young University, in May 2003:

"Scholars who focused on understanding the objects of faith became differentiated into several schools of thought. The dogmatic theologians (the authorities in kalâm) said that the best way to understand God is by rational interpretation of the Koran. The philosophers (falâsifa) held that human reason is a sufficient guide to the truth of things and that divine revelation may not be indispensable for understanding that truth. The Sufis maintained that the best and most reliable path to correct understanding was by direct communion with God.
 
Scholars associated with Sufism developed a distinctive methodology. With good reason, their approach has often been called "mystical." Webster's second definition of mysticism tells us that it can mean "the doctrine or belief that direct knowledge of God, of spiritual truth, or ultimate reality. . . is attainable through immediate intuition, insight, or illumination and in a way differing from ordinary sense perception or ratiocination." This doctrine is certainly characteristic of the Sufi approach to understanding God and the world. However, they held that this direct knowledge —which they typically called "unveiling" (kashf)—must be rooted in the Koran and the Sunnah of Muhammad. Many of them also had a good deal of respect for the various rational approaches to knowledge. They maintained, however, that despite the opinions of the philosophers, reason alone is not sufficient to attain knowledge of God, and despite the opinions of the theologians, a merely rational understanding of the Koran is also inadequate. "
[Source: William C. Chittick. http://meti.byu.edu/mysticism_chittick.html]

From the above, it is clear that there are three methods of learning: (1) rational interpretation; (2) philosophical understanding; and (3) direct communion with higher realities.

Let us put all this in context through an example. We first learned the Arabic text of our Holy Dua. Then, we learned the meaning of the words and sentences and were taught the philosophy of our Holy Dua by a large number of learned wazeins. They explained to us the relationships between Allah, the Light of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.), the Light of the Holy Qur'an, the Light of Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.), the Noor of Imamat and the Noor of Mowlana Hazar Imam. This conceptual knowledge is important, but it not comparable to the actual experience of seeing the Light during the recitation of the Holy Dua. That experience would be a Didar in itself. The didar of Light is called 'unveiling' or 'kashf'. Is this concept presented in our Tariqah? The answer is yes ... please read on!

Part 3: Teachings of Pir Shams: Ab teri mahobat laagi mere Saheb

Kholo parda, sanmukh dekho Has has mukh dikhlaavo mere Saheb Ab teri mahobat laagi
O my Lord! Open the curtain and look at me face to face. Bless me with the sight of Your smiling face.	2
Teri suratka Pir Shams piyaasa Darshan daan dilaavo mere Saheb Ab teri mahobat laagi
O my Lord! Pir Shams is thirsty for (the vision of) your face. Bless me with the grace of Your Vision, O my Lord!	3
Teri ramzka piya mei(n) hu(n) divaana Ishk akal bhulaavo mere Saheb Ab teri mahobat laagi
O my Beloved! I am in madness for the love of Your mysteries and secrets. Love for You has overwhelmed my intellect, O my Lord!	9
Mukhda dekhiya, tab man harakhiya Pir Shams kanthi suñaaya mere Saheb Ab teri mahobat laagi
O my Lord! Pir Shams thus says openly: "when I was blessed with the Vision of Your holy countenance, my heart became saturated with happiness".	10

In his Usul-e-Din firman made in Dar es Salaam on September 29, 1899, Noor Mowlana Sultan Muhammad Shah (a.s.) has described Pir Shams as the one who followed the faith steadfastedly to achieve an exalted destiny. Mowla has described Pir Shams as the one who was passionately in love of the Spirit which enabled him to reach the sacred sanctuary. The Pir's path was focused on the Haqqiqat and through it, he experienced the Marifat. He was blessed with the ultimate didar i.e., the vision of the Imam's holy countenance.

Also, please study verse 9 of this ginan. In the final stages of the spiritual journey, the intellect is overwhelmed by the experiences of unveiling or kashf. This means that the reason cannot comprehend the experiences of unveiling or kashf.

Part 4: Interrelationships between the Holy Prophet (s.a.s.), the Holy Qur'an and Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.)

When our Holy Prophet (s.a.s.) was 43 years old, he had a meeting with the dignitaries of his family in which he asked who among them would support him in the divine mission and shoulder the task so that he may be his Brother, his Lieutenant, the Executor of his will and his Vicegerent and his Successor in the office after him. Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) who was only 13 years of age, was the only person who give an affirmative answer to the Holy Prophet (s.a.s).

The following excerpt is from footnote 41 which appears on page 88 of 'The Holy Qur'an' by S.V. Mir Ahmed Ali. 1995. Second edition. Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an Inc., Elmhurst, New York.

"The Holy Prophet continued to acquaint the people on all opportune and appropriate occasions with the Divine and unique status of Ali as his Vicegerent, in various ways and manners of expression (over the next 20 years), viz:

1. Ali's occupying the place of the Holy Prophet on the night of the Hijra (the emigration to Medina)
    
   
2. Ali being entrusted with the responsibility of returning the trusts to the respective owners on behalf of the Holy Prophet.
    
   
3. The declaration of Ali's relationship to the Holy Prophet being the same as that of Aaron and Moses.
    
   
4. The declaration of Ali being the next to the Holy Prophet as the witness to the truth.
    
   
5. Allowing Ali's door to be kept open in the Holy Mosque with that of the Holy Prophet while all those of the others were ordered to be closed.
    
   
6. Ali being the taken as the Soul of the Holy Prophet and Ali's sons (Hasan and Husain) as the sons of the Holy Prophet on the occasion of the historic 'Mubahila' with the Christian of Najran.
    
   
7. Ali being the second referred to in verse of 'Tat-heer' and his wife (Lady Fatima) and his children being the others along with the Holy Prophet, implied in the verse.
    
   
8. Ali being declared as having the same mastery and authority on the faithful ones as has God and His Apostle (the Holy Prophet).
    
   
9. Ali being declared as the Gate (the entrance and exit) of the City of Knowledge (the Holy Prophet).
    
   
10. Ali and the chosen ones of his issues being declared the heirs or inheritors of the Divine Book, the Holy Qur'an.
     
    
11. Ali being declared to be always with the Holy Qur'an and the Holy Qur'an to be always with Ali.
     
    
12. Ali being declared to be always with the truth and the truth to be always with Ali.
     
    
13. Ali's deputation as the only rightful person to represent the Messenger of God (the Holy Prophet) to convey the first verses of the Chapter 'Bar'at' (which marks uncompromising demarcation between Islam and infidelity), and the Holy Prophet on this occasion saying that none has the right to convey the Divine message save myself or Ali who is mine and I am his. The same closest union of Ali and the Holy Prophet was declared saying, "I and Ali originated of the one and the same Divine Light."
     
    
14. In the same way as Abraham and Ishmael who never bowed before any idol, were ordered by God to clean His House (the Kaa'ba) for the use of the pious...the Holy Prophet and Ali who were also Divinely purified and commissioned to the task of cleaning the same House of God of the idols for the second time."
     
    
    

The following excerpt is from footnote 41 which appears on pages 88-89 of 'The Holy Qur'an' by S.V. Mir Ahmed Ali. 1995. Second edition. Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an Inc., Elmhurst, New York.

"Ali being awarded the following epithets (or appellations) exclusively for himself as none else before or after him could ever earn any one of them:—

1.	Al-Murtaza	::	The Chosen One of God
2.	Amirul-Momineen	::	The Commander of the Faithful
3.	Imamul-Muttaqeen	::	The Guide of the Pious
4.	Mazharul-Ajaib	::	The Manifestor of wonders
5.	Babe-Madinatul-Ilm	::	The Gateway of the City of Knowledge
6.	Imamul-Auliya	::	The Guide of the saints
7.	Saiyyidul Ausiaya	::	The Chief of the heirs or the deputies (of the Holy Prophet)
8.	Asdullahul Ghalib	::	The ever-victorious Lion of God
9.	Lisanullah	::	The Tongue of God
10.	Yadullah	::	The Hand of God
11.	Wajhullah	::	The Face of God
12.	Ainullah	::	The Eye of God
13.	Valiullah	::	The Friend of God
14.	Nafese Rasullulah	::	The Soul of the Prophet of God
15.	Akhu Rasullulah	::	The Brother of the Holy Prophet
16.	Siddiqul Akbar	::	The Greatest Truthful one
17.	Farooqul Azam	::	The Greatest Distinguisher (of Truth and Falsehood)
18.	Abul Aimma	::	The Father of Divine Imams (Guides)
19.	Abu Turab	::	The Father of the earth
20.	Saifullah	::	The Sword of God

 
Part 6: The Source of Fatimid Ismaili Imamat

The following excerpt is from footnote 41 which appears on page 89 of 'The Holy Qur'an' by S.V. Mir Ahmed Ali. 1995. Second edition. Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an Inc., Elmhurst, New York.

"... The tradition says that therefrom Abdul Muttalib the Divine Light got itself bifurcated (i.e. divided) into two rays, one passed into the seed of Abdullah and the other, the seed of Abu Taleb. Here the Holy Prophet says, 'From Abdullah I was chosen to be the Last Prophet of God and from Abu-Taleb came Ali as a Second to me as the First Imam. And this bifurcation was reunited through the medium of the Holy Lady, Fatima, the daughter of the Holy Prophet and with this started the godly line of the Holy Imams to be continued to the last.'

Notice how the above is related to the teachings of Pir Shihabu'd-Din Shah Al-Husayni (a.s.) from the book entitled 'Risala Dar Haqiqat-i-Din' which was translated from Persian to English by W. Ivanow. Here are a couple of excerpts from Chapter 7 : 'Itrat, or Close Relatives':
 
"Muhammad and 'Ali were manifestations of the one and same Divine Light, but they came in two different persons (libas, —dress) in order to uphold each other's mission amongst humans, and in order to introduce each other to the people." (p.25)
 
"The sacred Light which manifested in Muhammad and 'Ali continued through Fatima, in her sons, Hasan and Husayn, and no power in the world can extinguish this Light. It is said: 'they wanted to extinguish the Light of God, but God brings His Light through, to the end', i.e., to the completion of its mission." (p.25)

Part 7: Luminous Dhikr of Noore Muhammad, Noore Qur'an, Noore Ali, Noore Karim and Hazar Imam
 
Let us perform the luminous dhikr of Noore_Karim Hazar_Imam with utmost humility and tenderness of the heart (length 4 min 41 sec; 6.5 MB).
 
Download Noore_Karim Hazar_Imam sound track in mp3 format; or
 
Download Noore_Karim Hazar_Imam sound track in wma format.
 
The lyrics are given below:
 

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.   Noore Muhammad, Noore Quran; (1) [The Light of Muhammad and the Light of Qur'an (are one)] Noore Muhammad, Noore Ali; (2) [The Light of Muhammad and Light of Ali (are one)] Noore Ali, Noore Karim; (3) [The Light of Ali is the Light of Karim Shah (through the Chain of Imamat)] Noore Karim, Hazar Imam (4) [All the above Lights are One Light which is in Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam] Noore Muhammad, Hazar Imam (5) [Therefore, the Light of Muhammad is in Hazar Imam] Noore Qur'an, Hazar Imam (6) [Also, the Light of the Holy Qur'an is in Hazar Imam] Noore Ali, Hazar Imam (7) [Also, the Light of Ali is in Hazar Imam] Noore Karim, Hazar Imam (8) [All the above Lights are One Light which is in Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam]                          Al-hamdu lillahi rabbil 'alamin.            Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds!

 
Our Holy Imam is intensely involved in creating a better quality of life for millions of people around the world. He also has spiritual (ruhani) and luminous (noorani) dimensions. In this article, we have attempted to understand the luminous (noorani) position of our True Imam. It is important to think about this dimension in order to prepare for or continue a personal search. This is also the best time to embark on such a mission because we will be blessed with a zaheri (outward) noorani didar during his visit (whenever it takes place), and a batuni (inward) noorani didar in our prayers and bandagi. May the barakat of the auspicious occasion of Idd-e-Navroz bring us material, spiritual and luminous blessings! Ameen.
 
Part 8: Links:

1. Noore Ali Mushkil Kusha, Noore Ali, Hazar Imam
2. Navroz 2001: A Time for Rejuvenation of the Body, Mind, Soul and Intellect
   
3. Navroz 2002: A Time for Rejuvenation of the Body, Mind, Soul and Intellect
   
4. Navroz 2003: A Time for Deep Reflection
   
5. Navroz 2004: A New Beginning for Spiritual Progress and Development
   
6. Navroz 2005: Subtle Body, Satisfaction of the Soul and Enlightenment
   
7. Navroz 2006: Angelic Salwat for Whole Humanity and All Departed Souls
   
8. Navroz 2007: The Spirituality and Luminosity of Idd-e-Naw-ruz
   
9. Navroz 2008: Giryah-u zâri, Moti Venti and Angelic Salwat Project
   
10. Navroz 2009: How to Activate the Real Heart (Qalb, Dil)?
    
11. Navroz 2010: The Role of Imamim Mubin in Our Spiritual Journey
    
12. Navroz 2011: Meaning and Significance of Al-Rahman and Al-Rahim