"But God will deliver them from the evil of that Day, and will shed over them a Light of Beauty and (blissful) Joy." — Holy Qur'an 76:11
Timeless Batini-Noorani Bandagi Gems for the Global Jamat
Gem No. 5: What is the Relationship between Bandagi (Meditation) and Iman (Faith)?
Ya Ali Madad! This post has five parts:
1. A knowledge section on bandagi;
2. A dhikr section to activate the soul;
3. 5-verses of Giryah-u zâri from Anant Nâ Nav Chhugâ presented sequentially;
4. A prayer card for the well being and health our most beloved NOOR Mowlana Hazar Imam and his family, the upliftment the global Jamat, global Muslim community, and humanity at large, and the salvation of all departed souls; and
5. A prayer for the global Jamat.
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.
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
Al-hamdu lillahi rabbil 'alamin.
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds!
3. Anant Nâ Nav Chhugâ Verses (Chhugo Number 3, verses 1 to 5):
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 |
4. Prayer Card
Niyat and Wish List:
Let us first declare our noble intentions and then invoke the angelic salwat for exoteric and esoteric purposes. Ya Ali, Ya NOOR Mowlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini Hazar Imam, we pray for:
"It is mentioned in verse (33:33): "O you the people of the house (of the Prophet)! Verily Allah intends but to keep off from you (every kind of) uncleanness and purify you with a thorough purification." By the people of the house or ahl-i bayt are meant the holy Prophet himself, Hazrat Ali, Hazrat Fatimah, Hazrat Hasan and Hazrat Husayn."[Source: Muslim, IV, 1883; Tirmidhi, V, 663)
Now 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
or
Al-hamdu lillahi rabbil 'alamin.
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds!
5. Global Prayer:
May our beloved Imam NOOR Mowlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini (a.s.) bless you, your family, your Jamat and the worldwide Jamat with peace, prosperity, happiness, barakat, higher spiritual enlightenment, spiritual & luminous tayid (help) and inner vision of the Truth. Ameen.
Haizinda — Qayampaya
(Our Present Imam is Living and His NOOR is Eternal)
Peace, light, barakat, tayid, Zaheri-Noorani & Batini-Noorani didar,
Noorallah Juma
Bandagi Gems: