"And as for those whose faces have been whitened, in the mercy of Allah they dwell for ever." — Holy Qur'an 3:107
Gem No. 6: Why does Bandagi have a lofty status?
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.)
"Ek taraf âkhi duniyâno mâ anê biji taraf ibâdat avu(n) ibâdat no jabaru(n) wajan chhê" (Zanzibar, 6-4-1900).
Literal translation: The weight of all materal wealth of this world can be counter balanced with ibadat, such is the lofty status of ibadat (bandagi)
(Source: Gawahrê Rahêmat, p. 31)
"Rât khudâvand shâ mâtê pêdâ chhê? Râtno badho wakhat suee rahêvâ nathi, ibâdat mâtâ pan chhê anê ibâdatmâ khushi samâeli chhe." (Vâdhvân Camp, 18-10-1903)
Literal translation: Why has God created the night? The time of the night is not only for sleeping, it is also for performing ibadat (bandagi) and true happiness is contained in ibadat.
(Source: Gawahrê Rahêmat, p. 32)
From the above teachings, it is clear that spiritual wealth generated through bandagi has a much higher status and significance than all the material wealth of this world. However, performing bandagi properly is not an easy matter. Mowlana Hazar Imam has mentioned in his firmans that performing bandagi is difficult and it requires time, effort and conviction. It is quite obvious that those murids who practice bandagi go to bed early so that they can be present and awake at the luminous time to perform it. Peace, happiness and light are all the sweet fruits of bandagi.
Here are a couple of excerpts from the speeches of Mowlana Hazar Imam which I have interpreted in the context of bandagi:
"The day we no longer know how, nor have the time nor the faith to bow in prayer to Allah because the human soul that He has told us is eternal is no longer of sufficient importance to us to be worthy of an hour of our daily working, profit-seeking time, will be a sunless day of despair."
Excerpt from the Peshawar University address, Pakistan, November 30, 1967
The above speech was made to a general audience. However, the Holy Imam has prescribed an hour of extra prayers for the elevation of our soul in the small watches of the night. He has given us the method, prescribed the time, bestowed the luminous word of the esoteric faith, and has explained that the soul is eternal. The True Guide wants us to reach the Abode of Peace (Daras-Salaam).
"As the demands on his time increase, every Muslim will find it more difficult to seek for himself the answer to the fundamental question of how he should live his life for it to be truly Muslim. It is men such as you who will have to be practical and realistic in the world of today and tomorrow. Rather than let force of circumstance impose upon us through our default in not having suitably prepared ourselves for the future, ways of life which are not, or should not be ours, we must ourselves design the path we should tread."
Excerpt from the Seerat Conference, Karachi, Pakistan, March 12th, 1976
Each one of us has to set priorities. The Holy Imam brought the issue of time management and priorities in 1976. At the present, life is more hectic and the challenge of practising bandagi is enormous. However, the time invested in bandagi has material as well as spiritual benefits. It is a key to our survival and growth!
Part 2. Dhikr Section:
For today's session, let us use the dhikr of Ya Ali, Ya Muhammad, Ya Muhammad, Ya Ali to call on the Lights of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.) and NOOR Mawlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.). At present, these Lights are manifested in NOOR Mowlana Hazar Imam.
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Ya Ali Ya Muhammad, Ya Muhammad Ya Ali
I call upon the Light of Ali and the Light of Muhammad through this prayer
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 6 to 10):
Āshāji | mēhēr karinē tamē motā karo ham nār chhu(n) tam sāmikiji ās karinē hu(n) nāri āvi hu(n) nāri chhu(n) tam shāmaki Hari ana(n)t ................................... |
6 |
Oh Lord | Have mercy upon us and raise our status I am the (devoted) wife of You the Lord I have come to you with all the hopes and wishes and I remain a (devoted) wife to You the Lord Hari You are eternal; ........................ |
6 |
Āshāji | bhavo bhavki hu(n) kathani ka(n)thu kēti kahu(n) tēni vātji vēnti suno tamē muj nārini hirkhēshu(n) jālo morā hāth Hari ana(n)t ................................... |
7 |
Oh Lord | Oh Lord I am narrating to You about matters of many ages and am describing to You in many different ways Listen to my supplications, Your wife and hold my hands with happiness Hari You are eternal; ........................ |
7 |
Āshāji | hu(n) nāri bahu aprādhan chhu(n) amē āvyā tamārē pāsaji bē kar jodi amēj āvyā tamē sa(m)bharo morā nāth Hari ana(n)t ................................... |
8 |
Oh Lord | I am a completely sinful wife and have come in Your presence It is only us (me) who have come folding both of our hands My master listen to us (me) Hari You are eternal; ........................ |
8 |
Āshāji | dil bhari amēj āvyā ubhā tamārē darbārji hari var tamē ha(n)sājinā rājā sāmi satiyu(n)ni karjo sār Hari ana(n)t ................................... |
9 |
Oh Lord | It is only us (me) who have come having filled our hearts (with love) and are standing in your gracious presence You are the Protector Lord and the king of all souls Oh Lord perfect the lives of the truthful Hari You are eternal; ........................ |
9 |
Āshāji | araj karinē pirji bolyā amē avyā tamārē pāsaji Pir Hasan Kabirdin vēnati bolyā sāmi amnē chhē tamāri ās
hari ana(n)t ana(n)t |
10 |
Oh Lord | The respectful Pir spoke having made a request we have come to Your presence Pir Hasan Kabirdin uttered these supplications Oh Lord we have our hopes (upon You) Hari You are eternal; ........................ |
10 |
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
or
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:
Haizinda — Qayampaya
(Our Present Imam is Living and His NOOR is Eternal)
Bandagi Gems: