"O mankind! Now hath a proof from your Lord come unto you, and We have sent down unto you a clear light." — Holy Qur'an 4:175
Gem No. 7: Does Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam have a Spiritual University?
Ya Ali Madad! This post has five parts.
Part 1. Knowledge Section on Bandagi:
Let us reflect on the following teaching of Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah (a.s.)
"Amê kahie chhie kê jê kaiee chhê tê ruhaj chhê mâtâ têni tapas karo kê tê shu(n) chhê? Tê kya(n)thi âvyu? Tê nurni nigah karvi joee-a." (Mumbai, 4-4-1908)
Literal translation: We are telling you that whatever there is, it is nothing but the soul. Therefore, search for it and discover what is it? From where did it come from? You should look for this nur (light).
(Source: Kalame Imame Mubin, p. 309)
We see the material world with our physical eyes and physical light. However, in the above mentioned teaching of Noor Mowlana Sultan Muhammad Shah (a.s.), Mowla is emphatically saying that whatever there is, it is nothing except the soul. This teaching is applicable for all those mu'mins whose inner eye has been opened by the grace of NOOR Mowlana Hazar Imam. These mu'mins are experiencing the beauties and presence of soul everywhere and they are also experiencing the light of the Holy Imam in their foreheads. In this context, I would now like to present the concept of the spiritual university of NOOR Mowlana Hazar Imam.
In the 2006 progress report of the Aga Khan University, there is a map which shows that the university has the following facilities: (1) main campuses in Karachi and East Africa, (2) a campus in London, England; and (3) four professional development centres which are located in Karachi, Gilgit, Chitral and Dar-es-Salaam. The iconic university of Mowlana Hazar Imam is spanning across three continents and is continually expanding. It is a source of pride the Holy Imam, the Jamat, the Ummah and humanity at large. So a question arises: does Mowlana Hazar Imam have a spiritual university?
In order to answer this question, I would like to present the following ayats from Surah Alaq (96:1-5):
"Read: In the name of thy Lord Who createth, Createth man from a clot. Read: And thy Lord is the Most Bounteous, Who teacheth by the pen, Teacheth man that which he knew not."
(Source: Holy Qur'an Surah Alaq (96:1-5))
There are many commentaries on these ayats, however, it is quite clear that these ayats were revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.) when he was practising ibadat (bandagi) with ism-i azam, the Supreme Name of Allah. It is also quite clear the there was not a written form of the Holy Qur'an at that time, therefore this reading or proclamation was not physical. The Holy Prophet was "reading" the Holy Qur'an which was in a luminous and a spiritual form, i.e., it was in the form of a light and a soul.
It is quite clear through 1400 years of our history that spiritual enlightenment is only possible through the practice of ibadat (bandagi). Our Holy Imams have built Jamat Khanas across the world so that the murids can, if they so choose, practice bandagi daily. In addition to the time for meditation, Jamat Khanas are places to imbibe spiritual knowledge through Holy Ginans, Qasidas and Holy firmans. In my humble opinion, each Jamat Khana is a node of the spiritual university of NOOR Mowlana Hazar Imam. It is in these sacred sanctuaries in which the ardent followers of the Holy Imam search for the light of NOOR Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.).
The Jamat Khanas are open for the murids of the Holy Imam and this search for enlightenment is a life-long process which is open for all those who want to discover their spirituality and luminosity. In my humble opinion, the spiritual university of NOOR Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) is always open and it is more than 1400 years old. Graduates are spread across the world and there is room for new students. Are we up to the challenge of attending this university regularly? If we are, al-hamdulillah. If not, let think deeply about the teaching of the Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah (a.s.) and Mowlana Hazar Imam's wish that we carry Sunshine in our hearts (consciousness)!
Part 2. Dhikr Section:
Here is a dhikr track to invoke the power, grace, and help from the Light of Eternal Ali which is present in our present and living Imam, Noor Mowlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini Hazar Imam (a.s.):
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Ya Ali, Mowla Ali;
O Light of Eternal Ali, O Noor Mowlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini Hazar Imam
Al-hamdu lillahi rabbil 'alamin.
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds!
Part 3. Anant Nâ Nav Chhugâ Verses (Chhugo Number 4, verses 1 to 5):
Āshāji | tēdo tamē āpaj mokalyā tēni kēnē nahi kahu(n) vātji havē mol mā(n)hē tamē bolāvo tē bolāvo tamārē pās 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 | It is only You who sent me the invitation about this I shall not tell anyone Now invite me to the palace and invite me at your presence Hari You are eternal; ........................ |
1 |
Āshāji | mayā āni tamē molē bolāvyā tēni sāmijie kidhi mēhēraji vimaras tanā tēdā mokalya kidhi nārini sār Hari ana(n)t ................................... |
2 |
Oh Lord | You bestowed Your mercy and invited her to the palace and the Lord had mercy upon her Through a religious communication you sent an invitation and You performed a good deed for the wife Hari You are eternal; ........................ |
2 |
Āshāji | ek Allah nē biji rēhēmat tamē chho barva(n)t rāyaji barva(n)t amārā tribhovar dhani tē vaiku(n)th kēro rāya Hari ana(n)t ................................... |
3 |
Oh Lord | The first is Allah (the Lord) and the second is His mercy You are the perfectbound King You are our perfectbound and the Master of the three worlds and You are the king of the paradise Hari You are eternal; ........................ |
3 |
Āshāji | evo nār amēj lāvyā tē karvā gatiyu(n)ni ugārji enē narē kalap jug odhāryā tē karshē amāri sār Hari ana(n)t ................................... |
4 |
Oh Lord | We have indeed brought such a Husband to perform the liberation of the gat (congregation) That Husband who was the Saviour in the era of Kalap will also perform our ultimate good Hari You are eternal; ........................ |
4 |
Āshāji | vāt amāri sa(m)bharo ho nāthji e sāchi tamāri vānaji vachanē boliya tamē chho nāthji tamē chho pratipār Hari ana(n)t ................................... |
5 |
Oh Lord | Listen to our words Oh master We are indeed Your true companion You gave a promise that You are the Master and You are the perfect (spouse) in fulfilling the promise 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
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: