Salman Spiritual :: Towards the Inner Vision of the Truth :: An Ismaili Perspective

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 some advices on awakening the inner eye and recognizing of the self [Source: Coolness of the Eye, Pages 123-131):

1. The first and foremost requirement for spiritual progress is ethic, then belief, bandagi and the knowledge of certainty.
    
   
2. The virtue of taqwa (piety, righteousness) is the essence of the results and fruits of ethic, bandagi and the knowledge of certainty. Therefore, taqwa grants a sublime place to a mu'min.
    
   
3. The best place for ibadat is Jamat Khana, because as the Qur'an says it is the place of reward and peace ("Remember We made the House a place of assembly for men and a place of safety; and take ye the station of Abraham as a place of prayer; and We covenanted with Abraham and Isma'il, that they should sanctify My House for those who compass it round, or use it as a retreat, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer)." Holy Qur'an 2:125)
    
   
4. A mu'min should cultivate the habit of raising hands in His presence and invoking blessings so that the state of his heart may always remain in need (of His mercy) in God's presence, and His mercy may embrace him.
    
   
5. Ibadat is the name of the slavery of God, the most High. And slavery demands all kind of services for the master. And the supreme service is that which is according to His will and required most by Him.
    
   
6. A true mu'min should struggle to do good every day, spend time in good deeds. Daily, he should acquire some knowledge; he should continue his study of religious books, he should meet good people and obtain happiness from ibadat.
    
   
7. These are signs of the beginning of spiritual progress: creation of ardent love for dhikr-u ibadat, to get up for bandagi on time, or in fact before time, softness of heart and readiness for giryah-u zari, continuation of dhikr and creation of seriousness and internal peace.

2. Dhikr Section:

On the occasion of the upcoming Darbars in the USA, here is a dhikr track to invoke two additiuonal attributes of the Light of Eternal Ali which is manifest in our present and living Imam, Noor Mowlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini Hazar Imam (a.s.):

Let us reflect on the 55th and 42nd beautiful name of Allah:

For today's session, let us use a bouquet of Ya Wali, Ya Karim tasbi to appreciate the Lord's protection and generosity upon us.

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

Ya Wali, Ya Karim
O Mowla! You are our Protecting Associate
and You are the Bountiful One

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

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

1. The well being and health of the whole NOORANI family;
2. Protection from the elements of dross and darkness;
3. Sunshine in hearts, Light in our foreheads and the blessing of the inner vision of the Truth;
4. Mushkil Aasan and material, spiritual & intellectual upliftment of the global Jamat, the global Muslim community and humanity at large;
5. Salvation of all departed souls;
6. Empowerment of our children with the correct understanding of our holy faith; and
7. External and internal peace for the whole humanity.

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

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

5. Global Prayer:

Ya Ali, Ya NOOR Mowlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini Hazar Imam, grant us, our families, our Jamats, the worldwide Jamat, the Muslim Ummah, and humanity at large, luminous (noorani) and spiritual (ruhani) ta'id (help) to advance materially, spiritually and intellectually.

O Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam bless us with many Holy Batuni-Noorani didars during the Diamond Jubilee year, and empower us to present Material, Spiritual and Luminous Nazranas. Ameen.

Peace, light, barakat, tayid and a 'golden noorani didar',
Noorallah Juma

Bandagi Gems:

Article by Dr. Noorallah Juma