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"Blessed be He Who hath placed in the heaven mansions of the stars, and hath placed therein a great lamp and a moon giving light!" — Holy Qur'an 25:61

 

Candle Posts :: Motivational Gems for Higher Spiritual Enlightenment

:: Candle Post #101 :: What Sacrifice Can We Offer on Idd-ul Adha ::

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

Ya Ali Madad and Idd Mubarak. On the occasion of Idd-ul-Adha, may Allah grant material, spiritual and intellectual happiness to Muslims all over the world, and to all those who have submitted their wills to He Who is Above All Else. Ameen.

In this post, I would first like to present Qur'anic views of Din and Duniya and elaborate on these using different sources of literature. Then I would present the concept of the greatest sacrifice and show how it is linked to the practice of bandagi (meditation) in our Tariqah.

 

 

Part 1: Holy Qur'an Aya on the Topic of Din and Duniya

I searched term 'hereafter' from the Pickthall translation of the Holy Qur'an through the SalmanSpiritual.com search utility and found the following aya (singular ayat) which clearly define the balance between Din and Duniya. Let us all read these and reflect on how we can achieve the fruits of the hereafter while we are still alive on this earth.

  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]

From the above aya, it is clear that we have to strive for a balance between the material and the spiritual dimensions of our lives. Let us take action in a step-wise manner:

  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

Part 2: Teaching of NOOR Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.)

In verse 171 of Kalâmê Mowlâ, NOOR Mowlana Murtazâ Ali (a.s.) explains that luminous prayer (bandagi) (with a luminous word at a luminous time) leads to spiritual elevation. This is the mechanism which the lover of Soul (Ruh) and Light (Noor) uses to meet the Beloved. The transliteration and translation of the verse is as follows:

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) .....171

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

"Allahumma ya mowlana antas-salaam, wa minkas-salaam, wa ilaika yarjaus-salaam, haiyyina rabbana bis-salaam, wa adkhilna daras-salaam, tabarakta rabbana wa-ta'laita, ya zal jalali wal ikram"

"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!

Links:

  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)

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.

Haizinda — Qayampaya
(Our Present Imam is Living and His NOOR is Eternal)

Rakh Mowla je Noor te Yaqeen (Certainly, we trust in Mowla's Light only),
Noorallah Juma
SalmanSpiritual.com
Tuesday, November 1, 2011

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