"Lo! those who believe and do good works, their Lord guideth them by their faith."
— Holy Qur'an 10:9
Preparation for Golden Noorani and Golden Jubilee Didars :: Spiritual and Luminous Nazrana Sparks ::
Spark No. 22 :: The Need for a Living Guide
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
Ya Ali Madad! In this posting I would like to present some thoughts of William C. Chittick and his views on the need of a (living) guide from the spiritual teachings of Rumi. Let us reflect upon the following questions:
What the difference between Prophets and Saints versus ordinary people?
The most direct answer to the above question is captured in the following excerpt:
"We have already seen that the Prophets and saints are essentially "angelic" beings, since their intellects have vanquished their egos. We have also seen that they represent one of the most important Touchstones: If a person is able to recognize the prophets and saints for what they are and to follow their guidance, this shows that in him also the intellect dominates the ego. But of course he (the person) will not be able to attain to a spiritual station wherein his intellect has completed vanquished his ego without a long period of effort and striving on the spiritual path." [Source: W. C. Chittick, The Sufi Path of Love, p.119]
What is the trade of securing ourselves in the next world?
The most direct answer to the above question is captured in the following teaching of Rumi:
"Whoever flees from a master in this world flees from good fortune. Know this! You have learned a trade to make a livelihood for your body. Now grasp the trade of religion! You have become clothed and wealthy in the world. What will you do when you leave this place? Learn a trade through which you can earn the income of forgiveness in the next world! (M II 2591-94)" [Source: W. C. Chittick, The Sufi Path of Love, p.121]
Who can show the way?
The most direct answer to the above question is captured in the following teaching of Rumi:
"Seek the people of God! Enter thou among My servants! Enter thou My Paradise! [Holy Qur'an 89:29-30]. God does not speak to everyone, just as kings of this world do not speak to every weaver. They appoint ministers and representatives so that through them people may find the way to them. In the same way God has singled out certain servants, so that everyone who seeks Him may find Him within them. All the prophets have come for this reason. Only they are the Way. (F 229/237)" [Source: W. C. Chittick, The Sufi Path of Love, p.122]
What is the advantage of having a guide?
The most direct answer to the above question is captured in the following teachings of Rumi:
"Whoever enters the Way without a guide will take a hundred years to travel a two-day journey ... Whoever undertakes a profession without a master becomes a laughingstock of city and town. (M III 588, 90)"
"In the Sea of the Spirit, swimming is no avail: Noah's ark is the only escape. Muhammad, that king of the prophets, said, "I am the ship in this Universal Ocean. I, or that person who has become my true vicegerent in inward vision. (M IV 3357-59)" [Source: W. C. Chittick, The Sufi Path of Love, p.123]
How do the above teachings relate to Hazrat Ali (a.s.), the Ismaili Imamat and the Ismaili Muslim Community?
The most direct answer to the above question is captured in the ta'wil of word 'Ayat' (The luminous personality of the Imam in which all signs are encompassed) which is the fundamental belief of all Shia Muslims:
"Mawlâ Ali has said: "Anâ âyâtu'llâhi wa aminu'llâh, i.e. I am Allah's signs and I am the trustworthy of Allah." (Kawkab, p.208). Âyât in the sense of the signs of Divine power or miracles, are in four places: (i) The higher world, (ii) the wise Qur'ân, (iii) the external universe and (iv) the personal world, but according to the Qur'ân (36:12) all these âyât (signs) are encompassed in the light of the Imâm-i Mubin. That is, his light is the higher world, he is the speaking Qur'ân, the quintessence of the universe and a luminious personal world in true sense." [Source: Tawil 10: A Thousand Wisdoms]
In addition to this, the Ismaili Muslim Community believes that Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam Shah Karim al Hussaini, His Highness Prince Aga Khan, is direct lineal descent from the Holy Prophet (S.A.S) through Hazrat Mawlana Ali (A.S.) and Hazrat Bibi Fatima (A.S), is the forty-ninth Imam of the Ismaili Muslims. The Ismaili community acts on the principle that the Imam of the time is concerned with spiritual advancement as well as the improvement of the quality of life of his murids. The mechanism of guidance is based on the principle that the Imam's Ta'lim lights the murid's path to spiritual enlightenment and vision.
Prayer Card for the Well-being and Health of the Whole Noorani Family
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:
The well being and health of the whole NOORANI family;
Protection from the elements of dross and darkness;
Sunshine in hearts, Light in our foreheads and the blessing of the inner vision of the Truth;
Mushkil Aasan and material, spiritual & intellectual upliftment of the global Jamat, the global Muslim community and humanity at large;
Salvation of all departed souls;
Empowerment of our children with the correct understanding of our holy faith; and
External and internal peace for the whole humanity.
"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. (Muslim, IV, 1883; Tirmidhi, V, 663)" [Source: Tawil 144: A Thousand Wisdoms]
Now let us use a bouquet of salwats for this session.
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!
Global Prayer:
Ya Ali, Ya NOOR Mowlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini Hazar Imam, make us One global Jamat with One Sound Heart (Qalb-i Salim), bless us with the Golden Noorani and the Golden Jubilee Didars, and empower us to present Material, Spiritual and Luminous Nazranas. Ameen.
Haizinda — Qayampaya (Our Present Imam is Living and His NOOR is Eternal)
Peace, light, barakat, tayid, Golden Jubilee and Golden Noorani Didars,
Noorallah Juma
Sunday, February 10, 2008