The Teacher

Ya Ali Madad.

{\.r:;.!L .

As promised in our introduction yesterday, we will discuss orne of the basic things that we do in Jamat Khana. Before we go into these rituals, it is very important to know what is our TARIQA.We will try to discuss this very briefly.

Our Tariqa is a small group of SHIA branch of Islamic Umah, which (our Tariqa) believes in ESSENCE. And what is that ESSENCE? The ESSENCE is NOOR OF ALLAH. Imam of the time is the bearer of that NOOR, that is why everything in our Tariqa revolves around Imam of the time.

Hazar Imam made this very clear in his following firman made at Moscow on Jan.
29th, 1995, Let us recite the salwat.

"On this occasion I will give you a firman which will touch on important aspects of our faith, so that at the first mulaquat with the Imam of the time, you should be able to take with you and share with your families and your Jamats,
the principles• of practice of the faith of living within the ethics of the faith at the end of the 20th century, and so that inshallah these principles will become or continue to be part of your every day lives.

First let me remind you that, for all murids of the Imam whether they are
. from central Asia, from India, from Pakistan, from the Western world, tlte fundamental principal is the recognition of the Imam of the time. It is he
who interprets the faith, It is He who guides the Jamat in the interpretation of its
faith at any titne during its lifetime." Let us recite salwat.

Once we understand the authority of the Imam it is very easy to articulate our tariqah.
A Sindhi poet has said it so nicely in the following verse:

HAMAARAA MAZHAB 0 MILAAT KIYA HAYE
HAM SE MAT POOCHHO IMAM-E-ZAMAN KE FIRMAN PE IMAN RAKHTE HAI(N)

MEANING: Do not ask me what is my tariqa, my faith is to have faith in firmans of the Imam of the time.

So Noor of Allah, whose bearer is the Imam of the time, is the ESSENCE of our tariqah.

Now let us try to understand the position of MUKHI I KAMDIA SAHEBS
in Jamat K.hana.

Hazar Imam's Noor is present everywhere at all the times. But since Hazar Imam has taken a physical body, he cannot be present "PHYSICALLY" everywhere at the same time. That is why He appoints His representatives to perform religious ceremonies, and to take care of His Jamat on His behalf. Mukhi I Kamadia sahebs are Hazar Imam's representatives in Jamat Khana according to many firmans.

The following will prove the authority of Mukhi I Kamadia Sahebs,
What do we say when we start Du'a? We ask the permission ofMukhi Saheb, we say
"AMRE MUKHI SAHEB" Meaning: Mukhi Saheb may I have your order to start the Du'a? In reply, Mukhi Saheb says "AMRE HAZAR IMAM" Meaning: Hazar Imam's order. Mukhi Saheb does not say it is my order. He uses the authority vested in him and gives "AMAR'' on behalf of Hazar Imam.

Mukhi I Kamdia Sahebs in physical absence of Hazar Imam, accepts mahemanis, mushkil aasan and blesses the Jamat etc. on behalf of Hazar Imam. Mukhi I Kamadia Sahebs represent Hazar Imam in Jamat Khana that is why we respect them so highly.

When we enter Jamat Khana we say "HAIZINDA" and the person standing at the door, and the Jamat replies "QAYAM PAAYAA"

Why do we have to say HAIZINDA and QAYAM PAAYAA and what do we benefit by saying these words.

Jamat Khana is the house ofiMAM-E-ZAMAN. We go to his house to talk to him, to pray to him, to beg forgiveness of our mistakes and sins, to remind ourselves that we should be attentive when we ask something from him, i.e. when . we pray or say tasbih. We say HAIZINDA meaning he is alive or ever present. Let us try to understand this with an example:
when our parents or elders are present in the house, we will no utter bad words or play mischief, or do some thing that they disapprove. Similarly when

we say "HAIZINDA" we are cautioning our selves that Hazar Imam i.e. present . here and our attitude should be as such.

The person and the Jamat replying "QAYAM PAAYAA" confirms the presence of Imam. QAYAM PAAYAA means we have got Imam for ever. fu other words, he is ever present.

fu our ginanic literature, Pirs have said that when someone says "HAIZINDA" he gets sawab equal to offering an elephant asmehemani to Imam-e­ zaman, and the person replying "QAYAM PAAYAA" gets sawab equal to offering a horse as mehemani to Imam-e-zaman.

GINAN: "HAIZINDA KAHETAA HASTI NU DAAN QAYAM PAAYAA KAHETAA DAAN TURING"

There is nothing to do with elephant or horse. Elephants and horses are largest animals and they are very useful, so Pir is trying to explain that by saying HAIZINDA and QAYAM PAAYAA, we get the maximum sawab. Ifwe use our intellect here, it means that if we enter Jamat Khana with consciousness that Imam's Noor is ever present, our soul will be more receptive of all the prayers and all the ceremonies that are performed. And if you are receptive your intentions and
wishes are fulfilled, that is why in another ginan it is said:
"GAT MAA(N)HE JAB AAWO TAB HAIZINDABULAAWO FAL AMRAAPURI PAAWO, SHAH PIR KA DEEDAR
TUM CHET MAN MERA." .
• MEANING: Say haizinda when you enter Jamatkhana, you will get the sawab of achieving _paradise and deedar of the Imam and the Pir.

Next thing we do or must do is go to Mukhi saheb I Kamadia saheb or
Mukhiani saheba I Kamdiani saheba for "DU'A KARAVVI" This is a ceremony ofREPENTANCE OR TAUBA.
Why do we have to repent? What is the proper way to do DU'A KARAVVI?

When should we do Du'a KARAVVI AND WHY?

•We have already established that our faith is nothing but obeying firmans of

the Imam of the time.

In our Tariqah there are certain things that we are told to do and there are other things that we are told..D.Q.t to do. In our daily dealings there are so many things we do which we are told..D.Q.t to do. For example we lie, we cheat, we speak evil, we do ninda, we look at some one with lust etc. Every time we do something which we are told not to do, we are committing a sin. Every bad deed is a hindrance for the progression of soul. In order to clear these obstacles, we submit ourselves to the representatives of Hazer Imam and repent by saying "TOUBO TOUBO TAKSIRDAR, BANDO SIR TAPA GUNEHGAAR, YA SHAH TU(N) BAKSIDYEN BAKSHAN HAAR."

This literally means: "I, the devotee, who is full of shortcomings, is repenting, 0
Lord this servant is sinful from head to toe. My Lord forgive me as you are the forgiver."

Allah says in the holy Quran SURAH 39: VERSE 53:

"SAY 0 MY SERVANTS WHO HAVE TRANSGRESSED AGAINST THEIR SOULS! DESPAIR NOT OF MERCY OF ALLAH: FOR ALLAH FORGIVES ALL SINS FOR HE IS OFT FORGIVING, MOST MERCIFUL."

The ceremony ofDU'A KARAVVI is performed by joining the hands, look into the eyes ofMukhi I Kamadia sahebs, Mukhiani I Kamadiani sahebas and say taubo taubo taksirdar............

They (Mukhi/ Kamadia etc.) Also look at the person performing Du'a karavvi and take his hand into their hand and bless him on behalf of Hazar Imam.

In one of the ginan it is said:

JE KOI GAT MAAHE KARAAVE DU'A, NAJARE MUKID KU(N) TE DEKHE SAVAA, AUR MUKID USKE SAAMU JO JOWE,
TO FAL DU'A KERRA PURAAJO HOY.

Joining hands is SUBMISSION and giving hand to Mukhi saheb is RENEWAL

OFBAIYAT.

It is NECESSARY AND IMPORTANT TO PERFORM DU'A KARAWI BEFORE FIRST DU'A.

WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT ?

Let us take an example: suppose I am going to an open market to buy some fruits, I take a basket with me, I choose the fruits I want, pay the shopkeeper and ask him to put the fruits .in the basket. The basket has
to have room or have to be empty in order to put the fruits in. If the basket is not empty, I cannot take with me what I came for.

Similarly we come to Jamatkhana to achieve some thing and if the basket of our heart is full of garbage (SINS) we cannot put in it what we came to achieve. We have to empty all sins before trying to achieve anything else.

This is why it is necessary and important to do Du'a karavvi BEFORE Du'a starts. We must try to come to Jamatkhana early so that we can do Du'a Karavvi before the ceremonies start.

Now that we entered Jamatkhana saying HAIZINDA with awareness of Hazer Imam's presence and we did Du'a karavvi- emptied the basket so that we can put some thing into it, next thing is "DU'A"

Mukhi saheb says "KHANAVADAN KHANAVADAN"
before giving "AMRA" for Du'a. Why he says khanavadan immediately before and after the Du'a?? Is it to inform the Jamat that Du'a is starting or is there any other reason for this? We will see this little letter.

Before starting Du'a Mukhi saheb alerts the person standing at the door by saying "DAR TE JAMAT BHAI" Meaning is the Jamat bhai at the door? Person standing at the door replies "BANDO." Bando literally means a slave or servant. We are all Hazer Imam's "BANDA'' as we have done bayyat of Imam -e- Zaman, and that is why the person at the gate confirms "Your slave is present." and it is a duty and PRIVILEGE of this person to call others to prayers by saying "Du'a ke raso Allah maheria." Meaning

"0 those who have Allah's blessings, come and join the prayers." "Allah maheria" means "Those who have Allah's maherbani."
This tradition of calling others to prayers is an ISLAMIC TRADITION.

Every time before the holy Nimaz, a designated person goes on the minaret of the mosque and receit loudly on the P.A. system, the holy KALIMA and then says "AYAA RAS SALAA." three times, meaning "Join the prayers."

We do the same thing when we say "DU'A KE RASO ALLAHMAHERIA."

During Prophet Mohammed's time Hazart Bilal used to say the AZAN or to call people for prayers, that is why it is a privilege to say" Du'a ke raso Allah maheria.''

Next: Du'a is recited. What do we say in Du'a? We praise Allah, say salwat, we beg forgiveness of our sins, and plead for mercy. We ask Allah to give us our daily sustenance (rozi). We ask for His rahemat and we thank Him for every thing.

The person who is given VARO to lead the Du'a or Tasbih has a very big responsibility. He is pleading on behalf of the present Jamat, so his position is same as lawyer for a guilty person. First of all he must know or have the understanding that he is pleading the case of the entire Jamat in front of Hazer Imam; and he should definitely know the meaning ofDu'a or Tasbih, whatever he is leading. In other words he must know what he is asking or saying. Hazer Imam has said in so many firmans that we should know the meaning ofDu'a, we will quote only one firman here,
please say the salwat.........

"Lastly, I would like iny spiritual children, and here I address myself to the younger spiritual children, when you learn your Du'a, learn the meaning of your Du'a. do not want you to recite Du'a without knowing what is the meaning of the Du'a." Please recite the salwat. Bombay Nov. 8, 1967.

Why it is so important to lmow the meaning ofDu'a or Tasbih? Let us try to understand with an example:
Once upon a time soldiers were being recruited in an English speaking country. Now there was a French young lad who did not speak a word of
English, but got recruited in the army with the help of his friend who was also in the same army. Every few months the king would come and visit the army and ask questions to the new recruits.. One day it was announced that tomorrow the king will come to visit the army. This French speaking
• soldier was worried because he did not lmow the language. His friend
told him not to wony. He said usually the king asks three questions and he asks them in order. First he will ask you "How old are you?" Second question will be "How long have you been in my army?" And the last question will be "Do you get proper food and enough clothing?" These are the questions the king will ask. His friend said I will teach you the answers in English which you try to cram. When the king asks you the first question, you just say "Twenty one years, your majesty." When he ask
you the second question, you say "Six months your majesty." And for the third question, you say ."Both your majesty."
This French soldier memorised the answers in order. Next day the king
came, and when he saw this new recruit, he started asking questions as usual but he changed the order of the questions. He asked the second question first, "How long have you been in the army?" The French soldier answered "Twenty one years your majesty." (as memorised)

The king seemed to be surprised. He thought I am visiting the anny regularly but I have not seem this man before and he does not seem so old. Let me ask his age so he asked "How old are you?" The soldier replied "Six months your majesty." The king was mad, he thought this man does not lmow that he is joking with the king. The king asked in anger "Then one of us must be stupid?" The soldier replied "Both your majesty." The king was very angry, this man saw that something was not right he at once apologized in French and told the truth that he did not lmow a word of English.

This is what happens when we ask for something but do not lmow what we

are saymg.

This is why it is very important especially for the person leading the Du'a or Tasbih, to know the meaning.

In addition, the person leading the prayers must be dressed properly in order to present himself in front of the Imam on behalf of the Jamat. ••
Mukhi saheb says "Khanavadan" immediately after the Du'a. KHANAVADAN is a word of blessing it is a Persian word. It is actually
"KHANA ABADAN'' meaning "MAY YOUR HOUSE BE PROSPEROUS."

When Mukhi saheb says khanavadan before Du'a starts, it is no to alert the Jamat that Du'a is about to start (as most of us take it that way), but bless the whole Jamat so that we can achieve the maximum benefit from Du'a.

After completion of Du'a, that is after we talked to Hazer Imam, Mukhi saheb again gives us Khanavadan so that whatever we asked or said in our Du'a be granted to us. It is the same thing as you go in presence of Hazer Imam when he is physically present. When some one is granted an audience and he goes in the presence of Imam-e-Zaman, Imam bless him and the person submits his "ARJI" or "REQUEST" which Hazer Imam listens and give advice and at the end of the audience Mowla blesses that person.

This is the same concept. When we say our Du'a, we are talking to Hazer
Imam.

To summarize today's presentation we have learn the following:

- We have seen the concept of our Tariqah
- We now know the position of Mukhi Kamadia sahebs
- We have learned Haizinda Qayampaya
- We have understood the meaning ofDu'a Karavvi, and when should we do it and why

- What is the meaning ifDu'a ke Raso Allahmheria
- And the position of persons leading the Du'a and Tasbih
- And finally why Mukhi saheb blesses the Jamat before and after the
Du'a.

If we come to Jamatkhana with all the above understanding, we will achieve a great deal of satisfaction and spiritual happiness - inshallah

"HAIZINDAH''

YAALIMADAD

Yesterday we discussed some ofthe basic things that we do from entering the Jamatkhana to recitations of prayers, including the positions of Mukhi Kamadia Sahebs and that of those who lead the prayers- the Reciters.

Tonight Inshallah we will try to discuss "Pir ji Mani, Naadi, Juro, milk etc, which are different ways of presenting Mahemani to Hazer Imam.
Before we go into these things, let us find out what is "Mahemani". Mahemani derives from the word "Maheman" which means a guest.
Mahemani means to entertain or host the guest or "Maheman Nawazi".

What do we do when a guest comes to our house? We will clean the house, cook special food, do everything possible to please and make the guest happy. And what will we do if Hazer Imam is our guest at our house? We are talking about Mahemani of the Imam. We will paint the house, clean up the area surrounding the house, decorate the house, polish the furniture, use the best tableware, cook the best food that the Imam likes, and do everything possible to please the Imam. We do this out of love for the Imam, to please him, and if he is pleased with us, what do we get? His Blessings.

Once During Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah's Padhramni, Pir Subzali recited the following Venti Ginan:
"TUJ TRUTHE NAV NA(N)DAJ PAAMU, JOHOVENAZER TAMAARI."

Meaning:
"I will get nine types of happiness if you are (raaji) pleased or happy with me."

Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah said: Subzali, "Pirne bohot lobh kiyaa haye. Jo ham raji howe, to nav nan(n)d to kyaa, sab kuch mill
jave."

Meaning:
Subhzali, "Pir has been very mean. If we are happy then you
not only get nine types of happiness, but you can get everything you desire."

Now let us discuss one by one, different types ofMahemanis we present every day in Jamatkhana. First there is Pir ji Mani, Fruit and Milk. These are privileges of Mukhi Kamadia sahebs exclusively. These are brought by Mukhi Kamadia Sahebs. Why only Mukhi Kamadia Sahebs?

Mukhi Kamadia Sahebs are Hazer Imam's representatives in Jamatkhana. Let us try to understand this with a simple example. • The Queen is the Head of State of Canada. She has her representative in Canada who is known as Governor General of Canada. Whenever the Queen visits Canada, she is officially the guest of the Governor General - her representative in the country, although the day to day affairs of the country are run by the Prim Minister and Parliament. The same concept applies here. It is our concept that Hazer Imam is present every day in the Jamatkhana,
and as such, it is Mukhi Kamadia Sahebs' privilege, as His representatives to be the hosts. This is why Pir ji Mani and Fruit and Milk is from Mukhi Kamadia Sahebs ONLY. Pir ji Mani and Fruit etc. brought by Mukhi Kamadia Sahebs is just a symbolic gesture of Mahemani. •

Sometimes we hear arguments when \-ye are told to bring small Pir ji Mani. Some would like to make it a big meal for Pir ji Mani. As we said before, Pir ji Mani is just a symbol. It is beyond our capacity to prepare a meal for Hazer Imam. There is a story in the Ginan which goes as follows: (Ginan by Pir Hassan Kabirdin).

Hazarat Mussa (Moses) was very dear to Allah. He used to have his Deedar every day. One day Hazarat Mussa asked Allah to be his Maheman and accept his Mal1emani. Allah accepted the request. Mussa started cooking. One day Allah disguised himself as a "Fakir" or beggar, went to Mussa's house and asked for food. Hazarat Mussatold his servant to give stale food to the Fakir. The servant gave Fakir the stale food. Fakir took it and went away. Hazarat Mussa cooked for six months and on the appointed day he went to call Allah. Hazarat Mussa brought Allah home, made him sit on a beautiful mattress and started laying Su:fro. At this time, Allah disguised again as Fakir and told Hazarat Mussa. "I came to your house on such and such a day, you did not recognize me, you gave me stale food. Now I do not want your food or Mahemani." Hazarat Mussa repented and cried. With Allah's order a fish came and ate all the food that Hazarat Mussa had cooked for six months in just one bite. The fish complained to Allah that she needs three times as much.

The purpose of relating this story from the Ginan is to show that it is beyond our capacity to do Mahemani for Hazer Imam. Pir ji Mani that we bring is just a symbol and it should be simple in accordance with time and circumstances, but the symbol

should not be like we place a chicken to symbolize a lion. ??

One more thing about Pir ji Mani: For sometime now we have started calling it "Darbari" which is not correct. Whoever started this must have done it with good intention. Darbari comes from Darbar. "Darbar", according to the dictionary means "Royal Court" and "Darbari" means courtiers. In the Ginans Pir has used "Pir salamat ki roti" which in katchi is "Pir ji Mani". So this is the Mahemani from Mukhi Kamadia Sahebs for Hazer Imam who is also our Pir.

Mahemani ofMilk which we see on Mukhi Kamadia Sahebs and Mukhiani Kamadiani Sahebas paat in the center, is the same thing that Pir has recommended to bring on Fridays only.

In "Sat veni ni vel" under the heading "Mehmaanikaa dudh kaa Partaap", Pir says bring Milk as Mahemani on Fridays and he narrates a stoiy. The gist of which is that this Milk Mahemani brings lots of Barakat in our business and it saves us from misfortunes. Now if everyone brings Milk on Fridays, there will be lots of milk to be auctioned or to do Naadi, and sometimes for some reason one cannot bring Milk Mahemani to Khane. That is why it is kept on center paat for those who did not bring• milk but want to earn the Sawab of Milk Mahemani, but this should be on Fridays only. This is another way of presenting Mahemani to Hazer Imam.

Then there is ''Naandi" or "Naadi" which is also another way of presenting Mahemani to Hazer Imam. "Naandi" (with the nasal sound) according to Sanskrit dictionary means foods to be offered to Gods and "Naadi" (without the nasal sound) means to auction loudly. Naadi comes from Naad which means to call loudly.

When Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) migrated from Mecca to Medina, people in Medina asked the Prophet to go to their house for eating and resting, etc. In other words, they wanted to make the Prophet comfortable or as we call it, they wanted to do Maheman Nawazi or Mahemani of the Prophet. There were so many requests that it was not possible to accommodate all. The Prophet said all those who want to do my Mahemani can bring whatever they want to give to me, to the Mosque. Everybody brought food and other things like goats, sheep, horses, etc. Prophet Muhammad accepted all the things and then ordered those things to be auctioned loudly - they did Naadi- and the money or Karsaji derived from this was put into "Baitul
Maal". So Naadi is another form ofMahemani.

What should be brought as Naadi? Anything worthy of presenting to Pir Shah,

with pure love. Because Mahemani is done out of love, may it be khichdi or kadhi or biriyani, or anything brought with love and understanding. Some people bring things for the sake ofbringing Naadi. Like say, If I clean my kitchen and there is a pile of tins and boxed food stuff in the cupboards, some of them stale like macaroni and cheese, etc. (they have expity dates on them) and I will say ah! send it to Khane because I am not going to eat this stuff. This is not the right attitude for presenting a Mahemani, because it is not out of love. On the other hand, if you cook a simple thing like khicdi and vegetable and bring it to Khane as Naadi with love, do not think that Mowla Bapa will not accept it.

Once during Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah's time, the Imam came to Bombay. There was one very poor old lady in Bombay. She said to herself, "I want to do Mahemani to Mowla Bapa. I want to give him something." But she was so poor, she had nothing to give. She was very sad, the only thing she had was little bajri flour and one papad. She said I will make a nice rotlo and fry the papad and take this for my Mowla as Mahemani. She made the rotlo and fried the papad, put it in a plate and wrapped the plate in a cloth; so that nobody could see it, and took the bundle with her to the Deedar Hall. An Amaldar who was on the gate asked her what was in the bundle? She opened the bundle and said I am a poor lady, I have nothing else to present to Mowla as Mahemani so I made this rotlo and papad for Him. The Amaldar said you cannot take this to Mowla Bapa. She was not allowed in the Hall. She was so sad and stood outside with her Mahemani in her hands and started saying
Tasbih ofYa Aly, Ya Aly.

Mawlana Sultan Muhammad Shah arrived but He seemed not very happy. He finished all Jamati work and called that Amaldar who refused the old lady to enter the hall. That Amaldar came and the Imam told him to go and call that lady whom you refused to come to me. The Amaldar was shocked and was shivering. Imam knows everything. The Amaldar went out and brought that old lady in the Huzur. She was so happy. Mowla asked her, "Hamare liye kyaa layaa"? What did you bring for me? She just said, Khudavind and opened the bundle and presented the rotlo and papad to the Imam. Mowla said bohot khub! Bohot khub! Hamne tumaari khidmat kabul ki. KhanavadanJ