Declaration – 20 Rabi‘ al-Thani 1413 (1992-10-18)

Fourteen Directives of His Holiness Haj Ali Tabandeh, Mahbub Ali Shah
to the Fuqara of the Nimatullahi Sultan Ali Shahi Order

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For the spiritual elevation of the sanctified soul of His Holiness Reza Ali Shah, may his resting place be fragrant, the Qutb of the sublime Nimatullahi Sultan Ali Shahi Order, this faqir, Haj Ali Tabandeh, honored with the spiritual title Mahbub Ali Shah, has reminded the hearts illuminated by the light of faith among the Fuqara of the Nimatullahi Sultan Ali Shahi Order of fourteen points from the fruitful life of faqr, knowledge, and ethics of that great figure. These are presented in the name of the Fourteen Infallibles (peace be upon them), so that by implementing them, they may gladden his lofty soul and bring blessings and goodness to their own worldly and spiritual lives.

1. Seize each moment with remembrance of God and honor it.
2. Make compassion toward God’s creation the cornerstone of your life.
3. Strengthen the body, which is the vehicle of the soul, with nourishment, clothing, and shelter earned through your own labor.
4. Keep the jewel of humanity radiant with the light of faith.
5. Nourish the joy of the soul by loving the truth of gnosis (‘irfan).
6. Accelerate the soul’s flight in the heavens of ma‘rifat through constant remembrance (dhikr) and perpetual contemplation (fikr).
7. Let the light of reason illuminate the skies of the world of humanity.
8. Do not harm the herald of conscience, and beware of the moment when it may, in anger, ascend beyond the heavens.
9. Place the repeated instructions of the Qutbs of the sublime Nimatullahi Sultan Ali Shahi Order—especially the emphatic directives of this faqir’s esteemed father—regarding the implementation of the sacred laws of Islam as your guiding principle.
10. Reading the book Pand-e Saleh and other spiritual texts prevents unconscious slips. Through studying these books, safeguard yourself from the disturbances of the lower self.
11. Extinguish the spark of any emerging conflict immediately, as such vigilance holds boundless reward in the eyes of the friends of God (awliya Allah).
12. Recognize unity and focus under the banner of Islam as the only bastion of salvation in today's world.
13. Preserving the hearth of the family, nurturing familial roots, strengthening marital ties, and avoiding anger, jealousy, and alienation are the foundations of peace and warmth in life.
14. This faqir, in fulfilling the serious responsibility that I have inevitably accepted, earnestly requests the full implementation of these fourteen principles by every one of the Fuqara of the Nimatullahi Sultan Ali Shahi Order. Even a momentary lapse in fulfilling any of them brings harm to both this world and the hereafter.