Declaration – 10 Muharram 1416 (1995-06-09)

Twelve Directives from His Holiness Haj Ali Tabandeh, Mahboub Ali Shah
to the Brothers in Faith

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To the brothers in faith, the Fuqara of the Nimatullahi Sultan Ali Shahi Order—May God grant them success:

I present once again the following points, which are among the subtleties and essentials of faqr and darvishhood, as a reminder, so that in light of the noble verse وَذَكِّرْ فَإِنَّ الذِّكْرَى تَنْفَعُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ —God willing—they may be of benefit.

The spiritual expectations that the path of faqr and darvishhood holds for its seekers:

1. Safeguard the trust of faqr and darvishhood, which God has entrusted to you, and strive through good words, deeds, and thoughts to be worthy of the title of faqr and darvishhood. For every wrong action of yours brings shame to the faqir.
2. Make the core teachings of faqr and darvishhood—“servitude to God,” “kindness to people,” and “service to your brothers”—the measure of your conduct, and weigh your actions accordingly.
3. Do not sell the jewel of faqr and darvishhood for a cheap price, for you will suffer loss. Only a connoisseur knows the value of a jewel. And if you are not such a connoisseur, know that the value of this jewel is union with the Beloved.
4. The subtlety of faqr and darvishhood cannot be expressed in words, and language cannot encompass its reality. Do not break the consecration of your heart through idle speech, and do not utter words that weaken the spiritual state of others.
5. The enemy of faqr and darvishhood is the carnal self (nafs), which appears in various forms. Do not be deceived by the trickery of the nafs, for it may even wear the guise of piety.
6. The expectation of faqr and darvishhood from its followers is nothing other than fulfilling one’s spiritual duty. Any expectation for reward on this path comes from blindness of heart.
7. Do not trample the blessing of faqr and darvishhood with egotism and self-will, for the sorrow of such ingratitude causes pain to the hearts of the saints.
8. The realm of faqr and darvishhood is nothing but a sanctuary for offering the heart to the Beloved. Those who seek comfort and are unfamiliar with its struggles are not true companions of this faqir.
9. Do not shatter the cup of honor in faqr and darvishhood with the stone of greed and heedlessness. Do not willingly bring upon yourselves the blackness of severing sacred ties.
10. The blessing of serving in the domain of faqr and darvishhood is a spiritual brick in the structure of truth. Expecting rewards is a poisonous heedlessness.

    Do not serve like beggars who seek a wage,

    For the Friend knows best how to nurture His servant.

11. Do not imprison the freedom of faqr and darvishhood with worldly greed or longing for the hereafter. Seek nothing from the Beloved but Himself.
12. The destination of the path of faqr and darvishhood requires firm resolve. Embrace the hardship of the path with the steed of longing for union, and have hope for the opening of the heart—for despair and hopelessness are disbelief.

I ask all brothers and sisters in faith to reflect deeply on these points, to look upon them with the eyes of the heart, to make them provisions for their journey, and not to be heedless, For: “A Word to the wise is sufficient”.