Declaration – Jumada al-Awwal 1422 (2001-07)

Instruction of His Eminence Haj Dr. Nour Ali Tabandeh, Majzoub Ali Shah
to the Honorable Mashayekh

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A special address to the Honorable Mashayekh

I recommend paying attention to the following points:

1. Initial enthusiasm, which may not always be entirely pure, is not sufficient for advancement in the spiritual path; therefore, initiation should be limited, and in order to preserve and enhance this enthusiasm, verbal invocation (dhikr) should be given, along with some recommended practices.
2. Special attention must be given to the Sufi upbringing (tarbiyat-e faqri) of the fuqara, especially the youth and those newly admitted to the path, and the elders should be reminded that their behavior must serve as a model and example.
3. The manner of taking allegiance (bay‘ah) from women must follow what is narrated from the Prophet (PBUH): using a bowl of water in which both parties place their hands, or each party holding opposite ends of a string—such as a prayer bead string.
4. Handshaking is a reminder of the bay‘ah; therefore, under no circumstances should one shake hands with non-mahrams. Even indirect contact, such as with a barrier between hands, is not permissible, contrary to the mistaken assumption that a barrier permits handshaking.
5. Adherence to the rulings of the Sharia serves as a safeguard and boundary for faqr against internal temptations and a shield for the faqr community against external hostility and enmity.
6. As I have repeatedly recommended and requested, in every locality, the seniors in faqr should stay in contact with one another and assist others with their material and spiritual problems as much as possible, striving to resolve them.
7. Any book prepared regarding the spiritual path or about faqr and the fuqara should be reviewed before publication. Since there are already sufficient Sufi texts, there should be no haste in writing or publishing new works, as even a single incorrect phrase or word can mislead many.