Declaration – 29 Sha‘ban 1424 (2003-10-26)

Declaration from His Holiness Haj Dr. Nour Ali Tabandeh, Majzoub Ali Shah
on the Occasion of the Blessed Month of Ramadan

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As the blessed month of Ramadan approaches, I pray for the success of all fuqara in fulfilling their spiritual duties—especially in observing all aspects and conditions of fasting. We are honored to have reached out to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Infallible Imams (AS), and God has sealed our hearts with the love of His saints.

Dervishhood means observing the proper etiquette of all things and obeying divine commands. Therefore, at the beginning of Ramadan—a time that calls for greater self-discipline, spiritual purification, and moral refinement—I find it necessary to offer the following reminders to the fuqara. Although some points may be familiar, based on the verse وَذَكِّرْ فَإِنَّ الذِّكْرَى تَنْفَعُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ , such reminders benefit the believers. I ask everyone to observe these points with full attention and sincerity, thereby earning the pleasure of God and His saints.

1. As the noble Qutbs of the past and the spiritual and biological father of this faqir, His Holiness Saleh Ali Shah , A‘la Allah Maqamahu al-Sharif, firmly commanded, I do not approve of the fuqara of Tehran or other cities traveling to Beydokht during Ramadan. Instead, they should consider the Master present and observing in their own location and fulfill their spiritual and devotional responsibilities there.
2. According to the Quran and the prescribed daily invocations, it is an honor for the fuqara to recite as much Quran as possible each day. This duty is intensified during Ramadan—the spring of the Quran. Thus, by attending congregational prayers, the faqr gatherings on Monday and Friday nights, and Quran reading sessions, they should cleanse and enlighten their souls with the light of the Quran, practice its commandments, and make it their guide in both individual and communal life.
3. Holding and participating in the mourning ceremonies for our Master, the Commander of the Faithful, Ali (AS), and in the events of the Nights of Qadr is of great importance. One should strive to benefit from their spiritual blessings, strengthen their connection to the sacred guardianship, and seek repentance and renewal at the divine threshold.
4. Through participation in the commemoration of the sorrowful passing of our revered Master, His Holiness Mahboub Ali Shah , Quddisa Sirruh al-‘Aziz, we honor his spiritual legacy and awaken the memory of his divine virtues, hoping for increased spiritual success.
5. The gate of repentance is one of the gates of paradise, always open to everyone. Ramadan is the month to seek forgiveness from God and express sincere regret before the Forgiving Lord. Just as we refrain from physical nullifiers of the fast, we must also observe a special fast through righteous behavior and purify our hearts from everything but the remembrance of God. Let us cleanse stained hearts of sin’s rust and heal sickened souls with the elixir of guidance and the light of wilayah.
6. It has often been emphasized that discord among believers weakens faith, brings joy to enemies, and harms both religion and worldly affairs. This satanic scheme, rooted in selfishness, must be eliminated through forgiveness. Before embarking on Ramadan’s duties, let us suppress our egos, reconcile with pure hearts, and seek the acceptance of our deeds. Likewise, within families, let tensions be resolved and divine and saintly joy prioritized.
7. One of the emphasized duties of the fuqara is to wake up before dawn. The month of Ramadan provides a conducive context for this practice. Therefore, during suhur, we should focus our mental energies on remembrance, contemplation, and praying for the well-being of believers and the rectification of affairs.
8. Attend the faqr gatherings on Monday and Friday nights. Know that complete silence, mindfulness, and reflection during these sessions, along with observing their order and etiquette, will bring the satisfaction of the elders of the order. As a result, wishes will be fulfilled, hardships lifted, prayers answered, and divine blessings increased.
9. As stated in the first declaration and emphasized repeatedly for our faithful sisters, observing proper Islamic hijab is a clear and essential directive. Any view or action contrary to this is not acceptable.
10. God Almighty has praised the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the Quran for his “exalted character.” Had there been a quality greater than good character, He would have used it to describe His beloved Messenger. The Prophet himself declared that the purpose of his mission was to perfect noble character. As followers of this Prophet, we must strive to embody human virtues so fully that a dervish is recognized by their noble character—this is everyone’s expectation.

I hope God, by removing this current ailment and recovery period, grants this servant the chance to benefit from the blessings of the holy month of Ramadan and strengthens me to meet with the believers continually. I kindly ask the brothers to excuse me from being invited to iftar. Please remember me in your prayers.