Declaration – 12 Rabi‘ al-Awwal 1429 (2008-03-20)

Declaration of Hazrat Dr. Nour Ali Tabandeh, Majzoub Ali Shah
On the Occasion of Nowruz and Its Coincidence with the Birthdays of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Imam Sadiq (AS)

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I extend my heartfelt congratulations on the arrival of the blessed Nowruz of the year 1387 SH, which coincides with the auspicious birth anniversaries of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Imam Sadiq (AS), to all beloved Iranians, especially the esteemed brothers of the Ni’matullahi Sultan Ali Shahi order—may God protect and grant them success, who take pride in their love, devotion, and allegiance to the Twelve Imams (AS). I pray to the Merciful God, under the special grace of the Master of the Age (AS), for the physical and spiritual well-being of all and the removal of all afflictions and hardships. From a sense of divine duty and deep heartfelt affection for the fuqara, I offer the following reminders, though some may be familiar:

1. The integration of “shari‘a” and “tariqa”, and the balance between outward rulings and inward manners, has always been a central principle of this noble order. The elders and guides of this path have consistently emphasized this truth and completeness, and have advised wayfarers to observe both aspects—like the soul and body or the kernel and the shell. However, two groups—the ignorant and the malicious—have always tried to distort the truth and entrench ignorance among the uninformed. They fail to recognize this union and falsely claim a separation between “shari‘a” and “tariqa”, confining religion to the former alone. Hazrat Shah Ni‘matullah Wali Qaddas Sirruh has said:

To know the knowledge of religion is “shari‘a”

To act upon it is “tariqa”

When you unite knowledge, action, and sincerity

For the sake of God’s pleasure—that is “haqiqa”

2. According to Hazrat Saleh Ali Shah—may Allah sanctify us by His Glorious Secret, in the introduction to the esteemed treatise “Pand-e Saleh”: “Surely, the revolutions of the world and the movements we observe in various areas should also influence us, awaken us, and prompt us to make use of the opportunity. Although belonging to a party or faction and involvement in worldly affairs has no place in Dervishhood and servitude, a believer must be perceptive and discerning, appreciate peace, be thankful, and strive for attention and action when obstacles are fewer, never neglecting the removal of doubts and religious differences.” Given the hope that observing all principles of “shari‘a” and “tariqa” will lead to the ability to discern worldly matters—which are lighter than spiritual ones—the worldly affairs (including politics in the conventional sense) are entrusted to the fuqara themselves, who, in consultation and cooperation with their brothers, will decide and, God willing, attain both spiritual and worldly rewards.
3. The wounds of true believers in Iran and abroad had not yet healed from the destruction of the Husayniyya in Qom when the issue of the destruction of the fuqara’s Husayniyya in Borujerd emerged. Let the instigators, perpetrators, and all who were involved in this grave sin know that God possesses armies that will strip them of dignity in this world and the next and repay them for their deeds. Even those who are content with these acts are considered complicit. “O Lord! He whom You wish to bring down, You make clash with the Dervishes.” Meanwhile, all who in any way disavowed such ignorant and malicious acts and condemned them—especially the noble order of scholars and intellectuals—will undoubtedly be rewarded at the Divine threshold and shall gain in stature and respect among people for defending the rights of faithful individuals. I extend my gratitude to them, and also to all the fuqara within and outside Iran who sent their support to injured brothers and sisters during these incidents and other unforeseen disasters like the Bam earthquake, the floods in Golestan and Mazandaran provinces, and the snowstorm in Gilan. This noble gesture reveals that their spiritual state reflects ( نَحنُ روحٰان حَلَلنٰا بَدَنٰا ) (“We are spirits dwelling in a body”). I pray that God elevates their spiritual ranks.
4. Participation in the fuqara gatherings on Friday and Monday nights is one of the most vital duties at this time, because, as the Prophet (PBUH) stated, gatherings of God’s remembrance are like gardens of Paradise in this world and are places to prepare for the eternal paradise. The practice of the leaders and guides of the order has always been to attend these gatherings, and we too, in following them, must keep this flame alive. Especially amid the various distractions and challenges of our time, these gatherings offer the best opportunity to remember God, meet with the elders, reconnect with believers, learn true knowledge, cultivate moral virtues, and find spiritual peace—the greatest need of people today. These gatherings, whose spiritual license originates from the Prophet and the Infallible Imams (AS), are supported by the saying of Imam Ali (AS): عَلَيْكَ بِمَجَالِسِ الذِّكْرِ (“Be present in gatherings of remembrance”). Even if we do not consider this command obligatory, it is undoubtedly a strong recommendation. In these sessions, reviving the religious cause and seeking the aid of the saints is emphasized. Therefore, every believer and person of reason should strive to promote and strengthen them. Since there is nothing contrary to Islamic law or public law in these gatherings, they will never be suspended. Those attending, whether in Husayniyyas or homes, inside or outside Iran, know that during these sessions, the true owner is the Master himself.
5. The unity and solidarity of the fuqara, along with avoiding bitterness and discord among one another, are among the most crucial factors for the spiritual growth of seekers. These strengthen the path of “faqr” and are a thorn in the side of the adversaries. The fuqara must act according to the responsibilities of brotherhood so that the spiritual father is pleased and divine mercy descends. They should always remember وَلَا تَنَازَعُوا فَتَفْشَلُوا وَتَذْهَبَ رِيحُكُمْ and do their utmost in reconciling differences among believers:

Let us be loyal, bear reproach, and be joyful

For in our path, resentment is disbelief

6. The scholars of “shari‘a” and the guides of “tariqa” are like “the two hands of a person, two branches of an office, and two limbs of one tree”—serving the upliftment and perfection of Muslims. The fuqara follow scholars who possess the four main qualities of religious authority in their legal acts and treat them with utmost respect. These four traits are described in مَنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْفُقَهَاءِ صَائِناً لِنَفْسِهِ حَافِظاً لِدِينِهِ مُخَالِفاً لِهَواهُ مُطِيعاً لِأَمْرِ مَوْلَاهُ فَلِلْعَوامِ أَنْ يُقَلِّدُوهَ (“Whoever among the scholars is protective of himself, preserving of his religion, opposing his desires, and obedient to the command of his Lord, then the common people may follow him.”), and it is further said: وَذَلِكَ لاٰيَكُونُ إِلّٰا بَعْضَ فُقَهَاءِ الشِّيعَةِ (“And that will only be the case with some of the jurists of the Shia.”), that these qualities are found only in some Shia scholars. Sana’i, may God have mercy on him, says:

When you’ve learned knowledge, beware of greed, for in the dark night

If a thief comes with a lamp, he steals more wisely

7. The fuqara should, in their material, worldly, and familial affairs, rely on reason, contemplation, and consultation with those who are knowledgeable and experienced in these matters. They should trust in God while managing their affairs and avoid excessive reliance on “istikhaara” (divinatory prayer), except in necessary cases. They should instead benefit more from reading the Quran and reflecting on its teachings, making it a program for individual and social life. Through the light of the Quran, they should illuminate both their external and internal lives.
8. The pilgrimage to the House of God, the radiant city of Medina, the sacred shrines of the Imams, and the tombs of religious luminaries is a means of attaining closeness to God and a source of assistance for spiritual wayfarers. Among these, four of our great elders—who played a significant role in our guidance and upbringing—are buried in Bidokht. The fuqara should regularly visit that blessed shrine. During their stay—limited to no more than three days—they should observe the recommendations made to pilgrims and visitors in the official declarations, thus increasing the spiritual vitality of the sacred place and deriving benefit from it. They should also make use of the Soltani Library during their visit. The respected brothers who are honored to serve at the Soltani shrine have always been instructed to extend maximum cooperation to visitors and ensure their satisfaction as much as possible.
9. Serving believers (and even humanity at large) is one of the pillars of “faqr”, part of the faithful’s commitment, a cause of the Master’s satisfaction, and a factor in the progress of work and comfort in both worlds. “Serving the Dervishes is the essence of nobility.” It is essential to nurture and strengthen this spirit, which thankfully exists especially among the youth of the fuqara, and to make the most of this divine success. Therefore, the fuqara should learn the etiquette of service from the instructions of the elders, particularly from the esteemed treatise “Pand-e Saleh”. In cities where there are authorized Mashayekh or Husayniyyas and trustee boards, they should coordinate with them in carrying out service-related tasks so that this divine gift contributes further to the unity and solidarity of the fuqara, and—God forbid—not the opposite, which would result in division and discord.
10. We must always remain hopeful in the mercy of God and His promises and glad tidings in the Quran to the believers. One of the wisdoms behind considering the anticipation of the luminous manifestation of the Master of the Time (AS) an act of worship is precisely to keep the light of hope alive in hearts and to cultivate within the believer a yearning for the Beloved’s meeting. Therefore, we must never fear any power except that of God. The fuqara must maintain their unity and harmony with courage and bravery, never showing weakness or frailty, and remain hopeful in divine grace. For God has shown His support for the believers in aiding the Prophet (PBUH), as stated: هُوَ الَّذِي أَيَّدَكَ بِنَصْرِهِ وَبِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ . Steadfastness on God’s path and patience in facing adversities yield the sweet fruit of divine manifestation, the firmness of truth, and the downfall of falsehood. رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ .