Declaration – 13 Rajab 1431 (2010-06-26)

Message from Hazrat Dr. Nour Ali Tabandeh, Majzoub Ali Shah
to the Commemoration Ceremony of Hazrat Shah Sayyid Nur al-Din Nimatollah Vali

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The radiant sun of the sky of “Mysticism”, the pride of Islam and Iran, and the noble descendant of the Prophet of the End of Time (PBUH), Hazrat Shah Sayyid Nur al-Din Nimatollah Vali (May his secret be sanctified), who has gathered you, dear ones, in this luminous gathering, was born on Thursday, 22nd Rajab in the year 730 [or 731] AH in the city of Aleppo. His noble lineage, through nineteen generations, traces back to the great Prophet of Islam, Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), as he himself declared his family genealogy:

In his childhood, His Holiness pursued the common sciences of his time and soon surpassed his peers in various branches of knowledge and skills. Yet he persistently sought a perfect guide and an enlightened master. Whenever he heard of a devout worshiper, ascetic, or mystic, he would investigate and hasten to meet him. But upon meeting, he would not find his long-sought one, and his inner thirst would not subside. Eventually, he journeyed to the sacred city of Mecca and visited the House of God. He narrates this experience: “As I entered the Masjid al-Haram, I saw a man teaching Hadith of the Prophet (PBUH) to those present. I felt like a drop, and he like an ocean. In my heart, I said:

For a lifetime we have been entangled in the desire for your tresses

I pledged allegiance to him and held onto his robe.” The continuation of Hazrat Shah Nimatollah’s spiritual journey was the fruit of this pilgrimage: “A drop becomes an ocean when united with the sea.” This great man, a jurist, Sufi, hadith scholar, researcher, and historian of the Islamic world, became a resident of the Two Sanctuaries under the guidance of Hazrat Sheikh Abdullah Yafi'i (May his secret be sanctified). At that time, Shah Nimatollah was twenty-four years old and already a renowned scholar of his time, who humbly placed his devotion at the feet of the Qutb of the time.

He then spent several years in the service of his Sheikh, engaging in lawful spiritual disciplines, moral purification, and refinement of character according to the Shari‘a. Through the blessings of the sacred breaths of Sheikh Abdullah Yafi'i and his own capacity and aptitude, he traversed the stages of “Mysticism” and the stations of the spiritual path under his Sheikh’s guidance, attaining the rank of “annihilation in God” and “subsistence through God” — the ultimate aspiration of those who seek God. In the spiritual order, he was given the title Nur al-Din:

Then Sheikh Abdullah Yafi'i, that noble Sayyid and renowned mystic, tasked him with returning to Iran and guiding those in search of the “wilayah” of the Infallible Imams (AS). On his return, he passed through Iraq, Egypt, Turkestan, and Khorasan. In every region, many rulers, nobles, scholars, and dignitaries came to his service and were blessed by his exoteric and esoteric graces. He eventually settled in Mahan and Kerman, dedicating himself to disseminating truths, promoting the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS), guiding seekers, and nurturing disciples. During his time, many philosophers, poets, and scholars from far and wide traveled to his blessed presence, embraced faith, and, through his spiritual training, reached lofty ranks of gnosis. They left behind a rich legacy of poetry and prose in literature and “Mysticism”, becoming a source of pride for Muslims, especially Iranians. A few among the many include: his noble son and appointed successor Shah Burhan al-Din Khalilullah – Shah Sayyid Qasim Anwar Tabrizi – Kamal al-Din Khujandi – Mawlana Sharaf al-Din Ali Yazdi – Khwaja Sa’in al-Din Ali Turka, a great philosopher and commentator on “Fusus al-Hikam” – Sayyid Nizam al-Din Ahmad Shirazi, author of “Haqa’iq al-Tafsir” – Sheikh Murshid al-Din Ishaq Bahrami, one of his prominent Mashayekh – Sayyid Nizam al-Din Mahmud Wa’iz, famously known as Shah Da’i ila Allah Shirazi (may Allah have mercy on him), who authored many works on “Mysticism” and whose shrine in Shiraz is a place of pilgrimage, beside which the Mashayekh and “fuqara” of this noble order are buried – Sheikh Abu Ishaq At’ema – Sayyid Shams al-Din Ibrahim Bami Kermani – the martyr in the path of God, Sayyid Tahir al-Din Muhammad – Mawlana Qawam al-Din Kuhbanani – Qadi Ziya al-Din Ali, Chief Justice of Kerman – Sultan Shihab al-Din Ahmad Bahmani of India.

Since Hazrat Shah Nimatollah Vali (May Allah illuminate his noble resting place) embodied both the outer and inner sciences and combined all perfections, he authored unparalleled works in many disciplines, especially in “Mysticism” and exegesis. In addition to his complete collection of poetry — encompassing qasidas, ghazals, quatrains, and masnavis, published numerous times — he left behind approximately 106 treatises that delve into the esoteric truths and “Mystical” insights of the Holy Quran and Hadith.

He passed away on Thursday, 22nd Rajab in the year 834 [or 832] AH in Kerman. His pure body was transferred to Mahan and buried there, making it a place of pilgrimage for the spiritually inclined and the devoted to the Household of Prophethood and “wilayah”. Based on the most accurate historical records, his noble age at the time of death was 103 years, four months, and eight days. Three days before his passing, he openly alluded to his death in a ghazal:

The year of his death corresponds in “abjad” numerology to the word “Jannat al-Firdaws” (“Paradise of the Highest”), as it has been said:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ أُولَئِكَ هُمْ خَيْرُ الْبَرِيَّةِ. جَزَاؤُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا رَّضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ ذَلِكَ لِـمَنْ خَشِيَ رَبَّهُ .

Since the date of birth and date of passing of Hazrat Shah Nimatollah both fall on Thursday, 22nd of Rajab, this ceremony — held on this same day at the Husayniyya of the Ni‘matullahi Gonabadi “fuqara” in Kerman — serves to honor and commemorate the lofty station of that noble Qutb and famed mystic. In such a gathering, attention to the following points is of great significance and is presented here as a message from this humble one to the esteemed “fuqara” and honorable attendees:

1. Sheikh Abdullah Yafi‘i (Rizwanullah Ta‘ala ‘alayh) was the spiritual guide and mentor of Shah Nimatollah, who was the fifteenth Qutb of this noble Sufi Order during the occultation of the Promised One from the family of Muhammad (AJ). In the Khutba of Mystics Order, he is referred to as جامِعُ الطَّرَفَيْن وَنَزِيلِ الْحَرَمَيْن رُكْنِ الدِّينِ وَأَصْلِ الْمُسْلِمِين (“The one who unites both sides, the dweller of the two sanctuaries, the pillar of religion, and the origin of Muslims”). After training and perfecting Hazrat Shah Nimatollah (May his secret be sanctified), he entrusted him with the mission of returning to Iran and spreading the principles and teachings of the true school of Shi‘a Ithna ‘Ashari (AS), and making this sacred path known among the “fuqara”. From this very mission, it becomes evident to all seekers of truth that the previous Qutbs, elders of the Order, and their “fuqara” followers were true Shi‘as and possessed the “wilayah” of the Fourteen Infallibles (AS). Although in certain times or regions, due to political or social necessities, they may have practiced “taqiyya”, attaining “Mystical” truths and reaching gnosis of God is not possible except through the “wilayah” of the Fourteen Infallibles (AS).
2. After Sheikh Abdullah Yafi‘i, by his explicit designation, Shah Nimatollah Vali became the Qutb of the Order. Sheikh Abdullah Yafi‘i passed on the divine trust that he had received from Hazrat Sheikh Salih Barbari (May his secret be sanctified) to Shah Nimatollah Vali. Thus, the spiritual chain continued, and from that time on, the Order came to be known as the Ni‘matullahi Order in reference to Shah Nimatollah Vali — not because he was its founder, as some have mistakenly believed. That noble figure instituted certain regulations within the Order that distinguished its “fuqara” from others. These regulations have always been emphasized by his successors and continue to be observed:
   1. Strict adherence to the precise execution of the sacred Shari‘a laws
   2. Commitment to earning a livelihood through lawful work
   3. Refraining from wearing specific religious attire, as لِبَاسُ التَّقْوَى ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ
   4. Having a demeanor of openness rather than restriction, and interacting with all of God’s creation with compassion and love.
3. It is incumbent upon the “fuqara” of this noble Sufi path to study the invaluable works and “Mystical” writings of Hazrat Shah Nimatollah Vali, and to practice the teachings of his spiritual path, adopting the virtues he emphasized. By doing so, we purify our souls and hearts, uplift our spiritual communities, gladden the spirits of the friends of God, and earn greater divine blessings.
4. Honoring exemplary individuals — especially learned scholars and insightful mystics who served Islam and Iran through their words and actions — is essential. It is a sign of intellectual and cultural maturity in a society. Therefore, commemorating Hazrat Shah Nimatollah Vali (May Allah illuminate his noble resting place) is most commendable and appropriate from the perspective of Islam, Iranian culture, and especially the true Shi‘a faith, which we are proud to follow. We hope this noble tradition receives increased attention and support.
5. In conclusion, while extending salutations and peace to the pure soul of Hazrat Shah Nimatollah Vali, I remind all “fuqara” that they should not fear or be disheartened in the face of malicious statements, writings, or general hostile propaganda by the ignorant or ill-intentioned against this noble Order — whose truth and the oppressed condition of its followers have become apparent to the world today. Instead, remain steadfast and resilient on the straight path of “wilayah”, unity, and divine pursuit. This kind of opposition has always existed in the times of prophets, Imams, and religious leaders (AS), as the Quran affirms: وَكَذَلِكَ جَعَلْنَا لِكُلِّ نَبِيٍّ عَدُوًّا شَيَاطِينَ الْإِنسِ وَالْجِنِّ . Even during the time of Hazrat Shah Nimatollah, such propaganda by the devils of his era existed. His response to such slander should be our model of behavior, as he said:

   What concern is it of ours if the flawed speak ill?

   They say a hundred faults that are not ours.

   We are like a mirror — whoever looks into us,

   Whatever good or evil they utter is of themselves.

I pray for the well-being and both outward and inward success of all “fuqara” and the organizers of this spiritual and luminous gathering honoring Hazrat Shah Nimatollah Vali (May his secret be sanctified). I was greatly eager to attend this event in person, but as it was not possible, I assigned my noble brother, the servant of the “fuqara”, Mr. Hossein Ali Kashani Bidokhti (May God grant him success), to read this message. At the same time, I beseech God for the happiness of the pure soul of my noble brother, Hazrat Reza Ali Shah (May his secret be sanctified), who established and supported this noble initiative.