Declaration – 10 Jumada al-Thani 1437 (2016-03-20)

A Brief Declaration from His Holiness Haj Dr. Noor Ali Tabandeh, Majzoub Ali Shah
On the Occasion of Nowruz

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Praise be to God who once again granted us health and enabled us to reunite at the start of the new year. God willing, may the arrival of the new year and the Nowruz celebration be blessed for you, your friends and loved ones, all “fuqara”, and all of God's servants, and may it pass in goodness and joy.

God’s very first introduction of Himself to His servants comes with the two attributes “Rahman” (Gracious) and “Rahim” (Merciful) in the phrase بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيم . He is “Rahman” to all of creation, and “Rahim” to the believers. We too say, with God’s help and will, that we strive to improve ourselves and those in our circle of love and affection in this new year, and extend kindness to them. According to our covenant and pledge, we must express this love and compassion to all of God's creation—especially our fellow believers—and only distance ourselves from those whom He Himself has commanded us to avoid. Otherwise, we are to remain kind and patient toward everyone, and we hope to remain under the shade of God’s mercy, God willing.

Although what I am about to say has been repeated many times, I reiterate them here for reminder’s sake:

First: Just as every society needs structure and order to survive, so too must a person live within the structure ordained by God. For us, that structure is “prayer”, the pillar of religion. Prayer defines the dimensions of our blessed life and guides us in that direction. Therefore, pay attention to both the form and meaning of prayer, and perform it as instructed in the rulings of “Shari‘ah” and the manners of the “Tariqah”.

Second: Interaction and visiting with fellow believers is highly influential in both our material and spiritual lives. I urge everyone to maintain and continue these connections in accordance with religious rulings. However, in these interactions, be mindful of what is lawful and unlawful, and of the boundaries between permissible and impermissible relationships. These social interactions can be slippery paths—if directed toward divine love, they lead to results quickly, but if, God forbid, influenced by satanic interference, they can quickly lead to downfall and danger.

Third: Always be in a state of service, kindness, and forgiveness toward the believers. Try to relieve their hardships and prevent them from facing obstacles on the path of truth. As much as possible, protect them from falling into paths displeasing to God. Certainly, in this regard, you must follow the example of the elders and those who have walked the path before you, and show them proper respect. However, be careful that this respect and affection do not lead to exaggeration (“ghuluw”), as that too is a deviation from the path—just as Ali (AS) punished those who exaggerated about him. Be watchful of this danger.

Fourth: Avoid idleness and engage in lawful and productive work. Refrain from using intoxicants and prohibited substances, and not only abstain yourself but also kindly advise and encourage others to do the same. Do not forget that unemployment is one of the significant causes of addiction.

Fifth: In social and political matters, avoid the type of politics prevalent in today’s world, which is based on deceit and manipulation—what misguided people, driven by devilish intellect, refer to and act upon as politics. We always follow the politics of Ali (AS), where he is the commander and guide. Conversely, we shun the politics of his enemies and distance ourselves from it.

In conclusion, once again I congratulate everyone on the arrival of the new year. God willing, may you be successful and prosperous. And peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah, and His blessings.