Declaration – 6 Muharram 1440 (2018-09-16)

Instruction from His Holiness Haj Dr. Noor Ali Tabandeh, Majzoub Ali Shah
to the Pilgrims of Bidokht

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Following the instruction issued by His Holiness Haj Sultan Hossein Tabandeh Reza Ali Shah (May his secret be sanctified), and at the request of dear brothers and sisters to observe and follow that guidance, I present the following reminders to all respected visitors to Bidokht, in the hope that they will be taken to heart.

I remember a time before the current marble gravestone was installed on the tomb of His Holiness Sultan Ali Shah (May his secret be sanctified), when every day, His Holiness Saleh Ali Shah (May his secret be sanctified) would come to the shrine, supervising the engraving of the stone and saying: “I am the servant of this shrine.” Now that there are four shrines instead of one, we must all consider ourselves servants of this holy place and of the devotees who come here. Fulfilling this spiritual duty calls for putting the following into practice:

1. The Kowsar Courtyard has been constructed for the comfort of honored visitors who come for pilgrimage. The intended period for visitation is three days, or ten days if explicitly planned. Therefore, please do not remain in the rooms longer than three days unless a ten-day stay was prearranged. Any longer stay must be specifically authorized by those in charge.
2. Room furnishings are provided to you in good condition. Please take care to use them respectfully and return all items clean and intact upon departure. Leaving rooms messy or unclean reflects poorly on guests and creates extra burden for the attendants, making it difficult to accommodate all visitors properly.
3. According to the fatwa of His Holiness Sultan Ali Shah (May his secret be sanctified), the use of narcotics—especially by “fuqara” who follow his teachings—is forbidden (haram). This prohibition applies everywhere and at all times. Refrain from all such prohibited substances at all times, especially within the shrine and in Bidokht. Violation of this in sacred space or sacred time is even more sinful. Strive not to commit any forbidden (or even discouraged) acts during your stay at Kowsar Courtyard. Let it be, in reality, a paradise of love and purity.
4. In the noble Shari‘a of Islam, much emphasis is placed on praying at the earliest time—especially the dawn and sunset prayers. At the shrine, by blessed custom, the spiritually moving sound of supplication and then the call to prayer (adhan) is broadcast before dawn, awakening and preparing visitors. After rising for the dawn prayer, try not to go back to sleep, as wakefulness between dawn and sunrise brings both material and spiritual blessings. If sleep is needed, rest inside the rooms. Sleeping in the courtyard or public pathways—especially at sunrise—is inappropriate. Shrine attendants are instructed to remind visitors of this as needed.
5. Respected sisters coming for pilgrimage to Bidokht should be accompanied by their mahram relatives or stay in shared rooms with other women. Especially for young women, traveling alone is not appropriate.
6. Upon arrival, present your identification to the attendants for recordkeeping of your arrival date and name. Please assist the attendants in all service-related matters.
7. Those who wish to perform services as an honor should do so under the supervision and direction of the official attendants of the shrine. Do not take actions independently, as this may complicate the attendants’ responsibilities. Organization of the shrine and its courtyards is managed by the attendants; visitors must not interfere.
8. The Kowsar Courtyard is like a home for the visitors and must offer peace to all. Be mindful while walking and carrying out any activity to avoid disturbing the peace of others—especially the women. Sisters must also observe full Islamic hijab within the courtyard, which is considered a public area. The rooms, however, are private to each group of visitors. All guests must keep their rooms and entryways clean to avoid causing complaints from others.
9. If you have suggestions to improve the management of the shrine, kindly share them with the attendants in a friendly and respectful manner—not as commands. If it is urgent, you may write it down and submit it for proper review.
10. Please give full attention to reminders from the attendants. Their guidance comes from devotion to the order, respect for the shrine, and a sincere desire to fulfill their duty. Cooperate with them in this spirit.
11. Since the attendants are responsible for serving and assisting visitors and ensuring proper adherence to this guidance, please help them in their duties. The shrine attendants are also expected to respect all guests and maintain their dignity. However, if a violation is observed, they will offer a reminder to preserve the sanctity of the site. If the guest does not heed the reminder, the shrine’s administrative office is authorized by me to instruct them to cease improper behavior—and if the behavior persists, to ask them to leave the shrine and courtyard promptly.