Interview – 2 Safar 1441 (2019-10-01)

Transcript of the Interview with Hazrat Majzoub Ali Shah (May God sanctify his soul)
at the Residence in Bidokht

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

We greet Your Holiness and thank you for granting this opportunity to MehrTabandeh News Agency. Sir, as a humble servant, I kindly request that you return to Tehran. The medical facilities and hospitals there would provide greater comfort for you, and the “fuqara” are eagerly awaiting you.

Thank you for speaking up and acting upon it, and may God grant you continued success to act even better. In any case, I wish to be wherever I can be close to the “fuqara” and speak with them. They, too, share this desire, so it would be very good for me to be in Tehran. I had deep affection for Gonabad out of love for my homeland and wished to pass away here. That’s why I came. Gonabad was very pleasant and in line with my wishes. It’s the same house where, as a child, I used to play during the time of Hazrat Saleh Ali Shah—his youngest son. Now I’ve grown up (…) Tehran is more organized and better equipped, especially medically, so I prefer to be there in that regard. As for those who are hopeful and waiting for me—I, too, am awaiting to meet them. God willing, it will happen soon.

Question: Sir, during your time in Bidokht, have you been comfortable? Have there been any difficulties?

Answer: All the difficulties I experienced were psychological. I felt I was not free, that I was being confined. Although this feeling of lack of freedom may have been incorrect, I still had the sense that invisible hands were spinning the web of my destiny and taking control of it. Still, I have not felt unrest here at all, but I desire to be free.

Question: Are you not free in Bidokht?

Answer: The matter of freedom is an internal feeling. I am free in Bidokht, yes. But the freedom I have here is not connected to the freedom of the whole world. I feel calm now, yet it is a calm filled with longing. I constantly wish for things to improve, for restrictions to lessen, for everything I seek to be within reach—but they are not. So there is still hardship. I feel that interference in my life and destiny is happening—whether for good or bad, it doesn’t matter—it is beyond my control. And that’s when I feel my freedom is limited. But praise be to God, physically I am well, though my physical strength is weak. My body is frail, but I feel no pain.

Question: Sir, you seemed more comfortable in Tehran. Please consider returning.

Answer: I was indeed more comfortable in Tehran, but I felt far from my homeland. I am more attached to Gonabad, to Bidokht, which is my true home, in every sense. Though I had no issues in Tehran and was more at ease, I felt emotionally unsettled because I wasn’t in my homeland.

Question: So far, we have tried to follow your wishes and convey your messages precisely to the “fuqara”. Do you have a message for the community?

Answer: My message to all “fuqara” is to learn from my fate and words and always obey the command. Because divine destiny is something that will certainly manifest. So be content and pleased with divine destiny. May God always improve it. I pray—and ask you to pray—that our destiny continues to improve.

Question: Given the “fuqara”’s concerns about your health, would you kindly update us on your physical condition?

Answer: If I were sure that what I say reaches people without distortion, then it would be very good—just as it is now, relatively speaking, through this news agency. But I don’t like political media (…) Currently, my condition is not bad and I am not dissatisfied, but I ask God to be even more pleased with me.

Question: Considering the recent circumstances, what is your guidance for preventing division and discord among the “fuqara”?

Answer: “Fuqara” should follow the instructions of the honorable Sheikh to maintain peace and calm. I hope you will enjoy deep and beneficial tranquility. The honorable Sheikh—all “mashayekh” are honorable—but here, I specifically mean the person I have appointed as successor, Mr. Jazbi.

Question: Sir, are you satisfied with the “fuqara” of Bidokht and other cities, and with the representatives of the order and those with permission?

Answer: Overall, I am pleased with all the “fuqara”. May God be pleased with all of them and with me as well. I am satisfied at present. I have no specific representative. In various situations, I have appointed representatives, and they are good people. I am content with them. On the whole, I am at peace with this worldly situation and prepared to depart—and I hope they, too, are content with me.

Question: Sir, God willing, when will you return to Tehran? The “fuqara” are eagerly waiting.

Answer: I cannot give a specific time, but I am planning to return, God willing—let’s see what happens.

Question: In light of your directive forbidding the “fuqara” from traveling to Bidokht, until when should they refrain from coming?

Answer: They understand on their own. It means their frequent travels should not become a matter of concern for others, potentially provoking resentment and weakening Gonabad. They should act accordingly—and perhaps always—because Bidokht is growing richer and stronger day by day. Their visits should not cause discomfort to others. One issue is the visible gathering of “fuqara” in Bidokht. God willing, when conditions improve and relationships normalize, that concern will no longer exist. But currently, there are pressures and criticisms, so large numbers traveling here (…). We hope that Gonabad, with the population it used to have, will be more manageable so that the municipality can provide peace and comfort. And the timing of that depends on their judgment—when they see it fit, then the permission is there. There is no fixed date. They must decide for themselves.

Question: Sir, I am scheduled for major surgery tomorrow. I humbly ask for your prayers. Do you have any words for me?

Answer: I hope that your illness will be resolved through the operation. Surgery is an advanced practice in today’s world. I hope it brings you peace and relieves your suffering, God willing.

Question: Sir, please share a message for the “fuqara”.

Answer: My message to the “fuqara” is: be as though you are one. Watch over and support one another in thought and deed, God willing.

Question: Sir, please share a word of wisdom with me.

Answer: A word that apparently reflects God’s own command: everything that happens is from God’s will—whether we desire it or not. But if we pray and ask and rely on God’s greatness, (…) things become better and thus (…) are accepted, God willing. May your journey and operation be under God’s grace and bring you complete healing, God willing.

Thank you for this opportunity granted to me and to MehrTabandeh News Agency.