Declaration – 29 Sha‘ban 1446 (2025-02-28)

Declaration from His Holiness, Engineer Haj Sayyid Alireza Jazbi, Sabet Ali Shah
On the Occasion of the Blessed Month of Ramadan 1446 AH

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شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ
(Quran, 2:185)
Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the decisive authority. So whoever is present this month, let them fast

I extend heartfelt congratulations to all Muslims around the world, especially the Twelver Shi‘a—and in particular the “fuqara” of the noble Ni‘matullahi Gonabadi Order who have pledged allegiance to the “wilayah” and “imamat” of the Fourteen Infallibles (AS)—on the arrival of the blessed month of Ramadan, the month of Qur’anic revelation. From the depths of my heart, I pray to God for increased success in worship and acts of devotion for everyone, especially during these sacred days.

This year, Ramadan also coincides with the Solar New Year and ancient Nowruz—a legacy of Zoroaster (AS) and a cultural inheritance of our pure Iranian ancestors—which symbolizes both national and religious unity shared with many communities. It has been said that life becomes sweet when “thoughts, words, and deeds are righteous.” May the “fuqara” strive in righteous behavior, speech, and action to attain the pleasure of God. On this occasion, we raise our hands in prayer and say:

O Transformer of hearts and eyes

O Manager of night and day

O Transformer of years and states

Transform our condition to the best of conditions

رَبَّنَا أَنزِلْ عَلَيْنَا مَائِدَةً مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ تَكُونُ لَنَا عِيدًا لِّأَوَّلِنَا وَآخِرِنَا وَآيَةً مِّنكَ وَارْزُقْنَا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ
(Quran, 5:114)
O our Lord, send down to us a table [spread with food] from the heavens to be for us a festival—for the first of us and the last of us—and a sign from You; and provide for us, for You are the best of providers.
  1. As per established tradition and the directives of our elders, “fuqara” are required to perform the noon and afternoon prayers in congregation daily at 3:30 p.m. in the Husayniyyas throughout Ramadan, followed by Qur’anic recitation. The “faqr” gatherings on Monday and Friday nights will take place immediately after the Qur’anic session on Sunday and Thursday, respectively. There will be no Friday pre-dawn (“sahar”) or morning sessions during Ramadan. All gatherings should conclude early enough to allow attendees to return home in time for iftar.
    Make sure the Quran is recited with reflection to gain deeper spiritual benefits. During the nights of this sacred month, engage in worship, contemplate past shortcomings, and turn to God in repentance, as the Quran says: تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ (Quran, 24:31 - Turn to Allah in repentance all together, O believers, so that you may be successful). If you seek this sincerely, God’s mercy and forgiveness—which surpass all things—will embrace you. Repentance is a gateway to Paradise that remains forever open to all.
    During Qur’anic sessions, one person—under the guidance of the authorized teacher—should lead the recitation so others can follow and learn the correct pronunciation. Those who are illiterate or unfamiliar with recitation may quietly repeat after the leader to gradually improve with God’s help.
    Sisters attending should remain behind partitions and strictly observe proper Islamic hijab and modesty.
  2. On the 6th of Ramadan, a memorial will be held at 8:00 a.m. at the home of this servant in honor of the late beloved of the friends of God, Hazrat Haj Ali Agha Tabandeh, Mahboub Ali Shah [may his secret be sanctified]. A commemorative session will also be held that evening in the Husayniyyas after prayers and Qur’anic recitation.
  3. From the 18th to the 23rd of Ramadan, mourning sessions will be held in all Husayniyyas after daily prayers and Qur’anic recitation to mark the martyrdom of Hazrat Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (AS).
  4. On the 19th, 20th, and 21st of Ramadan, special mourning and supplication gatherings will take place at this servant’s home at 8:00 a.m. Night vigils (“Ahya”) will be held on the 19th, 21st, and 23rd after Maghrib and ‘Isha prayers at 9:00 p.m. in the Husayniyyas, following previous years’ customs.
  5. On the morning of Eid al-Fitr, the Eid prayer will be held at 8:00 a.m. in the Haeri Husayniyya.
  6. Due to the overlap with the early days of the Solar New Year, there will be no public gatherings in the Husayniyya for the first three days of the new year.

It is hoped that, as mentioned, on Friday and Monday nights the “fuqara” will disengage from worldly affairs and devote themselves to remembrance, reflection, reading mystical texts with attentiveness, and performing prayers on time, thereby drawing spiritual benefit and strengthening their faith.

O my God, deal with us by Your grace and do not deal with us by Your justice. By Your mercy, O Most Merciful of the merciful.