Letter – dated 21 Dhu al-Qa‘dah 1375 (1956-06-30)

Letter from His Holiness Haj Sheikh Mohammad Hasan Bichareh Bidokhti Gonabadi, Saleh Ali Shah
to Mr. Abdulwahhab Moslehi Taleqani

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I respectfully submit: Your letter has arrived. I pray for the increase of your faith-based love and success in remembrance and contemplation, with eagerness and a sense of need. The response to the matters you wrote was already given at the beginning, but it seems you may not have fully grasped it. Therefore, I repeat it here as a reminder.

Worship of anyone other than God is not permissible; worship is exclusively for the pure essence of the Divine. We say: إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ (“You alone we worship.”). Prostration is also not allowed for any being other than God. However, prostration of gratitude for any blessing—especially for the blessing of faith and guidance to the straight path—is commendable. Outside of the daily obligatory prayers, facing the qibla is not a condition, and it has been particularly emphasized that this is to correct one’s intention and avoid any false conceptions. In prayer, directing one’s attention to any form or image and engaging in worship is impermissible and constitutes disbelief or polytheism. However, being mindful before beginning the prayer—of whose example one is following and by whose guidance one is acting—is not problematic.

In worldly matters and needs as well, reliance and trust must not be placed in anyone other than God. The state of إِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِين (“You alone we seek help from.”) must be firmly established. God willing, with the state of seeking intercession and supplication, such needs may be fulfilled. Please convey my greetings to the brothers, especially Mr. Ranjbar whom you mentioned.