Giriyazari tasbhi

[layla]

Source: Jamati Satada write-up by Rashidabai Hunzai

In our tariqah the daily congregational prayers in the Jamatkhana are concise and follow a set routine. One important feature is the Giryah-u zari tasbih which we recite between the two Du'as. This tasbih is offered in a standing position. It has some similar supplications and words as the tasbihs recited by the Mukhi Kamadia Sahebs at the end of the two Du'as. However, the Giryah-u Zari tasbih fulfils a particular need and purpose. This is indicated by its name as well as the standing position in which it is offered.


Giryah-u zari comes from two Persian words: giristan, which means to weep and Zaridan, which means to consider oneself weak and feeble. Thus, this tasbih is recited with the utmost humility and a strong feelings of indigence or need. According to the Holy Qur'an, such prayer was the tradition of the Prophets. In Sura 19, ayat 58, Allah speaks about the Prophets and says : "Whenever the revelations of Ar-Rahman were recited to them, they fell down prostrating and weeping".

We believe that Prophets are role models and, therefore, we follow their way of prayer and supplication. In this, as well as other tasbihs, we pray particularly for zahiri and batini Nurani Didar. Mawlana Mustansirbillah II narrates a very moving story about the Giryah-u zari of Prophet Yahya or John the Baptist in the book,"Pir Pandiyate Jawanmardi".

Prophet Yahya used to weep much during his supplications, so one day Allah sent Hazrat Jibrail to ask him why he was crying so much. Was he yearning for Paradise or was he afraid of the fire of Hell." Hazrat Yahya replied that neither greed for Paradise nor the fear of Hell motivated him. He simply and purely yearned for Didar. Hazrat Jibrail returned and said "O Yahya, Allah says that if you are crying for Didar, then never stop".

This narration demonstrates that to achieve Nurani Didar requires total humility, complete purification of soul and absolute self-effacement.

Mawlana Sultan Muhhamad Shah ( a.s.) in his Farman of 1889 at Dar-es-salaam also
said that a mu'min should cry for Didar just like a child separated from its mother.

Giryah-u Zari is a prayer that is recited standing up because we are supplicating for our physical and spiritual need through the intercession of the Imam of the time.

Giryah-u Zari tasbih also includes mushkil asaan tasbih everyday and sometimes satada bakshamani and occasionally satada sthapna tasbih. These various tasbihs are requested by members of the Jamat who face difficulties.

Mushkil asaan tasbih is for everyday problems, whereas the satada bakshmamani and sthapna are usually for more serious problems. The common denominator is the importance and attached to congregational prayer on behalf of any mu'min who is undergoing difficulties. In Islam collective prayer is very effective and gives great succour and strength to spiritual brothers or sisters in their trials.

Another important feature of the Giryah-u zari tasbih is that every Jamat around the world recites it every morning and evening. Since we all live in different time zones, it means that throughout the twenty-four hour span, there is a Jamat somewhere, which is offering prayers for the sake of the global spiritual brother and sisterhood.

Source: Jamati Stada - write-up by R. Hunzai)