majlis concept

[pak]

yam to all
the thing that i had to ask that why we pay for majlis(for every majlis)
what the real concept behind paying rupees
everybody is invited to share his/her view

[kmaherali]

This matter has been discussed under:

Doctrines -> Silly response from an Alwaezer.

You may want to refer to it.

[alinizar313]

yam to all
the thing that i had to ask that why we pay for majlis(for every majlis)
what the real concept behind paying rupees
everybody is invited to share his/her view

It is pity that we are worried about the paying of money for majalis. But have we ever thought of the importance of majalis in esoteric dimension?

[shamsu]

The fact is that when we do baiyat of the Imam we give him everything that is ours. Our word, our body and our ruh. So every penny that we earn, using any of the above three, belongs to the Imam anyway.

[sheri]

So what about the people who cant afford it, shouldnt they be a part of the majlis. I have always seen well to do people. Any opinions about that.

[kmaherali]

So what about the people who cant afford it, shouldnt they be a part of the majlis. I have always seen well to do people. Any opinions about that.

My thoughts on this matter are as under.

- First of all the amounts that are set for membership today are in no comparison in real terms to the amounts set when the Mandlis were established. For example 5000 rupees in those days is perhaps equivalent to at least $100,000 today. But that kind of amount is not mentioned today. It is within the reach of almost everyone at least in the Western World to be a member of the Mandlis (even those on welfare!). So I do not feel that money is an issue.

- It would be unfair for HazarImam to impose this additional burden upon murids who do not have the means to do it. Mind you it is not just about attending mijlases, there is an extra commitment of time and other resources that is also required.

- For me it is more important to be regular in Dasond and Dua and earning an honest livelihood and thereby enjoy the Batuni Deedar of HazarImam than being in these Mandlis. The following is what Mowlana Sultan Muhammad Shah said about Iranian and Syrian Ismailis."They have neither heard my Firmans nor have they had my Zaheri Didar; but they always have my Batuni Didar and never follow the path of the devil."

Mandlis are only an aspect of the Khoja Ismailis. They are not part of the other Jamats. Therefore they are not that important.

[sheri]

I totally agree with what you said but dont you think this money business creates a gap between the poor and the rich. Like just put yourself in a poor guys shoes who cant afford it. Now the majlis follows regular jamat khana times and people who are not in it are supposed to leave. And i think everyone knows such majlisis exist. Now if you put yourself in the poor guys shoes who cant afford to be in that majlis, dont you think he will feel isolated and left out and he will think its not fair. I know he has many other duties such as dasond and prayers but dont you think he would want to know what happens in that majlis, wont he be confused to the fact that it is a religious thing, then why are there special majlises for people who are rich, just because they are rich and i am not allowed because i cant afford it. There are people in eastern countries who dont even make 3000-4000 rupees in a month. I am looking at it from the point of view of that poor person so i would appreciate it if i get a more logical answer. Keeping in mind the effect it has on such people. ( Havent ever asked a poor person but just using my imagination if i was in that situation).

[kmaherali]

There are people in eastern countries who dont even make 3000-4000 rupees in a month.

The amont set for different countries is I believe different depending on the income levels and circumstances.

[star_munir]

Those who have lot of money serves Imam by money. Those who are poor serve Imam by tan and man not by dhan so it is not sin on them why they are not serving Imam by giving their wealth. It is not obligatory but those who are rich should serve Imam with their dhan [money,wealth] also.
Dasond is obligatory but it is not obligatory to be a part of each and every majlis for every ismaili and it is haddeth that Amal ka daromadar neeyat per hai. If you have true desire to serve Imam and you have not money than Imam will accept your khidmat even if you are not going in that majlis you will get reward if you believe that Imam knows every thing. Those who are member of any majlis but dont go there for the purpose of serving Imam or making Him happy or for spiritual progress but go for their friends, for showing that they are rich and this and that than there is not any advantage for him or her.

[shamsu]

Money is only one of the ways to enter the mandali majlises. You can always serve the Imam for 50 years and get into Life majalis, give your life to protect him and get into another higher mandali. Attain Noorani Deedar and attain an even higher mandali.
Then there is the concept of increasing the dasond percentage to enter higher barakat mandali's. Dasond is not only money. This is very important to understand.
Abualy Missionary was granted life majalis membership by Imam without money.
My aunt was also granted majalis memberships for her service to the Imam.
There was once a gentleman who did nandi for Darkhana jamatkhana for decades and Imam granted him freedon from the first dua for the rest of his life.

There was once a Kamadia saheb of the Jamat in Bombay during the time of Imam Hasanaly Shah.
Imam forgave him dasond for the rest of his life.
(This was during the time of varas Ismail Gangji)

So its up to us do the sevice literally or pay for it.

Shams

[kmaherali]

Dasond is not only money.
So its up to us do the sevice literally or pay for it.

Shams

Services that are referred to in Mandlis are above and beyond your obligatory duties. Only the Imam can determine whether a service is a substitute of Dasond or can forgive it. It is not up to us to make that kind of choice.

[adnan.ali]

Eji tan man dhan Gur kun, arapan kije,
To ginan-e ginan-e ginana ab to rahem karo ge...

When we are entered in a majlis. It is according to our own will. So we physically (by attending the majlis regularily), mentally(by ibaadat and devotion) and economically(by paying the fee of majils) render our selves to Hazar Imam as Imam SMS said o­n o­ne occation (not the exacts words). You must love the Ali and his aal (desendents) more that your live, money, your children and family...Thats the Complete Emaan (faith).

[skaswani]

Ya Ali madad


1) A brother rightly said that when we give bayat, we actually mean that your Dhan(Money) , Maan ( our Heart/Life) is for moula, so I see no problem if a person pay money to get into any majalis.


2) Majalis are optional , that mean who can have that ability to serve will serve, everyone can’t and one we can’t should understand that his niyat is to serve moula, and as per Quran “every act acceptance is based on Nayat”

3) in a way people should be feel motivated that if they want to be near to moula they should earn more , in right ways, and don’t spend in bad hobbits and invest in the way of Lord!.

I remember there is a Ginan also which mention that … “people spend a lot, and they spend a few on Dharam, but that a few amount has more value then what ever we earn/spend on your self”

[kmaherali]

Ya Ali madad

I remember there is a Ginan also which mention that … “people spend a lot, and they spend a few on Dharam, but that a few amount has more value then what ever we earn/spend on your self”

e sabhaagaa khaadhaa so khaadhaa peetaa so peetaa
detaa sohee parmaann sabhaagaa........................4

O fortunate one, whatever is eaten is eaten and whatever is drunk is drunk(i.e. it is consumed). Only that which you give(as charity) will be regarded as of substance(in the hereafter), fortunate one.