Niyaz- Abe Safa

[shamsu]

There is no need to discard the great traditions of our faith. There is every need to adapt and invigorate them in the light of the quite altered circumstances of today. [Speech 12 Feb. 1958]

-- Aga Khan IV

[altaf_rupani_1]

Re: CHANDRAT (NEW MOON)
===================

Quran reveals:

Al-Baqara - 2
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189) They ask thee concerning the new moons. Say: they are but signs to mark fixed periods of time in (the affairs of) men and for pilgrimage. It is no virtue if ye enter your houses from the back; it is virtue if ye fear Allah. Enter houses through the proper doors
and fear Allah that ye may prosper.

Al-Tirmidhi - 368 - Narrated Talhah ibn Ubaydullah - Transmitted by Tirmidhi.
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On seeing a new moon, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would supplicate: Allah, do Thou cause the appearance of this moon to be a harbinger of peace, faith, security and Islam for us. Thy Lord, O moon, and mine is Allah. May this be a moon presaging guidance and good.

Al-Tirmidhi - 763 - Narrated Talhah ibn Ubaydullah [Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a hasan gharib tradition.]
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When the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw the new moon he said, "O Allah, make the new moon rise on us with security, faith, safety and Islam. My Lord and Your Lord is Allah."

Fiqh-us-Sunnah - 4.127C
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'Abdallah b.'Umar reported that when the Prophet, peace be upon him, saw moon he would say, "Allah is the Greatest! O Allah, make it shine upon us in peace, faith, security, safety, and with the power to do what You love and are pleased with! O moon! Your Lord and our Lord is Allah." (At-Tabarani)

Qatadah reported that when the Prophet, peace be upon him, saw the moon, he would say, "You are the new moon of goodness and guidance, the new moon of goodness and guidance. I believe in Allah Who created you." He said this three times. And then he would add, "Praise be to Allah Who caused such and such month to go by in this manner and brought another month (which he named)." This is reported by Abu Daw 'ud.

[altaf_rupani_1]

At-Tauba - 9
103) Of their wealth take alms, that so thou mightest purify and sanctify them; and pray on their behalf. Verily thy prayers are a source of security for them: and Allah is one who heareth and knoweth.
[alms, inter alia, means contribution, offering, charity, etc.]

Other Translation

At-Tauba - 9
Take alms of their wealth wherewith thou mayst purify them and mayst make them grow, and pray for them. Lo! thy prayer is an assuagement for them. Allah is Hearer, Knower.

Quran reveals that as per Allah's instruction, the Holy Prophet Muhammad used to take alms or contribution or offering from His followers and used to pray for those giving alms or contribution or offering out of their wealth. Quran also reveals giving alms from one's wealth purifies the person and the concerned person gets blessed by such acts.
[alms, inter alia, means contribution, offering, charity, etc.]

The Ismailis may note from the above and from verses of the the Quran appearing hereinbelow the benefits for giving dasond, contribution, charity, assistance, offering to God.

At-Tauba - 9
53) Say: Pay (your contribution), willingly or unwillingly, it will not be accepted from you. Lo! ye were ever froward folk.
[froward, inter alia, mean disobedent]

54) The only reasons why their contributions are not accepted are: that they reject Allah and His apostle; that they come to prayer without earnestness; and that they offer contributions unwillingly.


The aforesaid, inter alia, clearly reveals that if contributions paid were not willingly or person paying the contribution rejected Allah and His apostle - the contributions were not accepted by Allah. It is clear that, in such a case, there is no benefit to a person who makes contribution in such a way.

Quran also reveals that:

At-Tauba (Repentance) or Baraat (Immunity) - (IX)
104) Know they not that Allah doth accept repentance from His votaries and receives their gifts of charity, and that Allah is verily He, the Oft-Returning, Most Merciful?

other translation

At-Tauba - 104
9) Know they not that Allah is He Who accepteth repentance from His bondmen and taketh the alms, and that Allah is He Who is the Relenting, the Merciful.
[It is to be noted that "alms", inter alia, also mean donation, assistance, charity, goodwill, etc.]

Quran also reveals God asks for all the good things (honorably) earned including eatables [In this regard, Ismailis uses the term Memani to all the goods things (honorably) earned and brought in the Jamatkhana]:

Al-Baqara - 2
267) O ye who believe! give of the good things which ye have (honorably) earned and of the fruits of the earth which We have produced for you and do not even aim at anything which is bad, out of it ye may give away something, when ye yourselves would not receive it except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is free of all wants and worthy of all praise.

Al-Anam - 6
141) It is He who produceth gardens with trellises and without and dates and tilth with produce of all kinds and olives and pomegranates similar (in kind) and different (in variety): eat of their fruit in their season but render the dues that are proper on the day that the harvest is gathered. But waste not by excess: for Allah loveth not the wasters.

Sahih Al-Bukhari - 2.521 - Narrated Aisha
The Prophet said, "When a woman gives in charity from her house meals in Allah's Cause without spoiling her husband's property, she will get a reward for it, and her husband will also get the reward for his earnings and the storekeeper will get a reward likewise."

The following hadiths reveals that all the good things (honorably) earned given were then sold off :

Sahih Al-Bukhari - 2.566 - Narrated Abdullah bin Umar
Umar bin Al-Khattab gave a horse in charity in Allah's cause and later he saw it being sold in the market and intended to purchase it. Then he went to the Prophet and asked his permission. The Prophet said, "Do not take back what you have given in charity." For this reason, Ibn 'Umar never purchased the things which he had given in charity, and in case he had purchased something (unknowingly) he would give it in charity again.


Sahih Al-Bukhari - 2.567 - Narrated Umar
Once I gave a horse in Allah's cause (in charity) but that person did not take care of it. I intended to buy it, as I thought he would sell it at a low price. So, I asked the Prophet (p.b.u.h) about it. He said, "Neither buy, nor take back your alms which you have given, even if the seller were willing to sell it for one Dirham, for he who takes back his alms is like the one who swallows his own vomit."


Sahih Al-Bukhari - 4.214 - Narrated Umar bin Al Khattab
I gave a horse to be used in Allah's cause, but later on I saw it being sold. I asked the Prophet whether I could buy it. He said, "Don't buy it and don't take back your gift of charity."

Quran also reveals that Allah used to ask for a beautiful loan:

Al-Baqara - 2
245) Who is he that will loan to Allah a beautiful loan which Allah will double unto his credit and multiply many times? It is Allah that giveth (you) want or plenty and to Him shall be your return.

Al-Hadid - 57
11) Who is he that will loan to Allah a beautiful Loan? For (Allah) will increase it manifold to his credit and he will have (besides) a generous reward.

18) For those who give in Charity, men and women, and loan to Allah a Beautiful Loan it shall be increased manifold (to their credit) and they shall have (besides) a generous reward.

At-Tagabun - 64
17) If you lend to Allah a beautiful loan, He will double it for you and He will grant you Forgiveness: for Allah is All-Thankful Most Forbearing.

It is significant to note that Quran reveals Allah used to ask for loan from the Children of Israel :

Al-Maida - 5
12) Allah did aforetime take a Covenant from the Children of Israel and We appointed twelve captains among them and Allah said: "I am with you: if ye (but) establish regular prayers pay Zakat believe in My apostles honor and assist them, and loan to Allah a beautiful loan, verily I will wipe out from you your evils and admit you to gardens with rivers flowing beneath; but if any of you after this resisteth faith he hath truly wandered from the path of rectitude."

Quran also reveals that payment is a mean for drawing the followers nearer to Allah and obtaining the prayers of the apostle:

At-Tauba - 9
99) But some of the desert Arabs believe in Allah and the Last Day, and look on their payments as a means of drawing them nearer to Allah and obtaining the prayers of the apostle. Indeed, closer they shall be brought: soon Allah will admit them to His mercy. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.


It is significant to note that Quran reveals Zakat is also payable to Allah :
:
Al-Muzzammil, or Folded in Garments (LXXIII)
20) === and establish regular prayer and give zakat; and loan to Allah a Beautiful Loan. And whatever good ye send forth for yourselves, ye shall find it with Allah. Yea, better and greater, in Reward, and seek ye the Grace of Allah: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

[Quran reveals Zakat is payable to Allah possibly because only God knows who are the actual beneficiaries of the Zakat and so the result is 100% right, more so, because according to the traditions a poor person is not the one who begs but who is in need and his conditions is not known to others. To make things clear, refer the following hadith:

Sahih Al-Bukhari - 2.557 - Narrated Abu Huraira
Allah's Apostle said, "The poor person is not the one who goes round the people and ask them for a mouthful or two (of meals) or a date or two but the poor is that who has not enough (money) to satisfy his needs and whose condition is not known to others, that others may give him something in charity, and who does not beg of people."

Sahih Al-Bukhari - 554 - Narrated Abu Huraira
The Prophet said, "The poor person is not the one who asks a morsel or two (of meals) from the others, but the poor is the one who has nothing and is ashamed to beg from others."]


An-Naml - 27
1) Ta Sin. These are verses of the Qur'an a Book that makes (things) clear;
2) A Guide; and Glad Tidings for the Believers
3) Those who establish regular prayers and give Zakat and also have (full) assurance of the Hereafter.


The Quran and Hadith also reveals that Allah is also entitled for one-fifth of the war booty (Khumus) :

Al-Anfal
41) And know that out of all the booty that ye may acquire (in war) a fifth share is assigned to Allah and to the apostle and to near relatives orphans the needy and the wayfarer if ye do believe in Allah and in the revelation We sent down to Our servant on the day of testing the day of the meeting of the two forces. For Allah hath power over all things.

Sahih Al-Bukhari - 4.713 - Narrated Ibn Abbas
The delegates of 'Abd-ul-Qais came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! We are from the tribe of Rabi'a and the infidels of Mudar tribe stand between us and you, so that we cannot come to you except in the Sacred Months. Therefore we would like you to give us some instructions which we may follow and convey to our people staying behind us." The Prophet said, "I order you to observe four things and forbid you (to do) four things: (I order you) to believe in Allah testifying that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah; to offer the prayer perfectly; to pay the Zakat; and to give one-fifth of the war booty to Allah. And I forbid you to use Ad-Dubba, Al-Hantam, An-Naqir and Al-Muzaffat." (These are names of utensils in which alcoholic drinks were served.)


As can be seen from the above, God has asked contributions in various forms including Khumus and loans and it appears because God used to ask such contribution there were people who used to say "God is poor while we are rich":

Al-i'Imran - 3
181) God has indeed heard the saying of those who said "Behold, God is poor while we are rich!" We shall record what they have said, as well as their slaying of prophets against all right, and we shall say: "Taste suffering through fire

[t4tak3lo]

How is regular niaz different from Hazar Imam jo hath jo niaz?

[sofiya]

How is regular niaz different from Hazar Imam jo hath jo niaz?

A very good question Adil!

[_thaillestlunatic_]

they both contain the same noor so I would think they are both the same just my opinion.

[kmaherali]

they both contain the same noor so I would think they are both the same just my opinion.

Absolutely, there is the same Noor in either case. However on special occassions the Imam wishes to share the Barakat of the occassion with the Jamat and Niaz is one of the ways of doing it. It also makes a murid feel that he participated in the occassion inspite of not being there physically.

[t4tak3lo]

Thank you, your explaination made a lot of sense.

One more question for you though. The niaz that is given out in JK normally, isn't that originally Hazar Imam jo hath jo niaz that has just been "replenished" over and over? Or has water been blessed to make niaz by the mukhi kamadia on behalf of HI?

Thanks again.


Adil

[kmaherali]

Thank you, your explaination made a lot of sense.

One more question for you though. The niaz that is given out in JK normally, isn't that originally Hazar Imam jo hath jo niaz that has just been "replenished" over and over?

You are welcome! Yes I believe that the niaz is being "replenished" over and over.

Or has water been blessed to make niaz by the mukhi kamadia on behalf of HI?

Thanks again.


Adil

I believe that the Mukhi or Kamadia say prayers over water for Chhaanta ceremony but niaz is "replenished".

[Akbar(Khan)]

There is a lamp on the right side of the table of the ghatpaat . It
must be lit before the ceremony commences. It is the symbol of the Noor
in the House of the Noor of Imamate, the jamatkhana. It is the symbol
of the Lamp that Allah mentions in the Holy Quran. It is the symbol of
thr ''sirajim Munirah''. illuminating lamp [Mohammed], mentioned in the
Holy Quran.

Symbolically it depicts a momin's presence in paradise at the pool of
kauser where Mowla Ali is distributing the holy water. Next to him is
the holy prophet showering blessings upon each of the lucky ones. The
paradise is all bright with the Light of Ali and Nabi, the Noor of
Allah. Symbolically a jamatkhana is paradise on the earth in which the
Noor of Ali and the Noor of Mohammed dwell perpetually. There is the
pool of kauser, the Bowl of the ghatpaat from which the momineen drink
niaz under the Light [Lamp] and then get the blessing of Mohammed in the
form of 'sukreet'. consecrated food containing a secret message. Thus
our pirs had lit a lamp at the ghatpaat ceremony with a purpose and
significance. In scores of our ginans we read the word joth or jiyot,
meaning Light or Noor. Pir satgur Noor had kindled it a thousand years
ago in the guth jamat in India.

Holy pir Sadruddin has referred this lamp in his ginan:

jirey vahala joth jagadi ne jumlo ji betha
[O dear The jamat has kindled the Lamp of Noor]

[kinnare786]

there are distinct  faramins of  Sms o­n this subject  which can be considered as final say o­n this topic . faramin from jangbar 1899 ' tame abeshafa hamesha piyo cho, so varas sudhi pidhu hazar varas sudhi pidhu pan teni maina samajiya  nahi hasho. teni sekdo maina che, paheli a che ke ake kumbhmathi das jana sathe abeshafa piye to moto faidoa che ke tamo saf dilthi rahesho ane tamne ghanoj faido thase vari abeshfa piti vera ane dua vakhate tame potana haqma bhalu icho to ghano faido thai potana karta je potana din bhaiona haqma dua mange to vadhare faido thai -----

[kmaherali]

There is a related thread:

Rites and Ceremonies --> An Interpretation of the Ghat Paat Ceremony

http://www.ismaili.net/html/modules.php ... =ghat+paat