I am sort of wondering about what I heared in Jamat Khana the other day...Kamadia Saheb announced that there are some Lost and Found items in Jamat Khana and it is requested to the Jamat to claim those items in two weeks or so or else those items will be done as Nandi...
and I was like...What?? Lost and Found to the Nandi??
Traditionally, Nandi is or should be the best of the bests of what murids can bring to the Mowla...to show his/her heart and love for Him. while Lost and Found is typically the lowest unwanted crap anyways...if nobody claims that, trash it or send that to Salvation army...not to the Lord of the Lords.
Lost and Found in Jamat Khana
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Mehreen1221
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Re: Lost and Found in Jamat Khana
Nandi is derived from the Arabic word 'Nada' - auction, though in our tradition it has acquired a special religious significance of the 'auction of the best of devotion'.Mehreen1221 wrote: Traditionally, Nandi is or should be the best of the bests of what murids can bring to the Mowla...to show his/her heart and love for Him. while Lost and Found is typically the lowest unwanted crap anyways...if nobody claims that, trash it or send that to Salvation army...not to the Lord of the Lords.
All our karsaji regardless of the source, is all channelled to beneficial causes anyway.....
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Mehreen1221
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kmaherali,
So religious significance is what matters to us...which, as you said about Nandi in Jamat Khana, is the 'auction of the best of devotion'...not what the literal meaning of Nandi and where ever and whichever language it derived from...(of course everything is derived from somewhere)...
so where is the best of the devotion in Lost and Found?
I think, Lost and Found IS NOT and could not be Karsaji...and traditionally Nandi's primary purpose is not the beneficial causes to the jamat through auction...it could be the secondary though, after Nandi is presented and accepted in the House of the Mowla.
I feel kinda offended by knowing that some 'not so special from the heart" as lost and found in something that meant to be special and best of devotion to the Mowla as Nandi...Nandi is not just the charity. C'mon, have some class and give the dignity to our religious tradition Nandi.
So religious significance is what matters to us...which, as you said about Nandi in Jamat Khana, is the 'auction of the best of devotion'...not what the literal meaning of Nandi and where ever and whichever language it derived from...(of course everything is derived from somewhere)...
so where is the best of the devotion in Lost and Found?
I think, Lost and Found IS NOT and could not be Karsaji...and traditionally Nandi's primary purpose is not the beneficial causes to the jamat through auction...it could be the secondary though, after Nandi is presented and accepted in the House of the Mowla.
I feel kinda offended by knowing that some 'not so special from the heart" as lost and found in something that meant to be special and best of devotion to the Mowla as Nandi...Nandi is not just the charity. C'mon, have some class and give the dignity to our religious tradition Nandi.
ya ali madad......with due respect its the word that has been misunderstood.........mehmani u take to khane is the best of best, whats done to that is mukhisahebs decetion,Nandi on the other hand is auction ...could be anything......lamps,old carpets or the mamani u send......and then again are u concern what happens to it,your true intentions ........giving the best of the best....once in khane it could even be given away to needy......should not be ur concern
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Mehreen1221
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aknak,
Do you have any references or proofs to back up the idea that Nandi can be anything like old carpets, jewelry, clothing and other used, lost and found items?
My understanding is that, at least in principle, either Nandi and/or Mehmani is supposed to be with the best of intention and devotion to the Mowla...it does not matter if it is cheap or expensive in material value but it definitely should not be used, leftover, unwanted or unintentional as that will be considered as unworthy or pitiful...
BTW, does anyone have an acurate account or background of the start of Nandi or Mehmani Tradition? I've heared somethings as it started during Hazrat Imam Hassan Ali Shah's time in Bombay, India but I am not assured.
and of course, in Jamat Khana Mukhi Saheb is the Boss [physically], after the Imam.
Do you have any references or proofs to back up the idea that Nandi can be anything like old carpets, jewelry, clothing and other used, lost and found items?
My understanding is that, at least in principle, either Nandi and/or Mehmani is supposed to be with the best of intention and devotion to the Mowla...it does not matter if it is cheap or expensive in material value but it definitely should not be used, leftover, unwanted or unintentional as that will be considered as unworthy or pitiful...
BTW, does anyone have an acurate account or background of the start of Nandi or Mehmani Tradition? I've heared somethings as it started during Hazrat Imam Hassan Ali Shah's time in Bombay, India but I am not assured.
and of course, in Jamat Khana Mukhi Saheb is the Boss [physically], after the Imam.
NANDI
'NANDI' is derived from the Arabic word 'NAADA' which means 'Calling Out'. It is a 'calling out' for buyers.
Thar-Sufro, Mehmani offered to Mowlana Hazar Imam in the form of food, fruit or any other form, and given away by sale in the Jamat is Nandi.
Nandi is an old Islamic practice.
When Zakat (Religious Tax) was paid in kind, our Holy Prophet Muhammad and Hazrat Mowla Ali used to offer these things by sale.
Thar-Sufro, Mehmani and other offerings are sold out in the like manner among the Jamat and this is called NANDI.
http://sun.ismaili.net/re/page53.html
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MEHMANI
The meaning of 'MEHMANI' is 'An offering made to Mowlana Hazar Imam'.
The offering,we Ismailis make to our Imam-e-Zaman,is a humble token of our love and devotion we have for him in our hearts.
The Arabs of Mecca used to entertain Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.) and Hazrat Mowla Murtaza Ali at their homes.
Offering a 'MEHMANI' is a very great privilege we enjoy as we have the honour of being a host to our beloved Hazar Imam.
A 'Mehmani' is offered not only when Mowlana Hazar Imam is physically present with us, but it is also offered when he is physically away from us. 'Mehmani' is offered by a single mu'min or a group of mu'mins whenever it is desired. Jamati Mehmani is normally offered on Chandraat, Talika Raat and other occasions like Imamat Day, Salgreh, Navroz, Lail-tul Qadr etc. It is also offered at the completion of a Jamati Satado.
Mumins feel fortunate as they offer Mehmani to Imam-e-Zaman. Their joy is immense and unbounded as Imam accepts the Mehmani and blesses them.
Mehmani is a token of love of the murid for Imam-e-Zaman and in offering this humble Mehmani the murid experiences abundance love of Imam-e-Zaman.
http://sun.ismaili.net/re/page52.html
'NANDI' is derived from the Arabic word 'NAADA' which means 'Calling Out'. It is a 'calling out' for buyers.
Thar-Sufro, Mehmani offered to Mowlana Hazar Imam in the form of food, fruit or any other form, and given away by sale in the Jamat is Nandi.
Nandi is an old Islamic practice.
When Zakat (Religious Tax) was paid in kind, our Holy Prophet Muhammad and Hazrat Mowla Ali used to offer these things by sale.
Thar-Sufro, Mehmani and other offerings are sold out in the like manner among the Jamat and this is called NANDI.
http://sun.ismaili.net/re/page53.html
****
MEHMANI
The meaning of 'MEHMANI' is 'An offering made to Mowlana Hazar Imam'.
The offering,we Ismailis make to our Imam-e-Zaman,is a humble token of our love and devotion we have for him in our hearts.
The Arabs of Mecca used to entertain Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.) and Hazrat Mowla Murtaza Ali at their homes.
Offering a 'MEHMANI' is a very great privilege we enjoy as we have the honour of being a host to our beloved Hazar Imam.
A 'Mehmani' is offered not only when Mowlana Hazar Imam is physically present with us, but it is also offered when he is physically away from us. 'Mehmani' is offered by a single mu'min or a group of mu'mins whenever it is desired. Jamati Mehmani is normally offered on Chandraat, Talika Raat and other occasions like Imamat Day, Salgreh, Navroz, Lail-tul Qadr etc. It is also offered at the completion of a Jamati Satado.
Mumins feel fortunate as they offer Mehmani to Imam-e-Zaman. Their joy is immense and unbounded as Imam accepts the Mehmani and blesses them.
Mehmani is a token of love of the murid for Imam-e-Zaman and in offering this humble Mehmani the murid experiences abundance love of Imam-e-Zaman.
http://sun.ismaili.net/re/page52.html
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Mehreen1221
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Kmaherali,Thar-Sufro, Mehmani offered to Mowlana Hazar Imam in the form of food, fruit or any other form, and given away by sale in the Jamat is Nandi.
That is pretty much the same understanding I and most of us have about Nandi/Mehmani and other presentations to the Mowla in Jamat Khana. Thanks for elaboration on that.
However, I did not start this thread to know the meaning or purpose of the Nandi or Mehmani specifically....rather, to point out that lost and found items in Jamat Khana can not be Nandi…according to your own reference above.
Lost and found junk has no place in the prayer hall or on Nandi Paat… that can be put next to the shoes or other areas for Jamat to claim and pick up from.
I think that is usually the first cause of action, that there is an area set up for the lost and found. Items are kept there for pickup and if after awhile they remain there, then the next option is to auction them in the same area...Mehreen1221 wrote: Lost and found junk has no place in the prayer hall or on Nandi Paat… that can be put next to the shoes or other areas for Jamat to claim and pick up from.
Not all items are trash, some of them could even include expensive jewellary. Ultimately we agree that it is Mukhi/Kamadia's prerogative as to what the best approach of disposal is.
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Mehreen1221
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Well, the only point that I am trying to make is that lost and found and other accidental items should not be turned into “Nandi”...as I understand that Nandi is one way or other intended and presented for the Imam and then auctioned out to the Jamat...all the other details regarding lost and found and how they are disposed or giveaway are up to Mukhi/Kamadia Sahebs...but, I think, should not be called Nandi or mixed up with “Nandi” as that is intended and devoted for the Imam. I feel the word "Nandi" in our tradition is somehow sacred and should be used only for the special items like Mehmani and Thar-Sufro which is originally intended and devoted for the Imam.
Anyways I've said enough on this, may be, verbal miscommunication or misinterpretation.
Anyways I've said enough on this, may be, verbal miscommunication or misinterpretation.