Mowlana HazarImam in his numerous Firmans mentions Barakah as a boon. In one of the verses of the Ginan "Ash Tamari Sriho Qayam Sami", Peer Hassan Kabirdin says that "If You Lord are pleased with me I can be blessed with ultimate prosperity(Nav Nands). What do they mean in our Tariqah? What kinds of benefits are implied by these terms? The purpose of this post is to set perspective in regards to what to expect as we practice our faith. Many times murids get discouraged and disillusioned when their materialistic expectations are not fulfilled in life. Sometimes they are just blinded by materialism and fail to recognise them and thus miss out on the real benefits of religion. If we examine our history, we will realize that the greatest personalities, the ones whom HazarImam remembers even after a millenium, e.g. Sayyedna Nasr Khusraw, were not the richest people in societies. Rather their lives were fraught with trials and tribulations and they were triumphant over them through the strength of Faith. They were the most fulfilled lives and were indeed paragons of peace and wisdom.
The following is an extract of an article in the book, "Noor-en-Allah-Noor" by late Alwaez Shamshuddin Bandali Haji. It gives a traditional perspective of these benefits through the explanation of the concept of "NAV NAND".
NAV NAND
YA ALI,
TUJ TRUTHE NAV NAND PAMU SHAH
JO HOVE KARIM SHAH NAJAR TAMARI
"NAV" - means NINE.
"NAND" - was the name of two different important personalities in history. One was a very rich king, NAND RAJA. He was also very generous with his fabulous wealth, he used to make charities of gold, silver, clothing and food to the people. NANDJI also was another most fortunate person, the foster father of LORD SHRI KRISHNA.
Our Holy PIR HASSAN KABIRDIN, in the Ginan verse, is saying that YA MOWLA MURTAZA ALI HAZAR IMAM if thou art delighted, if Thou art pleased one can become nine times wealthier than NAND RAJA: YA MOWLA MURTAZA ALI HAZAR IMAM it is Thy Absolute Wish, Thou giveth Fortune to any one Thou desireth.
"NAV NAND" - The above meanings give the material significance of the words "NAV" and "NAND", but our HOLY PIR HASSAN KABIRDIN has in fact spoken to us in terms of the Spiritual Significance of "NAV NAND" as referring to "SACRIFICE" in the Cause of Religion -- specifically, "BHAKTI," "BANDAGI" or prayers.
There are NINE types of "NANDS" ("BHAKTIS"). They are as under:-
1. SHRAVAN BHAKTI The listening of HOLY GINANS and HOLY FIRMANS.
2. KIRTAN BHAKTI The reciting of HOLY GINANS and reading of HOLY FIRMANS.
3. SMARAN The Remembrance of the HOLY NAME of "NOOR-EN-ALLAH-NOOR".
4. CHARAN SEVAN The Offering and Submission of oneself as the humble servant of our Beloved HAZAR IMAM.
5. ARCHAN The worshipping of THE "NOOR-EN-ALLAH NOOR" HAZAR IMAM.
6. VANDAN The prostration before THE "NOOR-EN-ALLAH NOOR" HAZAR IMAM.
7. DASATVA The rendering of sincere services to the HOLY HOUSE of HAZAR IMAM.
8. SAKHYA The attainment of closeness to MOWLA ALI HAZAR IMAM'S DIVINE "NOOR".
9. ATMA AMAR The Absolute Surrender, with DEEP LOVE, to HAZAR IMAM.
Our Holy Pir Mabaap is saying that the fortunate MOMIN, with the DIVINE GRACE of HAZAR IMAM, is graced by these different BHAKTIS or Mediums of "SACRIFICE", by which he can Attain the SUPREME GOAL of "UNION" with MASHOOQ HAZAR IMAM.
In Search of THE MASHOOQ HAZER IMAM
In Search of the BELOVED MASHUQ HAZER IMAM, the LOVER ASHIQ MOMIN, LISTENS attentively and devotedly to HOLY GINANS and HOLY FIRMANS thus performing the "SHRAVAN BHAKTI". This is a great spiritual fortune. One of the NAV NANDS is attained by the MOMIN with the DIVINE GRACE OF HAZER IMAM.
In a similar manner, when the ASHIQ momin RECITES HOLY GINANS and READS HOLY FIRMANS OF HAZER IMAM with deep love and affection, he attains "KIRTAN BHAKTI".
The ASHIQ MOMIN also remembers constantly THE MASHUQ HAZER IMAM with the aim of attaining SPIRITUAL UNION with MASHUQ HAZER IMAM and TRUE LOVE from MASHUQ HAZER IMAM. With the strength and power of these THREE BHAKTIS, the ASHIQ momin enters into THE DIVINE LOVE OF HAZER IMAM, consequently THE MASHUQ HAZER IMAM
showers His Choicest Blessings upon the momin with His Most Gracious Spiritual Love and Affection.
MOWLA MURTAZA ALI (S.A.) SAYS IN His MUBARAK KALAM in respect of HIS DIVINE GRACE:
.................................................................................;
JIS PAR KARAM KARE VOH AAP
USKU AAPOHI AAP BUJAAVE,
ELAM OLMA QAMIL MURSHID
BANKAR AAP SUJAAVE..(326)
Meaning - When HAZER IMAM MOWLA ALI is pleased, the momin gains knowledge spontaneously. HAZER IMAM by HIS DIVINE GRACE and MERCY showers upon his momin a grace of ILM or Spiritual Knowledge. HE approaches the momin as ULAMA or THE PERFECT TEACHER, as MURSHID QAMIL, as THE PERFECT GURU or SPIRITUAL MASTER and inspires the momin spontaneously.
By the favour of all the gains and achievements of Spiritual wealth (LOVE OF HAZER IMAM is a Supreme Gain) the momin makes more and more effort to go closer and closer, spiritually, to MASHUQ HAZER IMAM'S DIVINE "NOOR". The Momin, although deeply thirsty of "RUHANI LAHAVA" or SPIRITUAL BENEFITS and HOLY NOORANI DIDAR, because of his status, maintains boundless PATIENCE: not only that but momin is prepared to sacrifice all material ambitions, the ambitions of JANNAT (PARADISE). The momin finds THOUSAND JANNATS - Real and True JANNATS in the ZAHERI and BATUNI "NOORANI" DIDAR of MOWLANA HAZER IMAM: to quench the thirst of the Soul the momin's craving for HOLY DIDAR becomes very very intense.
The ASHIQ now becomes strong, for him even hurts or difficulties are actually "NYAMAT", "RUHANI FAIDA" or "RUHANI GAINS". He does not take any problems seriously; even in Humiliation, the momin experiences Glory. For instance, in the act of rendering services to the Holy House of HAZER IMAM, if he has to face inconviniencies and insults, the momin takes these as a form of Spiritual pride and glory. They are only a concern of the material life and for the spiritual life they are a pride and glory because of the adoption of the high virtue of Tolerance. The ASHIQ by the DEDICATION of LIFE, "SHAHADAT", experiences a more glorified life in the physical death. Through Spritual Vision he is prepared to sacrifice thousand lives for MASHUQ HAZER IMAM because THE MASHUQ grants and graces thousand fold in return upon his momin ASHIQ.
Our Holy PIR SADARDIN has said in a Holy GINAN whilst referring to the stage of the ASHIQ momin who has been graced with the Spritual NANDS: the momin becomes FIDA or FULLY CONSCIOUS of the DIVINE "NOOR" of MOWLA MURTAZA ALI HAZER IMAM.
jo gur raahaa tareekat laave
maayaa pu(n)jee mul luttaave......................................1
When the Guide takes you on the Path(Tariqat), he detaches you from your wealth and other material considerations.
ghar duaarku(n) aag(ra(n)g) lagaave
majnu(n) hoee leleeku(n) dhiaave..................................2
In your love for Him, you become detached from your home and other physical considerations. Becoming Majnun you devote yourself to Laila(the Beloved).
(BUJ NIRINJAN, 30)
The ASHIQ momin, day and night, craves for HOLY ZAHERI AND BATUNI DIDAR. THE ASHIQ IS NOW IN TRUE LOVE WITH THE BELOVED MASHUQ HAZER IMAM. Naturally, the momin has to undergo certain TESTS, and it is a great test in itself -- the delaying of HOLY DIDAR of HAZER IMAM for some time. And when the momin is found perfect in the test, MASHOOQ HAZER IMAM, by HIS MOST DIVINE BLESSINGS, GIVES a GIFT of GINAN or A VERY DEEP SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE - The KNOWLEDGE that MOSES sought to obtain from HAZARAT KHIDAR (A.S.).
EJI GINAN BOLORE NIT NOORE BHAREA,
EVO HAIDE TAMARE HARAKH NA MAEJI.
Meaning: O MOMIN ACHIEVE "GINAN" BY THE GRACE OF HAZER IMAM - ACHIEVE A DEEP SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE. RECITE GINAN, ACHIEVE GINAN ALWAYS AND YOU WILL BE SO DELIGHTED THAT IT WILL BE HARD TO ESTIMATE THE SPIRITUAL HAPPINESS.
ASHIQ MOMIN through GINAN, through the DEEP SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE visualizes HAZER IMAM'S PRESENCE everywhere and also achieves constantly HOLY ZAHERI and BATUNI "NOORANI DIDAR: "EJI GINAN MA TO SAHEB CHHE"(in the ginan Eji Saachare sahinya ku nish din srevo).
When in IBADAT, our RUHANI, by the GRACE of HAZER IMAM, makes tremendous progress and reaches beyond the SEVEN STAGES (SAAT ASMAN). Even the law of SPIRITUAL GRAVITATION changes: the ASHIQ MOMIN'S RUH becomes
a MASHUQ and HAZER IMAM becomes the ASHIQ or LOVER of the Highly Exhalted Individual RUHANI. HAZER IMAM GRACES upon him constant, tremendous and indescribable "LINA LINA LAD" and SPIRITUAL LOVE:
TIA ANANT VARANNU SHAHTA CHHATRA DHARE,
SATGUR PIRSADE SHAHTA CHAMAR DHARE
SHAH DESE JIO DESE RIKHISARNE RAAJ,
MOMANONE RAAJ BHAI LINA LINA LAAD KARAVSHE.
Meaning: At this most High Spiritual Stage there is Constant and Perpetual "NOORANI CHHATRA" for the RUHANI. All is due to the Boundless GRACE from our Beloved HAZER IMAM. KHUDAVIND-E-NOOR HAZER IMAM bestows upon the momin the Glory of the SPIRITUAL KINGDOM. Being the ASHIQ of MOMIN'S RUHANI, HAZER IMAM gives boundless and immense LOVE to the momin.
This is the Most Glorious period for the momin, whatever sacrifices, sufferings and tolerance the momin had had to undergo during his material life time in the world, he gets RUHANI LAHAVA in thousands and thousands fold from KHUDAVIND NOOR MOWLANA SHAH KARIM HAZER IMAM. Although he had achieved many benefits in the world -- in physical and semi-spiritual form -- this is the Most Unique Chance given by the SUPREME LORD HAZER IMAM. Momin's ambitions of this life, and of the RUHANI life are all fulfilled by Hazer Imam...AMEEN.
* * * * * * * * * *
At some time in the past, during MUBARAK PADHRAMNI of MOWLANA SULTAN MUHAMMAD SHAH at BOMBAY JAMATKHANA, a girl recited Holy GINAN-E-SHARIFF:
EJI KIRPA KARINE DUKH DARIDRA TADO
SAMI MARA MAHAV MUKAND MORARI YA SHAH;
TUJ TRUTHE NAV NANDAJ PAAMU,
JO HOVE NAJAR TAMARI.
After recitation of the above verses, MOWLANA SULTAN MUHAMMAD SHAH blessed the girl and said to MUKHI and KAMADIA of the JAMATH:
PIR KABIRDINANE BOHOT LOBH KIYA,
JAB IMAM RAJI HOTA HAY, TAB NAV NAND KYA? -
SAB NAND BAKSHISH KARTA HAY!
PIR KABIRDIN has reduced -- been miserly
about the Gifts from the Holy House of MOWLA ALI.
When HAZER IMAM is pleased HE gives to momins Great
Gifts and Bounties: they are much more than NAV NANDS.
This means that "RUHANI KHAJANAS" or SPIRITUAL TREASURES
of the NOORANI HOUSE of HAZER IMAM are UNLMITED: Momins
are graced all these from Beloved HAZER IMAM the moment momin
makes HAZER IMAM truly happy.
These then, O momins, are the GREAT SPIRITUAL "NANDS" or SPIRITUAL GIFTS that we achieve when we attend Jamat Khana regularly.
The Concept of "Nav Nand"
navda bagthi
YA ALI MADAD
WOW... those were wonderful words and thoughts. They were very deep and inspirational. May Mowla bless you in your quest to reach him, THE MASHUQ, the noor of hazir imam.
MAY GOD BLESS ALL
"Ek nuktha jo marafath kera,
Murshid jisko bathlave
So vasil hove zaath haak mein
Aasal aapne ko paaye
Jine dil se khoya is nukthe ko
Usne khoja aapne raab ko
Yeh suno, samjo, hardam bicharro
Mowla Farmatha hai sub ko"
- (101) Kalam Eh Mowla
KARIM QAZI
WOW... those were wonderful words and thoughts. They were very deep and inspirational. May Mowla bless you in your quest to reach him, THE MASHUQ, the noor of hazir imam.
MAY GOD BLESS ALL
"Ek nuktha jo marafath kera,
Murshid jisko bathlave
So vasil hove zaath haak mein
Aasal aapne ko paaye
Jine dil se khoya is nukthe ko
Usne khoja aapne raab ko
Yeh suno, samjo, hardam bicharro
Mowla Farmatha hai sub ko"
- (101) Kalam Eh Mowla
KARIM QAZI
Re: navda bagthi
Thank You! As you can see, the article was not written by me. I merely copied it here because I felt it was interesting and useful for this forum. For the benefit of others, the following is the translation of the verse(101).karimqazi wrote:YA ALI MADAD
WOW... those were wonderful words and thoughts. They were very deep and inspirational. May Mowla bless you in your quest to reach him, THE MASHUQ, the noor of hazir imam.
MAY GOD BLESS ALL
"Ek nuktha jo marafath kera,
Murshid jisko bathlave
So vasil hove zaath haak mein
Aasal aapne ko paaye
Jine dil se khoya is nukthe ko
Usne khoja aapne raab ko
Yeh suno, samjo, hardam bicharro
Mowla Farmatha hai sub ko"
- (101) Kalam Eh Mowla
KARIM QAZI
To whomsoever the Master shows even an iota of knowledge of Allah (Ma'rifah), his inner self realises the Truth and attains its origin. But the one who loses this knowledge in his heart has indeed lost his Lord. Listen to this advice, understand it and always ponder upon it. The mawla(Hazarat Aly) commends this of everybody.