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HOLY DU'A ~
A
RITUAL PRAYER OF THE ISMAILIS
SECTION
ONE
The "BATINI" &
"ZAHERI" Muslims...
The Agakhani Ismailis
do not recite the obligatory ritual Islamic Prayer (Arabic; Salaah -
Persian;
Namaz
), five times a day. In lieu thereof, Ismailis recite in their
Jamatkhanas a ritual prayer called "Holy Du'a",
three times a day. Ismaili Jamatkhanas are closed during the noon hours,
even
on the Fridays. One does not hear the sound of universally recognized
Islamic call to prayer (Adhan),
emerging out of a Jamatkhana.
The obligatory Islamic ritual of performing an ablution (Wadhu),
before reciting a ritual prayer, is not a prerequisite for the Agakhani
Ismailis. They consider themselves
Momeenins or the Batini
(esoteric) Muslims, who are absolved of the rituals
of physical cleaning, as well as of physical fasting. The followers
of Aga Khan firmly believe, they are a step above the rest of the Ummah
(the Brotherhood of Muslims), who are regarded by them as the Shariyatis
or the Zaheri (exoteric) Muslims. For a
Shariyati Muslim,
the physical rituals are of primary significance and of greater consequences
than the inner most spiritual ones. Ismailis are advised by their elders
to hide their inner practices and secret beliefs. Hence, ISMAILI Muslims
are not allowed to enter their prayer halls. Ismailis are also told not
to discuss their faith with other fellow Muslims. The reason being; the
rest of the Ummah is not yet matured enough or ready to comprehend or digest
their philosophy of Marifat (the highest level of spiritual understanding).
The leaders are apprehensive that their Batini Ismaili
community may be unjustly labeled as "the apostate" after such dialogues
by their contenders or by everyday inquisitors, for the lack of their
own knowledge and understanding for the inner values of true Islam.
One Can Pray Facing Any Direction...
Since Allah is every where,
Agakhani Ismailis feel themselves totally comfortable reciting his/her
Holy Du'a, facing any direction or even with their
backs to the Ka'bah. Some of the recently
constructed multi-million dollar Jamatkhanas in North America are so built
that the main congregation has their backs facing Mecca. That need not
necessarily be an act of deliberate anti Islamic or rebellious expressions
for the Shariyati Laws. But, these designs have not been considered as
"faulty planning" by Karim Aga Khan, his brother Amyn Muhammad and the
members of the Aga Khan's committee who have endorsed the building plans,
for these most modern Jamatkhanas.
It is customary in each and every
Jamatkhana that a row of Jamati (community) Leaders and the Title Holders
(male and female), should sit facing the rest of the congregation, even
while praying and prostrating. There would be a row of individuals, sitting
with their backs to the side wall, in the male as well as the female section.
Both these sections are kept side by side in one big hall. Hence, a row
of males would face and prostrate that of the females and vice versa.
Here is what the
Holy Quran Declares as "the truth" on the
subject of facing Qiblah while praying and also Reveals about those "who
are bent on wickedness" by refusing to follow this Command, after
having known it. If this does not prove that the
Farmans of Aga Khan have supersede the Verses of the Holy Qur'an, in this
Unique Tariqah of Islam, what can?
Holy
Qur'an 2:149 "From whencesoever thou startest forth turn thy face in the
direction of the Sacred Mosque; that is indeed the truth from thy Lord.
And Allah is not unmindful of what ye do."
Holy Qur'an 2:150
"So from whencesoever thou startest forth turn thy face in the direction
of the Sacred Mosque; among wheresoever ye are turn your face thither that
there be no ground of dispute against you among the people except those
of them that are bent on wickedness; so fear them not but fear Me; and
that I may complete My favors on you and ye may (consent to) be guided."
"...they Bow (Ruku) not down!"
the Qur'an
The members of the 1.3
billion Islamic Ummah, begin their ritual prayers while standing in rows
after rows, facing the direction of the Ka'bah (the Qiblah). Thereafter,
they go into the Ruku (the Bowing position), and the Sujood
(the Prostration). The members of the community of less than 1.3 million
Batini Ismailis, recite their entire Holy Du'a - from the beginning to
the end - in a sitting (the squatting) position on a carpeted floor. This
Du'a has been ordained personally by the late Aga Khan and is rigidly adhered
to. The Holy Qur'an Reveals; what is the Truth
in this matter and who are "the Rejecters
of Truth".
O, ye who believe!
Bow down (Ruku) and prostrate (Sujood) yourselves and worship
your Lord.... Holy Qur'an 22:77
Woe unto the Rejecters of Truth on that Day!
and when it is said unto them: Bow down (Ruku), they bow not down.
Qur'an 77:47
Suggestion: While
discussing any issue from my web page on the Ismaili Tariqah with an Ismaili,
you may hear in response that the author has personal grudges or vendetta
and a score to settle. Some may even go to the extend of falsely accusing
me as; "the paid agent of the Wahabis".
No Wahabi or any Muslim has paid me any money at any time. My reward is
with Allah (swt). However, it is suggested that the above mentioned facts,
which are so obvious and cannot be denied by any upright Ismaili, may be
noted and presented as if they are from you rather than from me, to have
better impact and not to be swayed from the main topic.
"Shah-jo-Deedar" (Glimpse of
Aga Khan)
A Muslim, while in Ruku, recites: "Subhaanna Rabbiyal
Azeem" (Glory to my Lord the Great) and "Subhaanna Rabbiyal
Aala"
(Glory to my Lord the Highest) in their Sujood. Ismailis do not
recite the above two phrases. They glorify Hadrat Ali and his sword "Zulfiqar"
in their Dua. They recite "La fata illa Ali la saifa illa Zulfiqar" ("There
is no Hero except Ali, there is no sword except Zulfiqar"). An individual
is meant to be in communication with his Creator in his ritual prayers.
Are Ismailis trying to communicate to Allah (SWT) who was Ali?
At the end of their Dua, Ismailis shake hands with the
persons (male or female) sitting on either side of them, saying "Shah-jo-Deedar",
meaning "May you have Deedar (Glimpse) of Shah (Hazar Imam - the Aga Khan)".
Whereas, a Muslim worshipper turns his face to the right saying "Assalamu
allai kum wa rahmattu Allah", meaning "Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy";
and then turns his face to the left saying the same words. Thereafter he
raises his hands, seeks forgiveness, etc., etc., and concludes his prayers
by reciting "Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds". The
highest aspiration that a devout Ismaili harbors in his/her heart is to
have the "Noorani/Ruhani Deedar" (Spiritual Glimpse) of their Mawla (Aga
Khan) before his/her death. I have yet to meet an Ismaili who has
had that fortune! I have met hundreds who have tried their level best to
have that Glimpse, but with No Luck!
MALE OR FEMALE OF ANY AGE, CAN
LEAD PRAYERS
An individual of any gender and of any
age, who has memorized the Du'a, can lead the Congregational Daily Prayer.
In other words, any male or female child can become a Pesh Imam.
This individual, irrespective of his or her age, would join the rank of
the Title Holders and face the congregation. The multicolored photographs
of their Hazar Imam - Karim Aga Khan, which only a couple of decades ago
used to hang from all the four walls and the pillars of the prayer halls
of the Ismailis Jamatkhanas, are now placed on the side walls. There
are a few occasions when the special "guided tours" of the prestigious
multi-million dollar modern Jamatkhanas are conducted. Usually these tours
are for the State dignitaries and the media,
but strictly during the off prayer hours.
The multicolored photographs of Karim Aga Khan are quickly removed and
placed in a drawer of the pulpit by the volunteers, while the tours are
being conducted. Again, for not to be labeled
"the apostates" by the media, for their
lack of knowledge of the inexplicable inner spiritual values.
Having practiced the Ismaili
faith diligently for nearly half a century, I can vouch for the above facts.
These
are some of the reasons, why the admission to the Ismaili Jamatkhanas are
RESTRICTED. These restrictions equally apply to members of the Islamic
Ummah. The Agakhani Ismailis call themselves Muslims, but when it comes
to standing "shoulder to shoulder" with their Brothers for the Daily Prayers,
they part company and sit down in a secluded quarter and recite their own
supererogatory prayer.
HOLY DU'A IS A SUPEREROGATORY
PRAYER,
DECLARES THE ISMAILIA COUNCIL, PAKISTAN
Every visitor to the Jamatkhana
is asked to remove his or her shoes before entering the prayer hall of
the Jamatkhana. Karim Aga Khan enters the prayer hall with his shoes on.
He conducts the various religious ceremonies, such as, of forgiving the
sins of his followers by sprinkling the Holy Water on their faces and whispering
in their ears: "your sins are forgiven", with his shoes on. I know this
with certainty, since he had whispered that in the ears of my wife and
me.
Recently in Pakistan, before
the High Court of Sind at Karachi, it was declared by the Ismailia Council's
President and Secretary that:
"inherent right
of devolution of ownership of Jamatkhanas
(is) in the Imam.
...Jamatkhanas are not dedicated as Masjids (Mosques) ...(they
are) additional places for religious practices, other than Masjids,
for supererogatory prayers."
Such a Declaration, before a Court of Law,
demonstrates that the Islamic Mosques are the Houses
of Allah (SWT), and the Ismaili Jamatkhanas are the Houses
of the Aga Khans. The prayers that are recited in the"Houses
of Allah" are the Obligatory Prayers, Commanded by
Allah. The Holy Du'as that are recited in the "Ismaili Jamatkhanas
owned by the Aga Khan" are Supererogatory Supplications,
Commanded by the Aga Khan.
The synonyms to be found in a dictionary for the legal/technical
term "supererogatory" are;
"superfluous, nonessential, uncalled-for".
DUAL STANDARDS FOR THE "NEW DU'A"
Over the period of nearly 1400 years, the Islamic Salaah and the
Shahadah have not been revised. Within a period of half a century, I have
observed the Ismaili Du'a and the Ismaili Shahadah, each being revised
three times. The present Du'a in Arabic, replacing the old Du'a in Gujrati,
was formulated anthey
are) additional places for religious practices, other than Masjids,
for supererogatory prayers."
Such a Declaration, before a Court of Law,
demonstrates that the Islamic Mosques are the Houses
of Allah (SWT), and the Ismaili Jamatkhanas are the Houses
of the Aga Khans. The prayers that are recited in the"Houses
of Allah" are the Obligatory Prayers, Commanded by
Allah. The Holy Du'as that are recited in the "Ismaili Jamatkhanas
owned by the Aga Khan" are Supererogatory Supplications,
Commanded by the Aga Khan.
The synonyms to be found in a dictionary for the legal/technical
term "supererogatory" are;
Again, the same old apprehension of being labeled "apostate" by those
Pakistani Muslims, who the lack knowledge and true understanding of the
inner Ismaili gnostic, which is not so easy to comprehend.
Though it may sound strange, the Karim Aga Khan himself has never
lead the Ismaili Du'a (new or old), or joined the congregation in any of
the Ismaili Jamatkhana. He has often attended the Sunni Mosques and recited
the customary Islamic Salaah, behind Sunni Pesh Imams. I am told
that he was once asked to lead a Friday noon prayer, by an Imam of a Mosque
in India, but he declined the offer. Several written requests from the
Ismaili leaders and the everyday "Khane-goers", made to Karim Aga Khan
in the last two decades, to re-introduce the Islamic Salaah which was originally
being recited four to five generations ago by their ancestors, remain to
this day "unacknowledged", which can be translated as "declined".
HOLY DU'A OF THE ISMAILIS & IT'S OFFICIAL
TRANSLATION
PART I
BISMIL-LAHIR-RAHMANIR-RAHIM.
ALHAMDU LIL-LAHI RAB-BIL-'ALAMIN; AR-
RAHMANIR-RAHIM; MALIKI YAWMID-DIN.
IY-YAKA
NA'BUDU WA IY-YAKA NASTA'IN. IHDINAS-
SIRATAL-MUSTAQIM. SIRATAL-LADHINA AN'AMTA
'ALAYHIM. GHAYRIL-MAGHDUBI 'ALAYHIM
WA
LAD-DAL-LIN.
SAJADA WAJHI ILAYKA WA TAWAK-KALTU
ALAYKA; MINKA QUW-WATI WA ANTA 'ISMATI
YA RAB-BAL-'ALAMIN.
AL-LAHUM-MA SAL-LI 'ALA MUHAM-MADINIL-
MUSTAFA, WA 'ALA 'ALY-YINIL-MURTADA,
WA
ALAL-A-IM-MATIL-ATHAR. WA 'ALA HUJ-JATIL-AMRI
SAHIBIZ-ZAMANI WAL-'ASRI IMAMINAL-HADIRIL-
MAWJUD. MAWLANA SHAH KARIMIL-HUSAYNI.
(In Prostration)
AL-LAHUM-MA LAKA SUJUDI WA TA'ATI.
Translation
In the name of Allah,
the most Beneficent, the most
Merciful.
All praise is due
to Allah, the Lord of the worlds,
the most Beneficent, the most
Merciful, the Lord of the
Day of Judgment. Thee alone we
worship and Thee
alone we seek for help. Guide
us to the right path, the
path of those upon whom Thou
hast bestowed favours,
not of those cursed ones and
nor of those who have
gone astray. (Sura Al-Hamd -
Sura 1).
I prostrate before
Thee and I rely upon Thee; from
thee is my strength and Thou
art my protection, O
Lord of the worlds.
O Allah, let Thy peace
be on Muhammad - the
Chosen, and on 'Aly - the favourite,
and on the Imams -
the pure, and on the evidence of Thy
Authority - the
Lord of the age and the time, our present
living Imam,
our Lord Shah Karim al-Husayni.
O Allah to Thee is my prostration and
obedience.
PART II
BISMIL-LAHIR-RAHMANIR-RAHIM.
YA AY-YUHAL-LADHINA AMANU, ATI'UL-LAHA
WA
ATI'UR-RASULA WA ULIL-AMRI MINKUM WA
KUL-
LA SHAY-IN AHSAYNAHU FI IMAMlM-MUBIN.
(Raising hands in invocation)
AL-LAHUM-MA YA MAWLANA ANTAS-SALAM,
WA
MINKAS-SALAM, WA ILAYKA YARJI'US-SALAM,
HAY-
YINA RAB-BANA BIS-SALAM, WA ADKHILNA
DARAS-SALAM. TABARAKTA RAB-BANA WA
TA'ALAYTA. YA DHAL-JALALI WAL-IKRAM.
AL-LAHUM-MA YA MAWLANA MINKA MADADI
WA
'ALAYKA MU'TAMADI; IY-YAKA NA'BUDU
WA
IY-YAKA NASTA'IN. YA 'ALY BILUTFIKA
ADRIKNI,
LA ILAHA IL-LAL-LAHU, MUHAM-MADUR
RASULUL-LAHI. 'ALY-YUN AMIRUL-MU'MININ
'ALY-YUL-LAH MAWLANA SHAH KARIMUL-
HUSAYNI AL-IMAMUL-HADIRUL-MAWJUD.
(In prostration)
AL-LAHUM-MA LAKA SUJUDI WA TA'ATI.
Translation
In the name of Allah,
the most Beneficent, the most
Merciful.
"O ye, who believe, obey
Allah and obey the
Apostle and holders of authority
from amongst you."
(Suratun Nisa -
Sura 4 Ayat 59)
"And We have vested (the
knowledge and authority
of) everything in the manifest Imam."
(Sura Yaseen - Sura 36 Ayat 12)
O Allah, O our Lord,
Thou art the peace, and from
Thee is the peace, and to Thee
returneth the peace, O
our Lord, give us life of peace,
and usher us in the
abode of peace. Blessed Thou
art, our Lord, the Most
High, O the Lord of Majesty and Reverence.
O Allah, O our Lord, from
Thee is my help and
upon Thee is my reliance; Thee alone
we worship and
from Thee alone we seek support. O
'Aly, help me with
Thy kindness.
There is no deity except
Allah, Muhammad is the
Messenger of Allah, 'Aly - the master
of believers is
from Allah.
Our Lord Shah Karim al-Husayni
is our present
living Imam.
O Allah to Thee is my prostration and
obedience.
Comment:
1. The quoted verse 4:59 is an
edited portion of the entire verse.
The rest of the crucial text of verse 4:59 is deleted with a motive.
One can easily notice the reasons for its deletion by reading the expunged
text. Unfortunately, majority of the Ismailis do not read the Qur'an.
2. The quoted text of verse 36:12 is
the last line of verse 36:12. This
fragmented text is connected to the edited portion of the verse 4:59. The
Reconstituted
Verse conveys a meaning which Allah (SWT) had not revealed. The
expunged portion of the verse 36:12 speaks very clearly about "writing",
and tells us that the revelation was for the "writing of the deeds" and
not for the "vesting of knowledge or authority".
3. Please notice the words: "the
knowledge and authority" within the parentheses
are injected. Even the prophet had not the knowledge and authority "of
everything".
4. Please read carefully the Ismaili Shahadah (the
Confession of Faith), which is recited in this second part of the
Du'a. The Arabic text reads: 'ALY-YUN
AMIRUL-MU'MININ 'ALY-YUL-LAH.
The translation of it reads: 'Aly -
the master of believers is
from Allah. The Arabic word for
"from"
is "min". This
word does not appear in the Arabic text. The phrase 'ALY-YUL-LAH
translates:
"The
Ali, the God" which negates the earlier Confession:
"There
is no deity except Allah."
To read the Du'a Parts 3 to 6, please clickDU'A
SECTION TWO
To visit the Home Page or to read other articles by the author, click:
INDEX
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Akbarally Meherally at webmaster@mostmerciful.com
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