This is the second article in a special series that we hope will contribute to making the forthcoming mulaqat with Mawlana Shah Karim al-Hussaini Hazar Imam more meaningful and purposeful. If you missed any of the previous post(s), here are the links:
Eastern Canada shown in green on map (left) consists of the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec. The total population is 23,946,177 (2016), and approximately 40-45,000 Ismailis live in these provinces, with the largest concentration in Ontario and Quebec. Credits: Map (left) yy Connormah – Wikipedia, CC BY 1.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19857457, and (right) Department of Natural Resources.
1. By Shaykh Khudr, contemporary of 40th Ismaili Imam, Mawlana Nizar
The people of the House of Prophethood
are the Manifestations of Light;
They are that which exists forever
and in what has already elapsed;
They are the ships of salvation for those
who come running to them with hope;
They are the rain abundant in moisture
and their grace is the best of springs;
The essence of their souls is knowledge
from a world beyond the intellects;
Indeed, it is their invitation which rescues
souls from the pit of destruction.
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2. By Muayyad Al-Shirazi, Fatimid period
“I was taken near the place where from I saw the bright Light of the Prophethood. My eyes were dazzled by the Light. I shed tears of joy and felt as if I was looking at the face of the Prophet of Allah and of the Commander of the Faithful, Hazrat Ali. I prostrated myself before the one who is the fittest person to bow to. I wanted to say something, but I was awe-struck.
“I tried to speak but my tongue refused to move. People asked me to say what I wished to say. I could say nothing. The Imam said, ‘Leave him. Let his fear and awe subside’. After this, I rose. I took the holy hand of the Imam [Mustansir-billah], placed it on my eyes and on my chest and then kissed it. I left the place with immense joy.”
~~~~~~~
3. By Fidai Khurasani
He is always present
a witness with his followers;
but who has seen his beauty
except the blessed?
He who is the cupbearer of
the fount of paradise
is aware altogether of
the hearts of his followers
He is the Imam of the time
the guide and comforter
the protector of his followers
whether young or old
Like the sun in the sky
he is manifest in the world
but the blind bat cannot see
his luminous face
~~~~~~~
4. By Imam Mustansir-Billah, 32nd Ismaili Imam
“All believers are urged to come into the presence of the Imam and to see him with their own eyes. Thus, the esoteric (batini) vision, realized through pious works and the constant remembrance of God during the nightly vigil, as well as the exoteric (zaheri) vision, achieved by travelling to the Imam’s residence and beholding the gateway of God’s mercy, becomes the ultimate purpose of human life.
“Piety should be for the purpose of recognizing and beholding God, which is achieved through the recognition and vision of the Imam of one’s time.”
Date posted: November 6, 2017.
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