Satpanth
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Contents |
[edit] The People
The people of the Satpanth, called Satpanthis, are originally from the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan. However, most of them now reside in Gujarat (mainly the Kutch and commercial areas) and Mumbai. Most of them are of the Lohana warrior caste, although there are Rajput, Jatt, and other communities.
[edit] Satpanth
Satpanth is an early term used by Khoja Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims for the specific manifestation of the Ismaili faith as promulgated by Pir Sadruddin in Sind in the later 14th Century. It could fairly be claimed that Satpanth is a syncretic religion that has elements of Shi'ite Sufi Islam and Hinduism while also having many principles and practices in common with Sikhism and Universal Sufism.
[edit] Leadership
The current head of the Aga-Khani Satpanth community is H.H. Shah Karim Al-Husayni Aga Khan IV, who is the spiritual head, or Imam, of the Nizari Ismaili faith (otherwise known as the Shi'a Imami Isma'ili faith). Other societies have their own Imam or no leader at all.
[edit] Beliefs about the Leadership
Satpanth followers, called Mureeds believe that the physical form of the Imam is merely a vessel for the spiritual Imam which is Noor or eternal Light. They also believe that his farmans (proclamations), his shabd (word) and his formless being Niranjan Nirakar Swaroop are the real Imam. This concept of an esoteric Imam and an exoteric Imam is called "Baatini Imam" and "Zaahiri Imam" in Ismaili terminology.
Satpanth devotees believe in "Noorani Deedar," which is the "Vision of Light" which one gets when one views the True Imam. This again has an esoteric and an exoteric meaning.
[edit] Origin
Pir Sadruddin is credited with the conversion of the Khojas from the Hindu caste of the Lohanas who are located in Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. He laid the foundation of the communal organization, built the first assembly and prayer halls "Jamaat Khanas" and appointed the community leaders "Mukhis". Khojas live chiefly in lower Sind, Cutch, Gujarat, Bombay and in wide diaspora, particularly in East and South Africa, Arabia, Sri Lanka and Myanmar (Burma).
[edit] Rituals
Satpanth i.e. the "True Path", is the name of a kind of transition from ordinary Islamic doctrine of the Shi'ite Ismaili type, to "Satpanthism". The majority of Satpanthic ritual represents Islamic customs with some Hindu background. For instance, upon entering a Jamaat-khana an Ismaili person (of the Satpanthic persuasion) will touch the floor and raise the right hand to the chin and then further to the forehead. The platform behind which sit the Mukhi and Mukhiani (Satpanth clergy) is referred to as the "Ghat Pat," and the devotee is to clasp his/her hands together in an Indian form salutation and be given holy water called "Niyaz," a sweet called "Suqrit" (akin to the practice of giving Prasad amongst Hindus and Sikhs), and at other times be given a wrist band called a "Ghat Pat Jo Doro." All the aformentioned practices are of have an Ismaili meaning attached to them. Attendess of Satpanth rituals do notmeet segregated by sex, in opposition to Muslim practice, but sit on opposite sides of the main holy room (the Khano) in a similar fashion to Sikhs. Both men and women must notcover their heads, it is actually a binding Farman of the Aga Khan that women must not wear the hijab.
It is customary in each and every Jamaat-khana that a row of community Leaders and the Title Holders (male and female), should sit facing the rest of the congregation. 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. The reading of Holy Dua is underaken whilst sitting on the floor on one's knees with a Tasbih {rosary} being picked up at intervals. There are several prostrations done after reciting the words "Allahumma laka sujoodi wa ta'ati."(Oh Allah, My Prostration is for You), this repetition comes after the utterance of the name of the present Imam. Any individual of any age who is fully versed in the Holy Dua can lead the prayer. To end the Holy Dua the person shakes hands with the persons (male or female) sitting on either side of them, saying "Shah-jo-Deedar", meaning "May you have Deedar or Darshan (Glimpse) of the Shah" (meaning in Exoteric form the present Imam, but esoterically referring to God).
[edit] Text of the Holy Dua
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. - - BISMIL-LAHIR-RAHMANIR-RAHIM. YA AY-YUHAL-LADHINA AMANU, ATI'UL-LAHA WA ATI'URRASULA 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. - - BISMIL-LAHIR-RAHMANIR-RAHIM. - - YA AY-YUHAR-RASULU BAL-LIGH. MA UNZILA ILAYKA MIR-RAB-BIK; WA IL-LAM TAF'AL, FAMA BAL-LAGHTA RISALATAHU, WAL-LAHU YA'SIMUKA MINAN-NAS. - - LA ILAHA IL-LAL-LAHUL-HAY-YUL-QAY-YUM; LA ILAHA IL-LAL-LAHUL-MALIKUL-HAQ-QUL-MUBIN: LA ILAHA IL-LAL-LAHUL-MALIKUL-HAQ-QUL-YAQIN: LA ILAHA IL-LAL-LAHU MALIKU YAWMID-DIN: - - LA FATA IL-LA'ALY, LA SAYFA IL-LA DHUL-FIQAR. TAWAS-SALU 'INDAL-MASAYIBI, BI-MAWLAKUMIL- HADIRIL-MAWJUD 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. - - O Apostle, deliver (to the people), what has been revealed to thee from thy Lord; and if thou did not do so, then thou hast not delivered His Message, and Allah will protect thee from the people. (Sura Ma'eda - Sura 5 Ayat 67) - - There is no deity except Allah, the Ever-Living, the Eternal. - - There is no deity except Allah, the Sovereign, the Ultimate Truth, the Evident: - - There is no deity except Allah, the Sovereign, the Ultimate Truth, the Certainty: - - There is no deity except Allah. the Lord of the Day of Judgment: - - There is no hero except 'Aly. there is no sword except (his sword) 'Zulfiqar'. - - Seek at the time of difficulties, the help of your Lord, the present living (Imam) Shah Karim al-Husayni. - - O Allah to Thee is my prostration and obedience. - - BISMIL-LAHIR-RAHMANIR-RAHIM; - - IN-NAL LADHINA YUBAYI'UNAKA. IN-NAMA YUBAYl'UNAL-LAHA: YADUL-LAHI FAWQA AYDIHIM,FAMAN NAKATHA. FA IN-NAMA YANKUTHU 'ALA NAFSIHI WA MAN AWFA BIMA 'AHADA 'ALAYHUL- LAHU. FA SAYU'TIHI AJRAN 'AZIMA. - - (Raising hands in invocation) - AL-LAHUM-MAGHFIR LANA DHUNUBANA, WARZUQNA, WARHAMNA, BIHAQ-QI RUSULIKAL- MUQAR-RABIN. WA A-'IM-MATIKAL-MUTAH-HARIN, WA BIHAQ-QI MAWLANA WA IMAMINA, 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. - - (O Prophet) Verily, those who give Thee their allegiance, they give it but to Allah (Himself); Allah's hand is upon their hands. Then he, who breaks it, he certainly breaks it against himself. And he who fulfills what he has pledged with Allah. He shall in return reward him in plenty. - (Sura Fatah - Sura 48 Ayat 10) - - O Allah, forgive us our sins, and give us our bread, and have mercy upon us, in the name of Thy closest Messengers and Thy holy Imams, and in the name of our Lord and our Imam, Shah Karim al-Husayni. - - O Allah to Thee is my prostration and obedience. - - BlSMlL-LAHlR-RAHMANIR-RAHIM. - - YA AY-YUHAL-LADHINA AMANU, LA TAKHUNUL- LAHA WAR-RASULA. WA TAKHUNU AMANATIKUM, WA ANTUM TA'LAMLUN. - - (Raising hands in invocation) - RAB-BANAGHFIR LANA DHUNUBANA, WA SAH-HIL UMURANA, WARZUQNA, WARHAMNA; IN-NAKA 'ALA KUL-LI SHAY-IN QADIR. - - (Tasbih) - YA 'ALY YA MUHAMMAD YA MUHAMMAD YA 'ALY. - - (Raising hands in invocation) - YA IMAMAZ-ZAMAN, YA MAWLANA. ANTA QUWWATI, WA ANTA SANADI, WA'ALAYKAT- TlKALI, YA HADIR YA MAWJUD, YA SHAH KARIMUL-HUSAYNI, ANTAL-IMAMUL-HAQ- QUL-MUBIN. - - (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, do not betray Allah and the Apostle and do not betray your trusts while you know. - (Sura Anfal - Sura 8 Ayat 27) - - O our Lord, forgive us our sins, and make our tasks easy, and give us our bread, and have mercy upon us; Thou art the Omnipotent. - - O 'Aly, OMuhammad; OMuhammad. O 'Aly. - - O Imam of the time, O our Lord, Thou art my strength and Thou art my support and on Thee I rely. O present O living, O Shah Karim al-Husayni, Thou art the true manifest Imam. - - O Allah to Thee is my prostration and obedience. - - BISMIL-LAHIR-RAHMANIR-RAHIM. - - QUL HUWAL-LAHU AHAD, AL-LAHUS-SAMAD, LAM YALID WA LAM YULAD WA LAM YAKUL-LAHU KUFU-WAN AHAD. - - AL-LAHUM-MA RIHAQ-QI MUHAM-MADINIL- MUSTAFA WA 'ALY-YINIL MURTADA WA FATIMATAZ-ZAHRA WAL-HASANI WAL-HUSAYN. - - AL-LAHUM-MA BIHAQ-QI MAWLANA 'ALY; - MAWLANAL-HUSAYN; - MAWLANA ZAYNIL-'ABIDIN; - MAWLANA MUHAM-MADINIL-BAQIR; - MAWLANA JA'FARIS-SADIQ; - MAWLANA ISMA'IL: - MAWLANA MUHAM-MADIBNI lSMA'IL: - MAWLANA WAFI AHMAD, - MAWLANA TAQI MUHAM-MAD, - MAWLANA RADIY-YID-DIN ABDIL-LAH; - MAWLANA MUHAM-MADINIL MAHDI; - MAWLANAL-QAYIM: - MAWLANAL MANSUR: - MAWLANAL-MU'IZ; - MAWLANAL-'AZIZ; - MAWLANAL-HAKIM BI AMRIL-LAH; - MAWLANAZ-ZAHIR; - MAWLANAL-MUSTANSIRI BIL-LAH, - MAWLANA NiZAR; - MAWLANAL-HADI; - MAWLANAL-MUHTADI; - MAWLANAL-QAHIR; - MAWLANA 'ALA DHIKRIHIS-SALAM; - MAWLANA A'LA MUHAM-MAD; - MAWLANA JALALID-DIN HASAN: - MAWLANA 'ALA-ID-DIN MUHAM-MAD; - MAWLANA RUKNID-DIN KHAYR SHAH; - MAWLANA SHAMSID DIN MUHAM-MAD; - MAWLANA QASIM SHAH; - MAWLANA ISLAM SHAH; - MAWLANA MUHAM-MADIBNI ISLAM SHAH; - MAWLANAL-MUSTANSIRI BIL-LAH; - MAWLANA 'ABDIS-SALAM; - MAWLANA GHARIB MIRZA; - MAWLANA ABI DHAR 'ALY; - MAWLANA MURAD MIRZA; - MAWLANA DHIL-FIQAR'ALY; - MAWLANA NURID-DIN 'ALY; - MAWLANA KHALI-LAH 'ALY; - MAWLANA NlZAR; - MAWLANAS SAY-YID 'ALY; - MAWLANA HASAN 'ALY; - MAWLANA QASIM 'ALY; - MAWLANA ABIL-HASAN'ALY; - MAWLANA KHALIL-LAH 'ALY, - MAWLANA SHAH HASAN 'ALY; - MAWANA SHAH 'ALY SHAH. - MAWLANA SULTAN MUHAM-MAD SHAH. - - (Raising hands in invocation) - WA BIHAQ-QI MAWLANA WA IMAMINAL-HADIRIL- MAWJUD SHAH KARIMIL-HUSAYNIRHAMNA (OR HUSAYNI IRHAMNA) WAGHFIR LANA. IN-NAKA 'ALA KUL-LI SHAY-IN QADIR. WAL-HAMDU LIL- LAHI RAB-BIL-'ALAMIN. - - (THE FINAL PHRASE IS CHANGED TO INCLUDE THE PRESENT IMAM'S NAME WHENEVER S/HE CHANGES) - - (While joining hands) - SHAH-JO-DEEDAR - - Translation: - - In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful. - - Say, it is Allah. (who is) the One. Allah is Absolute, Independent. He did not beget nor He was begotten and there is none like unto Him. (Surat-ul-lkhlas- Sure 112) - - O Allah, in the name of Muhammad - the chosen, and Aly - the favorite, and Fatima - the radiant, and (Hazrat) Hasan, and (Imam) Husayn. - - O Allah in the name of our lord 'Aly; - our lord Husayn; our lord Zainil 'Abideen; - our lord Muhammadinil Baqir; our lord Ja'faris Sadiq; - our lord Ismail; our lord Muhmmad bin Ismail, - our lord Wafi Ahmed; our lord Taqi Muhammad; - our lord Raziyiddeen Abdillah; our lord Muhammadinil Mahdi, - our lord Qaim; our lord Mansoor; - our lord Mu'izz; our lord Aziz; - our lord Hakim bi Amrillah; our lord Zahir, - our lord Mustansiribillah; our lord Nizar; - our lord Hadi: our lord Muhtadi, - our lord Qahir: our lord 'Ala Zikrihis-Salaam; - our lord A'ala Muhammad; our lord Jalaliddeen Hasan, - our lord 'Ala-iddeen Muhammad; our lord Rukniddeen Khairi Shah; - our lord Shamsiddeen Muhammad; our lord Qasim Shah; - our lord Islam Shah; our lord Muhammad bin Islam Shah; - our lord Mustansiri-billah; our lord Abdis-Salaam: - our lord Ghareeb Meerza: our lord Abizzar Aly: - our lord Murad Meerza; our lord Zulfiqar Aly; - our lord Nooridden Aly; our lord Khalilillahi Aly; - our lord Nizar; our lord Sayyid Aly; - our lord Hasan Aly; our lord Qasim Aly; - our lord Abul Hasan Aly; our lord Khalilillahi Aly; - our lord Shah Hasan Aly; our lord Shah 'Aly Shah; - our lord Sultan Muhammad Shah. - And in the name of our lord and our present living Imam Shah Karim al-Husayni, have mercy upon us and - forgive us (our sins). - - Verily Thou art the Omnipotent. And all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. - - May you be blessed with the holy Deedar of our Lord. - - O Allah to Thee is my prostration and obedience.
- (In prostration) - AL-LAHUM-MA LAKA SUJUDI WA TA'ATI.
[edit] Scripture
The Holy Writ of the Satpanth tradition is the collection of Ginans written by various medieval Pirs, most notably Pir Sadruddin.
Excerpt:
Aashaajee Jug pati jug naath Sri Islam Shah ham man tere umaayo ji Kaayam swaami hansa ji naa raajaa Janpudeep me Shah aavo Haree anant anant - Haree anante jo swaami Shah anante jo ant tunhi janne ji Ek ne maare Shah, ek ne taare ane ek ne Haree var aale....................Haree anant....1
Oh Lord Shri Islam Shah, the Lord and the Master of the age We beg you to be the only one in our hearts(or our hearts magnify in your presence) You are forever the Lord and the King of the soul Come to the Indian subcontinent(our home,hearts) Haree You are eternal and unlimited, Haree You are the Lord of unlimited souls or eternity You are the only Knower of the limits of the unlimited To one He punishes, to the other He liberates And He brings another under the protection of the Lord (makes him/her a better momin or true believer)
sat maarag satva(n)teeyaa saa(m)bhallo sarave jan gur shams kahe chhe re lol........................................1
All of those who have clung to the True Path listen! The Guide Shamsh tells you this!
tame khojo te saar puraann nee thaashe neermal man gur shams kahe chhe re lol........................................2
Seek the essence or substance of the (scriptures of the) past, thereby your minds (hearts) will be pure. The Guide Shams tells you this!
aaj garbeeye aana(n)d vartyaa kaa(n)ye bhulo gemaar gur shams kahe chhe re lol........................................3
Today in the dance, joy and bliss is showered, why forget this fact o ignoramous ones. The Guide Shams tells you this!
satmaarge devdevee malee rahyaa tame parkho te parkhannhaar gur shams kahe chhe re lol........................................4
In the true path the gods and goddesses are present having met, o judging ones think about this matter. The Guide Shams tells you this!
jakh megh keenar taree gayaa tetrees karodd dev gur shams kahe chhe re lol........................................5
The "jakhs", "meghs", "keenars" and the thirty three crore spirits have swum across. The Guide Shams tells you this!
tene dekhe je man neermal karee doi karam tatkhev
[edit] External links
[edit] References
Dr Aziz Esmail A Scent of Sandalwood: Indo-Ismaili Religious Lyrics, London: Curzon in association with The Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2002, pp. xi + 227. August 2002
Dr Dominique-Sila Khan Crossing the Threshold: Understanding Religious Identities in South Asia, London: I. B. Tauris in association with The Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2005, pp. 185. May 2005
Songs of Wisdom and Circles of Dance Hymns of the Satpanth Isma'ili Muslim Saint, Pir Shams Tazim R. Kassam
Categories: Sufism | Sikhism | Shi'a Islam | Islamic sects | Ismailism
