Satpanth
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[edit] The People
The people of the Satpanth 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] Leadership
The current head of the Aga-Khani community is H.H. Shah Karim Al-Husayni Aga Khan IV. Other societies have their own 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"
Satpanth devotees believe in "Noorani Deedar," which is the "Vision of Light" or Enlightenment 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 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
The majority of ritual represents Islamic customs with some Hindu background. For instance, upon entering a Jamaat-khana an 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 aforementioned 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 Firman 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. 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] 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
