Holy Du'a

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Holy Du'ā (Du'a was also transliterated Doowa)[1] is the mandatory Nizārī Ismāʿīlī prayer recited three times a day, at dawn (Fajr), sundown (Maghrib) and evening (Isha'a). Only Nizārī Ismāʿīlīs are permitted to enter the Jamatkhana during the recitation the Holy Du'a, however it can be performed in one's home or any other place as well. Each Holy Du'a consists of 6 Raka'ahs, totaling 18 Raka'ah per day as opposed to the 17 of Sunni or Ithna'ashari Salah (Namaz).

Nizārī prayer perormed at Jama'at Khana

Jamatkhana's are usually built facing the Qibla in Makkah though Ismāʿīlīs believe that "to Allah belongeth the East and the West" (Qur'an 2:142). The Du'a contains two positions of prayer Qu'ood (sitting) and Sajada (done at the end of each raka'ah) Though the supplication following the Holy Du'a, in Khoja tradition "Ubhi Tasbih" is recited in Qiyam. The Tasbih or prayer beads are used at various points during the Du'a. At the end of prayers one turns to one's neighbour and offers salam, saying "Shah jo Deedar" (may you be blessed with the vision of your Lord). A major difference with other forms of Islamic prayer is that a male or female imam of any age who knows their Du'a may lead the ceremony, this emphasizes the equality of male and female in Nizārī Ismailism. The Nizārī Ismāʿīlī Holy Du'a is currently recited in Arabic. Historically, approximately prior to the establishment of Pakistan, Ismāʿīlīs from India and Pakistan would recite the prayer in an Indian vernacular.[2]

How to conduct the Nizārī Holy Du'a

The Holy Du'a starts with Surah Al-Fatiha in various raka'ah verses from Surah An-Nisa, Surah Al-Ma'ida, Sura Al-Fatah and Surah Al-Anfal are recited and the last part raka'ah contains Surah Al-Ikhlas. At the end, after the utterance of "Shah jo deedar" to both sides, as a gesture of humility one takes the dust of the place where the murid has done sajdah and rubs it on their face three times, following the example of the Islamic prophet Muhammad while simultaneously reciting the shahadah.

Towards the end of the Du'a, a list of all the Nizārī Ismā'īlī Imāms is read beginning with Ali and ending with the current Imam.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Bombay High Court:Haji Bibi vs H.H. Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah 1 September, 1908". Russell, High Court of Bombay. Retrieved 26 March 2012. 
  2. ↑ Asani, A. S. (1987). "The khojahs of Indo‐Pakistan: The quest for an Islamic identity". Institute of Muslim Minority Affairs. Journal 8: 31–41. doi:10.1080/02666958708716015. 

Further reading

  • Khan IV, Aga. Holy Du'a English text with translation. HH Prince Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismailia Association for Canada. 
  • Ali Muhammad, Kamaluddin; Zarina Kamaluddin (translator) (2008). Practices and Ceremonies. Ismāʿīlī Tariqah Board. 
  • Aziz, Abu Aly. Ismāʿīlī Tariqah. 
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