yam
I dont know if anyone ever posted this but it's worth reading.
As we continue to explore the significance and transforming effect of the
Holy Deedar both in individual and societal perspectives, the following is an
anecdote of an encounter between a non-Ismaili and Mowlana HazarImam. This
very learned individual of Shia Ithna Asheri background, had a profound
experience in the presence of MHI and as a result was convinced that he is indeed the
descendant of Prophet Muhammad. In gratitude for the blessing of this
experience and understanding, he wrote a book about MHI and in the preface he
relates his encounter with Him as under.
DUNIYA-I ISLAM KA KHAMUSH SHAH-ZADAH
(The Silent Prince of the World of Islam)
H. H. Prince Karim Agakhan IV
(A Literal Translation)
Preface
On the morning of 13th May, 1983, my eyes saw a sun rising from the peaks of
the snow-clad and sky-scraping magnificient mountains of Gilgit, which
generated such a power of heat in the body of my soul which had been frozen for
years, which led me to the illumined boundaries of faith. These boundaries were
not limited...they were unlimited. Perhaps it was the first time that my
sight rested on the light descending from the mountains.
The light, together with its witness, was continuing its journey towards the
earth. It appeared as though a multitude of lamps rank upon rank, was all
around me, in which the truth was manifesting. A truth which is a guide, which
has full power and which is a barricade in the paths of darkness(es). That is
the one on whose shoulders Divine power places its affectionate hand of
luminous and greater purposes. I felt in my self a revolution-like bewilderment.
I had entered these valleys with a feeling of hope, with the ambition of
fulfilment of desires in empty hands. I have returned and still in my hands the
heat and fragrance of the touch of those hands continue, and in the fold
(daman) of my shoulders, the roses of the special blessings (dua) of Hazir Imam
Hazrat Mawlana Shah Karim al_Huayni, still diffuse the sweet fragrance, which
has changed my world.[When the writer was in the presence of Hazir Imam in
Gilgit, he had given him special blessings]. I do not find my self as I used to
be. I am constantly changing. On the blessed face of Hazir Imam Hazrat
Mawlana Shah Karim al-Husayni I have read the writings which were not earthly. For
the first time in my life I heard that tone which in my ordinary life I had
not experienced even with my closest relative. Even today that softness and
gentleness pours dulcet tunes of light into my ears.
My doubt has found such a path of certainty which will never let me go
astray. With the rising of this day a new covenant was born in me that, if I have
seen the sun in the valleys of Gilgit with the pure and transparent eyes of
my heart, then I must write the story of the rising of it.[Here by the sun is
meant Hazir Imam Hazrat Mawlana Shah Karim al-Husayni]
This rising is the rising of the truths of life, it is the rising of the
higher values of humanity, and the rising of the light of faith, and it is this
rising which kindles lamps in the paths of ignorance and enables (the
travellers) to reach the destination(s). It is well established that the chain of
this rising has continued. So long as even a single human being breathes on the
earth which spreads over billions of miles, this rising will continue for
the sake of guidance. My attempt to write this book should also be read and
felt in the light of this rising. [Here by rising is meant the chain of Imamat
which will continue until the Day of Judgement]
I had earlier thought that after the completion of this book I would show
you pictures of my attempt and feelings related to it, in the preface, whose
bright reflection has illumined not only the lanes of the cities of my heart
but has also changed my thoughts and my ways entirely.
But now it appears that what I had to say, what I had to write, is
accomplished; all those devotions which I had to make I have completed (and) all that
light which I received from the blessed vision (ziyarat) of Hazrat Mawlana
Shah Karim al-Husayni I have distributed among you; nothing is left to explain.
Love is definitely unconditional. It is not made, it comes into being of
itself. That light which has been sent down to the dark earth for the sake of
guidance, will continue and last for ever, and to reject the rain of light
which incessantly pours, lets a man to go astray but cannot let him to reach the
destination.
The plant of my love for Hazir Imam has also grown gradually, and since it
has now begun to bear fruit, I have become sure of my own existence.
I deem it necessary to say one thing clearly. This creation and this writing
of mine has been done purely as a result of the intense love for Hazir Imam
Hazrat Mawlana Shah Karim al-Husayni and in order to do so I have benefitted
from heaps of books and personal observations. If you are still a victim of
uncertainty and vacillation in your belief then the contents of this book can
be discussed and proofs can be provided.
Light does not ever remain concealed. After all I am not an Ismaili. I was
born in a Sayyid family. My ancestors were of Shiah faith. In religious
families, the elders have a special attitude towards the children, which leads them
to religion. I too was born in a religious family. But, there was another
human being in me, who made me aware of history and religion. Reading became my
habit and now I also want to write what I feel.
I have said that I am not an Ismaili. I wish I were an Ismaili. But it is a
fact that the light of truth which comes to my house, is due to the existence
of HazirImam Hazrat Mawlana Shah Karim al-Husayni. And it is my faith that
as long as the sun will continue to rise, Imammat will also continue, as long
as the moon will continue to scatter its coolness, the fragrance of rectitude
and guidance will continue to be dispersed for the prosperity and salvation
of mankind, as long as the stars glitter on the surface of the heaven, the
shadow of Imamat will remain over the heads of human beings, and as long as the
earth will continue to provide sustenance, the message of the Imam of the
time to mankind will continue to pour its sweetness in the ears, to walk
towards good deeds. However, in this, the condition is to hold to that rope which
leads us towards God. God, may He be exalted, has favoured us with bounties
such as intellect and awareness, and the favours of God, the Lord of majesty,
for men will continue for ever.
Hazrat Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga khan III has said: "We are the progeny
of the Prophet. Our grandfather is the Commander of the faithful and our
grandmother is the lady of paradise, Hazrat Bibi Fatimah. We are the light of
both Ali and the Prophet."
If you cannot realise the truth, the reality and the power of this farman of
the Imam, then try to do so and pray to God so that he may bless you with
the vision of Hazir Imam Mawlana Shah Karim al-Husayni. If this happens to you,
then you will find in yourself such a revolution that your paths will be
brighter, your beliefs will be strengthened and you will start to love yourself
and you will have the fragrance of goodness in your breath(s).
For God those great personalities whom He chooses to convey His message to
His servants and guide them to the straight path also endows with the
qualities of leadership. Even if Hazir Imam remains silent Divine Power writes on His
blessed face those writings of His message which have full attraction and
power to guide human beings to prosperity and salvation.
In the valleys of Gilgit God favoured me with this bounty that I saw Hazir
Imam and kissed his blessed hand. Till now the fragrance(s) do not leave my
hands and my lips. And this fragrance is the sign of truth, the proof of love
and unity and the protector of the paths which go to God. This is my certitude,
this is my faith and this is my belief. And it is this which is the raison
d'etre of this creation.
That "rain of light" which had started to pour on the deserts, until they
become completely green, will continue to pour. It did not take much time to
write this book, but definitely its publication took time. It is a story of
problems and resources which I do not intend to tell you. It is a matter of my
ecstasy.
I have to request you one thing - I will need your opinion about this book.
This will be the reward of my love, this will lead to my improvement and this
will grow roses in the desert of my courage(s).
Finally, I feel it necessary to say that, in view of the importance of this
book, I have, despite my extremely limited means, tried to present it in a
better form as far as possible. It will not be possible for you to estimate what
a bitter experience it is to publish a book in this age. Nonetheless, I
would like to say that I have neither made this book a basis of business, nor
have I thought in this superficial manner.
The publication of this book for me is not a business but a worship
(ibaadat) and may God make this worship the means of my salvation. For to convey to
you each and every word of Hazir Imam Hazrat Mawlana Shah Karim al-Husayni is
my faith and my mission...
The dust under the feet of Hazir Imam
(khak-pa-i Hazir Imam)
Sayyid Asaf-jah Jafari.