Declaration of  9 June 1995

His Excellency Haj Ali Tabandeh Mahboub Ali Shah

In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate

Hu

121

To my brethren in faith, the fuqara of the Ni‘matullahi Sultan Alishahi Order, may Allah grant them success: The points below, which are from the subtleties and implications of faqr and dervishhood, I offer once again as a reminder, so that in compliance with the noble order, (…and remind, the Reminder profits the believers,)[2] God willing, it may be of profit.

The spiritual expectations which the way of faqr and dervishhood has of its wayfarers are:

1.      Be a guard over the trust of the faqr and dervishhood God has given you for safe keeping, and by excellent words, actions and thoughts, try to be worthy of the appellations of faqr and dervishhood, for each of your wrong deeds is an embarassment to this faqir.

2.      Make the scale of your behavior the epitome of the instructions of faqr and dervishhood, which is service to God, kindness to people and ministry to the brethren, and make your deeds accord with this.

3.      Do not sell the jewel of faqr and dervishhood for a small price so that you suffer loss. The jeweler knows the value of the jewel. If you are not a jeweler, know that the price of this jewel is joining the Friend.

4.      The subtlety of faqr and dervishhood cannot be brought to the tongue, and speech is not the way to its truth. Do not break the sanctity of the heart by talk and do not say anything that may result in undermining the states (ahwal) of others.

5.      The enemy of faqr and dervishhood is the devil of the self, which appears in various forms. Do not be taken in by the deceptive ploting of the self, for it is possible that it may take on the appearance of being pleasing to God.

6.      What is expected by faqr and dervishhood from those who have found its way is nothing but the performance of the responsibilities of the faith. Every eye that looks for anything else in this way is due to a blind heart.

7.      Do not trample the blessing of faqr and dervishhood with egotism and conceit, for the grief of this ingratitude brings pain to the hearts of the great men of religion.

8.      The world of faqr and dervishhood is just giving the retreat of the heart to the Beloved. Those who pursue ease and who are alien to this suffering are not fellow travellers with this faqir.

9.      Do not break the goblet of honor of faqr and dervishhood with the stone of greed and neglect, and do not purchase for yourself the black heart of breaking the covenant.

10.  The success of service in the world of faqr and dervishhood is itself a spiritual reward. Seeking compensation is a poisonous neglect.

Do not be a servant for a wage like a beggar,

For the Friend has His own way of training servants.[3]

11.  Do not take captive the freedom of faqr and dervishhood by envy of the world and yearning for the afterlife. Do not want anything from the Friend but Himself

There must be three partings in the clothing of faqr:

Parting from the world, parting from the other world, and parting from parting.[4]

12.  The destination of faqr and dervishhood requires a firm will. Accept the difficulties of the way, even if it costs your life, by the mount of yearning for union,[5] and expect your heart to open, for dispair and hopelessness are infidelity.

I expect all the brothers and sisters in faith to meditate on these points and to look upon them with the eye of the heart, and to prepare their provisions for the way, and not to be negligent, so that

If anyone is home, even a single word will suffice.[6]

And Peace be with you, and the Mercy of Allah and His blessings.

‘Ashura Husayni A.H.L. 1416

Corresponding to A.H.S. 19 Khordad 1374

[9 June 1995]

Faqir Hajj ‘Ali Tabandeh

Mahbub Alishah

[signed and signeted]