In the Holy Quran, God outlines that everyone who strives for virtue and right action will be led back to Him through their faith as our primordial nature, the Fitra, is to seek a way back to our origin, to merge into God, we have been hard-wired to know God, a veritable theme in the Quran.
"Truly those who believe, and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabeans (the Persians), whoever believes in God and the Last Day and is virtuous, surely their reward is with their Lord, and no fear shall come upon them, neither shall they grieve." Quran 2:62
Even though Islam is being maligned post-9/11, it is very clear from the verse above that the same God, the Almighty, is the originator of Islam, as of the all the great religions. In the Quran we are exhorted to follow our faith and way as the right path to Him. As Ismailis, we follow the Holy Prophet Muhammad and his progeny. See what Allah says in the Quran:
For each (religion), We have appointed from you a Law and a Way shiraatan wa minhajan. Had God willed, He could have made you one community. But that He might try you by that which He hath given you [you are born into a faith]. So vie with one another in good works. Unto God you will all return, and He will inform you of that wherein you differed." Quran 5:48
Unto each community We have given sacred rites mansakan which they are to perform; so let them not dispute with thee about the matter, but summon them unto thy Lord." Quran 22:67
The Ismailis do not proselytize as every religion has its own rites and rituals to be pursued by the adherants, seeking their way back to God. The pluralism and multiple cultures were ordained by Providence, so we would know one another as the Holy Quran says:
"O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most pious." Quran 49:13
The Ismailis follow the esoteric practice of Islam, of piety and virtuous action, that has survived from the time of Prophet Muhammad, which was perfected by Imam Ali; all Sufi orders descend from him and strive to please God. Our present living Imam, Mowlana Hazar Imam, has been a champion of "vying with one another in good works" as is evident in all his works for his community and for the wider population. Always promoting pluralism, recently opening the Global Centre for Pluralism, and leaders the world over are realizing and praising his active humanitarian endeavors.
Prime Minister Harper of Canada and his Cabinet honored His Highness the Aga Khan by issuing Governmental greetings to the Imam and applauded his humanitarian efforts in bringing hope to the underprivileged in the world and in spreading knowledge amongst people of different backgrounds and promoting pluralism.
On November 9, 2010, the French Minister for Culture and Communication, Frédéric Mitterrand, on behalf of the French government, today conveyed honours on His Highness the Aga Khan and his brother Prince Amyn Aga Khan. Recognising their contributions to culture, both personally and through the various activities of the Aga Khan Development Network, the Minister noted that the promotion of culture had a privileged position amongst all of their multiple activities, because “you are convinced of its importance in the process of improving the quality of life globally”.
"He not only celebrates diversity, he also honours the differences between people that can paradoxically give them their greatest bond. He has two roles in this world; one which he has inherited as an extraordinary charge, and the other that he has built upon and recreated, that now involves all of us. He manifests the creative relationship of spiritual values and material concern, which is unique in the world today, and is a model for all of us...In his own being, he encompasses the world." Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson
According to Sura Fatiha, the first chapter of the Quran, we are to follow the straight path and ask to be guided to the straight path!
"And strive hard in (the way of) Allah, (such) a striving as is due to Him; He has chosen you and has not laid upon you any hardship in religion; the faith of your father Ibrahim; He named you Muslims before and in this, that the Apostle may be a bearer of witness to you, and you may be bearers of witness to the people; therefore keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate and hold fast by Allah; He is your Guardian; how excellent the Guardian and how excellent the Helper!" Quran 22:78
With such a wonderful Guide, what are we to do and how are we to respond? The Imam tells us religion means not only faith but also good works! So for his 75th birthday, can we reflect and put our life in the right order, to follow his guidance and with faith commit to virtuous action? Then we can truly celebrate as you can see the special verse in the Quran referring to us; Mubarak!
"They are not all alike. Of the People of the Book, there is a staunch community who recite the revelations of God in the watches of the night, falling prostrate." Quran 3:113
Meet you at dawn! Grace
"The essence (batin) of Ismailism remains unchanged but the external aspect (zahir) changes. The Nizari Ismailies believe that the first man who existed on earth was an Imam and the last will also be an Imam...These two are in essence the same, the archetype of the Spirit that pervades the whole of Creation. As Imam Ali is reported to have stated in the Sermon of the Great Declaration (khutbat al-bayan): "I am the First and the Last." All Imams are thus understood in Ismaili doctrine to be one of the same essence transmitting
the Sophia Perennis (Eternal Wisdom) to the seekers of enlightenment from generation to generation until the end of time."
- Diana Steigerwald, (The Multiple Facets of Ismailism, Sacred Web, Volume 9, pp. 87, July 2002)
Quran
Sura 4:174, 175
| Yaa- 'ayyu-hannasu qad |
O mankind! Verily |
| Jaa- 'akum |
There hath come to you |
| Bur-hanum |
A convincing proof |
| Mir Rabbikum |
From your Lord: |
| Wa 'anzalnaa 'ilaykum |
For We have sent unto you |
| Nuram mubiinaa |
A light (that is) manifest. |
|
|
| Fa- 'ammal'lazina 'aamanu |
Then those who believe |
| Bil-laahi wa' -tasamu |
In God, and hold fast |
| Bihi fasa-yud-khiluhum fi |
To Him, - soon will he |
| Rahmatim-minhu |
Admit them to Mercy |
| Wa Fazlin |
And Grace from Himself, |
| Wa yah-dihim 'ilayhi |
And guide them to Himself |
| Siraatam Mustaqima. |
By a straight path. |
"In Islam, the Holy Koran says that man is God’s noblest creation to whom He has entrusted the stewardship of all that is on earth. Each generation must leave for its successors an enhanced and sustainable social and physical environment. I am sure every responsible citizen in every part of the world would share this aspiration." - from Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan at the Ninth Award Cycle of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture at the AKDN site
How can we as his Murids, do more for our world and for our spiritual uplift?
"With respect to relations between the Western and Islamic worlds, are we not seeing a conflict of stereotypes and prejudices, exacerbated by a good measure of ignorance about Islam? There are, of course, some differences, but if superficiality and trivialisation can be set aside, and be replaced by the will to go deeper to seek a solid foundation for mutual understanding and respect, it can be found in the common heritage of the Abrahamic faiths and the ethical principles that they share."-- His Highness the Aga Khan, speaking at the presentation ceremony for The Aga Khan Award for Architecture on 6 November 2001.
"As we work towards that vision of the future we will remember the Surah of Light from the Quran. It tells us that the oil of the blessed olive tree lights the lamp of understanding, a light that belongs neither to the East nor West. We are to give this light to all. In that spirit, all that we learn will belong to the world and that too is part of the vision I share with you." Speech by His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan to the Asia Society, New York, September 25, 1979
Islam has the answer to the world's problems by following the true teachings of Islam, i.e. equality of all humans (isn't this why the Christian and Jewish faiths flourished when Islam was ruling the world?), by bringing the quest for material goods in real perspective i.e. not giving up our spiritual practices in the pursuit of material happiness. All of us should be the ambassadors of Islam and show the world that the "terrorist" label is not one that belongs to Islam. Let us do our part in educating everyone about what it means to be a Muslim, this year and every year. Inshallah!
Birthday Greetings to His Highness The Aga Khan from Prime Minister of Canada The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper Download pdf file
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper pays respects to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan
Video - Canadian Minister Kenney extends birthday wishes to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan
Graphic timeline of awards and honours accorded to His Highness the Aga Khan
Golden Jubilee Tribute View some of Mowlana Hazar Imam's achievements, amazing!
Index of Speeches made by Mowlana Hazar Imam at the Ismaili Web Amaana.org
Index of Speeches made by Mowlana Hazar Imam at AKDN site
Related Pages
75th Birthday Page - 2011
74th Birthday Page - 2010
73rd Birthday Page - 2009
72nd Birthday Page - 2008
71st Birthday Page - 2007
70th Birthday Page - 2006
69th Birthday Page - 2005
68th Birthday Page - 2004
67th Birthday Page - 2003
66th Birthday Page - 2002
65th Birthday Page - 2001
64th Birthday Page - 2000
63rd Birthday Page - 1999
62nd Birthday Page - 1998
61st Birthday Page - 1997
53rd Imamat Day Page - 2011
53rd Imamat Day Page - 2010
52nd Imamat Day Page - 2009
51st Imamat Day Page - 2008
50th Imamat Day Page - 2007
49th Imamat Day Page - 2006
48th Imamat Day Page - 2005
47th Imamat Day Page - 2004
46th Imamat Day Page - 2003
45th Imamat Day Page - 2002
44th Imamat Day Page - 2001
43rd Imamat Day Page - 2000
42nd Imamat Day Page - 1999
41st Imamat Day Page - 1998
40th Imamat Day Page - 1997
Verses
in the Quran proclaiming the Imams - Ahl-e Bayt (Family of the Prophet)
Pan
Tan Paak Ahl-e Bayt Page
