Mowlana Hazar Imam’s 78th Birthday – Khushiali Mubarak! Salgirah Mubarak! (Birthday Blessings!) – December 13, 2014
“The existence of a spiritual guide is like a ladder leading towards God and how can an arrow fly in speed towards its destination without the bow? — Rumi
| What | The Holy Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan’s Birthday Celebrations – Khushiali Mubarak! Salgirah Mubarak! (Birthday Blessings!) |
| Why | The birthday of the Imam of the Time of the Shia Ismaili Muslims is celebrated to honor his service to God in spreading peace and understanding amongst his community and the peoples of the world. This tradition has continued for over 1400 years since the time of Hazrat Ali (a.s. on whom be peace) the first Imam appointed by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s. – peace be upon him) |
| When | His birthday anniversary is on December 13th every year |
| Where | Celebrations take place in over 50 countries around the world where Ismailis live. 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 4, 2011, Illinois State Governor Patrick “Pat” Quinn, praised the Imam and his work when signing an Agreement of Cooperation between the State of Illinois and the Ismaili Imamat. Please watch this wonderful video. |
| History | Birthdays of the Ahl-e-Bayt (the Prophet’s family) and the Imams and certain important dates of the year were celebrated. Imam took part in the celebrations of the festivals. Local festivals of secular origin, like the “Flooding of the Nile” and “Navroz” (beginning of spring) were also encouraged by the Imam. Imam al-Muiz would hold huge receptions at his palace; processions were taken through the town and the whole town was illuminated.”The above (taken from the History of the Imams page) is a description of the traditional celebration of the birthday of the Imam of the time (Hazar Imam) the progeny of Prophet Muhammad (sas). We are all very happy at the occasion of the birthday of Mowlana Karim Al-Husaini Hazar Imam (as), the 49th descendant, on December the 13th. The world is celebrating the birthday of this Noble Spirit, Ameen. |
| More Info | Please visit his past birthday celebrations every year listed on links below |
The birthday of the Imam is significant just as the birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad for God’s grace is ever-present on earth.
“Verily, in the apostle of God you have a good example for everyone who looks forward (with hope and awe) to God and the Last Day and remembers God unceasingly.” (Sura Al-Azhab 33:21)
God’s guidance is an act of His grace which he has rewarded us who desire to be guided as our Beloved Prophet was designated ‘Mercy for the mankind’ (Rahmat lil-alamin) (Sura Al-Anbiya 21:107). He became the prototype, (Uswa Husana) a ‘Beautiful Model’, a guide and a mercy among the people who would follow his example and so becomes God’s ultimate Grace as He does not leave the earth without a Guide!
The Prophet’s Grandson, our Beloved Mowlana Hazar Imam, descended from the Prophet’s daughter, Lady Fatima who was married to Imam Hazrat Ali (salwaat); he is carrying on this tradition of being the spiritual guide and also the organizer of the new social order as declared in the Last Revelation, the Holy Quran. Din and Duniya (faith and world) are interwoven and one should practice both in one’s daily life.
Seyyed Hossein Nasr, a professor and Muslim writer says regarding this function of the Imam:
“This is particularly true in the modern world in which religion is separated from other domains of life and most modern men can hardly imagine how a spiritual being could also be immersed in the most intense political and social activity. “The integration of the material and spiritual aspect of one’s life was the hallmark of the lifestyle of the Prophet (s.a.w.) and how he managed to fulfill this dual role should become an example for Muslims, who today face immense difficulties in trying to live in a society which is becoming increasingly material.”
“Verily, thou cannot guide aright everyone whom thou lovest:
but it is Allah who guides him that wills (to be guided); and He is
fully aware of all who would let themselves be guided.” — (Sura Al-Qasas 28:56)
Like the Noble Prophet, Mowlana Hazar Imam preaches generosity and forgiveness and to not take revenge but to pardon adversaries and take solace in their decision as an act of faith spelled out by God who asks for tolerance, patience and forbearance and let Him mete out His justice.
We will hurl Truth at Falsehood, until truth shall triumph and falsehood vanish.” — (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:18)
This principle has been embodied in the lives of the Imams and the faithful, the foremost, Imam Ali, who gave up his rights as the rightful successor of the Holy Prophet’s role as Caliph and was content in accepting his role as Amir ul-Momineen, Master of the believers who are the Shia branch of Islam although many of the Sunni tradition also accept him as their Leader, the Sufis who always send greetings of peace upon him as decreed by God — the Salwaat.
The persecution of the Prophet’s family did not end there but was culminated in the gruesome martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the Grandson of the Prophet and son of his daughter Lady Fatima and Imam Ali at Karbala in Iraq in the year 61 AH (680 CE). This tragic event known as Ashura, is commemorated on 10th of Muharram, where Imam Hussain was killed by Yazid and compatriots as the Holy Imam refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid so that the religious rights of the Shias could be usurped. Imam Hussain chose the path of justice and righteousness and stood up against his oppressors. Every year, pilgrims from all faiths walk from all over Syria, Iran, Yemen, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and other parts of the world to Karbala on foot for hundreds of miles, to mark Arbaeen, the 40th day after Ashura, to show support for Imam Hussain as the universal symbol of freedom and compassion and look for blessings as God has promised that truth will prevail. Last year, 20 million people joined in this pilgrimage that is five times larger than the pilgrimage to Mecca for Hajj!
This year Arbaeen, 20th Safar on the Hijri Muslim calendar, falls on December 13, 2014 which is the birthday anniversary of our beloved Imam-e Zaman, Lord of the Age and so I decided to let readers know about this event and how we can renew our allegiance to the Present, Living Imam and strive to stand for what is right and refuse to let falsehood prevail.
See Arbaeen Page coming soon for more details.
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
The Ismailis follow the esoteric practice of Islam, of piety and virtuous action, that has survived from the time of Prophet Muhammad and 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. And now the Ismaili Centre and Aga Khan Museum is open to bring about even more understanding amongst peoples!
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 [the Holy Quran], 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 78th 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
How can we as his Murids, do more for our world and for our spiritual uplift?
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 goods. 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, its generosity, its piety and ethical values, wishing upon their neighbors what they wish upon themselves, the principle of unity where the all the peoples of the world are created by the one God and we are to all spread the message of peace and tolerance to all, this year and every year. Let this birthday anniversary of our Holy Imam remind us of our duty to mankind! Rejoice!
Our Beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
‘You will see your Lord as you see the moon on the night when it is full.’
The night in which the Messenger was born is
Without doubt similar to the Night of Might, Sura 97
— Malikite mufti of Algiers, Ibn ‘Ammar, who states, the birthday, Maulid, has given the Prophet to the whole world, but the Night of Might, lailat al-qadr, was meant especially for him, that is, to the night in which the Quran was revealed for the first time, which is called in Sura 97 “better than a thousand months.”
Wonderful Qasida for the Imam on the 78th Birthday by Pamiri Faithful
Birthday Pages from previous years with more gems as above!
78th Birthday Page – 2014
77th Birthday Page – 2013
76th Birthday Page – 2012
75th Birthday Page – 2011
Related
56th Imamat Day Page – 2013
55th Imamat Day Page – 2012
54th 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
The picture ‘Aga Khan walks under Quran’ was taken in Birjand airport, in Imam’s first visit to Iran (1957?),
Thanks for letting me know. I will correct the graphics and repost. Mubarak!