Halqa Saifiyah Shukr Ziafat

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The Fatemi Dai of the Fatemi Imam, Syedna Taher Fakhruddin TUS, graced the Halqa-Saifiyyah ziafat in Iwan-e Fatemi (Darus Sakina) on the 24^th of Jumad-ul-Ukhra during the mubarak ayyam of Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin’s Urus. Syedna was escorted to the Iwan in a procession (maukib) with a parasol (chhatri or mazilla) held over him and banners with the ayats “nasrun minallahe wa fathun qareeb” and “inna fatahna laka fathun mubeena”) and the talabat who carried symbolic swords – all of which are historical representations of processions in Fatemi Misr. The halqa talabat walked in front and the talebaat walked behind them, and together they recited the qasida written by Qutbuddin Maula RA for Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin RA, ‘Ahlan Wasahlan Marhabban Marhaba.’

Maulana entered the Iwan and stood for a few moments to appreciate the tazyeen: a calligraphic engraved wooden Ark of Salvation (Safinatun-Najat), with the bayt by Syedna Ali bin Hanzala RA “the Imams are the ships that save us from the storms of delusion and innovation, they safeguard Mumineen on the Day of Judgement” (Hum fulko tufaan id dalaale wal bida’ / wa muminul mumine min haulil faza). The calligraphy of the sails consisted of ayat-s from the Qur’an-e-Majeed and abyat by Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA. This calligraphic Safinah was written and drawn by one of the talabat. Behind the safinah was a painted stormy sea. The safinah metaphorically represented Fatemi Dawat steered by its captain Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin RA and then Syedna Taher Fakhruddin TUS through the turmoil and tufan of fitnat, aided by the divine tay’eed of Allah Ta’ala and Imam-uz-Zaman. A small fish aquarium next to Busaheba’s chair echoed the sea theme.

The ziafat commenced with Tilawat-ul-Quran by Aziz Bhaigora who was trained by Lu’lu’atu Da’watil Haqq Shehzadi Bazat-Tayyeba Baisaheba. Then a madeh composed by Zumurradatu Da’watil Haqq Shehzadi Dr. Bazat Saifiyah Baisaheba’s was recited by all of the talabaat, resonating the theme of the safinat-un-najaat (click here to listen to the madeh). Then, one by one each talabat presented their own compositions - in the form of shukr speeches, madehs and poems – each expressed their heartfelt impressions and illustrated the ma’arefat they achieved through sabaq and their gratitude for the azeem nemat of ‘ilm given to them. Then, a thought provoking – yet humorous! - skit was enacted by talabat about the three different perspectives prevalent today. The skit addressed the error of both extremes – fanaticism and heedlessness – and presented the correct philosophy that “Shari’at is the middle path.” Then the talabat and talebaat recited a na’at of Rasulullah SA “Qasidat al-Burda” which filled the Iwan with its resonating novel “Arab” cadence (click here to listen to the audio recording). Many people considered this recitation one of the highlights of the ziafat, which was then followed by rasam of sharbat and wadhaavanu.

Maulana TUS addressed the talabat with kalemaat nooraniyah. He expressed the happiness he felt with the talabatul ilm, especially after hearing their compositions. Maulana showered them with priceless doa. “The ‘ilm of Aal-e-Mohammed is a sea without shores” he said, “and it has the power to bestow eternal life (hayaat abadiyyah).” Maulana explained the four steps in acquiring ‘ilm as outlined by Rasulullah: 1) disciplined silence (samt), 2) listening with concentration (istima’), 3) to absorb and remember (hifz) and, 4) to impart to others (nashr). Syedna explained the importance of nehej of ilm in Dawat and mentioned Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin’s Dars-e Saifee and Syedna Taher Saifuddin’s conversion of the Dars into Jamea Saifiyah. Syedna then graciously added that the sigha and the baakat of the name ‘Saifiyah’ continues in the sabaqs taught by Syedna Qutbuddin’s daughter Shehzadi Dr. Bazat Saifiyah Baisaheba, and the name “Halqa Saifiyah” he bestowed upon them.

The talabat then received the sharaf of qadambosi, and the barakati inayat of a Yemeni aqeeq as tashreef. After namaaz, Maulana presided over the ziafat thaal which was filled with jaman prepared by taalebaat of Halqa Saifiyah.

Halqa Saifiyah has had the privilege of annual shukr ziyafat for 17 years. We offer heartfelt gratitude to Allah Ta’ala, Syedna Burhanuddin RA, Syedna Qutbuddin RA and his waaris Syedna Fakhruddin TUS for bestowing this sharaf upon the talabat of Halqa Saifiyah and pray that Fakhruddin Maula continue to grant us the grace of his Imami presence in our ziafat for many years to come, Ameen.