In this third Ginan of the series, Karim Maherali shares the translation with commentary of a Ginan in which Pir imparts the necessary knowledge of adaab/etiquette of attending the Jamatkhana – the House of the Imam. The translation, transliteration and recitation (audio) is presented below.
The Ginan Gist
This Ginan is about adab (etiquette) to be observed when one attends Jamatkhana. It reflects Mowlana Hazar Imam’s vision about what should take place in Jamatkhanas:
“It is my humble prayer that, when built, the Ismaili Centre in Dubai will be a place for contemplation and search for enlightenment, where people come together to share knowledge and wisdom. It will be a place of peace, of order, of hope and of brotherhood, radiating those thoughts, attitudes and sentiments which unite, and which do not divide, and which uplift the mind and the spirit.” (Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan at the Foundation Laying Ceremony of the Ismaili Centre in Dubai)
Gat maa(n)he aavine
Audio: Gat Maa(n)he Aavine – Farida Karmali – Maheboob Chaglani
Translation, transliteration & Commentary
Eji gat maa(n)he aavine viraabhaai kar joddi rahiye
Gur naa vachan aapannaa sir par dhariye…..1
O momins! Having come to the congregation, o courageous brother, remain with hands folded. Retain the commands of the Guide in your heads.
Comment: Folded hands is an expression of respect and humility. Retaining the commands in the head signifies reflecting upon and internalizing them.
Eji gat maa(n)he aavine viraabhaai sanmukh rahiye
Ninda thaae tyaan thi uthine jaiye…..2
O momins! Having come to the congregation, o courageous brother, remain face to face. Where there is backbiting and slander, get up and leave.
Comment: Remaining face to face means one should behave as if HazarImam was in front all the time.
Holy Quran (104:1):
“Woe to every slanderer and backbiter”
Eji gat maa(n)he aavine viraabhaai amiras pije
Dasond sukreet aapannaa gur mukhe dije…..3
O momins! Having come to the congregation, o courageous brother, drink the nectar. Submit the Dasond (tithe) and sukreet in the presence of the Guide (Mawlana Hazar Imam) who is ever present in Jamatkhana.
Comment: Drinking nectar means partaking of life giving Ab-e-sifa or listening to the purifying wisdom of the Farmans, Ginans and Qasidas. Sukreet is a Sanskrit term meaning good deeds and unifying qualities such as patience and forgiveness.
Eji eso ginan Pir bhannaave Sadardin
Aapnni nàat chhoddine parnaat vahevaar na kije…..4
O momins! Pir Sadardeen teaches this Ginan. Leaving your Jamat, do not have relations with others.
Comment: This verse is sometimes interpreted that we should not have relations with others. This is not the case. One can have relations with others and build bridges so long as one remains within the fold of our Jamat.
Ginan Series – By Karim Maherali






































