The Ginan Gist
This Ginan is about the purpose of creation which for an Ismaili is devotion to the Imam of the time. It evokes imageries depicting the extremities of the consequences depending upon whether one fulfils the purpose or not. On the one hand, one will be tormented by the fiery and excruciating pain of hell if one is forgetful of the purpose, whereas on the other, if one is aware of the purpose and behaves accordingly, he will enjoy the perfect heavenly abode of paradise. This radical contrast in the respective destinies is reflected in the Quranic verse that is recited at the beginning of Ziyarat-e-Mayat in Jamatkhanas after the burial rites of a deceased murid:
A’uzu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajeem
Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim
La yastavi ashabun-naari wa ashabul jan’nah
Ashabul jannati humul faizun
I seek refuge in Allah against the accursed devil
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful
Not equal are the Companions of the Fire and the Companions of the Garden
It is the Companions of the Garden, that will attain Felicity (59:20)
Duniya Sirajine Shaah More
Audio: Duniya Sirajine Shaah More – Farida Karmali – Maheboob Chaglani
Translation, Transliteration and Commentary
eji duniyaa sirajine shaahaa more ana upaayaaji
pavan paannee paydaa keedhaajee…..1
Having created the world my Lord produced food. He also created air and water.
eji kahore jiv tame kis kaarann aayaaji
na kidhi saahebjini srevaaji…..2
Ask your own selves(souls) for what purpose have you come in this world if you have not devoted yourselves to the Imam.
Holy Qur’an (44:38-39)
We have not created the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them in play. We have not created them but for a serious end, but the greater part of them understand it not.
eji duniyaano lobh jivddo karavaane laagoji
duniyaane lobhe bharame bhuloji…..3
The soul has indulged itself in the greed of this world. For the sake of the greed of this world and delusion, it has forgotten (it’s essential purpose).
Holy Qur’an (89:20):
And you love wealth with inordinate love.
eji bhulo te maathaano bhejo kaane nisarasheji
til tilnaa lekhaa saaheb lesheji…..4
If you have forgotten, then your brain will protrude from your ears. The Lord will take account of every little thing done.
Holy Qur’an (29:23):
Those who disbelieve in the revelations of Allah and in (their) meeting with Him, such have no hope of My mercy. For such there is a painful doom.
eji sohosoho karanni-e tiyaa(n) suraj tapasheji
maai na kaheve putra meraaji…..5
The sun will blaze with hundredfold intensity of heat. Even a mother will not be able to recognise her own son.
eji jumloji puchhe aapannaa jivu(n)naa pirne
amaraapurinaa ghar chhe kevaaji…..6
The Jamats ask the Pir of their souls: what is the nature of the eternal abode?
eji sonaani i(n)ttaddi ne rupaanaa tha(m)bhaji
saav kasturi keraa gaaraajee…..7
The bricks are of gold and the pillars are of silver. The plaster is of pure musk.
Comment: The splendor is given by bricks of gold and pillars of silver. The fragrance is given by pure musk.
eji evaa evaa mohol apanne saahebe upaayaaji
karanni kamaavo to e ghar paamoji…..8
Such are the mansions our Lord has built. Earn good deeds so that you may earn such an abode.
Holy Qur’an (39:20):
But it is for those who fear their Lord. Those lofty mansions, one above another, have been built; beneath them flow rivers: (such is) the Promise of Allah: never does Allah fail in (His) promise.
eji bhanne pir sadardin sunno gati-u momano
karanni kamaavo to evaa fal paamoji…..9
Pir Sadardin teaches: listen o momins of the congregation. If you earn good deeds, such will be the fruits you will attain.
Ginan Series – By Karim Maherali
Ginan: Saahebjee tu(n) more man bhaave – O Imam! You are dear to my heart (mind) - The Ginan Gist – By Karim Maherali. Brief note about the raag (tune) by Aly…
Ginan: Hu(n) re piyaasi piya tere darshanki – I thirst, o Beloved, for a vision of You - The Ginan Gist – By Karim Maherali. Brief note about the raag (tune) by Aly…
Munaajaat: Ya Aly Khoob mijaalas jeenat karke – O Aly, in the fair assembly gloriously adorned - Munaajaat Gist: By Karim Maherali. Brief note about the raag (tune) by Aly Sunderji. A…
Ginan: Hetesu(n) milo re munivaro – With love and affection meet, O the best of ascetics - This Ginan highlights the ultimate purpose of our existence: to enjoy the Vision of God
Ginan: Shahnaa khat aayaa viraa Jampudeep maa(n)he – The Imam’s letter has arrived in the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent - This Ginan is called a Talika Ginan. It is recited on the occasion of the reading of Mowlana Hazar Imam's messages to the Jamat
Ginan: Swaami-ne saachu(n) karine sreviye – By considering the Imam to be true, be devoted to him - This is a lengthy Ginan which covers many aspects of our faith - importance and benefits of following the Imam of the time
Ginan: Aaj aanand paamiya man ke – Today this mind (heart) has attained joy - The essential message of this Ginan is to abandon the false worship of the idols.
Ginan: Unchaa re kot bahu vechana – Your abode is at an elevated fort far away - This Ginan highlights the need to constantly be aware and engage in the quest for the ultimate purpose and meaning which is crowned by the gift of Darshan (Vision)
Ginan: Ham dil khaalak Allah sohi vase ji – My heart is the creation and Allah resides therein - This Ginan highlights the esoteric dimension of our Tariqah with respect to the notion of a Perfect Man as a macrosm of creation in whose heart the entire creation is reflected and in whom the Divine fully manifests and hence expresses the Divine will par excellence. 
Ginan: Dur desh thee aayo vannjaaro – You have come from a distant country, o travelling trader - This Ginan highlights the transitory nature of our existence in this world by way of the imagery of a travelling trader and that all our actions are dealings with the world and are a means of attaining the ultimate objective of meeting the Imam.
Ginan: Satna sarovar saraasar bhariya – The Lake of truth is brimful - This Ginan highlights the importance of keeping the soul constantly refreshed and protected through the proper observance of rites and rituals and ethical conduct
Ginan: Til bhaar tulannaa – Sesame seed’s weight will be accounted for - This Ginan is about what will happen to the souls when they depart from this world highlighting the nature of accountability and the provisions that one needs to take along with him/her to enjoy the felicity of the hereafter.
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Ginan: Jaag jaagre tun jaag – Wake up, wake up, o you, wake up - The Ginan Gist – By Karim Maherali This Ginan is about the importance of remaining…
Ginan: Ab teree mohabat lagee – Now I am in love with you - The Ginan Gist – By Karim Maherali This Ginan is an expression of love and…
Qasida: Ta Surato Paiwande Jahan Bud Ali Bud – Ali the ever present - The Qasida Gist – By Karim Maherali The Holy Quran (4:174) states: “O mankind! Verily…
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Ginan: Kalpat jalpat maayaa e mohee – Mirage-like and false is this illusory existence in which my soul is attached - The Ginan Gist – By Karim Maherali This Ginan is about the nature of our…
Ginan: Aasmaanee ta(m)bal vaajeeya – The heavenly trumpets have sounded - O momins! The time will move very quickly; a year will seem like ten days and the days will flow swiftly like water: This Ginan is about the significance of spiritual enlightenment in the life of an individual murid.
Ginan: Maal khajinaa bohotaj bhariya – Though you may have filled many treasuries with riches - The Ginan Gist – By Karim Maherali This Ginan highlights the illusory and fleeting nature…
Ginan: Saamee tamaaree vaddee maa(n)he – O Lord in your garden - The Ginan Gist – By Karim Maherali This Ginan conveys the vision of creation as…
Ginan: Sakhee maree aatam naa odhaar – O my Friend! O Saviour of my soul - The Ginan Gist – By Karim Maherali The Holy Qur’an States: “We will show them…
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