The Ginan Gist – By Karim Maherali

This Ginan is about what it entails to be close to the source of Mercy and what benefits are derived from receiving Mercy. The Holy Qur’an states that Prophet Muhammad was sent as a Mercy for the worlds: rahmatan lil-aalamin (21: 107). By extension, the Imams are considered as such in Shia Islam. Being a murid is being close to Mercy as per verse of the Holy Quran recited in Ziyarat-e-Mayyat:

Ulaika ala hudam mir rabbi him
Wa ulaika humul muflihun
Inna rahamatillahi karibum minal muhsinin

They are on (true) guidance from their Lord
And it is those who will prosper
For the mercy of God is (always) near to those who do good.(7:56)

It also highlights the need to constantly ask for Mercy lest one is overcome by conceit and forgetfulness.

This Ginan was composed by Sayeda Imam Begum the only known female composer.

 

āe rahem rahemān abato rahem karoge

Audio

#	Artist	Audio
1	Imtiaz Fazalbhoy Faiz (with music)
2	Shenu Mawji (without music)

 

Transliteration, Translation and Commentary

aae rahem rahemaan, ab to rahem karoge
ejee tan man dhan guruku(n) arapann kije
to ginaane ginaane ginaan…ab to…..1

As Mercy is from you, O the Merciful, bestow your Mercy now.

Submit your body, mind and wealth to the Guide, then through this wisdom, wisdom will grow.

Comment: Prophet Muhammad was the first Pir of the present cycle. He was the embodiment of Divine guidance and mercy. Being devoted to the Pir of the time is an expression of knowledge and opens the gates of Mercy in the form of more wisdom and guidance.

Holy Qur’an (29:69):

…those who struggle in Our cause, surely we will guide them in Our ways, and God is with the good-doers.

 

ejee daan sakhaavat har-dam kije,
to daane daane daan…ab to…..2

For those who ever freely and constantly give, His gifts will overflow.

Comment: Being in proximity of Mercy entails responsibility to act as channels or conduits and express Mercy in the form of constant charity of thought, means, time and knowledge. The benefits from such acts are abundance in physical and spiritual lives.

Holy Qur’an (2:261):

The parable of those who spend their substance in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn: it grows seven ears and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah giveth increase manifold to whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.

 

ejee sab ghatt ekaj rahemaan dise,
to shaane shaane shaan…ab to…..3

In every heart One Merciful appears, through this glorious awareness, glory increases.

Comment: The sublime gift of Mercy is a life filled with light and through insight of Deedar one encounters the glory of God in every aspect of life as per Holy Qur’an (2:115):

Unto Allah belong the East and the West, and whithersoever ye turn, there is Allah’s countenance. Lo! Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.

Mowlana Hazar Imam has alluded to this continuous opening of new windows to see marvels of his creation: “Indeed, one strength of Islam has always lain in its belief that creation is not static but continuous, that through scientific and other endeavours, God has opened and continues to open new windows for us to see the marvels of His creation”. (Wednesday, 1983, March 16)

 

ejee kahet imaam begam meraa pir hasan shaaha
imaane imaane imaan…ab to…..4

Sayyeda Imam Begum says: My Pir is Hasan Shah. Through this faith my faith will grow.

Comment: Faith begets faith and as one continues to engage in the life of faith it evolves in stages as per Holy Qur’an (8: 2):

….. and when His communications are recited to them they increase them in faith, and in their Lord do they trust.

Pir Hasan Shah was not alive when this Ginan was composed and therefore she is referring to Pir Hasan Shah as the authority for the salvation of the countless souls bestowed upon him by Imam Sri Islam Shah. In this respect Pir Hasan Shah is ever-present even at present and especially in Jamat Khana when Anant Akhado (Ashaji) is recited as he composed it.

 

Ginan Series – By Karim Maherali