GLOSSARY

 

(frequently used entries in the text)

 

 

Ahl al-Bayt                   the people of the house, the immediate family of the Prophet which includes beside the Prophet, Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Hussain.

Alijah                            one who holds eminence in the jamat, a title

Allah-o-Akbar               God is Great

Amaldari                      an officer holding any rank or title

Amen                             so be it, an expression uttered after asking each prayer

Amir                              nobleman, chief

Baitul Khiyal                house of concentration

Barbhahiya                  twelve brethren, who filed suit against Imam during the Aga Khan Case-1866 

Batin                             inner, an esoteric aspect

Bayt                              the convenant entered into with an Imam by every follower.

Chadar                          cover of cloth worn on head or shoulder

Chand Raat                  full moon

Chhanta                        sprinkling of water, a ceremony for forgiveness

Count                            nobleman equal in rank of an English earl, a highest title introduced in Africa

Dai                                 one who summons, a missionary

Darbar                          court, also the audience held by native princes of high-ranking British officials.

Darkhana                     headquarters

Dastboshi                     kissing the hand, a ceremony to kiss Imam’s hand

Dawat                           mission’s work

Dewali                           Indian festival of lights on the last day of the dark-half of the month of Aswin

Dewan                           prime minister, a highest title

Didar                             beholding

Fana fil li’llah              annihilation in divinity

Farman                         words or guidance of the Imam

Fatiha                           opening chapter of Holy Koran, prayer during burial ceremony

Fidai                             one who sacrifice for a cause

Gazal                             a Persian tune or mode of song

Ginan                            a sacred corpus of devotional and didactic hymn composed by the Indian Pirs.

Gupti                             the secretive who professed Ismailism in secret

Hadith                           the sayings of the Holy Prophet

Hakim                           head, ruler

Haqiqi Momin               believer in reality

Hazar Imam                  Imam of the time, evidently refers in this text for the Aga Khan IV, the present Ismaili Imam

Hujjat                            proof, a high rank representing the Imam

Huzur Kamadia            assistant officer in Imam’s staff, a title

Huzur Mukhi                officer attached to Imam’s staff, a title

Ibadat                           worship

Imam                             a living spiritual guide and successor of the Holy Prophet.

Imamate                        the office of the Imam.

Iman                              a faith

Inshallah                      If God so wills

Itmadi                           trustworthy, a title

J.P.                                Justice of Peace, a title introduced by British India.

Jamat                            an assembly

Jamatkhana                 community centre, congregation place with prayer hall

Justi                              an old traditional council.

Kamadia                       assistant of the mukhi.

Khana Abad                 may your house flourish, a special blessing for followers

Khanavadan                 multiplication of prosperity, a special blessing

Khilat                            robe of officer or a special dress gifted as a mark of respect.

Koran                            the last Divine Book revealed on Holy Prophet.

Kul Kamadia                the provincial or district treasurer collecting the tithe

Lac                                one hundred thousand

Majalis                          assembly, brotherhood

Mata Salamat              mother of peace, title of Um-e-Habiba, the wife of 48th Imam

Mawla                           title used by the followers for the Imam.

Mazhar                          epiphany of God.

Mehmani                       hospitalization, an offering to be presented to the Imam.

Momin                           one who believes, the faithful

Mu’allim                        teacher, head of the mission in a particular region

Mukhi                            foremost, the headman of Jamatkhana

Munajat                        connotation of conveying reverence to a sanctified person

Murid                            follower

Musafarkhana             inn

Mushkil Asaan             warding off trouble

Navroz                           new day, a spring festival falls on 21st March

Nikah                            nuptial ceremony

Noor                              light

Pachhedi                       a long piece of clothe to be wrapped round the shoulder and head

Pajibhai Club                an association of brotherhood

Pandit                           a man rooted in Hindu literature

Panjibhai                      brotherhood

Raga                              pleasant sound, tune

Rai                                 a roving officer, a title

Salgirah                        birthday anniversary

Shah’jo Didar               beholding of the Lord, an act of shaking hands in prayer. 

Shah                              king, lord or prince of noble lineage

Shaitan                         devil

Shawl                            precious woolen blanket to be wrapped on shoulder

Siratul Mustaqim         true path

Tabara                          an act of reviling

Takhat Nashini            enthronement ceremony

Talika                           communique, an official letter of the Imam

Tasbih                           rosary

Ulema                            (sig. alim) scholars

Vakil                             representative

Varas                            high officer, the title equal to Wazir

Waez                             sermon, discourse.

Wazir                            high officer, the title corresponds to Varas

Zahir                             outer, the exhoteric aspect