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SALGIRAH

Encyclopaedia of Ismailism by Mumtaz Ali Tajddin

The Persian word sal means anniversary and girah means knot, thus salgirah refers to an anniversary added on to a string kept for the purpose. Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah said, "Life is a great and noble calling, not a mean and a grovelling thing to be shuffled through as best as we can but a lofty and exalted destiny." Hence, the day of birth, for every soul, is of supreme importance. Nations celebrate birthdays of their leaders and their own anniversaries of independence; families and groups celebrate birthdays of their beloved ones, relatives, friends and heroes. The Ismailis do not celebrate the birthday of their Present Imam in the same manner. The significance of Imam's birthday far outshines that of the birthday of any other leader or hero. To Ismailis, this is a unique and privileged occasion, and indeed a reminder of the Living Evidence of God. The Imam's birthday is an event of happiness for him as well as for his followers. The rejoicing is born out of the fact of spiritual and moral strength of the followers who are in constant remembrance of and submission to God.

Every Salgirah of the Imam reminds the Ismailis the words the Imam spoke, "What can the jamat do to make Imam happy on his birthday?" So in fact, the Imam's birthday is a stock taking day for the jamat to search their souls and think deeply, have they made Imam happy or not, if not, what can they do to make him happy? The Imam had made several farmans to the jamats and indicated how the jamat can make him happy. His foremost emphasis is on cooperation, brotherhood and understanding. There are so many avenues through which one can serve Imam and gain happiness for himself also. To work sincerely, to give in charity, to have a merciful heart, to look after the welfare of the less fortunate, the sick and the poor, is a form of worship. To be mindful of each other's difficulties and extend help and understanding is also worship. It is such a noble work that raises man to a higher level, makes him a better human being, and better human being will make a better jamat, a better society. It would be presumptuous to believe that everyone can change overnight. However, exercise of will and determination can certainly raise the level of thinking and attitude.


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