JAMAT KHANA

[From_Alamut]

JAMAT KHANA
By: Rai Shamshudin G. Tejpar


'Jamat Khana' means 'A house designated as a place of worship in which a congregation gathers for prayers'.

'Jamat Khana' for us also means 'House of ALI and NABI' for it is our faith that the NOOR (LIGHT) of Hazar Imam is present there is all It's Glory.

Holy Qur'an says: -

"(This Lamp is found) in house which Allah hath allowed to be exalted and that His name shall be remembered therein. Therein do offer praise to Him at morning and evening".
Sura Nur (XXIV) - Ayat 36.

(From 'Glorious Qur'an' translated by Marmaduke Pickthall)

The above Ayat is preceded by Ayatun NOOR:

"Allah is the Light of the heavens and earth. The similitude of His Light is a niche wherein is a lamp. The lamp is in a glass. The glass is as it were a shining star. (This lamp is) kindled from a blessed tree, an olive neither of the East nor of the West, whose oil would almost glow forth (of itself) though no fire touched it. Light upon Light. Allah guideth unto His Light whom He will. And Allah speaketh to mankind in allegories, for Allah is Knower of all things. "
Sura Nur (XXIV) - Ayat 35

The allegory contained in the above verse refers to 'NOOR - e - Imamat' and therefore 'the house ' which is spoken of in Ayat 36 above is none other than 'Jamat Khana ' in which 'NOOR - e - Imamat ' is present.

When the above mentioned verse (Ayat 36) was revealed, Anas ibn Malik a companion of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) inquired: "Which are the houses in which Allah has permitted to exalt His name?" The Prophet replied: " Those are the houses of the Prophets". Hazrat Abu Bakr who was near Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), asked: " Is the house of Murtaza Ali and Fatima include in this?" And Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) replied: " Surely! It is much more exalted."

The above 'tafsir' (explanation) is given by Sunni Molvis Se Albi and Abbas bin Tagalbe from the records of Baqi bin Harith .

The above 'tafsir' again explains the excellence of our Jamat Khanas.

The 'Noor' is present everywhere and therefore we can offer our prayers wherever we may be.

"You must have faith and love religion. If you are in a bus or anywhere and if you have got a 'tasbih' with you, say your prayers there and then. Do not depend on future or do not hesitate."
Mowlana Hazar Imam 25/11/57

Jabir reported that the Prophet (S.A.W.) said:

"I have been granted five things which were not granted to any one before me … and for me the earth has been made a mosque and a means of purification; therefore, if prayer overtakes any person of my community, he should say his prayers (wherever he is) … "
Bukhari 7:1

But it has to be remembered that our regular attendance in Jamat Khana is very important and essential. The above directions are given so that we may not miss the remembrance of Allah when it is not possible for us to reach Jamat-Khana.

Pir has compared 'Jamat Khana ' to 'Sarovar', 'a Lake' in which there are 'priceless pearls'. Invaluable spiritual benefits are gained by attending Jamat Khana.

Ibn Umar reported the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said:

"Prayer said in congregation excels the prayer said alone by twenty-seven degrees. "
Bukhari 10:30

"To offer the first 'takbir' with the congregation is more worthier than the value of the world and everything in it."
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)

Once, after Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) had finished preaching about the importance and benefits of congregational prayers, a blind man approached the Prophet and said: "O Prophet I am blind and I find it difficult to make my way to the mosque from my home .May I not earn the benefits of congregational prayers if I said them regularly at home?"

Prophet Muhammad replied: " Tie a string from your home to the pillar of the mosque and when you hear the Adhan make your way to the mosque with the help of the string."

Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) gave this instruction to stress upon the importance of congregational prayers.

Holy Qur'an says: -

"Lo! We it is Who bring the dead to life .We record that which they send before (them), and their footprints. And all things We have kept in a clear Register. "
Sura Yasin (XXXVI) - Ayat 12

It is reported that the people of Banu Salim requested the Prophet of Allah to permit them to build a mosque near their place of residence and Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) said: " Stay where you are and come walking to this mosque, for every step to the mosque will bring you many rewards. "

"It is meritorious to go to the mosque; for every step one advances into the mosque he receives forgiveness of sins, God protects him at the last judgment and the angles also assist him."

(Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) Muslim 49:51 and Bukhari 87) (Shorter Ency of Islam page 336)

It is said in the Holy Ginan :


"Eji Am sama Chali ave ekaj mun ,
Tene dugle dugle karod jaganna punya "

"Every step taken towards the Lord in full faith and devotion, will be rewarded with innumerable gains."

Reference
http://www.ismaili.net/readknow/jamat_khana.html

[kmaherali]

There is a related thread:

Rites and ceremonies --> Jamatkhana Attendance

http://www.ismaili.net/html/modules.php ... attendance