blak clothes ???

asif_ashiq_ali · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 1

Ya Ali Madad, Do anyone know that y it is not allowed to us to wear dark and black clothes ? Is their any farman of MHI or SMS about wearing black clothes ? Plz answer it , i m really waiting 4 ur reply. or email me the answer my id is asif_ashiq_ali@hotmail.com

Guest · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2003 8:57 pm Post subject:

yam that is a very good question i hope you get the answer from some learned person as far as i know we should not wear black clothes in j.k specialy the person who is taking part in any ceremonies i have heard in some waez that both MSMS and HI (sa) has some things to say about wearing black clothes in JK.plus i think it blocks the noor and for so many years it is a dominate color of people who have been always agaist ismailism.so i guess we all make our own decisions with the best judgement.YAM manjee................................

Guest · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2003 8:59 pm Post subject: black clothes

layla · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Posts: 65

BLACK CLOTHES - This article is written by Missionary Abu Aly
It is becoming more and more, day by day, common to see our people, particularly the women, wearing black dresses in jamatkhanas. It is done, mostly, because of ignorance. They do not know that such a practice is condemned in our Tariqah.

We are “batineen”. We care more for the spiritual aspect of our lives than the temporal. Life in hereafter is more important and better than the life in this world. We are told to keep a balance between the two. We do not forsake one for the other. Our food, clothes, habits, way of life, way of thinking and our attitude toward life are all intertwined in the spiritual characteristic of our Tariqah. It all depends on one's understanding.

Our Tariqah is a “sufi tariqah” with a difference. We do not forsake legitimate comforts and pleasures of life. For instance: occasionally eating rich food, wearing good clothes, living a comfortable life etc, are not condemned. Living for eating rather than eating for living is unspiritual, irreligious. Such a habit brings untold problems in one's health--and indeed in life--and kills the purpose of living spiritually. Bad health affects the mind abnormally and weakens the spirit. Good health is necessary for iba'dat and happy living.

Similarly, the habit of dressing in an indecent way, not only, tends to form bad habits and evil thinking but, also, creates evil vibrations among those who see or meet the wearer. Such a person is, of course, committing a sin. Our Holy Prophet has condemned such a person,particularly a woman, who provokes men by her indecent clothes and behaviour. Allah commands:
"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands...." (HQ.24:31)
"Keep your clothes clean and avoid uncleanness." (HQ.74:3,4)

Mowlana Hazar Imam had sent the following holy Farman to the jamats of Pakistan:

"My dear spiritual children, from year to year customs and traditions in human clothing are changing and it has become necessary to draw your attention to the fact that when you go to jamatkhana you should do so in proper and suitable attire.
I do not want those spiritual children who have done well in a worldly manner to make demonstration of their success nor do I wish clothes to be worn which are not compatible with the practice of your faith in an atmosphere of calm and serenity.

"The aforementioned matters are universal and binding principles of Islam and must be followed by all Muslims, for indeed these principles were established by Prophet himself."

Ornaments and colourful clothing, in a simple and decent manner,are allowed in Islam. But the Holy Prophet has forbidden Muslims to wear the clothes dyed with a bark known as Kusm (“…'’)in Arabic. Kusm is boiled in water in an iron pot until the water turns deep black Then the clothes are put in this water and kept boiling till the required colour appears on the clothes.

In India a bark known as gali or gardi (“….”) is used for this purpose. In olden days there was no other proper dye, except gali, to dye garments black. In our Ginan the mureeds are forbidden to go to jamatkhana wearing such clothes, dyed with gali:
"0 dear! Cast off clothes (dyed) with gali;
Do not go to the place of worship dressed in such clothes. The angels avoid such people,
Therefore, my brother discard clothes of gali."

Jamatkhana is the House of the Imam, about which Allah has mentioned in the Holy Qur'an:
"That Lamp is lit in houses which Allah has permitted to be exalted and His Name be mentioned therein, declare Glory to Him in the morning and the evening." (24:36)

The Lamp means the Noor of Imamate in jamatkhana. There the angels and spirits visit constantly to greet the faithful. Anyone entering in the jamatkhana's prayer hall is greeted by these spiritual beings but whosoever comes in black attire is avoided. In the pleasant gathering of tranquillity and spiritual happiness the person in black is considered like a stinking body in the Paradise. Therefore, the above verse of the Ginan has mentioned that the angels keep aloof from the people in black clothes.

Abdullah bin Omru Aass has reported that he was wearing clothes dyed in the kusm bark and went to see the Holy Prophet who told him to shun such clothes as that was the colour of kafireen. The Holy Prophet ordered him to go and burn them. (Mishkaat,No.4111).

Speaking about his enemies and the enemies of Ahl-Bait the Holy Prophet said:

“The sign of our enemies will be that they will wear black clothes."

Mowlana Imam Sultan Mohammed Shah had made the following holy farman to the ladies at Karachi,in 1920:
"Why have you come here in front (of me) wearing black clothes. It is not good (for you) to come to jamatkhana wearing black clothes. You must have read my farmans I had made in Zanzibar about it. I am not happy at all to see you here in such (black) and expensive dresses."

The writer (Missionary Abu Aly) is the eye witness to the following incident.
On a day in 1945, Mowlana Imam Sultan Mohammed Shah had visited the Aga Hall (known as Wadi) at Bombay to bestow didaar. As he came out of his car a captain of the Ladies' Volunteer Corps gave a salute of honour but the Imam ignored it. He then summoned the major of the Corps and asked her why the captain, who saluted, was wearing a black stripe around her pachhedi (the head cloth, a part of the uniform) instead of the usual Corps' official stripe? She replied that her dhani (husband, master) had died a few days ago; she was mourning. The Holy Imam said:"Tell her that dhani's Dhani (Imam) is alive always." As soon as the captain was told this she removed the black stripe from her pachhedi instantly. The Holy Imam blessed her and her husband's soul.

Once Mowlana Hazar Imam,Shah Karim, was visiting the Darkhana at Dar es Salaam. As He was climbing the stairs he noticed that the Mukhi, Najmudin Kassam Dewji, who was just behind the Imam, had put on black socks. Mowlana Hazar Imam cautioned him: " Mukhi you are wearing black socks here?" The mukhi immediately removed the socks and followed his Mowla bare feet.

Black is the colour of mourning, of condolence, of sadness. Sufis and spiritual people abhor black colour because it is the colour of sadness, depression and despondency. Science of colour involves physics, physiology and psychology. Colour has been used for decorative purposes since prehistoric times. The sun's light contains all basic colours: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. Not black because it is opposite of light.

All colours, and their combinations, have their individual wavelength in a spectrum of light affecting the eye and eye sight which, in turn, imprints its effect and cause on the mind. Therefore, the colours worn by people have subtle effect on their psychology and behaviour. For example: A person who wears mostly clothes of red colour becomes witty, aggressive, easily offended, less tolerant and harsh. It is also, symbolically, the colour of sacrifice. White represents light. It is the colour of purity, piety and grace, a symbol of cleanness.

Colours red, orange and yellow produce hot and quick temperament. Blue, indigo and violet tend to create coolness and diminution of tension. Green is neutral in effect but improves eyesight.
Aura, the magnetism or essence which emanates from all living things, has its colours depicting the condition and characteristic of mind. Muddy or black aura is the sign of weakness or disease or death.
Black is the colour of death and mourning. When people attend a funeral they wear black clothes. On a happy occasion, such as a marriage celebration, people do not wear black dresses; its a sign of bad omen and misfortune. Black represents darkness, ignorance and promotes mental depression, lethargy, melancholy and despondency.

The orthodox Christians, clad in black clothes, mourn for the crucifixion of Jesus, during Easter. Orthodox Sanatani Hindus mourn their elders during the three days period of Sharad but they do not wear black clothes instead they wrap their idols in black cloth or paint them black. The idol of Bhawani, a dreaded deity, is always painted black. Ithnasheri Shias wear black clothes, in the month of Muharram, to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Husain, at Kerbala, some 1300 years ago.

But for the Ismailis: THEIR IMAM IS EVER PRESENT.

Books referred : Holy Qur'an, Kalam e Imam e Mobin - 1 Various books of Hadith, Ginans by Pir Imam Shah, Encyclopaedia Britainnica, A Brief History of Ismailism, Al-belaghul Mobin etc.
Abualy Aziz
VANCOUVER. Feb.1994.

ngangji · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 4

Interesting and mind provoking. 2 points:

1 Often, junior volunteers for whom uniforms are not essential, may wear black pants instead of blue. Even teenagers and university students coming to Jamat Khana wear black most of the time. How do we distinguish them from someone (a young lady or an elder one) who wears a strapless gown during Navroz or other such festivals in Jamat Khana? Or what about those lmen who wear black suits, which are the predominant color in men's wear? Or what about the elders who sit at the paat wearing low-cut outfits in order to display jewelry? I'm not being sarcastic, just asking honest questions.

2. What about when a parent or sibling buys you a beautiful shalwaar khameez for special occassions - with hand-embroidered sequins - except it is black? Do you hurt their feelings by not wearing it? Or do you wear it anyway, and hope He will forgive you for not wanting to hurt that family memeber?

Guest · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2003 6:59 pm Post subject:

I feel that it is all right to wear what ever you want provided you dress up simply. I feel that youwear any colour you choose provided you go to jamatkhana with a pure clean heart and not for the sole purpose of flaunting your jewellery or expensive clothes. Wearing expensive clothes not only disrupts you from being able to concentrate because you will be more concerned about tour attire and it also disrupts others because they will be looking at your jewellery and clothes etc. In my opinion though, I feel it is all right for men to wear a suit or socks for the matter of any colour. If your parents buy you a black coloured outfit and you want to comply with MHI wishes wear your outfit to a party your parents will definetly understand. I still do believe though that angles will bless those who are good and kind and the noor will also pass through those who are good or kind be it whatever colour the person is wearing. By the way isn't white the colour you wear during ruhani majlis and when pp die??? Why do we have to wear white during live majlis????

zg · Joined: 06 Apr 2003 Posts: 1 Location: Atlanta / Boston

All of these comments are very legitimate and well thought out.

I feel that much of the past guidance on black clothing was relevant to areas in the Third World. For example, in Karachi, Pakistan, there is a large Ithna Ashari contingent that wear black clothing. I believe that past commentary was aimed toward our brothers and sisters who were geographically nearby to those other Shi'a communities.

The Ismaili community in industrialized states do not have significant Shi'a communities. Nowadays, one cannot really obtain suits that are not dark, as earlier comments have suggested.  Most pants are black, as well. Those in the West will not tend to associate Ismaiils who were black articles of clothing with other Shi'a schools. As far as decency of clothing is concerned, I believe we must continue to uphold the utmost respect for Jamatkhana and for Allah, so appropriate clothing should always be worn. Remember, it is not a fashion show. We come to Jamatkhana for prayers, not to show our layers.

lakhania · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Posts: 8

Layla, A very good read.. thanks for sharing.. Adnan.

Guest

It is very simple to understand.

At some parties there is a dress code for example "formal" "casual" etc.

The person hosting the event decides what kind of dress code they want.

Now think of the moron who dresses casual for a formal party.

The Imam has set a simple dress code for coming to Jamatkhana, which is his house. The code has one simple request to not wear clothes colored BLACK.

Are we going to dress up in Black clothes and stand out like that moron wearing casual clothes at a formal party?

It is up to us to either follow the host's request or disrespect it.

Remember we go there to ask favors from him.

Anyone with a little intelligence can understand that disrespecting the request of the ONE whom we all depend upon is foolish.

To be a foolish moron or intelligent momin is up to us.

Pardon my language, regular english seemed to not communicate this simple FACT in the other posts.

Guest · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2003 1:19 pm Post subject:

In my opinion one should wear whatever color they chose to. To this day I have not seen a Farman of HI that states "Do not wear black colored clothing." Anything goes as long as we are not flaunting our bodies or our wealth! The farman to Pakistani jamat was made due to the persecution of Ismailis by Sunni Muslims. Yes, we should obey farmans, but again I think of what HI said once, Our religion is a religion of INTELLECT!!! We should realize that the black clothing rule was not for western jamats.

Thanks.

shamsu · Joined: 15 Apr 2003 Posts: 646

YA ALY MADAD

Our Imam has repeatedly stated that "Intellect is central to our Tariqa"

Whose Intellect? Your Intellect or Imams Intellect?

Why do you think he is called Aql-e-Qul?

As far as the Sunni Muslim persecution theory, I don't think it flies as one event was in the African Continent.

"Once Mowlana Hazar Imam,Shah Karim, was visiting the Darkhana at Dar es Salaam. As He was climbing the stairs he noticed that the Mukhi, Najmudin Kassam Dewji, who was just behind the Imam, had put on black socks. Mowlana Hazar Imam cautioned him: " Mukhi you are wearing black socks here?" The mukhi immediately removed the socks and followed his Mowla bare feet."

What about this

Speaking about his enemies and the enemies of Ahl-Bait the Holy Prophet said:

�The sign of our enemies will be that they will wear black clothes."

The Quran states for those that follow their own desires
�Hast thou seen him who maketh his desire his god?� (25:43)

We can either follow our desires or Imams desires.

As far as the statement in the previous post about Imam's Farman about not wearing black clothes in Jamatkhana not being applicable to western world.
Doesn't the western world have Jamatkhanas?

Let me give you a very recent example.
Missionary Kamaluddin, the one who taught Imams children about Islam, used to live with the Imam in his home while he served.
One day Begum Salima gave him and his wife Zarina a gift of shawls colored black.

That evening she returned to give them the reciept for the purchase and said that she knew that Ismailies were not allowed to wear black in Jamatkhana and that they should exchange the shawls with the reciept.

Obviously the Begum was not aware of this when she purchased the shawls or she would have purchased a different color.
Clearly she learned about "black colored clothing in JK" issue that day itself.
Who do you think informed Begum Salima that Ismailies were not allowed to wear black in Jamatkhana?
My guess is the Imam.

The reason why there are colors is because objects absorb all spectrums of light except the one they reflect which becomes the color we see.

The color red absorbs all colors except red.

White reflects back all color spectrums. hence in its selflessness it is considered a color of purity.

BLACK
Absorbs all light spectrums and reflects back nothing. In its selfishness it is considered a color of Impurity.

On the Day of Judgement clothing colored Black is not going to come to our rescue, the Imam is, if we follow his farmans.

If we cannot follow a simple straight forward farman like this, how in the world are we going to follow farmans like "Ame raat kahiye to raat ane din kahiye to din"

Pride in "My Intellect" is what causes this type of misunderstanding.

Remember Imams farman "Human mind is a creation of Allah"

"Darek Insan ni AQL nu moor Imam ni AQL che"

(The root of the intellect of all men is Imams intellect)

Let us study the farmans of the Imam and live our lives accordingly so that we can live and have our being in his NOOR.

yaaaahoooo · Joined: 28 Sep 2003 Posts: 54

Black is a universal color of mourning!!!!!

or Black is worn as a color in fashion!!!!! suits or any ladies items

Now black color specially in khane.....ask urself a question.........r we going for mourning or for fashion?

Did u get a reply .....

Ohhh yes khane we go for dua prayersand other rituals ........specially the prayer halls

Yes it really doesnt matter if we wear black in a party organised by ismailis (except any of the dandiyas & celebrations or fund raising for the institutions).....well a birthday bash by a group of ismailis ...in some posh villa ...who the hell cares if its black......or even just skin

star_munir · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 1602

Is it allowed to wear black dresses in places other than Jamat Khana?

Abduldhanani · Joined: 11 Nov 2003 Posts: 1

Dear Asif Ashiq Ali, Please see my letter to Alwaez Abu Ali in response to his article about Black Clothes. Like every thing else, it is a matter of your personal choice. There should never be any compulsion as to what color your clothes should be as long as a proper decorum is maintained and the Jamatkhana's respectability is not violated. Dear Alwaez,<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>Ya Ali Madad.   I am an admirer of your waezes but unfortunately, the Canadian jamats haven’t had the benefit of your waez for a very long time. I was therefore very pleasantly surprised to see an article written by you in 1994 over the Internet. But very disappointed to read its contents and I would like to draw your attention on the case you have presented.I am not advocating that people should wear black clothes in Jamatkhanas. I think that people can and should wear whatever they like as long as their clothes are decent and are in accordance with the decorum of the House of God. Your arguments against wearing black clothes in Jamat Khanas are irrelevant, irrational and downright incompetent. I would like to address your case point by point.1.         Where does any of the Ismaili scripture say that Black clothes are condemned in our            Tariqua ?2.         If we are, (which we definitely are), the esoteric tariqua, then in principle, it does not             matter what we wear as long as our spiritual focus is on the Siratal Mustakim.3.         You are quite right, Good health is necessary for Iba'dat and happy living. Absolutely<o:p></o:p>            correct; but where in the annals of Medicine does it say that black clothes destroy your<o:p></o:p>            health ?4.         It is very true that "the habit of dressing in an indecent way" provokes men. But by what <o:p></o:p>            logic do you equate “black clothes” with “indecency” ??  Where on earth does it say that<o:p></o:p>            Black clothes, by virtue of their colour, are indecent and provoke men ??  “To the dirty<o:p></o:p>           everything is dirty”. Remember Pir’s ginan which says, “Kapda dhove so kya huva, dil <o:p></o:p>           dhove so pave…”.5.         Black clothes can be perfectly decent and, if  you read the local newspapers, you will deduce that in the courts when a woman or a man needs to display respectability, uprightness and morality, he is advised by his lawyers to wear black clothes. A black suit on a woman is very becoming and portrays nothing but good decorum. Alwaez Abu Ali, are you still living in the villages of Punjab ? Mentally, haven’t you even migrated to Tanzania yet, let alone Canada??<o:p></o:p> 6.            HQ.24.31 does not say that women should not wear Black clothes. Is this your way of interpreting the Holy Quran to support your outlook in life ? 7.         HQ.74: 3,4 – By equating your argument with this ayat, you are implying that black clothes are dirty and unclean. Have you been to the Ismaili owned laundries in Canada, and seen how clean they can get Black clothes ? 8.         Mowlana Hazar Imam’s Firmans to Pakistan Jamat, as quoted by you, state that we should go to Jamat Khana in “proper and suitable attire…in an atmosphere of calm and serenity”. In the entire Firman, Mowlana Hazar Imam does not once mention the word black; nor does He relate or associate Black Clothes with “improper” and “unsuitable” attire. Mowlana Hazar Imam does not say that black is improper or unsuitable. once again it is only your interpretation in order to uphold your contention. For your information Alwaez, in the Western world, Black Clothes effuse calm and serenity.  9.           Sura 24:36, as translated by you does not mention anything about the black clothes violating the sanctity of the exalted houses. 10.         Mowlana Sultan Mohamed Shah’s Firmans made to the Bombay Jamat in 1920 were during the period following the two well known court cases in which the members of the Ithnashri community of Bombay were involved; and He had advised our Jamats not to wear black clothes in order to distinguish the Khoja community in Bombay from the Ithnashri community who always wore black. This feud with the Ithnashris continued for a long time, till in the late sixties and seventies Mowlana Hazar Imam put a stop to this. We do not live in the villages of Gujrat anymore; and in the Global context, we can not have any acrimony with other Muslim factions. Our Mowla was so concerned about this that in the past few years we have actually altered the dates of our Imamate Day celebrations because the actual dates coincided with the mourning periods in Iran. As a mentor of the community with a prominent standing, you should learn  from our Mowla and cultivate a broad minded attitude instead of criticising the colour of clothes of the other Muslim factions.<o:p></o:p> 11.       When Mowlana Hazar Imam asked the Mukhi in Dar-Es-Salaam, “Mukhi you are wearing black socks here?", by “here” he meant “in the sweltering heat of Dar-Es-Salaam”. It is a well known scientific fact that black colour absorbs and retains heat whereas white reflects the heat. Consequently, it is wise to wear non-black clothes in the tropical climate to keep cool. PLEASE do not interpret MHI’s firmans to support your contention.  Most of the Mullahs and the other clerics in the Middle East and most of the Iranians wear black clothes in the Mosques. By describing black clothes as dirty and unclean, and by saying that “the angels avoid people wearing black clothes”, you are offending other Muslim factions and it is politically incorrect to insult our Muslim brethren by calling them unclean and dirty by the virtue of the colour of their clothing. 12.       True, in the Western world, black is the colour of mourning. However, in the East, particularly in India, white is the colour of mourning. When a person dies, the close relatives always wear white saris to demonstrate their grief and sadness. Why don’t you then, being of Indian origin, advocate that women should not wear white in Jamatkhanas because it is a colour of sadness and mourning in some of the Indian Societies ??  In the Western culture, white does represent purity, piety and gracefulness. But that does not automatically place black in the dirty corner ! Black dress can be very graceful indeed. 13.       Oh PLEASE, do not try and bamboozle people with your limited knowledge of physics. Quite true, that black is not one of the colours in the spectrum of light. But by the same token, WHITE IS NOT REPRESENTED in the spectrum of light either. I believe you need to brush up your physics. The Firmans, the Khoja Devotional Poetries, and the Ayats and the Suras quoted by you are typical example of your technique of bamboozling the ignorant Jamats in order to baffle them into following your ways of thinking. Alwaez, wake up ! We now have The Institute in England and the Professors who advocate new ways of thinking. PLEASE do not continue to mislead our Jamats. I am not trying to contradict your premise but merely pointing out the weakness and political incorrectness in your polemics. Not a single source quoted by you, supports your contention or lends any credence to your premise. Finally, please do not malign our Muslim brethern as "dirty and indecent", by implication, just because they wear black clothes.    Abdul Dhanani June 2003In response to Alwaez Abuali's Article reproduced below:-------------------------------------------------BLACK CLOTHES---------------------------- It is becoming more and more, day-by-day, common to see our people, particularly the women, wearing black dresses in jamatkhanas. It is done, mostly, because of ignorance. They do not know that such a practice is condemned in our Tariqah.We are batineen. We care more for the spiritual aspect or our lives than the temporal. Life in hereafter is more important and better than the life in this world. We are told to keep a balance between the two. We do not forsake one for the other. Our food, clothes, habits, way of life, way of thinking and our attitude toward life are all intertwined in the spiritual characteristic of our Tariqah.  It all depends on one's understanding.Our Tariqah is a Sufi Tariqah with a difference. We do not forsake legitimate comforts and pleasures of life. For instance: Occasionally eating rich food, wearing good clothes, living a comfortable life etc. are not condemned. Living for eating rather than eating for living is unspiritual, irreligious. Such a habit brings untold problems in one's health—and indeed in life—and kills the purpose or living spiritually. Bad health affects the mind abnormally and weakens the spirit. Good health is necessary for iba'dat and happy living. <o:p></o:p>Similarly, the habit of dressing in an indecent way, not only, tends to form bad habits and evil thinking but, also, creates evil vibrations among those who see or meet the wearer. Such a person is, of course, committing a sin. Our Holy Prophet has condemned such a person, particularly a woman, who provokes men by her indecent clothes and behavior. Allah commands:<o:p></o:p>"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands...."  (HQ.24: 31)"Keep your clothes clean and avoid uncleanness."  (HQ.74: 3,4)Mowlana Hazar Imam had sent the following holy Farman to the jamats of Pakistan:<o:p></o:p>"My dear spiritual children, from year to year customs and traditions in human clothing are changing and it has become necessary to draw your attention to the fact that when you go to jamafkhana you should do so in proper and suitable attire.  I do not want those spiritual children who have done well in a worldly manner to make demonstration of their success nor do I wish clothes to be worn, which are not compatible with the practice of your faith in an atmosphere of calm and serenity".The aforementioned matters are universal and binding principles of Islam and must be followed by all Muslims, for indeed these principles were established by Prophet himself. Ornaments and colourful clothing, in a simple and decent manner are allowed in Islam. But the Holy Prophet has forbidden Muslims to wear the clothes dyed with a bark known as Kusm.  Kusm is boiled in water in an iron pot until the water turns deep black. Then the clothes are put in this water and kept boiling till the required colour appears on the clothes.In India a bark known as gali or gardi is used for this purpose.  In olden days there was no other proper dye, except gali, to dye- garments black. In our Ginan, the mureeds are forbidden to go to jamatkhana wearing such clothes, dyed with gali:<o:p></o:p>"0 dear! Cast off clothes (dyed) with gali;  Do not go to the place of worship dressed in such clothes.<o:p></o:p>The angels avoid such people, Therefore, my brother, discard clothes of gali."Jamatkhana is the House of the Imam, about which Allah has mentioned in the Holy Qur'an:<o:p></o:p>"That Lamp is lit in houses which Allah has permitted to be exalted and His Name be mentioned therein, declare Glory to Him in the morning and the evening."         (24:36)<o:p></o:p>The Lamp means the Noor of Imamate in jamatkhana. There the angels and spirits visit constantly to greet the faithful. Anyone entering in the jamatkhana prayer hall is greeted by these spiritual beings but whosoever comes in black attire is avoided. In the pleasant gathering of tranquility and spiritual happiness the person in black is considered like a stinking body in the Paradise. Therefore, the above verse of the Ginan -- has mentioned that the angels keep aloof from the people in black clothes. <o:p></o:p>Abdullah bin Omru Aass has reported that he was wearing clothes dyed in the kusm bark and went to see the Holy Prophet who told him to shun such clothes as that was the colour of kafireen. The Holy Prophet ordered him to go and burn them. (Mishkaat, No.4111).  Speaking about his enemies and the enemies of Ahl-Bait the Holy Prophet said: "The sign of our enemies will be that they will wear black clothes."<o:p></o:p>Mowlana Imam Sultan Mohammed Shah had made the following holy Farman to the ladies at Karachi, in 1920:<o:p></o:p>"Why have you come here in front (of me) wearing black clothes? It is not good (for you) to come to jamatkhana wearing black clothes. You must have read my Farmans I had made in Zanzibar about it. I am not happy at allto see you here in such (black) and expensive dresses.'<o:p></o:p>The writer is the eyewitness to the following incident. on a day in 1945, Mowlana Imam Sultan Mohammed Shah had visited the Aga Hall (known as Wadi) at Bombay to bestow didaar. As he came out of his car, the captain of the Ladies' Volunteer Corps gave a salute of honour but the Imam ignored it. He then summoned the major of the Corps and asked her why the captain, who saluted, was wearing a black stripe around her pachhedi (the head cloth, a part of the uniform) instead of the usual Corps' official stripe? She replied that her dhani (husband,master) had died a few days ago; she was mourning. The Holy Imam said: "Tell her that dhani ' s Dhani (Imam) is alive always." As soon as the captain was told this she removed the black stripe from her pachhedi instantly. The Holy Imam blessed her and her husband's soul. <o:p></o:p>Once Mowlana Hazar Imam, Shah Karim, was visiting the Darkhana at Dar es Salaam. As he was climbing the stairs he noticed that the Mukhi, Najmudin Kassam Dewji, who was just behind the Imam, had put on black socks. Mowlana Hazar Imam cautioned him: " Mukhi you are wearing black socks here?" The Mukhi immediately removed the socks and followed his Mowla bear foot.<o:p></o:p>Black is the colour of mourning, of condolence, of sadness. Sufis and spiritual people abhor black colour because it is the colour of sadness, depression and despondency. Science of colour involves physics, physiology and psychology. Colour has been used for decorative purposes since prehistoric times. The sun's light contains all basic colours: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. Not black because it is opposite of light.  All colours, and their combinations, have their individual wavelengths in a spectrum of light affecting the eye and eyesight, which, in turn, imprints its effect and cause on the mind. Therefore, the colours worn by people have subtle effect on their psychology and behaviour. For example: A person who wears mostly clothes of red colour becomes witty, aggressive, easily offended, less tolerant and harsh. It is also, symbolically, the colour of sacrifice. White represents light. It is the colour of purity, piety and grace, a symbol of cleanness.<o:p></o:p>The colours red, orange and yellow produce hot and quick temperament. Blue, indigo and violet tend to create coolness and diminution of tension. Green is neutral in effect but improves eyesight.<o:p></o:p>Aura, the magnetism or essence, which emanates from all living things, has its colours depicting the condition and characteristic of mind. Muddy or black aura is the sign of weakness or disease or death. Black is the colour of death and mourning. When people attend a funeral they wear black clothes. on a happy occasion, such as a marriage celebration, people do not wear black dresses; it’s a sign of bad omen and misfortune. Black represents darkness, ignorance and promotes mental depression, lethargy, melancholy and despondency.<o:p></o:p>The orthodox Christians, clad in black clothes, mourn for the crucifixion of Jesus, during Easter. Orthodox Santani Hindus mourn their elders during the three days period of Sharad but they do not wear black clothes instead they wrap their idols in black cloth or paint them black.  The idol of Bhawani, a dreaded deity, is always painted black. Ithnashari Shias wear black clothes, in the month Muharram, to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, at Kerbala, some 1300 years ago. <o:p></o:p>But for Ismailis: THEIR IMAM IS ALWAYS PRESENT.<o:p></o:p>Reference: Holy Qur'an, Kalam e imam e Mubin Part 1, Various books of Hadith, Ginans by Pir Imam Shah, Encyclopedia Britannica, A Brief History of Ismailism, Al-belaghul Mobin etc.<o:p></o:p>Abualy Aziz  VANCOUVER. Feb.1994. <o:p></o:p>

star_munir · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 1602

How can you say that alwaez abuali is misleading jamat as he gave ginan,examples from life of Prophet,farman of Imam Sultan Mohammad Shah what else you want.
You said that people in india wear white dress when someone dies so why ismailis wear white. The answer is whre Imam,farman,Hadeeth or Ginan says not to white.

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