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Satpanth is a subgroup of Nizari Ismailism and Ismaili Sufism formed by conversions from Hinduism 700 years ago by Pir Sadruddin (1290-1367) and 600 years ago in the 15th century by Pir Imam Shah (1430-1520), the latter of which differs slightly from Khoja Nizari Ismailis. There are villages in Gujarat which are totally 'Satpanthi' such as Pirana near Ahmedabad where Imam Shah is buried. It is also the older form of Nizari Ismaili practice originating from the Kutch community of Gujarat. Pir Sadardin gave the first converts to Ismailism the name 'Satpanth' because they were the followers of the 'True Path.' They were then given the title of Khoja to replace their title of Thakkar
[edit] The PeopleThe people of the Satpanth consist mostly of high-caste converts from the Lohanas. Others are from Rajput, merchant, and farming castes. Some are migrants from the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan that now reside in Gujarat (mainly the Kutch and commercial areas) and Mumbai. Some communities are known to heavily continue to the practice of taqiyya, hiding any and all Islamic content of their faith. [edit] LeadershipThe current head of the mainstream Satpanth Nizari Ismaili community is H.H. Shah Karim Al-Husayni Aga Khan IV, while the Imam-Shahi sect rejects the idea of an Aga Khan altogether, and instead having one or more mukhis and forming an elected committee to handle all financial and community needs. [edit] Beliefs about the LeadershipSatpanth followers, called Mureeds believe that the physical form of the Imam is merely a vessel for the spiritual Imam which is Noor or eternal Light. They also believe that his farmans (proclamations), his shabd (word) and his formless being Niranjan Nirakar Swaroop are the real Imam. This concept of an esoteric Imam and an exoteric Imam is called "Baatini Imam" and "Zaahiri Imam" Satpanth devotees believe in "Noorani Deedar," which is the "Vision of Light" or Enlightenment (spiritual) one gets when one views the True Imam. This again has an esoteric and an exoteric meaning. [edit] OriginPir Sadruddin is credited with the conversion of the Khojas from the Hindu caste of the Lohanas who are located in Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. He laid the foundation of the communal organization, built the first assembly and prayer halls and appointed the community leaders "Mukhis". Khojas live chiefly in lower Sind, Cutch, Gujarat, Bombay and in wide diaspora, particularly in East and South Africa, Arabia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Canada, the United Kingdom, Portugal, U.A.E. and the United States. [edit] RitualsIt is customary in each and every Jamaat-khana that a row of community Leaders and the Title Holders (male and female), should sit facing the rest of the congregation. There would be a row of individuals, sitting with their backs to the side wall, in the male as well as the female section. Both these sections are kept side by side in one big hall. Hence, a row of males would face and prostrate that of the females and vice versa. Looking at individuals of the opposite gender across the hall, and even the passing of objects between genders is highly discouraged if not forbidden. If an object must be passed such as utensils, the person must get up and leave it in the middle or end of the hall and it will eventually picked up by the intended recipient. The reading of Holy Dua is underaken whilst sitting on the floor on one's knees, or while sitting cross-legged as with other sects, with a Misbaha {rosary} being picked up at intervals. Any individual of any age who is fully versed in the Holy Dua can lead the prayer. [edit] ScriptureThe Holy Writ of the Satpanth tradition is the collection of Ginans written by various medieval Pirs, most notably Pir Sadruddin. [edit] References
Dr Aziz Esmail A Scent of Sandalwood: Indo-Ismaili Religious Lyrics, London: Curzon in association with The Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2002, pp. xi + 227. August 2002 Dr Dominique-Sila Khan Crossing the Threshold: Understanding Religious Identities in South Asia, London: I. B. Tauris in association with The Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2005, pp. 185. May 2005 Songs of Wisdom and Circles of Dance Hymns of the Satpanth Isma'ili Muslim Saint, Pir Shams Tazim R. Kassam | ||||||||||||||||||
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