Glorification of the light of Imamat

 Manqabat-I Nur-I Imamat

(Glorification of the light of Imamat)

1. Question       After our beloved Prophet
                              Who became our Guide?
           Answer      Ali, the chosen one who
              Fights on Allah’s side.

2. Question       Why did God Call Ali
                              The Manifest Imam?
            Answer      To guide us on the right path
              And keep us safe from harm.

3.  Question     Who was chosen at Ghadir,
                             Who did Allah find?
           Answer      Ali, the Prophet’s successor
             The very best of mankind.

4.  Question     Who carries our religion’s flag,
                             Who leads the spiritual fight?
           Answer      Ali, the consistent attacker
             And keeper of the Light.

5.  Question      After God and His Apostle,
                              Who must we obey?
           Answer       Our Imam, the Light of God,
              Judge of the very last day.

6.  Question      Who was so brave in battle,
                              Whose mount was known as Duldul?
            Answer      Ali, the sovereign of men,
               Commander of the faithful.

7.  Question      When did the holy Light
                               Of our Imam first arise?
            Answer      At the beginning of time
               From Allah, the wise.

8.  Question      Who is the keeper of all knowledge,
                              Who holds the key?
            Answer      The Imam of the right path
              Ali, and only he.

9.  Question     Who is the door to religion? 
                             Tell me O wise one!
            Answer     Ali, the pure Light
             More glorious than the sun.

10.  Question     When did the chain 
                             Of the Light begin?
            Answer     when Adam was chosen
             To lead man from sin.

11.  Question    Why did all the angels
                             To Adam prostrate?
            Answer     Because the Light was in Adam,
                     As in Ali, the great.

12.  Question    Who is the Apostle’s soul,
                             And soldier on Allah’s side?
           Answer      king of the kingdom of devotion
             Ali, our beloved guide.

13. Question     Indeed he is the one 
                            But where can he be found?
          Answer     Seen with inner eye,
            When your heart is sound.

14. Question    Who has been chosen,
                            Who bears the Throne Divine?
          Answer     The Light of the Imam,
            Allah’s holy sign.

15. Question     Who wears God’s ring
                            With the gem of wisdom?
          Answer     our holy Imam that
            Rules religion’s Kingdom.

16. Question     Tell me, what is it
                            That surrounds everything?
          Answer     The essence of Imamat
             Our religion’s king.

17. Question    Is there an everlasting lamp
                           That shines a perfect light?
        Answer    Yes, the Light of Imamat
               That illumines inner sight.

18. Question    O Nasir! Who says our imam
                           Is very far from here?
        Answer   Yes, but only physically
               For in my heart he’s near.