“Ginans of Ismaili Pirs”
By Huzur Vazir Dr G Allana (in English)
(Volume I)
Published in 1984 by Ismailia Association for Pakistan.
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FOREWORD
Ginans and Ginanic literature is the golden heritage of Ismailis of Indian Sub-Continent. It is one of the most proud legacy of Ismaili history. Ismaili Pirs and Dais, fully immersed and enriched in the Islamic Teachings and Tradition have left this vast and rich literature for the posterity to hold fast to the rope of Faith and continuously enrich themselves in every generation. As is now historically known and established that the early Ismaili Pirs, under the guidance of Imam of the Time brought Ismaili Da’wa to this part of the world. They first studied and understood for themselves religions and faiths then being practiced in parts of Sind, Gujrat, Kutch and rest of India. They made themselves fully conversant with their philosophy, rationale, historicity and mythologies. They also carefully studied the social milieu then prevailing. Then they proceeded with the Da’wa and in the process composed enormous literature rich in ideas, . language and phrasology that their simple and trusting audience would understand and accept. Thus they succeeded immensely in spreading Islam and Ismaili Da’wa. The tradition of recitation of Ginans by the followers became part of their daily life and enrichment of their souls.
Initially it was a verbal process and its transference was also verbal from one generation to other. It was only in the 17th Century that first hand-written documents and manuscripts are now available evidencing the extent immensity and its life and significance in historic~1 perspective. Deeper and more objective study of the Ginans show that many of the concepts elaborated in Ginans emanate from our Holy Book Our’an and teachings of our Holy Prophe~ Muhammed (s.a.s.) and our Imams. This is :the direct result of the deep and thorough teachings and knowledge of our Pirs of Islam. The Ginanic literature in its travel in time has given birth and supported many other ‘elated mystical and sufistic concepts and Tariqas. Recent history amply demonstrates and confirms this fact. Historical studies of many sufistic Tariqa show that they had drawn their inspiration from the Ginans. Huzur Vazir Dr. G. Allana while expressing his early initiation into the charms of ginans very vividly portrays his feelings as a child in his work on Ginan. In the later period of his life he is inspired by his grand children to once again take a dive into the depths of Ginans. This has given birth to a memorable literary work which the posterity would always remember and cherish. The amount of time and effort that he has applied in writing English Verse R~nderings of Ginans is most laudable.
It is particularly more praise-worthy as he undertook this work at this advanced age and of late with poor health. His thoughts are profound, his command of languages most versatile and his perservance most commend· able. This English Verse Rendering of Ginans and Short. History of Ismaili Pirs and Dais would be of particular interest and immense use for our younger generations who are unable to read the Ginans in their original languages. This undoubtedly would provide them an insight into the richness of thought and profoundness of knowledge that Ismaili Pirs enunciated and explained to the new members of the Fold.. It is fervently hoped that once having read these Renderings our younger generation would endeavour to learn the languages of Ginans and then thoroughly taste the sweetness in originality.’ . Secondly, it is also hoped that scholars who are in the process of research on Ismaili f»irs and the Ginanic Literature or those who wish to undertake such research in future would make full use of the historical background information and material that Huzur Vazir G. Allana has so painstakingly collected and put in print. ‘ Ismailia Association for Pakistan is proud to be associated with this publication which has far reaching and im.mense histoircal significance and future impact.
Ashiqueali H. Hussain
President His Highness Prince Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismailia Association Karachi, for Pakistan
5th June 1983
Ismailimail 