Abe Shafa

[mahebubchatur]

The Essence & Practice Surrounding Ab-e-Safa / Ab-e-Shifa in the Ismaili Faith

In simple terms, Ab-e-Shifa is water blessed and given by Hazar Imam and shared with the Jamat. It is added to ordinary water, prayers are recited, and murids partake of it while seeking spiritual blessings through the Noor of the Imam, by Allah’s will.

When murids pray while partaking, they seek purification and well-being — meaning purification of the soul, and through the soul, the mind and body.

The blessings do not come from the water itself.

They come from the Noor (Light) of the Imam, which flows by Allah’s will. The Imam is the divinely ordained bearer of that Light.

This blessed water — Ab-e-Shifa — is also granted by the Imam during Didars.

Ab-e-Safa and Ab-e-Shifa are not different substances. They describe meanings:

• Ab-e-Safa → purification, sincerity, spiritual clarity
• Ab-e-Shifa → healing, well-being, divine mercy

They are complementary meanings connected to one devotional practice in Jamatkhana.

Many murids also take Ab-e-Shifa home, especially for those who cannot attend Jamatkhana, so they too may partake with prayer and seek purification and well-being — spiritually, mentally, materially, and physically.

During the prayer period in Jamatkhana, a small amount of the blessed water is respectfully placed alongside symbolic elements such as light and fragrance. The light represents the Noor of the Imam. The fragrance represents remembrance.

Through collective supplication to the Imam, the water becomes a symbol of receptivity to blessing. Its significance comes from prayer, intention, and devotion — not from any physical change in the water. All power and possibility belong to Allah.

When murids enter Jamatkhana and recite “Hai Zinda Qaim Paya,” they affirm that the Imam is ever-living and spiritually present.

As bearer of Noor, he is the means through whom guidance, mercy, intercession, and baraka flow — by Allah’s will.

Devotional explanations sometimes shared are meant to inspire understanding and love. They should be understood as symbolic expressions of faith, not mechanical or physical processes.

Farmans of Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah explain that the true benefit of Ab-e-Shifa lies in inner spiritual transformation. He described himself not as a doctor of the body, but as a doctor of the soul.

Partaking together from one vessel symbolizes unity of hearts. The Imam conveyed that praying for others carries even greater merit than praying only for oneself. Purity of deeds and sincerity of intention are essential.

Jamatkhana itself is a place of solace, remembrance, and collective prayer. When murids pray together, it strengthens spiritual unity and deepens blessing.

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The Essence

Any healing, blessing, or benefit from the prayers and partaking of Ab-e-Safa / Ab-e-Shifa does not come from the water itself.

It comes through the Noor of the Imam, who intercedes by Allah’s permission.

All blessings originate from Allah. They are conveyed through the Noor of the Imam and received first by our soul — the eternal part of our being.

Through remembrance of Allah, purification is possible. Healing is possible. Nothing is impossible for Allah, who is limitless and above all.

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25 Feb 2025

More & References

Ismaili Net

http://heritage.ismaili.net/node/10133

Book: By Al Waez Kamaluddin
See page 109 onwards

https://1drv.ms/b/c/d9847987657e2a7b/IQ ... 0TQfAnpjls

[swamidada786]

When Aab e Shifa is granted and coming from the house of Imamat, Imam recites Quranic Ayats and Naad e Ali with prayers (as I heard) before sending to jamaits.
Same way on main occasions, Friday or Chandraat Mukhi Saheb recite Naad e Ali on water with prayers for consuming of jamaiti members.