Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

The word shah didar or shah’jo didar means may (you bless with) Lord’s glimpse. Its noun becomes Shah Didar jo Panjo means the palm and fingers for the didar of the Lord.

It is a taslim (greeting) in the Ismaili tariqah, where the believers greet each other at the end of the prayer, beholding face to face, both pronounce shah didar by shaking right hand. This is an act of humble wish to refresh their spiritual relation. The Koran says, “Whosoever surrenders his face to God, being a doer of good, has verily grasped the firm hand-hold” (31:22)

Taslim (تسليم ) is an Arabic word with various meanings, including submission, acceptance, delivery, and greeting. It is also a male given name of Arabic origin and the name of the traditional greeting at the end of Islamic prayer. The word comes from the Arabic root s-l-m, meaning "to surrender" or "to be safe". Therefore,

"Taslim" signifies submitting to divine will or accepting fate. The taslim in the salat is pronounced, first turning to the right hand and then to the left, i.e., as-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah (peace be on you and the mercy of God), has a close resemblance of shah didar. Taslim (or tasleem) is the concluding salutation of the Muslim prayer (salah), which involves turning your head to the right and then to the left, saying "As-salaamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah" (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon you). This act marks the official end of the prayer, serving as a final greeting and peace to those around you and a way to draw peace from Allah. It is a mandatory part of the prayer. This phrase in a question is a salutation to end the dua or prayer.

In Medina, the Prophet’s Mosque was frequented by rich and poor. The clothes of the poor were dirty being drenched in perspiration. The rich among the Qoraish tribe resolved to build their own separate mosque. This was a time when the Prophet required support of the rich Arabs and also did not like that they form their separate mosque. In the meantime, the Koranic verse revealed: “And do not drive away those who call upon their Lord in the morning and evening, desiring His face; neither are you answerable for any reckoning of theirs” (6:52). This is the philosophy of shah jo didar. The Prophet said, “The believer is the mirror of the believer” (al-mu’min mir’at al-mu’min). Maulana Rumi said, “If you wish to have special tajalli (radiation of Divine Light), you look at the human, in which God clearly is seen smilingly.”

Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah said, “You offer Dua for three times, in which you offer panja (palm and fingers of hand) for three times. Do you know it’s meaning or offer panja vainly? You give panja, which denotes that, “We will not grudge. We have become one-hearted. Our hearts became cleansed, and we became Panjibhai (fellow believers), therefore, we will not hatch grudge.” (Bombay, 4th April, 1893)

This traditional practice was in vogue in the global Ismaili jamat, but the corona epidemic was liable to set aside its practice. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. In accordance with the directions of the World Health Organization (WHO), the global countries paid due attention on the following steps”- Keep physical distance of at least 1 metre from others, even if they don’t appear to be sick. Avoid crowds and close contact. Wear a properly fitted mask when physical distancing is not possible and in poorly ventilated settings. Clean your hands frequently with chemical-based hand rub or soap and water. Cover your mouth and nose with a bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of used tissues immediately and clean hands regularly.

The above instructions were followed in the mosque, temple, church, jamatkhana etc. In the Ismaili Jamatkhana, the shaking hand of Shah Didar jo Panjo was forbidden even during the dua ritual, the handshake with the Mukhi/Kamadia was disallowed. In 2020, the first COVID-19 vaccines were developed and made available to the public through emergency authorizations. Soon after the invention of the vaccination of Covid-19, the people gradually restored and revived to their normal routine of lives. It is astonishing that the traditional handshake of the Shah Didar jo Panjo was not restored to its original form as was exercised before the Covid-19. The tendency of the Shah Didar jo Panjo is not a new one, but it has a historical milieu.

According to Satvenni ji Vel (5:15), “Pir Hasan Kabiruddin had introduced the Shah jo Didar ritual in the Dua.” Is karann dehaj huva, modhe’ samu’n to jovann hua, shahed shah’jo didaraj hove (ginan) “For such reason, the panja became applicable by looking face to face, so as to earn vision of the Imam.” Tasbi aur Panja dua me’n diya, sunno munivar usaka vichar, panja hai rab’ka didar. (ginan) “Both Tasbi and Panja are incorporated in the Dua. O’ Believer! You listen to its philosophy. The Panja is for the Divine glimpse.” A’akhar din qiyamat tanne’, sab mile’ munivar vir’re’, jinne’ panja diya hoiga, so’e’ hathe’ noor nasir. (ginan)

“The last day will be the Qiyamat, where all believers will assemble. One who has performed the Panja ritual, he will be blessed with the vision of the Helper (God)

Panjebhai was an association of brotherhood in the Ismaili community in India. The word panjibhai means a brother shaking hand. The word occurred once in the old dua (prayer) of the Ismailis. The term panjibhai became more famous during the Aga Khan Case of 1866 in India. It was the time when the members of the opposition group were not excommunicated from the community, and they used to attend the Jamatkhana, but did not shake hand with others at the end of the prayers, or they did not give shah didar to others. They were the supporters of the group of Bar Bhai, the seceders. The Ismailis, who were loyal with the Imam were the shakers of hands in the prayers, and became known as the panjibhai. These panjibhai were the early bricks of the Khoja Panje Bhai Club in the community.

This word Panjebhai also occurred in the 14th part of the old prayer. The word panjibhai means the hand shaking brother. It was generally used for those who served inside the prayer-hall. It became more common for those who served inside and outside the community during the Aga Khan Case of 1866. On that occasion, some eminent Ismailis had rendered valuable services in all affairs, the most prominent among them were Ismail Kherraj, Sharif Gangji, Mukhi Alarakhia Sumar, Kamadia Khaki Padamsi and their workers, who were known as the panjibhais. The Imam recognized them as Ismaili fidais and Ismaili soldiers.

Henceforward, the group of the panjibhai continued to serve in different fields, and need also arose to form an association of brotherhood in the community. Thus, the existence of their club came into being. This was the first association of brotherhood. It was initially a group of enthusiastic persons, working for the religious, economic and social welfare of the Ismailis in Bombay. Later on, it had been recognized an official institution of the community when a bungalow had been hired at Repon Road, Bombay. When Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah returned from his European trip in 1899, the selected members sought permission for its establishment. The Imam named it The Khoja Panjibhai Club and himself became its life patron. The Club was later on shifted at Chopati Road, which was inaugurated by the Imam on May 28, 1900, whose first President was Jafar Rehmatullah with the Hon. Secretary, Ibrahim Muhammad Rawji. Before it, the Khoja Panjibhai Club had been founded in Zanzibar on September 9, 1899, whose first President was Mitha Jessa with the Hon. Secretary, Muhammad Saleh Kanji. In Jamnagar, Kutchh The Khoja Panjibhai Club existed on August 16, 1904, whose first President was Kamadia Haji Nazar Ali with the Hon. Secretary, Ghulam Hussain Ali Bhai. The Khoja Panjibhai Club also opened in Karachi on June 26, 1905, whose first President was Ghulam Hussain Varas Wali with the Hon. Secretary, Alidina Ali Muhammad.

It is earnestly solicitate to the authority concerned to restore Shah Didar Ritual as it is our oldest sacramental and ceremonial tradition. I am indebted to Kamadia Salim Dharas of Albuquerque for drawing my attention in this context. Thank you Kamadia Saheb.

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Karachi, October, 2025