Ismaili Event-Nasir Khusraw Dawat-i Baqa in the Pamirs

One ceremony throughout Central Asia is prevalent including Badakhshan, Afghanistan, known as Chiragh-i Rawshan (the luminous lamp). It is however not practiced in other regions of Afghanistan. Some scholars write that it is a ceremony originated in Badakhshan, whose inhabitants were the fire-worshippers and brought it when embraced Ismailism, which seems doubtful. The oral tradition attributes its introduction by Nasir Khusraw, which cannot be ascertained. Nasir Khusraw however arranged the assemblies (majalis) in the villages, known as majalis-i dawat. It is also gleaned from different views that the majalis-i dawat later on became known as majalis-i chiragh-i rawshan, but we cannot take it conclusively due to the paucity of historical informations. It is however a traditional gathering with different kinds, such as dawat-i baqa, dawat-i fana, dawat-i safa and dawat-i raza. When one dies, his family members and relatives assemble in his house for three days, known as the dawat-i fana. The white cloth is spread on the ground and a lamp (Persian, chiragh, or Arabic, misbah) is lit in the middle. No other light is allowed to be kept or used as long as this lamp remains burning. It is also said that a specific person mutters Koranic verses or other religious formula, while preparing the wicks of the lamp and inserting the oil made of the fat of sacrificial animal. With loud chanting of salawat, the qazi stands in front of the khalifa and places the lamp down again three times. When the lamp is kindled, the believers maintain in minds that the Imam is the bearer of the living light of God on earth, and this ceremony is a symbol of the believer who is a living martyr, and there is reward and light for him in this material world and the world hereafter. It also imparts that when a believer dies, it is his physical death not spiritual. His soul quits the earthy body and wears an attire of paradise (subtle body). He was a dark himself on earth, but now he becomes light. The brightness is thus eluded symbolically in the lamp. There is a separation among bodies, but not in the light. There is nothing except union in the light after death. It emanates in another interpretation that the fire denotes ardent love and its light is the knowledge, therefore, unless a believer burns in the fire of love with Imam, the light of knowledge is not flashed in his heart. The ceremony of Chiragh-i Rawshan can also be solemnized for a person who is alive, known as dawat-i baqa.