Nur Ali Elahi (or Ostad Elahi var. Nūr 'Alī Ilāhī, Nour Ali Elahi, ; 11 September 1895 – 19 October 1974) was an Iranian philosopher, judge and musician of Kurdish descent whose work investigated the metaphysical dimension of human beings.During (2003) pp. 41-43; Morris (2007), p. 2.
Early life
Elahi was born in Jeyhunabad, a small Kurdish village near the eponymous capital of Kermanshah province.Morris (2007), p. 2.Life of Ostad Elahi: Chronology His father, Hajj Nematollah (1871–1920),Morris (2007), p. 2; During (2003), p. 47; The Official Website of Hadj Nemat was a mystic and poet who was a leader of the Ahl-e Haqq and revered as a saint.Morris (2007), p. 2; During (2003) pp. 23-26. From early childhood, he led an ascetic, secluded life of rigorous discipline under his father's supervision with a special focus on mysticism, music, and ethics. In addition to religious and moral instruction, he received the classical education of the time. During study and contemplation in his youth, he established the basis of his philosophical and spiritual reflections.Morris (2007), p. 3; Elahi, Asar-ol Haqq
By the time his father died in 1919, Elahi had concluded that the time for classical spirituality had come to an end, and that the quest for spiritual development could no longer take place in the tranquility of ascetic seclusion. Instead, he believed that spirituality had to be practiced within the context of an active and productive life in the midst of society. Thus, at the age of twenty-four he left behind a contemplative life to test his ethical principles in society. Eventually settling in the capital city of Tehran, he cut his long hair and beard, replaced his traditional robes with a Western-style suit, and entered the civil service.During (2003), p. 37; Morris (2007), p. 5.
Judicial career
A few years later, as the country was undergoing extensive governmental reforms that included the establishment of an entirely new judicial system, Elahi enrolled in the newly formed National School of Jurisprudence. He finished a three-year curriculum in six months, and graduated with distinction in 1934.During (2003), p. 39.Life of Ostad Elahi: Judiciary
Elahi then began a 23-year legal career, with his first assignment as Justice of the Peace in Larestan County, Fars province, and culminating in his appointment as Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals and the High Court of Criminal Appeals of Mazandaran province. He was highly regarded both for the precision with which he observed rights and duties, and for the importance he placed on the rule of law and women's rights. Elahi retired in 1957 at the age of 62 and settled in Tehran.For a complete list of all his judicial appointments, see Life of Ostad Elahi: Chronology
Throughout his legal career, Elahi devoted time to personal studies and research, especially in philosophy and theology. This period of metaphysical investigation helped him to formulate his later works.Elahi, Asar-ol Haqq; Orientations: Islamic Thought in a World Civilisation, James Winston Morris (2004)
Philosophy Elahi's philosophy addresses questions about the origin and nature of human beings, their role and responsibilities in the world, and their ultimate destination. His work highlights the idea of the duality of man as both a material and spiritual being, and reasserts the importance of their metaphysical dimension. He believed that self-realization requires more than mere reflection, and that spirituality, like any science, must necessarily be grounded in verifiable experiences. Elahi's written and oral teachings are thus the direct result of his personal experiences, rather than philosophical reflections.Morris (2002); Morris (1996)
Writings Elahi began to gradually reveal his system of thought after his retirement from the judiciary in 1957. During this time he wrote and published two scholarly works in the fields of religious science and authentic spirituality, as well as an extensive commentary on his father's writings. The practical aspect of his thought, on the other hand, was conveyed mostly in the form of oral teachings and instruction to close friends and acquaintances who sought his advice and guidance. Two volumes of his sayings have been published to date on the basis of notes transcribed by these individuals.Morris (2007), p. 9. He also authored several manuscripts that remain unpublished, including Unveiling of the Truths (Kashf al-Haqa'iq), which describes the genesis of the universe and the role of human beings.Morris (2007), p. 10; Ostad Elahi: Works: Manuscripts
In 1963, Elahi published his first book, "Demonstration of the Truth" (Borhan ol-Haqq), a theological work which presented for the first time an authoritative historical account of the Ahl-e Haqq, including its development, fundamental principles, and sacred rites, which until then had been kept secret. The book also addressed the esoteric aims shared in common by the Qur'an, Islam, and the Ahl-e Haqq.Morris (2007), p. 10; Ostad Elahi: Works: Publications: Demonstration of the Truth
In 1966, he published his second work, "Commentary on the Book of the Kings of Truth" (Hashieh bar Haqq ol-Haqayeq), a commentary on his father's epic poem that expounded upon the determination of places and dates, the historical accuracy of certain events cited therein, and the concept of "divine manifestation".Ostad Elahi: Works: Publications: Commentary on The Book of the Kings of Truth
His third and final published work, a philosophical treatise titled "Knowing the Spirit" (Marefat ol-Ruh), was published in 1969 and describes his ideas on the existence and immortality of the soul, and on the soul's gradual process of maturation and perfection.Morris (2007) pp. 10-11; Unicity p. XVI; Ostad Elahi: Works: Publications: Knowing the Spirit
Music
For Elahi, music was primarily a means of engaging in contemplation and prayer. He never performed in public and did not make any recordings of his music in a professional setting.During (2003), p. 153.
Elahi's music is rooted in a tradition involving the rhythmic recital and invocation of sacred texts in devotional gatherings, accompanied by various instruments such as the tanbur (an ancient lute), the ney (reed flute) and the daf (frame drum).During (1989)
Elahi began playing the tanbur at the age of six and was recognized as a master of the tanbur by the age of nine.During (2003) pp. 28-29; Morris (2007), p. 4. He would eventually revive this ancient art, composing over 100 original pieces that he used as the basis for his improvisations.During (2003) pp. 28, 52. His musical ornamentations and complex playing technique, which for the first time involved the use of all five fingers of both hands, as well as his physical modifications to the instrument itself – namely, the doubling of the higher string so as to dramatically increase its expressiveness – earned him a reputation as an innovator of this art form and a master of the tanbur.During (2003) pp. 54-61.
Since the commemoration of his centennial in 1995, eleven CDs of his music have been released.See Discography section below The bulk of the original recordings were made on basic mono tape recording equipment during the 1960s and '70's in the context of informal gatherings with family and friends. These tapes have since been digitally remastered and restored.During (2003) pp. 153-154.
One of the characteristic aspects of Elahi's music was the use of improvisation, in which he would weave together pieces of diverse tempo and rhythm while maintaining a coherent whole.During (2003) pp. 71-72. One such piece, Improvisations in Baba Jalili in the fourth followed by the Suite Zang-e Shotori in the second, found on the CD Destinations (Le Chant du Monde, 2008) exemplifies this aspect. Here, Elahi shifts back and forth between several different melodies and mixes the rhythm of one melody into that of another.See liner notes from Destinations
Elahi's tanbur playing was also known for its use of complex ornamentations and the density of the notes, with up to 12 notes being played per second at times.During (2003) pp. 73-75. These features are apparent in Suite Sahari from the CD The Celestial Music of Ostad Elahi (Le Chant du Monde, 2004), a melody which was played at dawn to awaken dervishes for prayer.See liner notes from The Celestial Music of Ostad Elahi
Elahi personally taught the entirety of his repertoire for the tanbur to his youngest son, Dr. Chahrokh Elahi,During (2003), p. 144.The Art of Tanbur who has recorded all of it on video, demonstrating Elahi's style and technique.See for example
Legacy
During the latter part of his life, Elahi was surrounded by individuals with diverse backgrounds and interests: atheists who came for a debate, musicians who sought advice on some technical point, scholars who wished to broaden the scope of his research, villagers or seekers who sought spiritual guidance. He welcomed them all and took the time to address each of their concerns.During (2003) pp. 42-43; B. Elahi (1995)
Elahi was married and had three sons (Amin, Bahram, and Chahrokh), and three daughters (Fatemeh "Fati" Nemati, Farkhondeh, and Gita).
Elahi died on 19 October 1974, at the age of seventy-nine in Iran. A memorial was erected in his memory in Hashtgerd, a rural town located on the outskirts of Tehran.During (2003), p. 46; B. Elahi (1995)
After his death in 1974, his philosophy and teachings were continued by his son, Prof. Bahram Elahi (born 1931), a former pediatric surgeon and medical school dean who has written several books analyzing and elaborating upon this line of thinking.These books include: The Path of Perfection (Paraview Inc, 2005), Medicine of the Soul: Foundations of Natural Spirituality (Cornwall Books, 2001), Spirituality is a Science: Foundations of Natural Spirituality (Cornwall Books, 1999), Foundations of Natural Spirituality: A Scientific Approach to the Nature of the Spiritual Self (Element Books, 1998) and The Way of Light (Element, 1993).
History of the title "Ostad Elahi"
Born with the name "Fatollah", Nur Ali's childhood nickname was "Kuchek Ali".Elahi, Asar ol-Haqq (vol 1.), 1854. At the age of eleven, he went through a spiritual transformation during an ascetic retreat with his father, who subsequently changed the child's name to "Sayyed Nur Ali".Elahi, Asar ol-Haqq (vol. 1), p. 1856. In 1941, while working as an attorney general in Khorammabad, Nur Ali legally changed his family name to "Elahi".This name change was approved on October 21, 1941, and announced in the December 9, 1941, edition of "Etelaat" newspaper.
Following his death, his sister Malak Jân Nemati (Also known as Malak Jân, Sheikh Jâni and Jâni Jân)malakjan.com assumed responsibility for continuing his legacy.Malek Jân Ne'mati by Leili Anvar (Diane de Selliers, 2007) In accordance with the custom of referring to elders with deference, Malak Jân referred to her brother with the title "Hazrat Ostad" for the next twenty years as she continued explaining his teachings.