This suite of zekrs was recorded in the intimacy of Ostad’s home, with close family and friends spontaneously taking up the refrains of the melodies in unison. The first zekr dates back to a time before Hādj Nemat, Ostad Elahi’s father.¹

a) Dūs bejan bejan barza meli
Jam-e rāsāna yār na deli

O friend, play, play for the great man
This is the gathering of the Righteous, the Beloved is among them

b) Sāheb tūl-e zar Dāwed
Zāmen-e āhū bar Dāwed

Master with the golden stick, Dāwūd
Protector of the fawn, Dāwūd

The golden stick likely symbolizes the mission of spiritual guidance entrusted to Dāwūd, a manifestation of Raphael, the archangel of divine clemency.

c) Jam neyān dūsān aw yāna
Haqq shama mīrdān parwāna

Friends have convened the gathering in this house
God is the candle; men (companions) the butterflies

This zekr was composed by Hādj Nemat shortly after his spiritual illumination around 1900.