In Memoriam: Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan,
who for over 50 years was the head of the
Sufi Order International, died peacefully
June 17, 2004, at his home in France
surrounded by his family. His son Zia
Inayat Khan wrote to his many students
and admirers: "Even as we mourn the
loss of his physical presence, may we
find the inner clarity and strength to
remember the essence of his teaching:
the soul is immortal and its very being is
joy. It is death that dies; life lives forever."
Here are links to several websites
honoring the memory of Pir Vilayat:
The Prayer for the Dead
(male version) by Hazrat Inayat Khan:
O Thou
the Cause and Effect of the Whole universe
the Source from whence we have come
and the Goal toward which all are bound:
receive this soul, who is coming to Thee,
into Thy parental arms.
May Thy forgiving Glance heal his heart.
Lift him from the denseness of the earth.
Surround him with the Light of Thine own Spirit.
Raise him up to heaven
which is his true dwelling place.
We pray Thee, grant him the blessing
of Thy most exalted Presence.
May his life upon earth become as a dream
to his waking soul,
And let his thirsting eyes behold
the glorious vision of Thy Sunshine.
Amen.
