What is Shia Islam? - The Isma'ilis

Let's Talk Religion・2 minutes read

Islam is diverse, with various branches like Sunnis, Shias, and Ismailis, who emphasize esotericism and a unique understanding of God's attributes. Ismailis believe in the necessity of an Imam for interpreting the Quran and Sunnah correctly, shaping their theology around Neoplatonism and emphasizing hidden meanings in scripture.

Insights

1. Ismailis, a significant branch of Shia Islam, emphasize esotericism and a unique Neoplatonic model, rejecting anthropomorphic descriptions of God and focusing on the Imam's absolute authority for religious matters.
2. Ismailis trace their lineage through a specific line of Imams, leading to various groups like the Seveners and the emergence of the Fatimid Empire, which influenced Islamic thought broadly and shaped both Shia and Sunni worlds.
3. Ismailis have a distinctive perspective on prophecy and revelation, viewing the Quran as a manifestation of God's speech through the intellect, with a focus on esoteric interpretations and the living Imam as the sole interpreter of the Quran's true meanings.

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What are the core beliefs of Ismaili Shiism?
Ismaili Shiism emphasizes esotericism, divine knowledge of Imams, and Neoplatonic influences.

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Summary

00:00

"Ismailis: Influential Branch of Shi Islam"

Islam is diverse, with various conceptualizations by Muslims, including the influential Ismailis, the second largest branch of Shi Islam.
Ismailis have faced criticism from other Muslims, often based on misunderstandings, prompting a general overview of Ismailis.
Islam is broadly divided into Sunni, Shia, and sometimes Ibadi branches, with Ismailis being significant within Shiism historically and today.
Ismaili Shiism is characterized by esotericism, emphasizing doctrinal and practical esoteric elements and adopting a neoplatonic model.
Shiism's core debate revolves around the succession of the Prophet Muhammad, with Sunnis believing in chosen successors and Shias in the Prophet's family line.
Shias believe in the necessity of an Imam, a leader with divine knowledge, to interpret the Quran and Sunnah correctly, passed down through a line of Imams.
Ismailis trace their lineage through a specific line of Imams, with disagreements leading to various groups like the Seveners and the eventual emergence of the Fatimid Empire.
The Fatimid Empire, founded by Abdullah, an Ismaili Imam, ruled major parts of the Islamic world, with Caliph Imams holding both political and spiritual leadership.
Ismailis were active in intellectual pursuits, producing significant thinkers like Abu Yakub and Nasir Khusro, influencing Islamic thought broadly.
The Fatimids shaped both Shia and Sunni worlds, leading to the development of Sunni Orthodoxy and the birth of Sunni Islam as known today, impacting art, science, and education.

16:00

Ismailism: History, Theology, and Philosophy

The Fatimid Empire ruled until 1171 when Salahuddin overthrew them, leading to debates over the succession line of the imams.
After the 18th Imam, Al-Mustansir, there was a split over his successor, leading to the division of Ismailis into Nizari and Al-Mustali followers.
The Taibi Ismailis, represented by communities like Dawoodi Boras and Aladiboras, emerged from the split.
Ismailism during the Fatimid Empire was significant for intellectual history, with prominent philosophers and scholars shaping Ismaili thought.
Ismailis believe in the prominence of the Imam for religious matters, with the Imam having absolute authority.
Ismaili theology heavily adapted Neoplatonism, emphasizing strict monotheism and a negative theology of God's attributes.
Ismailis reject anthropomorphic descriptions of God, maintaining God's transcendence and simplicity.
Ismaili philosophy identifies God with the One in Neoplatonism, emphasizing emanation and a unique understanding of God's attributes.
Ismaili scholars added the concept of God's command as an intermediary between God and creation, influencing Ismaili thought and philosophy.
Ismailis have a unique perspective on prophecy and revelation, viewing the Quran as a manifestation of God's speech through the intellect.

31:36

Ismaili Beliefs: Revelation, Imams, Esoteric Interpretation

The Quran introduces the concept of Umal Kitab, the mother of the book, as a heavenly archetype of Revelation, interpreted by Ismailis as the intellect.
Prophets, like Muhammad, receive Revelation through light descending upon their hearts, leading to a vision or direct correspondence with the intellect, which they then formulate into words for their community.
Ismaili perspective on Revelation emphasizes the role of the prophet in formulating non-verbal Revelation into human language, making the Quran the inspired words of the prophets interpreting Divine knowledge.
Prophets, including Muhammad, are believed to have successors known as imams, responsible for preserving the message and law of their era, with the current era being that of Muhammad.
Ismailis divide history into seven eras, each inaugurated by a speaker Prophet bringing new revelation and religious law, succeeded by a line of imams to maintain the message.
Ismaili belief in a Messianic figure, Al-Qahim, who will usher in a new spiritual phase, replacing the outer forms of Sharia with revealed truths, emphasizing hidden meanings in the Quran.
Ismailis focus on esoteric interpretations, emphasizing the hidden or esoteric aspects of scripture and religion, with the living Imam being the only one capable of interpreting the Quran's true meanings.
Ismailis do not worship the imams as God but view them as intermediaries between believers and God, with a metaphysical role in preserving and transmitting esoteric knowledge.
Ismailis interpret Quranic concepts allegorically and esoterically, with religious rituals having inner meanings, and numbers and movements in prayer related to esoteric teachings.
Ismaili doctrine of esoteric interpretation, known as Tawil, is central to their beliefs, with the Imam being the only one capable of expounding the Quran's inner meanings, passed down through their lineage.

47:49

Ismaili Jurisprudence: Imams, Sharia, and Practices

Ismaili practice centers around the imams embodying the Sunnah and interpreting the Quran's messages for application in various situations.
Sharia for Ismailis encompasses all practical aspects of life, including prayer, treatment of others, and fasting.
Ismaili jurisprudence was systematized during the Fatimid era, primarily by figures like Al-Nu'man, who established unique legal methods.
Ismaili law rejects individual reasoning, relying solely on the Quran, Sunnah, and imam's rulings.
The Fatimids emphasized the imam's role in legal matters, consulting with them for guidance on religious laws.
Ismaili jurisprudence, influenced by figures like Al-Nu'man, continued into the Middle Ages, particularly among the Taibi Ismailis.
The Nizari Ismailis, led by figures like Hassan as-Sabah, established a distinct form of Ismailism in Iran and Syria.
Talim, a doctrine emphasizing the imam's authority to interpret and change religious laws, was crucial for Nizari Ismailis.
Nizari Ismailis practice daily prayers, charity, and commemorate events like Ashura, with unique rituals and beliefs.
The current Aga Khan IV leads the Nizari Ismailis, emphasizing modern values, education, and charity work globally.

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