Research on Ismaili doctrine

[Morg]

Hey there folks,

Im Morg and was a member of this board some years ago. Im born into a sunni family, born and raised in Norway. I used back then to ask some quetions about the Ismaili doctrine and fiqh becouse i wanted to collect information directly from the believers of each grouping. Now after several years i have found more interest in the Ismaili sect (partly becouse of Assassins Creed and the book Alamut by Yergin ) after reading about the AKDN.

It would be cool to ask you guys questions regarding your faith and enrich my knowledge.


I will start with these questions.

1. Is there any jamaatkhana/mosque in Norway?

2. what is the condition of nizaris in Iran? pre and past 79 revolution?

3. Is there any available imami chain for the imam of the 15.000 Nizaris in Syria who do not follow the Aga Khan? Who is their present hazar imam?

4. With which sufi order does the Ismailis enjoy closest relationships with?

best
Usman

[Naahid]

I can answer your first question. Historically, the Nizari have enjoyed close relationships with the Nimatullahi; their khane sheltered our people in times of trouble even though they are 12ers. Our Imam was a prominent figure in the Nimatullahi; the Nimatullahi leadership respected his leadership of the Nizari.

Nowadays Ismailis are not particularly affiliated with any outside Sufi movement. In fact, our own school is called a tariqah and our Imam is also our Pir. However, some still attend Sufi tariqahs while being mindful of the Nizari path: for example, I know Ismailis who practice with the Rifa'i (الرفاعية), which is a Bektavi lineage from Southeastern Europe (admittedly a Basran order). Historically there weren't a lot of Ismailis in the Balkans.

[kmaherali]

4. With which sufi order does the Ismailis enjoy closest relationships with?

In his meesage to the Amman Conference MHI stated:

"Our historic adherence is to the Jafari Madhhab and other Madhahib of close affinity, and it continues, under the leadership of the hereditary Ismaili Imam of the time. This adherence is in harmony also with our acceptance of Sufi principles of personal search and balance between the zahir and the spirit or the intellect which the zahir signifies."

http://www.iis.ac.uk/news_events/news_s ... essage.htm

The above statement would indicate that our tariqah would have close affiity with any of the tariqahs that embody the Sufi principles that are highlighted by the Imam.

[enzuru]

1. Two are listed on this website:

Oslo - http://ismaili.net/heritage/node/21507
Sarpsborg - http://ismaili.net/heritage/node/21508

2. It's hard to say, but they don't seem to be especially prominent enough to either benefit nor be persecuted by the interim government. Additionally, many Ismaili Iranians have migrated to the West, in particular I have heard of a community in Canada.

3. The last Muhammad Shahi Imam (current Nizaris are almost all Qasim Shahi) stated he was going to go to India to get in contact with his Ismaili followers there, I presume the Khojas. It seems he never got to India nor returned, so I believe according to them, they believe one day he will return, although I'm not quite sure if it is an occultation in their view.

4. Nimatullahi; our Imams were prominent members of this order. Additionally, from a doctrinal perspective, the Bektashi and Alevi traditions of Turkey and the Balkans show heavy Ismaili influence I believe, especially with their division of the batin and zahir.

[Morg]

Thanx for the answers.

As far as i know, the Sunni Sufi tariqats also have a clear view on Zahir and Batin. And as i read on the ismaili doctrine, the sufis in general tends to have a similiar setup as the Ismaili-Nizaris.

More questions:

5. Is Karim Aga Khan going to have any visit to Norway in the near future? And would it be possible to tend a seminar where he is going to speech?

6. How big is the Ismaili community in punjab (pakistan) and which districts have the most numbers. Is there any precense in Gujrat district and any jamaatkhanas there?

[agakhani]

Code: Select all

6. How big is the Ismaili community in punjab (pakistan) and which districts have the most numbers. Is there any precense in Gujrat district and any jamaatkhanas there?

I would happy to give answer of your above question.
In Pakistan most Ismailis resides in Sind province, however there are many Ismailis living in Punjab and other province too but they are not many as Sind, also there are many Ismaili Jamat Khanas in Punjab province.
Yes, there are still many Ismailis in Gujarat( India) district and many Jamat Khanas are there. Matter of fact Gujarat is the main source of Khojas, Momnas, Guptis, they all spread from Gujarat and now a days they living in almost every country of the world including Norway with the grace of Allah and as per our guidance of our current Imam.

[kmaherali]

6. How big is the Ismaili community in punjab (pakistan) and which districts have the most numbers. Is there any precense in Gujrat district and any jamaatkhanas there?

For information and photos of Jamatkhanas in India go to:

http://indiajk.blogspot.com/