Yam,
I just read through the newly rejuvenated “Is the Quran complete” thread and came upon this posting:
“Hi all - I am new to Ismailism and I was wondering what we should believe about Hazar Imam doctrinally - Is there an authoritative Ismaili "statement of beliefs" like the Catholic catechism? For example, to what extent should we believe he is infallible - in relation to deeny matters only or in relation to everything (NB the poll on this website)? In relation to Prophet Muhammad (saw) and Aly, how should we regard him - as superior or equivalent to them? What about his standing in comparison with previous prophets? Assuming he is direct communication with Allah, how much do we know about the nature of that communication? Does he dream inspired dreams or does he converse with angels etc? How much has he told us about the nature of it? I am sorry about having so many questions but I think it is important to understand the deen properly. If anyone could answer all or any of my questions, that would be great!”
I realized this was the perfect spring bord to launch a rant about my views of Ismailism. That is to say when we can say “You are not Ismaili” and “You are Ismaili”, and on doctrinal beliefs and such… I realize of course that this was written quite a while ago but I really would like to express my views. Partly because I would like to hear other peoples responses, I have never really brought this out before, and I want to see if my views hold any water…
As I understand it there are no doctrinal beliefs in Ismailisim except for two.
Number 1) That there is no codified system of beliefs. We follow a Tariqa, which is a way (IE path), rather then a Sharia, which is codified law. In ismailisim no one can talk away your god given right to use your intellect, which includes your rationality, spirit, emotion, etcetera. I believe this to the point, and I know people will disagree with me on this, that you don’t even need to follow what the Imam says. Generally I would say you should, virtually all Ismailies say you should, yet you are not compulsed to in order to be Ismaili.
Generally questions like: What does Ismailism tell us to think, I think, are invalid. As well as statements like: We (Ismailis) believe this. And especially: If you’re Ismaili then (blank).
I don’t like this idea of: If your (Blank) then (Blank). Like Canadian, hockey lover. Muslim woman, hijabi. Indian, like spicy foods. I do however accept that in these cases there are general rules.
The only other doctrinal belief in Ismailism (If I understand correctly), other than our Tariqa (which has less specific laws/doctrine. No “yes or no” ones), is spiritual allegiance to the Imam of the time. Now this allegiance does not necessarily mean you need to do everything he says, it simply means that you - Well I suppose you could fill this part in.
There are many answers to this:
The Fatimids saw the imam as the divine intellect, ala Neoplatonism. God who is above all things is inaccessible to humans, yet like a fountain, he flows down his divinity in levels, which in turn do the same, until it reaches the divine intellect, which then passes it unto us.
The Alamuts developed the idea, and this is my favorite, that the Imam is the ideal teacher, rather, that he is The divinely appointed teacher. Their basic point is that the Quran, is clearly not easily interpretable (consider the industry of Islamic jurists). Yet God said he sent down the Quran to guide the people or at least something to that effect. But then if, hypothetically, there are bad teachers, the Quran will be useless, because it will be interpreted incorrectly. Thus there needs to be a Teacher (notice the capital T), so that the Quran may be taught to the people correctly.
The post Alamut ismailis, the one who hid amongst Sufis, developed a Sufi understanding imamat. It is maddeningly complex; I don’t think I can scratch it in a blurb. The Prophet was given the light of God (became a face of god, sunray to the sun) who passed it unto Imam Ali, so on and so forth. Thus the Imam becomes like the ideal Sufi master, rather The Sufi Master. And in order to reach fanafiallah(absorption into god) one must reach spiritually the Imam of the time as a channel.
The suntpath, or seppath, or something, ismailies developed a similar conception but in the language of the time. Using words like Avatar and such before they developed today’s connotations.
Today’s conception? Who knows? Probably a mix.
I believe, me personally, that the Imam relationship to his spiritual children is personal. That the fundamental relationship is between Imam and individual murid. That the Imam doesn’t speak his role but listens to what the murid needs and then becomes that to that murid. A very mystical concept agreed, probably incompatible with western society, but mine none the less. The point is developed your own conception. Think for yourself, for the love of God (in the literal sense) think for yourself.
"For example, to what extent should we believe he is infallible - in relation to deny matters only or in relation to everything (NB the poll on this website)?"
Once again, it’s up to you to reach that conclusion, it your choice what to believe. However, most imailies, throughout history, would say that at least that the Imam is spiritually inerrant. If he wasn’t why would you follow him? A majority would also say he is simply inerrant.
So what about his Firmans. If in them he says that such and such is true, IE happened, then what else could you believe if he’s inerrant? Well who knows, but my point still stands. It could be allegorical, or you simply think its the essentials that are what is important, or something.
What about when he is explicit? Well then you would, if you believed him inerrant, not follow him out of a personal sense of masochism. Either way I think its allowed.
Doctrinal beliefs and Ismailisim
If you are new to Ismailism, then I would recommend you read "Religion of My Ancestors, ISLAM THE RELIGION OF MY ANCESTORS
H.R.H. PRINCE AGA KHAN III (Extract from The Memoirs of the Aga Khan by H.H. The Aga Khan III)" which can be accessed at:
http://www.ismaili.net/Source/0016b.html
It will give you an authoritative prespective on many of the issues that you have raised. Also, there has been extensive discussion on Imamat under "Is MHI God" of this forum. I would recommend that you read through the diverse postings. You will find the answers to most of your concerns.
H.R.H. PRINCE AGA KHAN III (Extract from The Memoirs of the Aga Khan by H.H. The Aga Khan III)" which can be accessed at:
http://www.ismaili.net/Source/0016b.html
It will give you an authoritative prespective on many of the issues that you have raised. Also, there has been extensive discussion on Imamat under "Is MHI God" of this forum. I would recommend that you read through the diverse postings. You will find the answers to most of your concerns.