Asalamalaikum
I am not Isma'ili. I have been studying salat as performed by Hanbali, Hanafi, Shafi'a, Maliki, and Imami I have sought in vain for information on Zikri, found insufficient information on Bektashi. I am interested in understanding Isma'ili prayers. From what I have read on this forum, it sounds very complicated. Is there a book available that describes the performance of prayer in detail, as though to a child?
Could someone tell me about how many Isma'ili there are, and what proportion of Isma'ilis convert over to Sunni or Shi'a, and convesely what proportion of Sunni and Shi'a become Isma'ili?
The groups of Ismaili whose names I have seen are: Saabiya, Maghiriya, Janaahiya, Mansuuriya, Khataabiya, Baatniya, and Haluuliya. What proportion of Isma'lis are in each group? (Or have I gotten this wrong?)
Thanks
Shaxr
How may I obtain a prayer book? Other Isma'ili groups?
As Salaam Alai Kum
We are Shia Imami Nizari Ismailies. We have no active conversion mission..so the numbers for conversion to Ismailism are few to none and vice versa..
The other ismaili groups that i know are Druze, Mustaeli, Qarmatans, Seveners amongst a few...the names you mention are foreign to me..
about a prayer book..i don't think you can get one.
Hope that helps.
Shams
We are Shia Imami Nizari Ismailies. We have no active conversion mission..so the numbers for conversion to Ismailism are few to none and vice versa..
The other ismaili groups that i know are Druze, Mustaeli, Qarmatans, Seveners amongst a few...the names you mention are foreign to me..
about a prayer book..i don't think you can get one.
Hope that helps.
Shams
Re: How may I obtain a prayer book? Other Isma'ili groups?
Please see my private message to you.
As Salaam Alaykum, Wa Rahematullah wa Bakarakat tu Hu, Ahlan wa Salan!
As we are all aware Islam is pluralistic and hence there have evolved many interpretations through its history. A good and concise authoritative exposition of Shia Imami Ismaili interpretation of Islam and its historical evolution is given by the 48th Imam Sir Sultan Muhammad Agakhan III in a chapter of his book "The Memoirs of Agakhan". The following is the link to it.
http://www.ismaili.net/Source/0016b.html
Also there is and article on Ismailis in the "The Concise Encylopedia of Islam" by Cyril Glasse. It discusses its historical evolution, the various derivative sects such as those you have mentioned and their associated doctrines.
Please read them and then if you have further questions please do not hesitate to ask. I will also post a description of our Dua after I have found it. It is different both in form and content from the mainstream Sunni Salat which is a reflection of its fundamental notion that the practice of faith evolves and changes according to changing circumstances. More on that you will find in the above mentioned references.
As we are all aware Islam is pluralistic and hence there have evolved many interpretations through its history. A good and concise authoritative exposition of Shia Imami Ismaili interpretation of Islam and its historical evolution is given by the 48th Imam Sir Sultan Muhammad Agakhan III in a chapter of his book "The Memoirs of Agakhan". The following is the link to it.
http://www.ismaili.net/Source/0016b.html
Also there is and article on Ismailis in the "The Concise Encylopedia of Islam" by Cyril Glasse. It discusses its historical evolution, the various derivative sects such as those you have mentioned and their associated doctrines.
Please read them and then if you have further questions please do not hesitate to ask. I will also post a description of our Dua after I have found it. It is different both in form and content from the mainstream Sunni Salat which is a reflection of its fundamental notion that the practice of faith evolves and changes according to changing circumstances. More on that you will find in the above mentioned references.
Prayer in Nizari Qasim-Shahi Ismaili Shia Islam (hereinafter "Ismailism") - for that is what this website is devoted to - is different from prayer in most other schools of Islam.
Ismailism believes in four levels of spiritual development, the first two of which are shariah and tariqah. Ismailism believes to elevate Muslims to the tariqah level, thereby passing above shariah. This is why Ismaili rituals and spiritual practices are not the same as those prescribed by the shariah. This is also why these spiritual practices are not publicized or publicly divulged: because they are advanced practices, they are only for those who have been taught them and who have made baiat (pledged allegiance) to the Imam of the Time. Otherwise, they would be of no use. Muslims who are not ready to pass to the level of tariqah should adhere to the shariah.
As kmaherali said, Ismailis practice the Dua, which is a supplication recited three times daily, preferrably in the jamaatkhana. Although considerably different from Sunni and Shia duas and salaat, all of the Dua is Arabic, and a vast majority of it comes from the Qur'an or is based thereon. It is actually quite beautiful and stirring, with very pious and inspiring language. The exact words of the Dua are not publicized, however (and the same would apply to farmans or directives from the Imam, which are exclusively for his followers). That which is exclusively for the Ismailis tends to remain only within them. They are forbidden, for many good reasons, to divulge them to people outside the tariqah.
In your research I wish you good luck. But please be aware of one thing: consider very carefully who or what the source of your information is.
ON
Ismailism believes in four levels of spiritual development, the first two of which are shariah and tariqah. Ismailism believes to elevate Muslims to the tariqah level, thereby passing above shariah. This is why Ismaili rituals and spiritual practices are not the same as those prescribed by the shariah. This is also why these spiritual practices are not publicized or publicly divulged: because they are advanced practices, they are only for those who have been taught them and who have made baiat (pledged allegiance) to the Imam of the Time. Otherwise, they would be of no use. Muslims who are not ready to pass to the level of tariqah should adhere to the shariah.
As kmaherali said, Ismailis practice the Dua, which is a supplication recited three times daily, preferrably in the jamaatkhana. Although considerably different from Sunni and Shia duas and salaat, all of the Dua is Arabic, and a vast majority of it comes from the Qur'an or is based thereon. It is actually quite beautiful and stirring, with very pious and inspiring language. The exact words of the Dua are not publicized, however (and the same would apply to farmans or directives from the Imam, which are exclusively for his followers). That which is exclusively for the Ismailis tends to remain only within them. They are forbidden, for many good reasons, to divulge them to people outside the tariqah.
In your research I wish you good luck. But please be aware of one thing: consider very carefully who or what the source of your information is.
ON
By virtue of being born Ismaili gets one automatically to the advance level? Are you talking about the baiat done at the time when child is born or shortly there after? I guess my question is: What have I done to reach that advance level of practices?This is also why these spiritual practices are not publicized or publicly divulged: because they are advanced practices, they are only for those who have been taught them and who have made baiat (pledged allegiance) to the Imam of the Time.
Grace
YAM Curious1
You see, his grace is independent of your effort.
You ask what you have done to be born Ismaili?
You do not have to do anything for him to open his arms and engulf you whole.
The truth is, when you stop doing is when you realise what he does.
YAM
Shams
You see, his grace is independent of your effort.
You ask what you have done to be born Ismaili?
You do not have to do anything for him to open his arms and engulf you whole.
The truth is, when you stop doing is when you realise what he does.
YAM
Shams
I am looking for logical answers. I am already familiar with what you are saying above. -thanks.You see, his grace is independent of your effort. You ask what you have done to be born Ismaili? You do not have to do anything for him to open his arms and engulf you whole. The truth is, when you stop doing is when you realise what he does.
Ya Ali madad!
A person born into an Ismaili family grows up learning key beliefs and ideals of Ismailism. This way, the child (and when the child grows up, the adult) will be able to properly understand the purpose, meaning, and doctrines behind the spiritual practices. Those who are not exposed to the necessary beliefs and doctrines inevitably misunderstand, misinterpret, and oppose the spiritual practices. Therefore, there is no use or benefit in exposing the unprepared to such higher disciplines.
Anyone can pick up a Muslim salaat-book and follow along. It is not difficult. It is, indeed, not meant to be difficult or taxing on the mind. But in the Ismaili tariqah prayer, rises above simple obedience to the shariah to ascending and developing oneself spiritually. For this, one needs to understand and know much. Otherwise, conversion to Ismailism would be as easy as conversion to any of the other schools of Islamic practice. As it is, conversion - that is, entering Ismailism from the outside, without having been exposed to it one's whole life - is difficult; the governing bodies take great care that the convert is actually prepared and knows what he/she is doing.
I cannot say what the Imam can and cannot do, but I believe that a person's potential in Ismailism is fully realized when he/she immerses himself/herself in learning about the tariqah and diligently does its spiritual practices. If one does not do this, it is only his/her loss of opportunity.
Maula hafiz,
Omayr
A person born into an Ismaili family grows up learning key beliefs and ideals of Ismailism. This way, the child (and when the child grows up, the adult) will be able to properly understand the purpose, meaning, and doctrines behind the spiritual practices. Those who are not exposed to the necessary beliefs and doctrines inevitably misunderstand, misinterpret, and oppose the spiritual practices. Therefore, there is no use or benefit in exposing the unprepared to such higher disciplines.
Anyone can pick up a Muslim salaat-book and follow along. It is not difficult. It is, indeed, not meant to be difficult or taxing on the mind. But in the Ismaili tariqah prayer, rises above simple obedience to the shariah to ascending and developing oneself spiritually. For this, one needs to understand and know much. Otherwise, conversion to Ismailism would be as easy as conversion to any of the other schools of Islamic practice. As it is, conversion - that is, entering Ismailism from the outside, without having been exposed to it one's whole life - is difficult; the governing bodies take great care that the convert is actually prepared and knows what he/she is doing.
I cannot say what the Imam can and cannot do, but I believe that a person's potential in Ismailism is fully realized when he/she immerses himself/herself in learning about the tariqah and diligently does its spiritual practices. If one does not do this, it is only his/her loss of opportunity.
Maula hafiz,
Omayr
[quote="ONiazi"]. . . they are only for those who have been taught them and who have made baiat (pledged allegiance) to the Imam of the Time. Otherwise, they would be of no use. Muslims who are not ready to pass to the level of tariqah should adhere to the shariah.
. . .
In your research I wish you good luck. But please be aware of one thing: consider very carefully who or what the source of your information is.
ON[/quote]
.
Thank you. I understand that there are some who misrepresent Ismailism. So I do take your advice and weigh all things carefully; especially in relation to the Qur'an. Everything in Arabic. I understand. I am learning Arabic. Is there a particular recension/translation/tafsir of Qur'an that you would recommend as best representing the Ismaili perspective?
"Baiat" -- is this pledge similar in legal significance to the Shahada-- that is to say, is apostasy from Ismailism a capital offense, punishable by death?
.
Thanks again
. . .
In your research I wish you good luck. But please be aware of one thing: consider very carefully who or what the source of your information is.
ON[/quote]
.
Thank you. I understand that there are some who misrepresent Ismailism. So I do take your advice and weigh all things carefully; especially in relation to the Qur'an. Everything in Arabic. I understand. I am learning Arabic. Is there a particular recension/translation/tafsir of Qur'an that you would recommend as best representing the Ismaili perspective?
"Baiat" -- is this pledge similar in legal significance to the Shahada-- that is to say, is apostasy from Ismailism a capital offense, punishable by death?
.
Thanks again
[quote="Shaxr"]
"Baiat" -- is this pledge similar in legal significance to the Shahada-- that is to say, is apostasy from Ismailism a capital offense, punishable by death?
.
CERTAINLY NOT! Even the worst of the worst Ismailis leave the religion without any death decree, they are simply ignored as idiots to stay away from ... look at meherally (sp) or even damji, the tooth whitener con-man...
The HI has said something to the effect (please, someone, get the real quote) that if one doesn't believe, that's no problem, just leave.
Ismailism is a METAPHYSICAL religion. No bin ladens or zarqawis allowed here.
"Baiat" -- is this pledge similar in legal significance to the Shahada-- that is to say, is apostasy from Ismailism a capital offense, punishable by death?
.
CERTAINLY NOT! Even the worst of the worst Ismailis leave the religion without any death decree, they are simply ignored as idiots to stay away from ... look at meherally (sp) or even damji, the tooth whitener con-man...
The HI has said something to the effect (please, someone, get the real quote) that if one doesn't believe, that's no problem, just leave.
Ismailism is a METAPHYSICAL religion. No bin ladens or zarqawis allowed here.
-
star_munir
- Posts: 1670
- Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2003 12:55 am
- Contact:
"Our religion is our religion you either believe in it or you do not.You can leave a faith but you can not, if you do not accept its tenets remain within it and claim to reform it....There has never been any question of changing the ismaili faith, that faith has remained the same and must remain the same" [Memoirs of Aga Khan]
Just to let you know there isn't a Quran out there that would be an Ismaili tafsir (interpretation). Ismailis have always placed more importance to the guidance from the Living Imam (Hazar Imam). He is the living Quran for us and his guidance supercedes the Quran.Shaxr wrote: Is there a particular recension/translation/tafsir of Qur'an that you would recommend as best representing the Ismaili perspective?
Having said the above, Ismaili thinkers in the past have given extensive commentaries about selected verses from the Quran especially those that point to the necessity of a living Imam. Our missionaries have composed a special form of religious poetry which we call the Ginans. These are considered as tafsir of the Quran par excellence. As a matter of fact, certain sections of our community did not till recently need to know the Quran. Knowledge of the Ginans was adequate. To know more about Ginans, you may want to click on the Ginans which is mentioned on the site map to the left of this page.
Ya Ali madad!
As mentioned by someone else before, breaking the baiat is not an executable offense. As a matter of fact, because the Ismaili tariqah is so spiritual and metaphysical, there is no system of hudud or prescribed punishments, at least that I am aware of. Making baiat to the Imam is not a matter of salvation (which accepting Islam is) but a matter of spiritual development. Breaking the baiat interrupts or diminishes one's spiritual progress, but there is nothing about salvation about it. Those who break the baiat, whether by spiritual apostasy or sin, are simply effectively cut off from the worlwide, universal Ismaili jamaat.
Unlike the shariah, Ismailis do not believe in any capital crimes. I would even go so far as to say that Ismailis would not order execution even for someone who apostasizes from Islam or blasphemes Islam. Certainly their crimes are very great (and punishable by death according to the shariah) but the Ismailis have evolved beyond the need to inflict corporal punishment on sinners.
kmaherali spoke very well about the issue of an Ismaili tafsir of the Qur'an. Like most Shias, Ismailis believe that the Imam has a divine interpretation and understanding of the Qur'an, one derived from the Nur that He holds as Imam. Although Ithna 'Ashari Shias would not be so bold as to say it in so many words, Ismailis proclaim their Imam as a "speaking Qur'an" - meaning that His words and directives are as binding as the Qur'an, because like the Qur'an they ultimately derive from Allah. Unlike the written Qur'an, the Imam's farmans are easy to understand: they are in plain speech. The Imam is the Qur'an for the people.
Otherwise, like all Muslims, Ismailis deeply revere the Qur'an.
(I love people who have questions about Ismailism. Ismailism is such a wonderful religion!)
Mowla hafiz,
ON
As mentioned by someone else before, breaking the baiat is not an executable offense. As a matter of fact, because the Ismaili tariqah is so spiritual and metaphysical, there is no system of hudud or prescribed punishments, at least that I am aware of. Making baiat to the Imam is not a matter of salvation (which accepting Islam is) but a matter of spiritual development. Breaking the baiat interrupts or diminishes one's spiritual progress, but there is nothing about salvation about it. Those who break the baiat, whether by spiritual apostasy or sin, are simply effectively cut off from the worlwide, universal Ismaili jamaat.
Unlike the shariah, Ismailis do not believe in any capital crimes. I would even go so far as to say that Ismailis would not order execution even for someone who apostasizes from Islam or blasphemes Islam. Certainly their crimes are very great (and punishable by death according to the shariah) but the Ismailis have evolved beyond the need to inflict corporal punishment on sinners.
kmaherali spoke very well about the issue of an Ismaili tafsir of the Qur'an. Like most Shias, Ismailis believe that the Imam has a divine interpretation and understanding of the Qur'an, one derived from the Nur that He holds as Imam. Although Ithna 'Ashari Shias would not be so bold as to say it in so many words, Ismailis proclaim their Imam as a "speaking Qur'an" - meaning that His words and directives are as binding as the Qur'an, because like the Qur'an they ultimately derive from Allah. Unlike the written Qur'an, the Imam's farmans are easy to understand: they are in plain speech. The Imam is the Qur'an for the people.
Otherwise, like all Muslims, Ismailis deeply revere the Qur'an.
(I love people who have questions about Ismailism. Ismailism is such a wonderful religion!)
Mowla hafiz,
ON
<BR><BR>Thank you for quoting that.star_munir wrote:"Our religion is our religion you either believe in it or you do not.You can leave a faith but you can not, if you do not accept its tenets remain within it and claim to reform it....There has never been any question of changing the ismaili faith, that faith has remained the same and must remain the same" [Memoirs of Aga Khan]
[quote="ShamsB"]As Salaam Alai Kum<BR><BR>We are Shia Imami Nizari Ismailies. We have no active conversion mission..so the numbers for conversion to Ismailism are few to none and vice versa..<BR>The other ismaili groups that i know are Druze, Mustaeli, Qarmatans, Seveners amongst a few...the names you mention are foreign to me..<BR>about a prayer book..i don't think you can get o­ne.<BR><BR>Hope that helps.<BR><BR>Shams[/quote]<BR><BR>Thanks. "Shia" I understood, and "Imami". Why "Nizari"? I am slightly familiar with the others you mention, but the Druze, for instance, seem extremely "closed", like Samaritans and Mandaeans in that respect.<BR><BR>Why do Shia Imami Nizari Ismaili have no active convesion mission?<BR><BR>Yes, your remarks and several others are genuinely helpful. But of course nothing beats face-to-face conversation, in-depth discussion, and visiting and praying at holy sites, imo. <BR><BR>As that "Vulcan" character in "Startrek" _should_ have said,<BR><BR>"Live long and proper." <BR><BR>Shaxr <BR><BR>[code][/code][quote][/quote]
Nizari because we followed Imam Nizar upon the fall of the Fatimid Empire (there are historians here that will correct me on my terminologies and terms)...Shaxr wrote:<BR><BR>Thanks. "Shia" I understood, and "Imami". Why "Nizari"? I am slightly familiar with the others you mention, but the Druze, for instance, seem extremely "closed", like Samaritans and Mandaeans in that respect.<BR><BR>Why do Shia Imami Nizari Ismaili have no active convesion mission?<BR><BR>Yes, your remarks and several others are genuinely helpful. But of course nothing beats face-to-face conversation, in-depth discussion, and visiting and praying at holy sites, imo. <BR><BR>As that "Vulcan" character in "Startrek" _should_ have said,<BR><BR>"Live long and proper." <BR><BR>Shaxr <BR><BR>ShamsB wrote:As Salaam Alai Kum<BR><BR>We are Shia Imami Nizari Ismailies. We have no active conversion mission..so the numbers for conversion to Ismailism are few to none and vice versa..<BR>The other ismaili groups that i know are Druze, Mustaeli, Qarmatans, Seveners amongst a few...the names you mention are foreign to me..<BR>about a prayer book..i don't think you can get o­ne.<BR><BR>Hope that helps.<BR><BR>ShamsCode: Select all
Here is how in my mind the major splits in islam happened
Shia and Sunni.
Shia's followed Ali, Sunnis followed Abu Bakr and the Caliphs.
Then Shia Ithna Asheris and the Shia Ismailies i.e. twelvers and seveners. (note there is another group of seveners as well)
Shia Ithna Asheris (most shias in Iran and Iraq) followed Musa Kazim and the Seveners followed Ismail and his progeny..thus the name Ismailies.
there were other minor splits after this..i.e. the Qarmatans, the Druze..
the next split came with the end of the Fatimid Empire..
The Shia Imami Nizari Ismailies and the Mustaeli Ismailies..(the Bohras of India)...
the nizaris followed Nizar and Hadi..the Mustaelis followed Mustaeli who was installed on the throne by Badr Al Jamali..the commander of the Armies...
after that we have the Imam Shahi Ismailis..(the memons)..etc...
I hope this helps rather than hinders..email me [email protected] and i will be better able to answer any questions.
Shams
Re: How may I obtain a prayer book? Other Isma'ili groups?
My, but how silent you've become.
Makes me wonder about your intentions.
Makes me wonder about your intentions.
Re: How may I obtain a prayer book? Other Isma'ili groups?
I agree..nothing else on any other topics either...hmmmm....tasbiha wrote:My, but how silent you've become.
Makes me wonder about your intentions.
Shams
Hi, there. I apologize for my silence. It was not due to lack of interest, but was due to obligations. Also, I don't know much about Ismailism. If I ask a question and it is answered, I may fall silent because it is answered and because I have nothing knowledgeable to contribute, except in subjects besides Ismailism.<BR><BR>I like doing salat with Sunni and Shi'a, but don't feel salat should be required to the point of execution for its neglect. I have learned much from the Ahmadiyya tafsir o­n the Qur'an. But I cannot become Ahmadiyya because they, too, are too narrow in their understanding of Qur'an and religion. I am very partial to the free-minds.org people, although I am not as completely "Qur'an-only" as some of them.<BR><BR>I appreciate Qur'an, Bible, Upanishads. May we all attain our Divine Purpose.<BR><BR>I hope you will allow me to continue reading in this forum, and the links from ismaili.net. If so, I thank you for your <EM>sabr</EM>.<BR><BR>(And either my computer is become uncooperative, or my browser is floundering; I'm having trouble using the internet at all.)<BR><BR>Shaxr
"I like doing salat with Sunni and Shi'a, but don't feel salat should be required to the point of execution for its neglect"
I feel much more comfortable doing the Holy Du'a, than the Salat.
I am an "outsider," but I feel the Ismailis are the ONLY Islamic sect that hasn't PERVERTED Islam.
Which prayer would you rather go to judgment day with?
I feel much more comfortable doing the Holy Du'a, than the Salat.
I am an "outsider," but I feel the Ismailis are the ONLY Islamic sect that hasn't PERVERTED Islam.
Which prayer would you rather go to judgment day with?
Heart
I would rather go to Day of Judgement with prayers that have originated from the Heart.
Personally I dont care if a person is praying with his head on the ground and legs in the air as long as what he is doing is being done from his heart
Shams
Personally I dont care if a person is praying with his head on the ground and legs in the air as long as what he is doing is being done from his heart
Shams
Re: Heart
YAM,shamsu wrote:I would rather go to Day of Judgement with prayers that have originated from the Heart.
Personally I dont care if a person is praying with his head on the ground and legs in the air as long as what he is doing is being done from his heart
Shams
When one is praying, he/she is doing it with the awareness or faith that MHI (the Lord of the worlds) is with him/her. He/she is communicating with Him. What kind of respect does this person show Him when praying with "head on the ground and legs in the air".
The fact that we do not practice the Namaz does not absolve us of the duty to say our prayers with respect, humility, a sense of reverence and devotion. When you know the meaning of the prayer and are praying with your heart, there is no way you can possibly pray in that manner.
Pir Sadardin tells us in “Bavan Bodh”
"10. Meeting at the Ghat, assembly, do your best to go through religious ceremonies with care."
I am aware that it is your opinion. Nevertheless these kind of remarks can offend others Muslims and non Muslims alike.
Looking at the body again
YAM K,
I agree with you we should pray with
"respect, humility, a sense of reverence and devotion."
Since when have these resided in the limbs and the positioning of the limbs.
I believe they all reside in the heart of man. The man with his legs in the air may have all of these and the one who prays according to whatever norm people think is appropriate may not.
Remember the incident with Pir Shams when he sat down in the middle of the salaat because the person leading the prayer was thinking about personal worldly matters.
From the positioning of the body in a certain way one cannot entertain a false sense of security that they are doing the right thing and will succeed in their mission.
The one who accepts the prayer can do so with just one sijda in the entire lifetime of a person.
The praying itself is not worth much if it is not accepted in his huzoor pur noor. To accept of not is all upto him. whether the person is sitting "properly" or has his legs in the air or has said Ya Aly just one time in his entire life.
By the way,
What about Ismailies who were tortured during the earlier years of Ismailism. Do you think they were hung upside down and tortured?
If they prayed to Imam in that situation would that be unacceptable as they were not praying "properly". His legs were in the air you know.
If an Ismaili happens to become an astronaught, how is he going to sit or do sijda in a state of weightlessness.
Trust me on this one, Ismailism has nothing to do with the body.
Ya Aly Madad
Shams
I agree with you we should pray with
"respect, humility, a sense of reverence and devotion."
Since when have these resided in the limbs and the positioning of the limbs.
I believe they all reside in the heart of man. The man with his legs in the air may have all of these and the one who prays according to whatever norm people think is appropriate may not.
Remember the incident with Pir Shams when he sat down in the middle of the salaat because the person leading the prayer was thinking about personal worldly matters.
From the positioning of the body in a certain way one cannot entertain a false sense of security that they are doing the right thing and will succeed in their mission.
The one who accepts the prayer can do so with just one sijda in the entire lifetime of a person.
The praying itself is not worth much if it is not accepted in his huzoor pur noor. To accept of not is all upto him. whether the person is sitting "properly" or has his legs in the air or has said Ya Aly just one time in his entire life.
By the way,
What about Ismailies who were tortured during the earlier years of Ismailism. Do you think they were hung upside down and tortured?
If they prayed to Imam in that situation would that be unacceptable as they were not praying "properly". His legs were in the air you know.
If an Ismaili happens to become an astronaught, how is he going to sit or do sijda in a state of weightlessness.
Trust me on this one, Ismailism has nothing to do with the body.
Ya Aly Madad
Shams
obtaining a prayer book
Salaam!
I have a spare prayer book if you would like it?
p.s.
I am a converted Isma'ili. I was brought up in a Christian household, and was attracted primarily to Islam because my grandfather is Albanian. I heard about Bektashism through the Albanian community and realised that Isma'ilism was very close to it. Met an Isma'ili and converted later on.
I have a spare prayer book if you would like it?
p.s.
I am a converted Isma'ili. I was brought up in a Christian household, and was attracted primarily to Islam because my grandfather is Albanian. I heard about Bektashism through the Albanian community and realised that Isma'ilism was very close to it. Met an Isma'ili and converted later on.
Re: obtaining a prayer book
Many people in this forum have been interested in how to become an Ismaili. For the benefit of others, could you tell us how you became an Ismaili and what processes you had to go through to become one?hsnbsh wrote:I am a converted Isma'ili. I was brought up in a Christian household, and was attracted primarily to Islam because my grandfather is Albanian. I heard about Bektashism through the Albanian community and realised that Isma'ilism was very close to it. Met an Isma'ili and converted later on.
You may want to post your story in this forum under:
Doctrines -> How to be a Ismaili? Thanks.