With Easter approaching, here's an interesting 20 minute video detailing the Ismaili interpretation of the life and death of Jesus.
There's a lot to unpack in this short lecture and it serves as an interesting introduction to Ismailism in its own right. For now, let's concentrate on just a few points:
Esotericism
The thrust of this lecture is interpretation. Ismailism is an esoteric philosophy, an attempt to arrive at an understanding of the hidden or spiritual meaning of scriptures and beliefs.
The interpretation presented by Khalil Andani is consequently a non-standard Islamic idea, one that seeks to reconcile the Christian and Muslim understanding of Christ. This pluralistic drive is one of the clear goals of Ismailism.
Mirror of God
Mr Andani's interpretation begins with the Ismaili understanding of God and creation. God, it is said, is absolutely unknowable and transcends description. Before He created the universe, He made the Universal Light, or Intellect. He compares this to what Christians call the Logos.
In turn, God has ordained prophets, of whom Jesus was one. These prophets, and the subsequent Imams, are both bearers of and mirrors of this Universal Light, called the Light of Muhammad.
Mr Andani assertshat these prophets have two natures and that they have a special status becuase of this dual human and heavenly nature. The latter is the presence of the Light of Muhammad. Mr Andani makes it clear that this Universal Light or Intellect is not God, but it is the face of God manifested on earth through the prophets.
As he later reinforces, the prophets were only loci of this manifestation in the sense of being a reflective mirror. There is no incarnation - the Universal Intellect is not God and, regardless, remains in heaven.
Ismailis consequently see Jesus as one amongst 6 prophets and no more divine than Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses or Muhammad.
Crucifixion
In contrast with traditional Qur'anic interpretation, Ismailis believe that Jesus did in fact die on the cross. He was not replaced on the cross by another person, nor did it just appear that he died.
Ismailis believe that Jesus' human form was killed, but his pure soul, the reflection or manifestation of the Universal Light, was not killed since this is impossible.
Judgement
Mr Andani claims that any return of Jesus to earth will be symbolic. A future Imam will come to the world and will be inhabited - as all Imams are said to be - with the same Light of Muhammad that has been present in all prophets, including Jesus.
This Imam will reveal universal wisdom and restore justice (a 'Christic' function) and prepare the way for the Mahdi, the Lord of the Resurrection, who will initiate the messianic age.
Symbolism
In a move typical of Ismaili esoteric interpretation and interest in numerolgy and symbols, Mr Andani explains a "structural correspondence" and close ties between the cross as a symbol and the 4 words of the Muslim confession of faith. They are, he says, symbols of the same, deep meaning.
In his own words,
"outward diversity may in fact be a symbol of inward unity."
A Christian Response
As Christians, we appreciate the earnest desire to work towards understanding, peace (Matt 5:9) and reconciliation. The Bible calls us to the same in Romans 12:18 and elsewhere.
When it comes to the subject of Jesus' divinity, however, we are cautious. This is the central tenet of the Christian faith, so it is important that we represent it accurately. The Bible, in praising the virtue of Truth, teaches us to pray to God Himself for guidance, with pleas like "Lead me in your truth and teach me" (Psalm 25:5).
The truth about Jesus is best found in the Bible, a historically trustworthy account of Jesus' own life and words recorded by those closest to him, as well as a record of prophecies about his life and ministry made hundreds of years before he was born and which came to pass.
Many of these truths are presented as self-evident, without the need for interpretation to find a hidden, spiritual layer beneath.
Jesus claimed in John 14:6
"I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
He was stating a categorical truth: the only way to God and into Paradise is through Jesus. The way He provided was His death on the cross, substituting His life for ours, swapping our sin for His Divine holiness.
There are many areas of commonality between Christianity and Ismailism. However, no amount of interpretation that accurately reflects the divinely revealed truth as recorded in the Bible will entirely reconcile our positions on Jesus. The divinity and sacrifice of Jesus Christ is at the heart of the Christian faith and it is this which sets it apart from other religions.
Nevertheless, we applaud Mr Andani and our Ismaili friends for concentrating on what unites, rather than what divides us.
Originally published 2 years ago