This year, Navroz and Easter fall within a week of each other. Both are celebrations of new life and bear a remarkable similarity in symbolism.
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Ismaili Theology
There was a time when Ismailis were known as the 'batini', those who followed the batin, the inner, esoteric truths. Today, that tradition of delving beneath the outward meaning persists. Ismailis, led by the Aga Khan in their pursuit of the secret, deeper truths, acknowledge outward acts of devotion but give precedence to both inner symbolism and inner purity.
Just recently, The Essential Ismaili released another of Mr Andani's talks (originally delivered at Harvard in March 2013) and we were asked by our friends at Ismaili Gnosis to review it. This is our response.
The ultimate goal of our Ismaili friends is to achieve full knowledge of, and consequently unity with, God. As the mirror of God, the Imam is central to this process.
The more we listen to Khalil Andani, the more we appreciate his brilliance. He is a disciplined scholar and a fantastically clear communicator. In this video, recorded last month, Mr Andani gives us a wonderful summary of the Aga Khan's view of pluralism, its origins in Islam and in the global situation, and its application to today's world.
Mr Andani, a PhD candidate at Harvard and unofficial spokesperson for the Ismaili community, gives us a look into the pillars of Ismailism and their differences from traditional Muslim orthopraxy.
Here are some highlights:
In 1975 Ismailis from across the world gathered to make some monumental decisions and changes to the way they understood and practiced their faith.
Minutes from this historic meeting detail resolutions on the following topics:
Unlike most Muslims, the Ismailis are not shy of expressing their theology and worship of God in song-form, with musical instruments and voice. This is not the Qur'anic recitation you'll hear from the *muezzin*. This is a body of 13-15th century Psalm-like compositions, differing from the works of David, Asaph and others in that the score, the melody, the music has survived through the years.
In the run up to Women's Equality Day last week, Ismaili Gnosis ran a mini-series on "strong Ismaili women" which included a short piece on Mata Salamat, 4th wife of Imam Mawlana Sultan Muhammad Shah, Aga Khan III.
In an intriguing excerpt from his memoirs, the Imam describes how his wife converted from Christianity to Islam, but that this was not necessary:
“We ought not to be ashamed of appreciating the truth and of acquiring it wherever it comes from, even if it comes from races distant and nations different from us...”
Abu Yusuf Ya'qub ibn Ishaq al-Kindi
(c. 800-866)
Knowledge is as much a pillar of the Ismaili faith as any theological concept and perhaps second only to the adoration of the Aga Khan in the thoughts of our Ismaili friends.
Knowledge is key in every gnostic faith, and Ismailism is no exception.
In just a few days time, the Muslim holy month of _Ramadan_ comes to an end. Across the world millions of Muslims are fasting from all food and liquids during daylight hours. Many will be making _Hajj_ (pilgrimage) to Mecca, the holiest city in the Muslim world.
For most Ismailis, however, this month has passed with little or no difference.
“The Ismailis have almost continuously faced the hostility of the majority of Muslim dynasties and groups. Indeed, they have been amongst the most severely persecuted communities in the Islamic world. As a result, the Ismailis have been obliged for the most part to live clandestinely, guarding secretly their religious beliefs and literature.”
('Ismailis - Their History and Doctrines' by Farhad Daftary )
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:
At the heart of Ismaili philosophy is the idea that there is a hidden meaning within their religious texts.
They will trace the origins of this idea back to the 8th century when Ismailis were creating for themselves something unique, something distinct from mainstream Islam.
In his daily life the focus of our Ismaili friend is almost exclusively on the Aga Khan. God is, perhaps, an after-thought.
God – Allah, as he'll call him – is, in Ismaili theology, essentially unknowable and very literally indescribable.
Wherever Ismailis travel in the world, they feel at home when greeted by fellow Ismailis with the Arabic phrase: “Ya Ali Madad”. The translation is controversial, debated, but in essence is a prayer to Ali: “Oh, may Ali help you”. Since the present day Imam is considered one with Ali, it is a supplication for his help too. Our Ismaili friend will use it in the same way as others would 'Hello', but the theology behind it is explosive.
So who is the Aga Khan? Ask a widow who's benefited from his NGO and she'll tell you he's a great man who provided for her family after last year's floods. Ask a media hack and you'll hear he's a billionaire whose enthusiasm for race horses is exceeded only by his interest in women. Allegedly. Ask Prince Charles and you'll discover he's a passionate statesman committed to bridging the gap between East and West, Muslim and Christian.