sandandfoam
Veteran Member
Hi,
I'm curious about the Ismaili's. What is your view?
I'm curious about the Ismaili's. What is your view?
-
Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.
Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:- Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
- Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
- Access to private conversations with other members.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!
Ismaili's
- Thread starter sandandfoam
- Start date
aþalwulf88
Member
I am too. From what I know, they're a breakaway faction of Shi'a, loosely related to Druze.
They have a religious leader, the Aga Khan, who functions somewhat like the Pope does for the Catholics.
I don't know much more than this.
They have a religious leader, the Aga Khan, who functions somewhat like the Pope does for the Catholics.
I don't know much more than this.
sandandfoam
Veteran Member
Hi Peace,
No, I think I'd like to though. Being Ramadan, I have just been trying to read widely about Islam and I came across some info. about them. Nothing in particular stands out that I could put my finger on - but they attracted my interest
Peace
Quran & Sunnah
Hi Peace,
No, I think I'd like to though. Being Ramadan, I have just been trying to read widely about Islam and I came across some info. about them. Nothing in particular stands out that I could put my finger on - but they attracted my interest
So, enjoy your reading and Ramadan Mubarak to you
Peace
sandandfoam
Veteran Member
I'll look forward to that. Thank you
maro
muslimah
Hi Peace,
No, I think I'd like to though. Being Ramadan, I have just been trying to read widely about Islam and I came across some info. about them. Nothing in particular stands out that I could put my finger on - but they attracted my interest
Hi stephen
of course in your spiritual journey you are free to read whatever you want..but i think as a new muslim ,reading about the early islam practiced by the prophet (pbuh) ,his companions ,and the early generations to follow is the most beneficial to you...and honestly i think reading about the sects that exist nowadays might be confusing to you at this stage
the early islam is pure...almost as pure as the quranic text is
We have a fairly large Ismaili community in my city, mostly refugees from Idi Amin's reign of terror in Uganda. Very friendly people and incredibly honest in business. As for the philosophy, I have no idea but charity must play a large role because the Aga Khan Foundation is fairly famous for it.
Starsoul
Truth
I agree with maro here, in order to understand sects, it is better to first understand and read extensively about the pure islam first because that is the standard you measure everything else by. As far as sects are concerned, each tends to justify itself as the righteous one and unless we know the core principles of aqeedah lined in the Quran and that practised by the Prophet and his companions, we are unable to differentiate between which one projects the true spirit of islam.
Some verses in the Quran regarding sects,
1. In Surah MARYAM chapter number 19 verse number 37
"But the sects differ among themselves: and woe to the unbelievers because of the (coming) Judgment of a Momentous Day! "
2. In Surah AL-MUMENOON chapter number 23 verse number 53
"But people have cut off their affair (of unity), between them, into sects: each party rejoices in that which is with itself. "
3. In Surah AR-ROOM chapter number 30 verse number 32
"Those who split up their Religion, and become (mere) Sects,- each party rejoicing in that which is with itself! "
4. In Surah AZ-ZUKHRUF chapter number 43 verse number 65
"But sects from among themselves fell into disagreement: then woe to the wrong-doers, from the Penalty of a Grievous Day! "
5. Surah AL-ANAAM chapter number 6 verse number 159
"As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, thou hast no part in them in the least: their affair is with Allah: He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did."
There is this post regarding it, took the references from there,
Mujhe kaun sa firqa apnana chahiye..........which sect should I adopt?
And Only Allah knows best.
Last edited:
sandandfoam
Veteran Member
Thanks Maro,
One of the reasons that I have been reading about sects is that I feel I need to find a Sheikh.
It is difficult to know where to start
Starsoul
Truth
InshALlah o Taala you'll find one. Till then, make best use of sheikh youtube Bilal Philips is a very knowledgeable one,
[youtube]Z_c_A7fjmUI[/youtube]
Shackles of the Mind - Dr. Bilal Philips - YouTube
And my favorite these days, Brother Nauman Ali khan, always uses references from the Quran while explaining something, He's good at explaining MAshAllah. Here's a link to all his videos collection, please have a look.
Nouman Ali Khan Collection - Lectures
His lectures are easily found on youtube by his name, you'll find many topics covered there too InshAllah.
Bilal Philips is a very knowledgeable one,[youtube]Z_c_A7fjmUI[/youtube]
Shackles of the Mind - Dr. Bilal Philips - YouTube
And my favorite these days, Brother Nauman Ali khan, always uses references from the Quran while explaining something, He's good at explaining MAshAllah. Here's a link to all his videos collection, please have a look.
Nouman Ali Khan Collection - Lectures
His lectures are easily found on youtube by his name, you'll find many topics covered there too InshAllah.
YmirGF
Bodhisattva in Recovery
I have read quite a bit about the Ismāʿīlī and so, look forward to your comments. They certainly do have an interesting history.
Me too, this is one group I'm not very familiar with.
Starsoul
Truth
Ok here is the long awaited summary about the Ismaili firqa ( also called Agha khani after their leader Prince karim Agha khan). Im writing it from a book which is about different sects, written by a scholar.
Some of the paragraphs in this are from one the books of Imam Ghazali , one of the prominent names in Islamic history of scholars, the books name is Fazaayeh al batinyah . I will briefly write whatever I can, and encompass the main parts, you can ask questions, which Ill answer only if I am able to. Most of the paragraphs are taken by the compilation of by US author Wes Moore, who has taken the history bio of it from the works of the Alamut library (Tehran, Iran) where all about them had been preserved. Marco polos account also mentions about them in his tale of The old man in the mountain.
ISMAILI ORIGIN and BELIEFS:
The earliest history recorded of this sect originated from Hasan bin sabah, from Iran, as a deviation of Shiaism .
Hassan-bin Sabbāh (1050s1124) was an Persian Nizari Ismaili missionary who converted a community to his beliefs, in the late 11th century in the heart of the Alborz Mountains of northern Iran. The place was called Alamut and was attributed to an ancient king of Daylam.
He founded a group whose members are sometimes referred to as the Hashshashin or Assassins, well known as one of the most brutal assasins in history, with a huge success rate for assassinating people ( murdering people who did not suspect being killed, and killing them with such an expertise, as to not leave any trace of their crime, the word assassin was derived from their name hashashin, they were also famous for the use of hashish (heroin) and similar stupor inducing drugs).
As a young man, Hasan traveled to Egypt, where he remained for a year and a half. Here he was taught at the illustrious Abode of Learning in Cairo, which was a Shiite training center (the Shiites are a branch within the Islamic community, they broke off from the mainstream Sunnis after a dispute over who should succeed the prophet Muhammad).
The Teaching methods of Ismaili school of thought:
At the Abode in Cairo, students were taught to question Islamic dogma, to the point where their only source of the truth lied in the teachings of their all-powerful Instructors. The students had to ascend through nine degrees, until finally they were taught the Ultimate Truth: that the world is created through actions, and beliefs are powerless distractions used to enslave the masses. This system would later serve as the model for the organizational structure of the Hashishins . . .which significantly ran in tangents to the main Islamic beliefs, which were practiced and implemented by the Caliphs as a model of utmost justice to the masses in the name of God, who were also the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, and took guidance from him all their lives.
How Hasan Spread his Empire:
Hasan went about securing Alamut using subtle trickery and persuasion. Whilst bargaining with the owner of Alamut, he requested only a portion of land that could be covered by the skin of a cow. The owner agreed, not realizing how clever and resourceful Hasan could be. Hasan proceeded to divide a cow's hide into such thin layers that he was able to cover the entire surface area of the fortress. The owner was forced to live up to his end of the bargain, and Hasan now had a stronghold from which he could extend his influence throughout the Mideast and, indeed, the history of Western civilization.
to be continued...
Some of the paragraphs in this are from one the books of Imam Ghazali , one of the prominent names in Islamic history of scholars, the books name is Fazaayeh al batinyah . I will briefly write whatever I can, and encompass the main parts, you can ask questions, which Ill answer only if I am able to. Most of the paragraphs are taken by the compilation of by US author Wes Moore, who has taken the history bio of it from the works of the Alamut library (Tehran, Iran) where all about them had been preserved. Marco polos account also mentions about them in his tale of The old man in the mountain.
ISMAILI ORIGIN and BELIEFS:
The earliest history recorded of this sect originated from Hasan bin sabah, from Iran, as a deviation of Shiaism .
Hassan-bin Sabbāh (1050s1124) was an Persian Nizari Ismaili missionary who converted a community to his beliefs, in the late 11th century in the heart of the Alborz Mountains of northern Iran. The place was called Alamut and was attributed to an ancient king of Daylam.
He founded a group whose members are sometimes referred to as the Hashshashin or Assassins, well known as one of the most brutal assasins in history, with a huge success rate for assassinating people ( murdering people who did not suspect being killed, and killing them with such an expertise, as to not leave any trace of their crime, the word assassin was derived from their name hashashin, they were also famous for the use of hashish (heroin) and similar stupor inducing drugs).
As a young man, Hasan traveled to Egypt, where he remained for a year and a half. Here he was taught at the illustrious Abode of Learning in Cairo, which was a Shiite training center (the Shiites are a branch within the Islamic community, they broke off from the mainstream Sunnis after a dispute over who should succeed the prophet Muhammad).
The Teaching methods of Ismaili school of thought:
At the Abode in Cairo, students were taught to question Islamic dogma, to the point where their only source of the truth lied in the teachings of their all-powerful Instructors. The students had to ascend through nine degrees, until finally they were taught the Ultimate Truth: that the world is created through actions, and beliefs are powerless distractions used to enslave the masses. This system would later serve as the model for the organizational structure of the Hashishins . . .which significantly ran in tangents to the main Islamic beliefs, which were practiced and implemented by the Caliphs as a model of utmost justice to the masses in the name of God, who were also the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, and took guidance from him all their lives.
How Hasan Spread his Empire:
Hasan went about securing Alamut using subtle trickery and persuasion. Whilst bargaining with the owner of Alamut, he requested only a portion of land that could be covered by the skin of a cow. The owner agreed, not realizing how clever and resourceful Hasan could be. Hasan proceeded to divide a cow's hide into such thin layers that he was able to cover the entire surface area of the fortress. The owner was forced to live up to his end of the bargain, and Hasan now had a stronghold from which he could extend his influence throughout the Mideast and, indeed, the history of Western civilization.
to be continued...
Starsoul
Truth
contd.....
Hasan ran into trouble in Egypt, however, after a controversy arose over who should succeed the Fatimid caliph. The Fatimids, who ruled Egypt at the time, were the heads of the Ismailis, a sect of Islam that separated from the mainstream Shiites. Before the Fatimid caliph died, he appointed his youngest son to take over the dynasty, because his oldest son died before he did.
This infuriated Sabbah, who believed the descendant of the caliph's older son, Nizar, was the rightful heir to the throne. ( The fatimids were essentially ismaili as well, but at that time their deviation had not been severely distorted, e.g they atleast believed in praying 5 times a day, zakat, roza, hajj etc, but as Hasan bin sabah hijacked the Fatimid caliphate, all these beliefs were changed, and now to this day, the ismailis do not pray the salah 5 times a day,they have to pray infront of a picture of the Imam once a day, have cancelled all Islamic laws binding upon them, they only follow whatever their Imam ( Leader ) says, and they make quite a sbuserviant lot. They believe that following and accepting their Prince Agha khan as their spiritual guide; Imam, is the only true way to salvation.)
Hasan Bin Sabbah's Palace:
The garden of hasans palace lay in a beautiful valley nestled between two high mountains. Here he had imported exotic plants, birds, and animals from all over the world. Surrounding the garden were luxurious palaces of marble and gold, decorated with beautiful paintings and fine silk furniture. Streams of milk, wine, and honey flowed throughout this earthly paradise, while fountains gushed with wine and pure spring water. He had innumerable amount of young beautiful girls hired as servants in his palace who were given hashish and they were always looking to please him by singing, dancing and etc. His servants were so intoxicated with wine and addicted to hashish that they were willing to lay their lives for their leader.
This was only a small part of Hasan's system, which was divided into seven degrees. The Hashishins combined both the exoteric (communicated, "God's Law") and esoteric (subjective, mystical) doctrines of Islam.
Sabbah was a noted alchemist, and a student of Sufism, so part of the initiatic curriculum for the future Hashishins involved mastering occult methods for reaching higher planes of consciousness. Of course, they were also taught how to properly kill a man using poison or a dagger. Initiates were trained to learn multiple languages, as well as the dress and manners of merchants, monks and soldiers. Moreover, they were taught to fake beliefs of others and devotion to every major religion of that era.
In this way, an Assassin could pretend to be anyone from a well-to-do merchant to a Sufi mystic, a Christian, or a common soldier.
The Hashishin Order was set up much like a current traditional bureaucratic organization. At the top of the hierarchy sat Hasan, the Old Man of the Mountain, who preached absolute devotion to a transcendental God. Below him were the grand priories (enlightened mystics), the propagandists, and finally the fidais, who were the lowest ranking Hashishins. The fidais were self-sacrificers (called "the destroying angels") who were willing to commit any atrocity their master demanded of them, including suicide. They dressed in white tunics with red sashes: colours that represented innocence and blood.
Modus Operandii of the Assassins:
During this time the Assassins turned murder into an artform, mastering the many fatal uses of the dagger (which they often dipped in poison). But these were intellectuals, not mindless murderous brutes by any means, so their favorite means of extending influence was through spreading propaganda. They would often gain support from powerfully positioned women and children by impressing them with fantastic dresses, jewels, and toys. Also, they were known to kidnap some of the most distinguished minds of the Mideast and use them as teachers in the school or as advisors in worldly affairs. It didn't take long before most of Persia was Ismaili.
As the Hashishins gained power and influence, the sultan of Persia grew agitated. He decided to send troops to storm Alamut, which, like the similar attack attempted by his vizier, was a pathetic failure. Hasan had the sultan poisoned, and after his death the kingdom of Persia split into warring factions, which made the Assassins the most cohesive and powerful group in Persia for many years.
After Hasan's Death:
Hasan died in 1124, at the age of 90. Having killed his only two potential heirs, he appointed two of his generals to succeed him. One took over the mystical elements of the order, while the other controlled the military and political affairs. During this time the Seljuq Dynasty once again took control in Persia. The new sultan made a pact with the Assassins, whereby the Assassins were given autonomy in exchange for reducing their military forces.
The Hashishins persisted for over 100 years after Sabbah's death, but Alamut was finally sieged and conquered in 1256 by Halaku Khan, son of Ghengis Khan. His chief minister was ordered to write a complete history of the Assassins (based on the records in the Alamut library) and this is where most of the historical data about the order comes from.
Impact of Hassan bin sabbah on other cults:
The secret order that Hasan bin Sabbah created had a significant impact on all subsequent cults and secret societies. During the Crusades, the Hashishins fought both for and against the Crusaders, whichever side suited their agenda. As a result, the Crusaders brought back to Europe the Assassins' system, which would be passed down and mimicked by numerous secret societies in the West. The Templars, the Society of Jesus, Priory de Sion, the Freemasons, the Rosicrucians, etc. all owe their organizational efficiency to Hasan. In fact, the Illuminati had their origins in the mystical aspect of the Hashishin order, although most equate the Illuminati with the Bavarian Illuminati, which was a revised version of the Hashishin system (Tim O'Neill analyzes, in-depth, the influence of the Assassins in Adam Parfrey's Apocalypse Culture)
Our modern day "assassination cults" (the FBI, the CIA, etc.) have incorporated many of the Hashishins' techniques into their methodologies. In a CIA training manual titled "A Study of Assassination", you find traces of the Assassins influence throughout. Hasan Sabbah is even mentioned in the document, which is a must read.
Hasan has also served as an inspiration in the artistic and literary realms. The Magick Realism of Hasan's world is particularly appealing to romanticists, both classic and modern.
In Samuel Taylor Coleridge's classic poem "Kublai Khan", he writes about a damsel with a dulcimer (an houri?) singing of the mythical Mount Abora. As everyone knows, Coleridge wrote "Kublai Khan" immediately after waking from an opium dream. The book he was reading when he fell asleep (Purchas his Pilgrimage) describes in detail the legend of Hasan and his earthly paradise. He calls Alamut "Amhara". Could Amhara = Abora? Could the Pleasure Dome be a metaphor for the legendary garden? Quite possibly. It should be noted that the poem's namesake, Kublai Khan, was Ghengis Khan's cousin, and the man who finally overtook Alamut was Ghengis' brother.
contd....
Hasan ran into trouble in Egypt, however, after a controversy arose over who should succeed the Fatimid caliph. The Fatimids, who ruled Egypt at the time, were the heads of the Ismailis, a sect of Islam that separated from the mainstream Shiites. Before the Fatimid caliph died, he appointed his youngest son to take over the dynasty, because his oldest son died before he did.
This infuriated Sabbah, who believed the descendant of the caliph's older son, Nizar, was the rightful heir to the throne. ( The fatimids were essentially ismaili as well, but at that time their deviation had not been severely distorted, e.g they atleast believed in praying 5 times a day, zakat, roza, hajj etc, but as Hasan bin sabah hijacked the Fatimid caliphate, all these beliefs were changed, and now to this day, the ismailis do not pray the salah 5 times a day,they have to pray infront of a picture of the Imam once a day, have cancelled all Islamic laws binding upon them, they only follow whatever their Imam ( Leader ) says, and they make quite a sbuserviant lot. They believe that following and accepting their Prince Agha khan as their spiritual guide; Imam, is the only true way to salvation.)
Hasan Bin Sabbah's Palace:
The garden of hasans palace lay in a beautiful valley nestled between two high mountains. Here he had imported exotic plants, birds, and animals from all over the world. Surrounding the garden were luxurious palaces of marble and gold, decorated with beautiful paintings and fine silk furniture. Streams of milk, wine, and honey flowed throughout this earthly paradise, while fountains gushed with wine and pure spring water. He had innumerable amount of young beautiful girls hired as servants in his palace who were given hashish and they were always looking to please him by singing, dancing and etc. His servants were so intoxicated with wine and addicted to hashish that they were willing to lay their lives for their leader.
This was only a small part of Hasan's system, which was divided into seven degrees. The Hashishins combined both the exoteric (communicated, "God's Law") and esoteric (subjective, mystical) doctrines of Islam.
Sabbah was a noted alchemist, and a student of Sufism, so part of the initiatic curriculum for the future Hashishins involved mastering occult methods for reaching higher planes of consciousness. Of course, they were also taught how to properly kill a man using poison or a dagger. Initiates were trained to learn multiple languages, as well as the dress and manners of merchants, monks and soldiers. Moreover, they were taught to fake beliefs of others and devotion to every major religion of that era.
In this way, an Assassin could pretend to be anyone from a well-to-do merchant to a Sufi mystic, a Christian, or a common soldier.
The Hashishin Order was set up much like a current traditional bureaucratic organization. At the top of the hierarchy sat Hasan, the Old Man of the Mountain, who preached absolute devotion to a transcendental God. Below him were the grand priories (enlightened mystics), the propagandists, and finally the fidais, who were the lowest ranking Hashishins. The fidais were self-sacrificers (called "the destroying angels") who were willing to commit any atrocity their master demanded of them, including suicide. They dressed in white tunics with red sashes: colours that represented innocence and blood.
Modus Operandii of the Assassins:
During this time the Assassins turned murder into an artform, mastering the many fatal uses of the dagger (which they often dipped in poison). But these were intellectuals, not mindless murderous brutes by any means, so their favorite means of extending influence was through spreading propaganda. They would often gain support from powerfully positioned women and children by impressing them with fantastic dresses, jewels, and toys. Also, they were known to kidnap some of the most distinguished minds of the Mideast and use them as teachers in the school or as advisors in worldly affairs. It didn't take long before most of Persia was Ismaili.
As the Hashishins gained power and influence, the sultan of Persia grew agitated. He decided to send troops to storm Alamut, which, like the similar attack attempted by his vizier, was a pathetic failure. Hasan had the sultan poisoned, and after his death the kingdom of Persia split into warring factions, which made the Assassins the most cohesive and powerful group in Persia for many years.
After Hasan's Death:
Hasan died in 1124, at the age of 90. Having killed his only two potential heirs, he appointed two of his generals to succeed him. One took over the mystical elements of the order, while the other controlled the military and political affairs. During this time the Seljuq Dynasty once again took control in Persia. The new sultan made a pact with the Assassins, whereby the Assassins were given autonomy in exchange for reducing their military forces.
The Hashishins persisted for over 100 years after Sabbah's death, but Alamut was finally sieged and conquered in 1256 by Halaku Khan, son of Ghengis Khan. His chief minister was ordered to write a complete history of the Assassins (based on the records in the Alamut library) and this is where most of the historical data about the order comes from.
Impact of Hassan bin sabbah on other cults:
The secret order that Hasan bin Sabbah created had a significant impact on all subsequent cults and secret societies. During the Crusades, the Hashishins fought both for and against the Crusaders, whichever side suited their agenda. As a result, the Crusaders brought back to Europe the Assassins' system, which would be passed down and mimicked by numerous secret societies in the West. The Templars, the Society of Jesus, Priory de Sion, the Freemasons, the Rosicrucians, etc. all owe their organizational efficiency to Hasan. In fact, the Illuminati had their origins in the mystical aspect of the Hashishin order, although most equate the Illuminati with the Bavarian Illuminati, which was a revised version of the Hashishin system (Tim O'Neill analyzes, in-depth, the influence of the Assassins in Adam Parfrey's Apocalypse Culture)
Our modern day "assassination cults" (the FBI, the CIA, etc.) have incorporated many of the Hashishins' techniques into their methodologies. In a CIA training manual titled "A Study of Assassination", you find traces of the Assassins influence throughout. Hasan Sabbah is even mentioned in the document, which is a must read.
Hasan has also served as an inspiration in the artistic and literary realms. The Magick Realism of Hasan's world is particularly appealing to romanticists, both classic and modern.
In Samuel Taylor Coleridge's classic poem "Kublai Khan", he writes about a damsel with a dulcimer (an houri?) singing of the mythical Mount Abora. As everyone knows, Coleridge wrote "Kublai Khan" immediately after waking from an opium dream. The book he was reading when he fell asleep (Purchas his Pilgrimage) describes in detail the legend of Hasan and his earthly paradise. He calls Alamut "Amhara". Could Amhara = Abora? Could the Pleasure Dome be a metaphor for the legendary garden? Quite possibly. It should be noted that the poem's namesake, Kublai Khan, was Ghengis Khan's cousin, and the man who finally overtook Alamut was Ghengis' brother.
contd....
Starsoul
Truth
The Beatnik generation writers and artists considered the Hashishins a near revelation. The groundbreaking author/painter Brion Gysin, who mentions Hasan in many of his "cut-up" poems, was introduced to Sabbah by composer/novelist Paul Bowles. Gysin subsequently told friend and collaborator William S. Burroughs about the Hashishins. Burroughs went on to write a brilliant poem called "The Last Words of Hasan Sabbah", which condemns modern covert terrorist organizations (intelligence agencies and big businesses) for being dishonorable.
Ambient composer Bill Laswell released an album titled Hashisheen: End of the Law (1999), which features spoken word tales about the Assassins from the likes of Hakim Bey, Genesis P-Orridge, Iggy Pop and others. Laswell also collaborated with Coil on a track called "Assassins of Hakim Bey", a blend of Arabic ambiance looped over with a spoken word rendition (by Bey, I think) of Marco Polo's famous description of Alamut.
Hakim Bey, who is something of a modern day Sabbah, has written many tracks about the Hashishins, including a section in the classic Temporary Autonomous Zone. Bey uses the Assassins as a model for the types of personalities needed to create and sustain a TAZ, saying "Each who enter the realm of the Imam-of-one's-own-being becomes a sultan of inverted revelation, a monarch of abrogation and apostasy."
As early as the last years of the eleventh century the Assassins had succeeded in setting firm foot in Syria and winning as convert the Saljug prince of Aleppo, Ridwan ibn-Tutush (died in 1113). By 1140 they had captured the hill fortress of Masyad and many others in northern Syria, including al-Kahf, al-Qadmus and al-'Ullayqah. Even Shayzar (modern Sayjar) on the Orontes was temporarily occupied by the Assassins, whom Usamah calls Isma'ilites. One of their most famous masters in Syria was Rachid-al-Din Sinan (died in 1192), who resided at Masyad and bore the title shakkh al-jabal', translated by the Crusades' chroniclers as "the old man of the mountain". It was Rashid's henchmen who struck awe and terror into the hearts of the Crusaders. After the capture of Masyad in 1260 by the Mongols, the Mamluk Sultan Baybars in 1272 dealt the Syrian Assassins the final blow.
Modern day descendents of the Assassins:
Since then the Assassins have been sparsely scattered through northern Syria, Persia, 'Uman, Zanzibar, and especially India,and pakistan where they numbered about 150000 and go by the name of Thojas or Mowlas. They all acknowledge as titular head the Aga Khan of Bombay, who claims descent through the last grand master of Alamut from Isma'il, the seventh imam, receives over a tenth of the revenues of his followers, even in Syria, and spends most of his time as a sportsman between Paris and London, and is being well supported by the British Monarchy, The Queen, for a long time.
contd...
Ambient composer Bill Laswell released an album titled Hashisheen: End of the Law (1999), which features spoken word tales about the Assassins from the likes of Hakim Bey, Genesis P-Orridge, Iggy Pop and others. Laswell also collaborated with Coil on a track called "Assassins of Hakim Bey", a blend of Arabic ambiance looped over with a spoken word rendition (by Bey, I think) of Marco Polo's famous description of Alamut.
Hakim Bey, who is something of a modern day Sabbah, has written many tracks about the Hashishins, including a section in the classic Temporary Autonomous Zone. Bey uses the Assassins as a model for the types of personalities needed to create and sustain a TAZ, saying "Each who enter the realm of the Imam-of-one's-own-being becomes a sultan of inverted revelation, a monarch of abrogation and apostasy."
As early as the last years of the eleventh century the Assassins had succeeded in setting firm foot in Syria and winning as convert the Saljug prince of Aleppo, Ridwan ibn-Tutush (died in 1113). By 1140 they had captured the hill fortress of Masyad and many others in northern Syria, including al-Kahf, al-Qadmus and al-'Ullayqah. Even Shayzar (modern Sayjar) on the Orontes was temporarily occupied by the Assassins, whom Usamah calls Isma'ilites. One of their most famous masters in Syria was Rachid-al-Din Sinan (died in 1192), who resided at Masyad and bore the title shakkh al-jabal', translated by the Crusades' chroniclers as "the old man of the mountain". It was Rashid's henchmen who struck awe and terror into the hearts of the Crusaders. After the capture of Masyad in 1260 by the Mongols, the Mamluk Sultan Baybars in 1272 dealt the Syrian Assassins the final blow.
Modern day descendents of the Assassins:
Since then the Assassins have been sparsely scattered through northern Syria, Persia, 'Uman, Zanzibar, and especially India,and pakistan where they numbered about 150000 and go by the name of Thojas or Mowlas. They all acknowledge as titular head the Aga Khan of Bombay, who claims descent through the last grand master of Alamut from Isma'il, the seventh imam, receives over a tenth of the revenues of his followers, even in Syria, and spends most of his time as a sportsman between Paris and London, and is being well supported by the British Monarchy, The Queen, for a long time.
contd...
Starsoul
Truth
There are two main factions of Ismailis, Bohras and Nazarites.
>>Bohras accept the imamat of Mustaali, and Nazarites accept the imamat of Agha khans( the descendends of hashashins).
In the Crusades and in 552 hijri, the assassins killed many muslims, they especially attacked on groups of muslims who would go for their pilgrimmage (holy prayer) to Makkah, and would rob them of their belongings, most groups had a lot of scholars of Islam, philanthropic people and knowledgeable people of the communities. The followers of Hassan bin sabbah concentrated in the mountains and caves of Isfahan ( Iran) ; the place which is well known in Islamic Hadith literature for the Arrival of Dajjal ( the One eyed King; the Anti Christ; the messiah that Jews wait for, and his arrival is preceded by 30 predescers, who would assimilate his actions i.e will brutally kill muslims, claim powerful and spread injustice in a deceptive way which will make people believe that indeed are right,)
contd...
>>Bohras accept the imamat of Mustaali, and Nazarites accept the imamat of Agha khans( the descendends of hashashins).
In the Crusades and in 552 hijri, the assassins killed many muslims, they especially attacked on groups of muslims who would go for their pilgrimmage (holy prayer) to Makkah, and would rob them of their belongings, most groups had a lot of scholars of Islam, philanthropic people and knowledgeable people of the communities. The followers of Hassan bin sabbah concentrated in the mountains and caves of Isfahan ( Iran) ; the place which is well known in Islamic Hadith literature for the Arrival of Dajjal ( the One eyed King; the Anti Christ; the messiah that Jews wait for, and his arrival is preceded by 30 predescers, who would assimilate his actions i.e will brutally kill muslims, claim powerful and spread injustice in a deceptive way which will make people believe that indeed are right,)
contd...
Last edited:
Starsoul
Truth
The Arrival of Ismailis in the sub continent:
Ismailiis first missionary 'Jalam bin shaibaan' came to the sub continent in the beginning of 4th hijri and made a first estate in Sindh. His successor Abul fatah daud Qaramti took control of his estate. When Sultan MAhumud Ghaznavi (998- 1030 ) started a movement against the distorted and deviant factions who assumed the muslim attire and not only conspired against the muslims & defamed Islam, but practised a deen devoid of Islamic principles, many ismaili groups ran for a hide, and their Leader made a peace pact with sultan Ghaznavi. But behind the sultan's back, Abul Fatah the ismaili leader provoked all the hindu Rajas ( hindu Rulers) against him, and conspired against the sultan once again, behind the pact, but the sultan found out and fought his armies and completely destroyed his estate.
2nd big Arrival of Ismailis in the subcontinent happened in 1256 when Halaku khan destroyed the hasan bin sabah's palace in Iran, and attacked the assassins, they ran from Iran and took refuge in the sub continent, this went on till the 16 th century. After this period, Islam shah assumed the seat of the leader of ismailis, and he searched for a place for ismailis so that they could assemble themselves once again and organize to regain their lost glory. For this purpose he thought of the Northern Hindustan, and the southern east of the now pakistan, since it was easier to assemble in these places as they were quite far away from the main centers of Muslim governance. Hence they moved to punjab, sindh, kashmir and the northern areas gilgit baltistan.
It is said to be one of the marked characteristics of Ismailis that they assume personas quite well, and blend in foreign cultures very easily, in a way that they seem inherent of that culture. "Das Ottar" is the book in which one of their missionaries wrote that Hazrat Ali (r.a) is (nauzubillah) one of the manifestations of Allah. ( which defies the main concept of tauheed in Islam, where God is One, he neither bears a son or daughters, nor does he manifest himself in the form of a human being.)
After the 16th century, they shifted their centre from Iran to Hindustan and Pakistan, and Imam ghareeb was their last known Imam. After that period, they realized that the main stream muslims position is against their ideology so they kept a low profile for fear of being known or be found out, and their history remained in oblivion untill the 19th century.
The Genealogy of the Agha khan family
Genealogy and genetics Trace back to Isfahani Jews ( Isfahan is a place in iran where jews lived and still do) and they trace their lineage via Caliph Mustansar, and Nazaar to the Lineage of the Prophet ( which is held in clear distortion in the opinion of all scholars). After their leaders Ameer and Qasim, they have cleverly named themselves as the rightful descendents by naming each descendent as AGha khan 1, Agha khan 2, 3 and so on.
Agha khan 1st's father was Khalil ullah Ali, who was killed in Iran in 1817, on which there were great protests in Iran. Then Agha khan 1st became the governor of karman province in Iran, and he in 1840 organized a full rebellious riot against the Iran govt and tried to assume control of the entire Iran, he was un successful and hence was put in jail. then the british intervened and pressurized for him to be freed. he came out of prison and started accumulating his followers once again, wen to Qandahar ( Afghanistan) and joined the British against the Muslims. Then he along with his followers went to Karachi, on the coastal area of which there was a fight going on between the muslims and the british ,agha khan 1st fought with the british against the muslims here too.
In his such devotion to the British aims, he was awarded immense appreciation with huge financial and moral support and helped him make a centre for him in Mumbai, India. When Agha khan reached Mumbai, the old nazarites refused to accept him as their Imam and refused to accept that Agha khan belonged to the family of the Prophet ( and yet fought against the muslims , lived the british way, and had no streaks of lineage to Ali ibne Talib, the Son in law of the Prophet, through which his progeny grew.)
This matter on his insistence, was raised in the British court and the British court decided ( it is not clear how, since the genealogy of the Prophet is still un-determined even among the main stream muslim scholars) that Agha khan was Indeed from the lineage of Ali ibne talib, and he is the well deserved Imam of the Ismailis, and hence he was given complete religious freedom to propagate his religion.
After that, their uprise began again, since the Non muslim sides ( british and Hindus) realized that if there is one faction of muslims they can rely on for helping further the british/ indian aims, it was the Ismailis,which were willing to support the non msulims, against the muslims. Since then they enjoyed and still huge support from the British Govt. and India. After the Division of Indi this family moved to pakistan and in 1957, Agha khan 3 died and wrote in his will to be buried next to the tombs of the Egyptian pharoahs in the ancient city Aswan, of Egypt.( The pharoahs of egypt hold a special mention in islam for being extremely arrogant,influential, powerful yet cruel and dismissive of Guidance from Allah, from the time of the Prophet Musa A.s ( Moses) till later on, they are given the status of extremely arrogant disbelievers, as most of them claimed to be god and had pagan, satanic beliefs and practises, it is a wonder for muslims as to why anyone claiming to be a muslim would prefer to be buried at such a place, only Allah knows best))
He named his grandson, Agha khan 4, the next imam
of ismailis, surpassing his own son. He is the 4th Imam hussaini Agha khan.
Prince karim Agha khan
was born in Geneva in 1936. He married a model sally croker pole, an hindu's colonel's daughter, this marriage didnt work out for long. He married again in 1998, the german princess Gabriel Zolengen, who later also divorced the Agha khan. He was awarded the title " His highness" by the Queen of Britain.
Currently He Lives between London and paris, is an avid Horse race sportsman and loves polo.( there still is some speculation in the british journalists about his opulent life style and mixing up with the high ups and being given the highness status, and among muslims, most do not agree with his lavish lifestyle and casual romantic affairs, since it is quite in constrast with the Islamic values.)
Philosophy of ismailis:
Excerpt "Dr. Muhammad kamil hussain writes about the Agha khan the 3rd in his memoirs, he says " I used to converse a lot with the Agha khan about religious philosophy and the philosophy of the ismailis, and I was amazed that he did know quite a lot about their own history and how the faction started, but whenever the conversation used to get close to his beliefs, he used to get angry and shut me off.
Once I looked for an opportunity seeing him in a good mood and asked him the question that I so wanted to ask him, i said " I am amazed by your intelligence and knowledge, and yet it astonishes me that you let your followers give you the status of a God's incarnate, how can that be!!"
He laughed so hard for a while tears rolled out as he laughed on and said " Do you really want to know the answer to that question!! There are people in Hindustaan who worship a Cow, Am I Not better than a Cow at least? " he laughed on.
Philanthropic work :
Anyhow, The family has worked immensely to improve their image from the assassins and have made NGOs and foundations which aim to mostly help the areas ismailis live in concentration. They donate regularly to their cause, have a well established support system for their entire community. They give good education/health and civic facilities to people in the areas where their community lives, and are generally considered philanthropic.
Apart from being financially supported by Britain, US and all other bigger private foundations ( bill gates , world bank, Usaid and etc), their followers have to deduct 10% of their income to go to his funds, which they say is used for their own betterment, apart from that they do not give zakat, ushar and other Islamic charities, personally some might, but it is not a part of their main beliefs.)
Personally ismailis from the northern area of pakistan ( actually all people from the northern areas of Pakistan are like this) are very sweet, humble and down to earth. They are great hosts, and generally nice people, I have a few of them as friends, I pray to Allah to guide them to the right path, ameen. My observation is that they know very little about their history, do not know the meanings of the Quran, do not relate to or are aware of the sunnah (ways) of the Prophet at all (pbuh,saww), they are not even taught about it.
All the current ismailis know is whatever their Imam says, they have to listen to it and blindly follow it, whether they like it or not. They consider him their spiritual guide. There are quite a few educated and smart people in them, but they never show that they are ismailis, they never tell you this untill you figure out yourself somehow that they seem different. But generally nice people.
Ismailiis first missionary 'Jalam bin shaibaan' came to the sub continent in the beginning of 4th hijri and made a first estate in Sindh. His successor Abul fatah daud Qaramti took control of his estate. When Sultan MAhumud Ghaznavi (998- 1030 ) started a movement against the distorted and deviant factions who assumed the muslim attire and not only conspired against the muslims & defamed Islam, but practised a deen devoid of Islamic principles, many ismaili groups ran for a hide, and their Leader made a peace pact with sultan Ghaznavi. But behind the sultan's back, Abul Fatah the ismaili leader provoked all the hindu Rajas ( hindu Rulers) against him, and conspired against the sultan once again, behind the pact, but the sultan found out and fought his armies and completely destroyed his estate.
2nd big Arrival of Ismailis in the subcontinent happened in 1256 when Halaku khan destroyed the hasan bin sabah's palace in Iran, and attacked the assassins, they ran from Iran and took refuge in the sub continent, this went on till the 16 th century. After this period, Islam shah assumed the seat of the leader of ismailis, and he searched for a place for ismailis so that they could assemble themselves once again and organize to regain their lost glory. For this purpose he thought of the Northern Hindustan, and the southern east of the now pakistan, since it was easier to assemble in these places as they were quite far away from the main centers of Muslim governance. Hence they moved to punjab, sindh, kashmir and the northern areas gilgit baltistan.
It is said to be one of the marked characteristics of Ismailis that they assume personas quite well, and blend in foreign cultures very easily, in a way that they seem inherent of that culture. "Das Ottar" is the book in which one of their missionaries wrote that Hazrat Ali (r.a) is (nauzubillah) one of the manifestations of Allah. ( which defies the main concept of tauheed in Islam, where God is One, he neither bears a son or daughters, nor does he manifest himself in the form of a human being.)
After the 16th century, they shifted their centre from Iran to Hindustan and Pakistan, and Imam ghareeb was their last known Imam. After that period, they realized that the main stream muslims position is against their ideology so they kept a low profile for fear of being known or be found out, and their history remained in oblivion untill the 19th century.
The Genealogy of the Agha khan family
Genealogy and genetics Trace back to Isfahani Jews ( Isfahan is a place in iran where jews lived and still do) and they trace their lineage via Caliph Mustansar, and Nazaar to the Lineage of the Prophet ( which is held in clear distortion in the opinion of all scholars). After their leaders Ameer and Qasim, they have cleverly named themselves as the rightful descendents by naming each descendent as AGha khan 1, Agha khan 2, 3 and so on.
Agha khan 1st's father was Khalil ullah Ali, who was killed in Iran in 1817, on which there were great protests in Iran. Then Agha khan 1st became the governor of karman province in Iran, and he in 1840 organized a full rebellious riot against the Iran govt and tried to assume control of the entire Iran, he was un successful and hence was put in jail. then the british intervened and pressurized for him to be freed. he came out of prison and started accumulating his followers once again, wen to Qandahar ( Afghanistan) and joined the British against the Muslims. Then he along with his followers went to Karachi, on the coastal area of which there was a fight going on between the muslims and the british ,agha khan 1st fought with the british against the muslims here too.
In his such devotion to the British aims, he was awarded immense appreciation with huge financial and moral support and helped him make a centre for him in Mumbai, India. When Agha khan reached Mumbai, the old nazarites refused to accept him as their Imam and refused to accept that Agha khan belonged to the family of the Prophet ( and yet fought against the muslims , lived the british way, and had no streaks of lineage to Ali ibne Talib, the Son in law of the Prophet, through which his progeny grew.)
This matter on his insistence, was raised in the British court and the British court decided ( it is not clear how, since the genealogy of the Prophet is still un-determined even among the main stream muslim scholars) that Agha khan was Indeed from the lineage of Ali ibne talib, and he is the well deserved Imam of the Ismailis, and hence he was given complete religious freedom to propagate his religion.
After that, their uprise began again, since the Non muslim sides ( british and Hindus) realized that if there is one faction of muslims they can rely on for helping further the british/ indian aims, it was the Ismailis,which were willing to support the non msulims, against the muslims. Since then they enjoyed and still huge support from the British Govt. and India. After the Division of Indi this family moved to pakistan and in 1957, Agha khan 3 died and wrote in his will to be buried next to the tombs of the Egyptian pharoahs in the ancient city Aswan, of Egypt.( The pharoahs of egypt hold a special mention in islam for being extremely arrogant,influential, powerful yet cruel and dismissive of Guidance from Allah, from the time of the Prophet Musa A.s ( Moses) till later on, they are given the status of extremely arrogant disbelievers, as most of them claimed to be god and had pagan, satanic beliefs and practises, it is a wonder for muslims as to why anyone claiming to be a muslim would prefer to be buried at such a place, only Allah knows best))
He named his grandson, Agha khan 4, the next imam
of ismailis, surpassing his own son. He is the 4th Imam hussaini Agha khan.
Prince karim Agha khan
was born in Geneva in 1936. He married a model sally croker pole, an hindu's colonel's daughter, this marriage didnt work out for long. He married again in 1998, the german princess Gabriel Zolengen, who later also divorced the Agha khan. He was awarded the title " His highness" by the Queen of Britain.
Currently He Lives between London and paris, is an avid Horse race sportsman and loves polo.( there still is some speculation in the british journalists about his opulent life style and mixing up with the high ups and being given the highness status, and among muslims, most do not agree with his lavish lifestyle and casual romantic affairs, since it is quite in constrast with the Islamic values.)
Philosophy of ismailis:
Excerpt "Dr. Muhammad kamil hussain writes about the Agha khan the 3rd in his memoirs, he says " I used to converse a lot with the Agha khan about religious philosophy and the philosophy of the ismailis, and I was amazed that he did know quite a lot about their own history and how the faction started, but whenever the conversation used to get close to his beliefs, he used to get angry and shut me off.
Once I looked for an opportunity seeing him in a good mood and asked him the question that I so wanted to ask him, i said " I am amazed by your intelligence and knowledge, and yet it astonishes me that you let your followers give you the status of a God's incarnate, how can that be!!"
He laughed so hard for a while tears rolled out as he laughed on and said " Do you really want to know the answer to that question!! There are people in Hindustaan who worship a Cow, Am I Not better than a Cow at least? " he laughed on.
Philanthropic work :
Anyhow, The family has worked immensely to improve their image from the assassins and have made NGOs and foundations which aim to mostly help the areas ismailis live in concentration. They donate regularly to their cause, have a well established support system for their entire community. They give good education/health and civic facilities to people in the areas where their community lives, and are generally considered philanthropic.
Apart from being financially supported by Britain, US and all other bigger private foundations ( bill gates , world bank, Usaid and etc), their followers have to deduct 10% of their income to go to his funds, which they say is used for their own betterment, apart from that they do not give zakat, ushar and other Islamic charities, personally some might, but it is not a part of their main beliefs.)
Personally ismailis from the northern area of pakistan ( actually all people from the northern areas of Pakistan are like this) are very sweet, humble and down to earth. They are great hosts, and generally nice people, I have a few of them as friends, I pray to Allah to guide them to the right path, ameen. My observation is that they know very little about their history, do not know the meanings of the Quran, do not relate to or are aware of the sunnah (ways) of the Prophet at all (pbuh,saww), they are not even taught about it.
All the current ismailis know is whatever their Imam says, they have to listen to it and blindly follow it, whether they like it or not. They consider him their spiritual guide. There are quite a few educated and smart people in them, but they never show that they are ismailis, they never tell you this untill you figure out yourself somehow that they seem different. But generally nice people.
Last edited: