Al-Naysaburi expanded on Fatimid Imam al-Mansur's concept of Imamat

A prominent Ismaili scholar and writer of the early eleventh century, Ahmad b. Ibrahim al-Naysaburi worked during the time of Imams al-Aziz (r. 975-996) and al-Hakim (r.996-1021). Although not much is know about his life, according to his works, he seems to have come from Nishapur in Khurasan (modern-day northeastern Iran, southern Turkmenistan, and northern Afghanistan); he was well-versed in history, ...

Continued Here » http://isma.li/3G32U9

Pirs drew on concepts prevalent in the Indian subcontinent to teach the esoteric interpretation of Islam

Nizari Ismailism spread on the Indian subcontinent beginning around the 11th century, although the earliest phase of Nizari activities in the subcontinent remain obscure due to the lack of reliable sources. The earliest representatives, or pirs, sent by Imams residing in Persia (modern-day Iran) initially concentrated their efforts in Sind.Areas in which pirs were active. Photo: The Ismailis: An Illustrated History ...

Continued Here » http://isma.li/PAobBe

Hafiz, one of the most celebrated Persian poets, inspired Goethe

One of the most celebrated of the Persian poets, Shams-ud-din Muhammad, known by his pen-name Hafiz, or Hafez, was born around 1310 in Shiraz in Persia (modern-day Iran). It is believed that he memorised the Qur'an after hearing his father recite the verses, hence the name hafiz, Arabic for 'one who has memorised the Qur'an.' Other theories suggest that it also ...

Continued Here » http://isma.li/Onsp1v

Nizari Quhistani, a prolific poet of the post-Alamut period

In 1090, Hasan-i Sabbah acquired the fortress of Alamut in northern Iran, marking the founding of what was to become the seat of the Nizari Ismaili state. Over the next 150 years, the Ismailis acquired more than 200 fortresses in Iran and Syria, located in the inaccessible mountainous regions for refuge of the Nizari Ismailis as well as others fleeing persecution ...

Continued Here » http://isma.li/vFjy1c

Nimira's Blog - On Faith (via Ismaili Digest)

During a visit to the Aga Khan Library, Nairobi, after reviewing some pamphlets on our faith, Mawlana Sultan Muhammad Shah remarked that people did not have time to read big books, but such pamphlets were quickly read and, therefore, more effective. Today, this is perhaps even more true, and we can't think of any Ismaili website, institutional or private, who has implemented the Imam's advice more brilliantly than Nimira's Blog. Nimira Dewji launched her blog just 18 months ago and since then has already written, by herself, over 160 articles on Ismaili history and Muslim civilisations. The short, but always interesting pieces, are routinely among the most popular pieces published in the community. If you read nothing else, you owe it to yourself to read Nimira's Blog.

Continued Here » http://isma.li/FxVb6n