The Isma'ilis. Their History and Doctrines

Abstract

The Ism¯ a¯ ıl¯ ıs represent the second largest Sh¯ ı¯ ı Muslim community after the Twelvers (Ithn¯ aashar¯ ıs), and are today dispersed as religious minorities throughout more than twenty-five countries of Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America. The bulk of the Ism¯ a¯ ıl¯ ıs recognize the Aga Khan as their imam or spiritual leader. The second edition of this authoritative book, the product of more than twenty years' research, traces the history and doctrinal development of the Ism¯ a¯ ıl¯ ıs from their origins in the formative period of Islam to the present day, a period of more than twelve centuries. It is the first comprehensive synthesis of the results of modern scholarship in Ism¯ a¯ ıl¯ ı studies and draws on numerous primary sources and secondary studies on the subject, particularly on the Ism¯ a¯ ıl¯ ı manuscripts which have only recently become available. All the major phases of Ism¯ a¯ ıl¯ ı history are covered. Beginning at the pre-F¯ at. imid period, Dr Daftary conducts a detailed investigation, moving through the F¯ at. imid 'golden age' and the troubled T. ayyib¯ ı-Mustal¯ ı period through the glorious age of Niz¯ ar¯ ı Ism¯ a¯ ılism in Iran and Syria to the Mongol onslaught. The final part of the book traces the modern development of the Ism¯ a¯ ıl¯ ı community, explaining the revival of Niz¯ ar¯ ı Ism¯ a¯ ılism, particularly in Iran, Central and South Asia, and the socioeconomic progress of the Niz¯ ar¯ ı communities in modern times. The new edition has been thoroughly revised and incorporates an expanded bibliography and new illustrations. For all students of Islamic and Middle Eastern history, The Ism¯ a¯ ıl¯ ıs: Their History and Doctrines will continue to serve as the most definitive account of the history of the Ism¯ a¯ ıl¯ ıs and their teachings.