Re: Now who are ismailis?
Some of the seem to believe the rumors that others spread about Ismailism without doing any real research and finding out the truth.
Attia: If you’re really interested in finding out more about Ismailism, then why don’t you want to read web sites give by people but rather, want them to write it here. No offense but stuff like that irritates me…that so many people aren’t willing to spend the time to find out the truth but love to hear what other’s have “heard” about Ismailis instead of finding out from the source itself.
I’m not Ismaili but I have TONS of very good friends who are…I’ve read the books they have in their homes(many of which are only available in JamatKhanas), I’ve visited the JamatKhana’s out of curiosity, I’ve been to events held at their JamatKhana and I’ve had tons of discussions with my friends and their parents about this.
Firstly, their current dua is in Arabic. It’s a 6 part dua that is recited 3x a day. There is a web site online that has the complete(and correct) dua with the translation. The ironic thing is that it’s a “anti-Ismaili” web site. I forgot the name of the site but if I find it, I’ll post it. HOWEVER, I do know Ismaili families who pray namaaz just like Sunnis do. According to their beliefs, traditional namaaz is not necessary(most believe that saying the dua is fine) BUT there is nothing that forbids them from performing the namaaz.
Second, only 1 person mentioned this and she was right…Ismailis are required to give 12.5% of their income to their JamatKhana. However, many devoted Ismailis who can afford it, choose to give even more. Also, all their JamatKhana/community workers(and believe me, there are hundreads if not thousands of them at least here in Houston and Dallas), are all volunteers.
They do believe that there is no God but Allah and that Prophet Muhammad was his messenger. As far as their fasting, again, it’s not “required” according to Ismaili practices, but there’s nothing that forbids it, and there are some Ismaili faimilies who do fast in Ramadan.
As far as the whole virging laying on the floor for Aga Khan and other nonsense like that, please provide some kind of proof. I have tons of Ismaili friends, heck I have Ismaili friends who’re “officially” Ismaily, and practice with their family, but in their heart they don’t believe most of the teachings, I have friends who used to be Christian/Sunni etc. and converted into Ismailiam…and not a single Ismaili I have ever talked to or any of their own teachings even hint at stupid practices like that.
They highly value education and equal rights for women. In fact, there was a speech by the previous Aga Khan given almost 60 years ago when he told his followers that if they have a boy and a girl, and if they can only afford to educate one child, then they should educate the girl since she will be the one teaching children at home later in life.
BTW, in Houston, one of the JamatKhana’s that’s located in SugarLand hold “tours” for the Jamatkhana. So if anyone wants to visit, you can call them up and set up an appointment to look around and ask any question you want to. They’re(at least the people I’ve dealt with) are very friendly.
Anyway, well, if anyone cares enough to actually take the time to do some reading and find out FACTS instead of believing what other’s have “heard”…here is a very good website with TONS of reading about Ismailis. The site even has forums where you can find almost every topic imaginable related to Ismailis. And if you post something in there RESPECTFULLY, someone on there will answer your q. Some of the articles include things like significance of the Imam for Ismailies, there current Ismaili constituion is in there also…and there’s a wonderful article that’s actually a part of the memoirs of the previous Aga Khan.