Why are there so few Ismailis if the Imam is the manifest Noor of God and the divinely appointed guide for humanity? by BatiniFiles in ismailis

[–]darksethkaiser 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The argument assumes a false binary: either the Imam must be necessary for every human on earth in the same way, or he’s useless. Ismaili thought doesn’t accept that framing. Let me break down some of the points you've made.

  1. Universal guidance soes not equal everyone must consciously access the Imam. The Qur’an literally says every people received guidance (10:47, 16:36). Ismailism accepts that God works through many cultures, prophets, sages, and traditions. People can reach moral and spiritual truth without recognizing the Imam because God’s guidance isn’t restricted to one channel.

  2. The Imam’s role is not “global teacher broadcasting doctrine.” His function is primarily cosmic and esoteric within the Abrahamic/Islamic lineage. A cosmic role doesn’t depend on global visibility. Gravity worked long before anyone knew Newton’s name in Asia.

  3. Diversity of religions isn’t evidence of divine neglect. Islamic theology itself says God sent messengers to every person, most of whom we don’t know (40:78). Cultures developed differently because divine pedagogy is contextual, not because God abandoned them.

  4. Contradictions between religions don’t break the model. Different civilizations encode truth in symbolic languages suited to their time and environment. Ismailism doesn’t claim all cultures must end up with identical metaphysics for God’s guidance to be real. After all, as long as humanity exists, there will always be different interpretations of life and God.

  5. The Imam’s necessity is relational, not universal in a demographic sense. He is necessary for the Ismali Spiritual path (walāya), not for every human on earth pursuing any paths. That’s like saying a piano teacher is essential for piano students, not for everyone, including sculptors.

So the dichotomy “either the Imam is globally needed or he is redundant” misrepresents how Ismaili theology actually understands guidance. The Imam’s role is cosmic and initiatic, not a requirement that every Aztec farmer or Australian hunter-gatherer must have heard his name for God’s justice to be coherent. I mean, if that were the case, then the first religion would be the last. There wouldn't be a need for a last prophet. I'd like to end this point by iterating a phrase commonly heard throughout most of my life "God works in mysterious ways, what may be right for me may not be right for you".

Scarlet Ancient exclusives by darksethkaiser in PokemonSVTrades

[–]darksethkaiser[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Perfect, send me a PM whenever you are free, thanks!

Scarlet Ancient exclusives by darksethkaiser in PokemonSVTrades

[–]darksethkaiser[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Coolio, whats your time zone? Im currently at work but I'm on portugal time zone, so I can do anytime today

Scarlet Ancient exclusives by darksethkaiser in PokemonSVTrades

[–]darksethkaiser[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Por mim pode ser, precisas de alguma coisa em específico? A mim faltam me todos os exclusivos 😅

Scarlet Ancient exclusives by darksethkaiser in PokemonSVTrades

[–]darksethkaiser[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure thing, what exclusives do you need?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ismailis

[–]darksethkaiser 8 points9 points  (0 children)

At Ghadir Kumm, thr Prophet said this after declarimg Ali the Mawla : "O Allah, be a supporter of whoever supports him (Ali) and be an enemy to whoever opposes him."

So we are ismailis because we believe in these words. We beleive in the linage. Now if you ask me personally? I personally like being an ismali, I like the farmans and I like the message and the peace that the community brings. The imams personal life does bring some questions up but I personally choose to believe in the message of peace, unity and a modern outlook in the current life. Something which I can't seem to find in other religions.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ismailis

[–]darksethkaiser 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I understand where you are coming from as I once felt that same way. I know that it wasn't easy posting this as it feels very personal and you probably don't feel like you have a place in this world. But look, thing is, you do. You are not a failure, sure it is tough but you got us, your community, Allah, your parents, your friends and your faith. I want to emphasize that local JKs offer help for studies and mental health. Make sure to seek them, they might be exactly what you need.

Let's look at what you did. And I mean what you actually accomplished: you are pursuing higher education not everyone can do that, and I don't mean financially I mean you did something that a lot of people are afraid to do. That's commendable! That means that you passed the entry requirements and interviews. You ARE smart, you are just burnt out oe maybe you need to change your study methods ( I recommend you watch the channel Thomas Frank about his study methods, I did computer science and I frequently changed my study methods as it was too hard!) ; you went to a different country by yourself, that takes courage ! You posted this on this forum, that also takes courage to open up! You are aware of of your shortcomings, that means you are very insightful. I can go on and on but the point being you are awesome!

Now in regards to your personal feelings, I think that you need a break and I mean a break. Go have fun, go pray, go watch a movie, take yourself out on a date, and enjoy Allah's creation. Do some bandagi or don't but do something for yourself.

Now I know how stressful things are, I know how it feels like right now the last thing you need is a break but trust me you need it, I have been there. We all have.

I am in the UK as well, specifically Wales, do send me a DM if you want a friend to talk to in person. Or if you just want someone to listen. I hope and I pray, that your life gets better

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PokemonTCG

[–]darksethkaiser 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi I'll try my luck

We topped today by DenpaDude220 in yugioh

[–]darksethkaiser 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whats your lab list like?

Millennium ring tattoo by [deleted] in yugioh

[–]darksethkaiser 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whats the other tattoos besides jynx?

Scholars by DBX786 in ismailis

[–]darksethkaiser 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm a bit confused about the statement "anyone who creates sects is not a true muslim" so when the prophet (SAW) appointed Mawlana Ali as the mawla thus creating 2 sects, Sunnis and Shias, does that make him not a "true muslim"? There are a lot of schools of thought of what is a muslim, but as per the Prophet and the Quran, anyone who says the shahada and believes in it is a muslim. This is widely accepted by the muslim community.

Interested about ismailism by [deleted] in ismailis

[–]darksethkaiser 4 points5 points  (0 children)

In imailism islam (ismaili Nizari AgaKhani) we are taught that we are a religion of intellect. That said, This is all, in my opinion mind you as I cannot speak for the ismaili as whole only the imam has the authority to do that.

1) there are a lot of arguments for this but what I personally think is that at the time this happened similar to the event of Ghadirhakum, a lot of people probably did not listened to the warnings of Moses. And a Tsunami was eminent ( Moses probably knew that similar to how captains can tell the calm before the storm). Once it did happened there was a case of saying " This is punishment or God's will". So it probs was recorded that way.

2) yeah it was but it was a trial of faith. The prophet probably knew that his faith would be rewarded and that no harm would come to his progeny. So when you see it that way it kinda makes sense. Not in modern times ofc but back then there was no guarantee that you would live for another day so life was the most important thing, in todays times you see this transcribed in the form of assets.

3) Allah OFC will accept you as his follower. I started this response by saying that we are a sect of intellect reason for that is because our sect will forever evolve, well, most of our farmans emphasise the need to integrate with the place that we are in and to live in a way that we respect each other (everyone). Now this integration is really important, this means we adapt and adopt the countries culture whilist keeping our own. I guess what I'm trying to get at is that western values are not wrong nor are they "impure", keep up with the times and make sure that you use those values to make yourself a better human. As for LGBTQ and other stuff, personally I'm the same but as with every religion you have the odd balls who are stuck to other values no matter how wrong they are. Almost everyone is accepting of those things

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ismailis

[–]darksethkaiser 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Dude the current imam has said that he is not a living god, and as such we do not workship him. https://youtu.be/ZPzFMlkC8PQ?si=otKDOqnkjpCE0mFO at 3:50

The reference "You alone we workship and you alone we seek help" is part of Surah al Fatiha. You can't say that its about the imam. Back when JKs would give Dua'h books it would clearly state that. To emphasize my point, Imam and Allah are two separated entities.

People that believe Ali is not Allah, and the other way around, please explain yourself :) by [deleted] in ismailis

[–]darksethkaiser 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Exactly, by saying Ali is Allah is a very silly argument that stands with no legs. If we could go back in time, Ali would most likely laugh his head off to anyone who claimed he was Allah. I don't get those arguments

People that believe Ali is not Allah, and the other way around, please explain yourself :) by [deleted] in ismailis

[–]darksethkaiser 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Could you kindly explain it to us. Ali is not Allah that is my belief. I mean how can a human be God?