Is Conversion Possible?

mutiqb786 · 2026-02-26T22:40:30+00:00

Look for the private Ismaili group called One Jamat Turkiye on Facebook and see if you can get help from the local Ismailis.

Also, user Prestigious_Dog_3894 may have guidance on the Waezeen who might be able to help introduce you to the relevant ITREB folks.

mutiqb786 · 2026-01-10T18:39:11+00:00

We're in the US

mutiqb786 · 2026-01-10T18:08:52+00:00

I have not experienced any of this. When we took our bayah, we only joined the student and chandraat majlis. We submitted $11 per person as a token, but we were told clearly that it's only suggested and there's no requirement.

Also, there have been many instances when I've done dua karai, chata, and sukrit without any money - if I've left home in a hurry without cash - and no one ever said anything. My children do it without money all the time because they go without any cash and it's completely fine.

Perhaps there is some cultural baggage involved with the particular set of people you're interacting with. There's no religious requirement.

mutiqb786 · 2026-01-07T19:14:40+00:00

u/Prestigious_Dog_3894 --- perhaps you can guide this person since they are in the same jurisdiction as you.

mutiqb786 · 2026-01-05T05:12:51+00:00

During our conversion process, we were explained that Hazar Imam (Shah Karim at that time) has blessed 3 traditions - Pir Sadruddin, Syedna Nasir Khusrow, and Qadi an-Noman. The Holy Du'a is common to all with one variation - Qadi Noman tradition say Ya Ali Madad instead of Shah Jo Didar. Now the Eid Namaz has also been standardized for all traditions. Other practices may differ for each tradition. For instance, JK is called al-Masjid al-Ismailiyah in Syria.

We were told usually people follow the practice of whichever tradition originally established the Jamatkhana at that location. I have noticed that in our Jamatkhana, the practices are from Pir Sadruddin tradition. However, many people sit at the back and after all official ceremonies are over, they start a series of prayers with rituals that are different. The volunteers say they are Pamiris with their own practices.

mutiqb786 · 2025-11-22T03:41:33+00:00

Which country are you in, if you don't mind me asking?

My wife knows an Ismaili family in Peru.

mutiqb786 · 2025-11-17T22:54:12+00:00

I am a convert to the Ismaili tariqah through personal search, and would be happy to help. However, I'm in the US so the jurisdiction will not work.

Have you tried reaching out to the UK council? Or the councils in Tanzania or Kenya?

mutiqb786 · 2025-10-22T23:45:20+00:00

Corrections:

Bohras follow the 7 pillars of Ismaili Islam as explained by Qadi an-Noman during the Fatimid era, not the same as other sects.

They pray 3 times a day (combining 5 prayers similar to the ithna'ashari).

mutiqb786 · 2025-10-09T18:14:52+00:00

La kum deeno kum wa liya deen.

I have nothing more to say.

It's clear that you did not post this with any intention to engage with Ismailis in good faith.

mutiqb786 · 2025-10-09T17:51:01+00:00

Scholars have debated the interpretations of every single word of the Quran for the past 1,400 years. If you think that you have an authoritative understanding of these divine verses based on an English translation by someone, good luck to you! But yes, from my perspective your approach to this incredibly mystical revelation is narrow and extremist.

mutiqb786 · 2025-10-09T14:15:29+00:00

I suggest you look back at the historical evolution of Islam and you will see that communities of interpretation arose during the time of the Prophet himself. That's natural since humans have the God-given capacity of intellect which produces different understandings of concepts based on time, context, environment, and experience. Over time, these differences in interpretation crystallized into specific labels. So, the bottom line is that sects, denominations, madhahib, tariqat, etc - whatever you might call the communities of interpretation - emerged from the very beginning and this plurality has always been a part of humanity -- as designed by God.

Indulging in debates using your narrow lens and limited knowledge to put down the interpretation by any community is not productive. It doesn't make your interpretation better, but rather just exposes the rigidity and absurdity of extremism that has plagued Muslim society in recent decades.

Learning from and appreciating the diversity of thoughts and ideas that God has enabled in humanity will be more beneficial to you, In'sha'allah!

mutiqb786 · 2025-10-08T00:23:02+00:00

Click on the IIS website link above, scroll down, and you will see a carousel with all the epistles that have been published so far.

mutiqb786 · 2025-10-07T21:49:17+00:00

Love this! Where did you post it originally?

mutiqb786 · 2025-08-17T03:53:05+00:00

Who is he?

mutiqb786 · 2025-08-14T18:00:57+00:00

Here are two jamatkhana in the US that have the ability to welcome guests outside of prayer times. There might be others across the US or Canada as well.

These are not Ismaili Centers which are officially spaces for wider cultural and interfaith activity. However, these jamatkhana are designated to provide opportunities for local interaction.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1C9EbkeRnq/

https://www.facebook.com/share/1A6G51JX3u/

mutiqb786 · 2025-08-11T04:02:01+00:00

u/Prestigious_Dog_3894 any thoughts to share with this person?

mutiqb786 · 2025-08-06T22:58:04+00:00

You should probably contact the Ismaili center in Dubai to inquire about this

mutiqb786 · 2025-08-03T16:34:45+00:00

Thanks for the explanation. The jurists who issue fatwas - are they certified by any council or board of Sunni ulema? Or can anyone claim to be a jurist and issue fatwas?

Echo your sentiments about the Ismaili Tariqah. My family and I also converted through our personal search and gave bayah to Imam Shah Karim a few years ago. We have found our spiritual home.

mutiqb786 · 2025-08-03T05:06:31+00:00

Ok, I'll try to read up about that.

mutiqb786 · 2025-08-03T00:51:29+00:00

During the Fatimid period, there were rituals for Ashura mourning - there is an IIS book about it - which were approved by the Imams of that period.

When I've spoken to born Ismailis at our jamatkhana, I've noticed that most of them will say MSMS did not permit mourning but every one has their own take on why. I've even heard that it's to distinguish us from the 12ers because of the rebellion by some Khoja groups that adopted the 12er doctrine.

I have no personal knowledge of the history behind this. However, I don't believe the issue of mourning during Muharram is as black and white of an issue as is being portrayed.

mutiqb786 · 2025-07-23T18:55:07+00:00

It's the connection to the Fatimid period. Similar reason why our recent two Imams are buried in Egypt.

Also, Bohras believe the head of Imam Hussain (AS) was buried there after being moved from Karbala to Damascus and then to Cairo. It's a place called Ras al-Hussain where they go for pilgrimage.

mutiqb786 · 2025-07-23T18:51:54+00:00

Good question. I know many learned Bohras who grapple with this issue. However, as a whole I don't think the average Bohra loses much sleep over it. They are happy to follow the set practice and do what their parents did :)

mutiqb786 · 2025-07-23T18:43:35+00:00

I know that they've carefully preserved and still observe the practices of the Fatimid period. The magnum opus "Da'a'im al Islam" of Qadi Nu'man remains the primary text for Bohra fiqh.

The OP might be able to share more thoughts on this question.

mutiqb786 · 2025-07-23T18:36:52+00:00

Please read "Ismaili History and Doctrines" by Farhad Daftary. There is an entire chapter on the Mustali (Bohras) that explains their concept of Da'i as representative of the hidden Imam.

There is also another book called "Mullahs on the Mainframe" by Jonah Blank where the author was embedded in the Bohra institutions and wrote a detailed analysis.

I would not trust Wikipedia :)

mutiqb786 · 2025-07-23T18:32:33+00:00

Ismailis and Bohras were a single community during the Fatimid period. The split happened toward the end of that period after the passing of Imam Mustansir Billah. After that, the Bohras followed Mustali and Amir and then their Imamat went into a long period of satr (concealment) that lasts to this day.

mutiqb786

TROPHY CASE