YAM everyone - I have a friend and she has asked questions regarding Ismailism - She is taking psychology courses and has just gone over the topic of a cult. She mentioned to me the classic cult case of Jim Jones, where he started his cult by being a Christian leader, and eventually got people following him in whatever he said and got them to believe that they should be giving him things, like money and other worldly possessions and they did. He finally got his followers to all commit suicide by drinking poison and shot the ones who did not obey him. This was an anecdote she gave me regarding cults.
After this reading she came to me and gave some characteristics of a cult; some of which include isolation and having a central leader. Although I have no doubts in my mind that I am not in any sort of cult I did not know how to answer her questions. I tried explaining to her that when we give dasond to Hazar Imam, no one is holding a gun to your head to give it, it is up to each and every individuals personal beliefs and whoever believes they shouldn't have to give it, should not, although it is an important, if not the most important tenet of our faith. However, I could not answer her questions regarding isolation. Although we do not isolate ourselves from society in the sense that we can mingle with various races, cultures and religions, no one else is allowed in Jamat Khane except if you are Ismaili and I just stuttered. I tried to bring in some inputs that I could think of; that no one else has given baiyat to the Imam of the Time except Ismailis, and that Jamat-Khane is private property so the owner (ie Mowla) has the right to say who is or is not allowed inside. Although this was a valid point, I could not answer her about why we are in isolation in that part of life, leaving her without an answer and possibilities of being a cult. If anyone could give their two cents regarding this topic, it would be absolutely great! Sorry if I have offended anyone in advance as I know this can be a touchy issue. Thanks and YAM
-Arshad
How to answer questions of being a cult
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arshad1988
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There are spaces designated for special purposes and have restricted accesses as alluded by MHI in his speech in Dubai:
"At this juncture, perhaps, it would be appropriate to situate one of the functions of the Ismaili Centre in the tradition of Muslim piety. For many centuries, a prominent feature of the Muslim religious landscape has been the variety of spaces of gathering co-existing harmoniously with the masjid, which in itself has accommodated a range of diverse institutional spaces for educational, social and reflective purposes. Historically serving communities of different interpretations and spiritual affiliations, these spaces have retained their cultural nomenclatures and characteristics, from ribat and zawiyya to khanaqa and jamatkhana. The congregational space incorporated within the Ismaili Centre belongs to the historic category of jamatkhana, an institutional category that also serves a number of sister Sunni and Shia communities, in their respective contexts, in many parts of the world. Here, it will be space reserved for traditions and practices specific to the Shia Ismaili tariqah of Islam."
But apart from JKs, all other institutions are non-denominational. Our schools and hospitals serve other communities as well for example.
"At this juncture, perhaps, it would be appropriate to situate one of the functions of the Ismaili Centre in the tradition of Muslim piety. For many centuries, a prominent feature of the Muslim religious landscape has been the variety of spaces of gathering co-existing harmoniously with the masjid, which in itself has accommodated a range of diverse institutional spaces for educational, social and reflective purposes. Historically serving communities of different interpretations and spiritual affiliations, these spaces have retained their cultural nomenclatures and characteristics, from ribat and zawiyya to khanaqa and jamatkhana. The congregational space incorporated within the Ismaili Centre belongs to the historic category of jamatkhana, an institutional category that also serves a number of sister Sunni and Shia communities, in their respective contexts, in many parts of the world. Here, it will be space reserved for traditions and practices specific to the Shia Ismaili tariqah of Islam."
But apart from JKs, all other institutions are non-denominational. Our schools and hospitals serve other communities as well for example.
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star_munir
- Posts: 1670
- Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2003 12:55 am
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Mowla Ali Madad,
The example your friend had given you is not making a sense here. You can tell her about the great work which Imam is doing for all humanity.
Secondly you can ask her was Christianity a cult at the time of Jesus? Was Islam cult at the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?
So in Ismailism Imam is always present on the earth in each and every era.
The example your friend had given you is not making a sense here. You can tell her about the great work which Imam is doing for all humanity.
Secondly you can ask her was Christianity a cult at the time of Jesus? Was Islam cult at the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?
So in Ismailism Imam is always present on the earth in each and every era.