Farmans and Hadiths - Understanding, Sharing and Need

[junglikhan4]

Ya ali madad: An Qualitative posting from mr chatur.( jagya etlee savar.Welcome back).
the farman:
[T]hat the Qur’an is constantly open to allegorical interpretation … leads also to a greater charity among Muslims, for since there can be no cut-and-dried interpretation, all schools of thought can unite in the prayer that the Almighty in His infinite mercy may forgive any mistaken interpretation of the Faith whose cause is ignorance or misunderstanding."

Here MHI in speech has stated that there can be no cut n dried interpretation( in blunt language copy paste).
"that God will forgive them if they err in their sincere attempts to understand his Word."
What does this tell:
1) That implies the Quran is not EASY to understand.
2) He forgive those making sincere attempts( many time) to understand His (one ) word.
3) It means humanity has erred knowingly and unknowingly.
It does indicates those erred knowlingly they may not be forgiven easily by GOD.

In the last line that mistaken interpretation have cuased ignorance or misunderstanding.
I have using the words may be not so decent word "Toxic cocktail"
one third of Muslim countries are in turmoil. I assume God have been forgiving from last 1370 year.
Time may come when line has to drawn of Enough is Enough.
So His infinite forgiveness cannot be taken for granted now that people are educated.
I do not think that they are still adamant n ignorant to the fact that the word 'IMAM E MUBEEN' cannot be a register in the very first place.
In a state of uttar Pradesh in India. Muslim students when they pass out from madrasas.( urdu medium primary school runs by masjid custodians)
They do not qualify to get in good colleges. they lack the basic knowledge of speaking English n computer literacy.
they go in for undesired manual labour work which is one third the salary of a white collar job is that state.
the very wording of 'Quran' the base of God word is 'Intellect' n other words 'Imaan'.
How God displays his Intellect is phrasing of word n lines.

BTW Intellect/understanding/Noor can be sourced only n only Human Body and to not any Idol.Cubic stone or star, air, water or any point on land or sea.
Simple thinking needed no rocket science.

I am assuming our two valued members ShamsB n tret are not posting
as they are attached to our board or institution and are moniter ed by them.

Thanks to mehboobchatur for his well researches posting.
.

Reply,

You wrote, " Quran is not easy to understand ", that's why Imam is present to interpret it.

[zznoor]

" Quran is not easy to understand ", that's why Imam is present to interpret it.

Can you quote explanation of few Ayas of Quran by present Imam! In his long Imamat he must have explained quite a few Ayas.

[agakhani1]

Take any farmans of any imam or take any ginans of any pirs which are directly interpretation of Quranic ayas!! I promise that, and there are thousand and thousand farmans and ginans available ! and you still asking few more!?

[Admin]

Can you quote explanation of few Ayas of Quran by present Imam! In his long Imamat he must have explained quite a few Ayas.

Yes but you have said that you are not Ismaili so you are not entitled to the farmans.

However, you can ask your own Mullas or whatever in your mosque to explain ti you. He will explain in a way that you can understand with your own value-system and your own beliefs. Good luck!

[mazharshah]

" Quran is not easy to understand ", that's why Imam is present to interpret it.

Can you quote explanation of few Ayas of Quran by present Imam! In his long Imamat he must have explained quite a few Ayas.

ZZ Aadaab,

As you know there are thousands of tafseers written by famous Mufassirs, learned Islamic scholars and Da'is, and they all differ in explanation, so which one is correct. We believe in Hazar Imam and always look at him to interpret Quran and give us guidance. Our Imam never guides beyond the principles or huddud of Quran. There are huqqul ibaad and huqququllah. Regarding huqqul ibaad, our Imam has always said obey the ethical values of Islam as mentioned in Quran. Regarding huqququllah, for benefit of our souls we pray we fast and give alms and participate in charity works according to our tariqa. There are thousands of denominations ( FIRQA DAR FIRQA ) in Islam apart from 72 sects, like in christianity there are more than
20,000 denominations. Now who will decide, who is right and who is wrong.
Our Imam has never stopped any one from praying, fasting, Hajj or umrah.
Our Imam explain Quran through farmans.

[nuseri]

Ya Ali Madad:
As absolute belief in MHI. we see and hear him as BOLTA QURAN.
His farmans are taken as extension of quran as if said today/or in todays time.
He does not explain quran like a school teachers quoting an Ayat no n page number and translating n explaining sumo moto to listeners.HIS word in fact taken greater than Quran as those are living word from his mouth and not via prophet,dai or pir who were blessed by him to speak out Those entity may have had some ego,sentiments ,family issues,worldly problems, circumstances and distractions while composing any lines of inspiration.
HE HAS never done Ayat number by ayat number explaination in open jamaat didar.He have explained in simple way 'sura noor' in one of his speeches.

Our tariqa n practice in jamatkahana has prayers ,tasbih,ginan/qasidas, n Ibaadat along with FARMANS.( ginan.qasida are traditions for spiritual inspiration induced in our practice)
WE DOT HAVE ANY SHARIATI Dikat EXTERNAL FLAVORS like long period fasting, hajj. binding on us. we have own kalima to indentify ourselves.

[kmaherali]

"The Farmans we make are like precious gems. Whenever you get time, reflect upon our Farmans for a couple of hours. Heaps of pearls are scattered when we speak to give you a Farman, but the only person who realizes its worth is the one who understands the value of pearls." (Rajkot,October 21, 1903)

[nuseri]

Ya Ali Madad.
Beauty of a Farman.
If a small pouch of pearls(even his mandated two words) can make one person rich.if that person know it's value. then why one would go in for
a sack of gold or a large carton of silver or a truck of copper..
First can be carried in a pocket/heart, while for rest it appear as may be valuable baggage( books,belief,ritual.etc).
If I personally feel immensely blessed from the Farmans then and have earned well enough en cashing the pearls ,why should I be greedy or have high interest in ritual/symbols, saying of non Imamat entities( even prophet n pirs/ gold n silver).

I feel blessed from a very young age I acknowledged MHI as his name 'Karim', but saw ,heard n absolutely BELIEVE him as ALI N ALI only.Like harvesting pearls from Day one.

[Admin]

As RECEIVED from the author Mahebub Chatur

The following farmans and proofs were prepared to prove verifiably and clearly that Hazar Imam and all Imams have never blocked Farmans from their followers nor said they should be blocked or copies not given to them.

The stated policy of the present Leaders lis to block and not give copies of Farmans and Imams annotations to those who request them including scholars.

Those requesting are ignored and this is made inconvenient, frustrating and near impossible.

This policy & secrecy (and overwhelming bureaucracy), is against the stated and repeated wishes of Hazar Imam (including during this Diamind Jubilee Farmans).

Essay on Farman and why they should be accessible to the Jamat.

http://ismaili.net/timeline/2018/101-proofs-chatur.pdf

[mahebubchatur]

Hazar Imam recently in India and USA made the whole Jamat as Dais and to share his message and blessings.

An article on meaning of a Dai
ismailignosis.com/2018/03/28/world-of-faith-the-imams-dais-and-the-ismaili-dawah/

[shivaathervedi2]

Hazar Imam recently in India and USA made the whole Jamat as Dais and to share his message and blessings.

An article on meaning of a Dai
ismailignosis.com/2018/03/28/world-of-faith-the-imams-dais-and-the-ismaili-dawah/

Informative article but there are flaws and confusions. After reading article, it looks like Ismailignosis drifted away from Satpunthi ideology.
Regarding ' Be My Da'i', Imam did not elaborate or further explained," What he menat by 'Be My Da'i' or 'Every spiritual child is my Da'i". A Da'i's life was never bed of roses.In past Da'is has sacrified their lives in propagating Ismailism.
Now how and what can we understand, when Imam says,'Be My Da'i'. It can be convey my message of blessings, barakah and Farmans to murids who were unable to attend Darbars in various countries. Or, obey and act honestly on my ETHICAL Farmans and become a role model as a Da'i for others. Or, it can be elaborated as to recite Du'a regularily by understanding meaning properly three times daily, the reason is , in Arabic root letters of Du'a and Da'i are same. But again, question arises, since when he became Imam, Ismailis are reciting Du'a past 60 years but he never said to become a Da'i. In conclusion what can we understand is, there are three options;
1. Convey message as a Da'i
2. Be an ethical role model as a Da'i
3. Recite Du'a 3 times regularily.

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The Ismaili Da‘wah was self-consciously the instrument through which true religion – valid law and doctrine, proper belief and action, correct science and knowledge of the universe, rightful loyalty to God and His agent for human affairs, appropriate appreciation for the difference between appearance and reality, between the purely physical and the truly spiritual – was made known to mankind in general and to believers in particular.

Paul E. Walker,
(Early Philosophical Shi‘ism: The Ismaili Neoplatonism of Abu Yaqub al-Sijsitani,

CONFUSION: Gnosis quoted Paul Walker, question is, " Who is the agent of God for human affairs, I assume Paul is mentioning Imam as an agent of God.

-----------------

Ismaili gnosis wrote; "Throughout history, the Ismaili da‘wah consisted of a formal hierarchy of spiritual teachers and scholars working under the Imam of the Time. The most basic form of the Ismaili da‘wah hierarchy is as follows":

1. Imam
2. Bab (Gate)
3. Hujjah (Proof)
4. Da‘i (Summoner)
5. Ma’dhun Akbar (Senior Teacher)
6. Ma’dhun Asghar (Junior Teacher)
7. Mustajib (Respondent or Initiate)

CONFUSION: The above 7 stage model adopted and introduced by Da'is in Fatimid era is not applicable in modern times. Reason is that the 7 stages were transformed in 2 stages 150 years back and reduced into 2 institutions i.e Imamat and Piratan. Now adays these both institutions are merged togather for reasons Imam knows better.
Other argument is that Satpunthi Pirs never adopted the above 7 stage Fatimid era model formula.

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The Rank of Imam:
The Imam of the Time is the highest and greatest rank in the Ismaili Da‘wah. The Imam’s pure soul receives divine inspiration (ta’yid) and divine guidance from the eternal spiritual world of the Universal Intellect and Universal Soul through the medium of the Holy Spirit (ruh al-quddus). According to the Qur’an (97:1-5, 42:52, 26:193-195, 16:2, 40:15), God inspires the Prophets, the Imams and other chosen humans through the Holy Spirit. While Prophet Muhammad was the last human being to both receive divine inspiration (ta’yid) and convey it as prophetic discourse (tanzil), the Imams of his Ahl al-Bayt continue to be recipients of the Holy Spirit, through which they are able to convey God’s guidance (al-kitab) in the form of spiritual interpretation (ta’wil) and instruction (ta‘lim). God summons humanity to His recognition through the person of the Imam in every time and age:

CONFUSION: The above paragraph is completely going against the Satpunthi ideology. Does the Imam's pure soul receives divine inspiration and divine guidance from the eternal spiritual world of Universal Intellect and Universal Soul throuth the MEDIUM OF HOLY SPIRIT. It shows VISHNU is getting guidance through the medium of Holy Spirit!!! In other words, Imam is getting guidance from other source and then he conveys the message.

------

The Rank of Bab:
The second rank after the Imam is the rank of Bab (meaning “Gate”); sometimes this rank is also called “great Hujjah” – because the Babs are the greater Hujjahs. There are 4 persons who hold the rank of Bab:

1 Bab is the Pir – like Pir Prophet Muhammad, Pir Shams, Pir Sadr al-Din, Pir Hasan Kabir al-Din, Pir Shihabuddin Shah, Pir Abu l-Hasan Shah (who was Pir while an infant); sometimes the Imam acts as his own Pir like in the present time;
1 Bab is the present Imam’s son and successor; for example, Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah was the Bab during the lifetime of his father Imam Aga ‘Ali Shah; Mawlana Hazar Imam was the Bab of Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah.
1 Bab is a female figure from the Imam’s family; for example, Hazrat Khadijah was the Bab of Imam Abu Talib; Hazrat Fatimah was the Bab of her husband Imam ‘Ali; Hazrat Zaynab was the Bab of her brother Imam al-Husayn b. ‘Ali; Begum Mata Salamat Lady Ali Shah was the Bab of Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah and later, his fourth wife, Begum Mata Salamat was his Bab;
1 Bab is an Ismaili murid who has reached the spiritual rank of Ahl al-Bayt and is equivalent to Salman al-Farsi during the Prophet’s time. The Prophet said to Salman: “You are from us, the Ahl al-Bayt.” Abu ‘Ali was the Bab of Imam al-Mahdi; Ja‘far b. Mansur al-Yaman was the Bab of Imam al-Mu‘izz; Khatkin al-Dayf was the Bab of Imam al-Hakim; al-Mu’ayyad al-Shirazi was the Bab of Imam Mustansir billah. There have also been Ismailis in modern times who reached the spiritual rank of Bab (spiritual member of Ahl al-Bayt) – including Pir Ismail Gangji, Wazir Muhammad Remu, Varas Basaria Fadhu, Wazir Rahim Basaria, and Pir Sabzali;
The Babs are in spiritual union or spiritual marriage with the Imams — for this reason, the 4 Babs are called the “Spiritual Wives” of the Imam; they receive direct inspiration (nurani ta’yid) from the Imam’s perfect soul. The Babs are also the Spiritual Mothers of the murids. They manifest the maternal and lunar attributes of the Universal Soul to the community of believers, complementing the Imam who manifests the paternal and solar qualities of the Universal Intellect. The Imam corresponds to the Sun and his Babs are like the Moon, as one of the Babs of Fatimid times explained:

CONFUSION: The above explanation of Bab is very confusing. The Ismaili youth and general jamaits shall be traped in mingled threads. Fine, Bab is Pir, now who were the Babs from Imam Baqir to Imam Raziuddin Abdullah, no trace!! Imam Ja'far said," Nahnu Babullah ", We are the gates to Allah, therefore Imam being gate to Allah can'nt be God himself.
Who is the Bab of present Imam from his male children? Because gnosis wrote," Bab is also the present Imam's son and successor".
Ismailignosis wrote," Bab is a female figure from the Imam's family". question; Can princess Zahra become a Bab?? Has Hazar Imam declared her as a Bab?
Was honorable Lady Ali Shah a Bab, she did not become an Ismaili, she remained Isna'ashiri and burried in Najaf Ashraf, Iraq.
Did MSMS declared Mata Salamat as Bab? Where is Farman or declaration?
Ismailignosis wrote," Bibi Khadijah was the Bab (Pir) of Imam Abu Talib. It is a great confusion, Bibi Khadijah was a Pir, then Prophet Muhammad in Satpunthi ideology is counted as First Pir. Now there were 2 Pirs at a same time, husband and wife in same house!! If Prophet Muhammad was first Pir then what was the number of Pir Khadijah? If infact Bibi was a PIR then why she was omitted from the list of Pirs in old Du'a. Same is the case with Bibi Fatimah, now Ismailignosis is mentioning 3 Pirs at the same time, Father, Mother, and Daughter.
What is the status of Hazrat Hasan, was he Bab or Imam Mastoudah? Very complicated theort!!
Was Pir Sabz Ali a Bab also??

-----------

The Rank of Hujjah:
Below the rank of Bab is the rank of Hujjah (“Proof” or “Argument”). The Hujjah is the chief Da‘i over a network of Da‘is in a region, who uses “proofs and arguments” to establish the Imamat of the Imam and lead others to the inner recognition (ma‘rifah) of the Imam by providing the knowledge of philosophy, theology, and the ta’wil (inner meaning) of what is found in the Qur’an and practiced in ritual and law.

CONFUSION: Imam is the Hujjat of Allah according to Quran and fisrt part of Du'a, " WA 'ALA HUJJATIL AMR ". Bab is honarary Hujjat.

-------
The figure known as the “Pir” in the terminology of South Asian Ismaili tradition is one of the 4 Babs of the Imam, as noted above, and the highest of the Babs in formal authority, second only to the Imam. The status of the Pirs is described by the Ismaili Imam Shah Gharib Mirza (known also as Shah al-Mustansir bi’llah II) in his Farmans:


Confusion: In my opinion, there aren't categories of Babs or Pirs. As there is one Imam at a time so is only one Pir at a time. Was Imam Gharib Mirza Shah Mustansibillah 2nd or 3rd?? Gnosis has mentioned 2nd.

[mahebubchatur]

Two new books of Farmans have been published by Ismaili community constitutional entities for all the community. One is Farmans during 2012-2013 and the second is for 2017-2018. The rest of the Farman are reportedly in the process of being published. All Farmans must be given freely to all Ismaili Muslims including the Ismaili constitution which is a Farman and must be read with Farmans

Link to Farmans to share Farmans.
http://ismaili.net/timeline/2018/101-proofs-chatur.pdf

Link to constitution

http://www.ismaili.net/html/modules.php ... 8400#68400

[Admin]

Two new books of Farmans have been published by Ismaili community constitutional entities for all the community. One is Farmans during 2012-2013 and the second is for 2017-2018. The rest of the Farman are reportedly in the process of being published.

It would be interesting to see the authorisation of Hazar Imam to Islamic Publication who is identified as recipient of Imam's Copyrights on Farmans.

I doubt there is any such document unless the signature is forged. There is no way Hazar Imam will bypass Itreb or his own institution to give publication rights to "Islamic Publication" for his Farman

Though the postal address of Islamic Pubication is Imam's institutional headquarters, that private compagny is not part of the institutions listed in the Ismaili Constitution.

It is important to remind that it is only when the Imam personally that can have any rights on Farmans and that right has not been transferred to his institution unless someone can produce a proof to the contrary said the Toronto Judge in the Copyright lawsuit.

In the old Ismaili Constitution before 1986, the Ismailia Association could publish Farmans after endorsement by the president of the Supreme Council (Sir Eboo, at that time) - During that time (remember the last Farmans were published by Institutions in 1978, no books after that) since Sir Eboo's English was not that good, the task of revising the drafts before publication was left to Iqbal Rupani, his secretary.

In one of the meeting, our Imam was not happy and asked if there were mistakes in the Farman books because of a lack of knowledge of proper English.

In 1986, Mowlana Hazar Imam changed the Ismaili Constitution and got rid of the Supreme Council and its Nairobi office rendering the secretarial staff jobless.

In the 1986 Ismaili Constitution, the Imam removed the right of publishing Farmans from the institutional organisation, keeping it for himself.

All this was the Wisdom of the Imam.

However, when the new institutions were organised, somehow the same people our Imam got rid of by closing the Nairobi office of the Supreme Council, made their ways as paid staff in the new organisation, perpetuating the fallacies that "Imam thinks in French and speaks in English therefore we have to edit his Farmans" (Something the Imam categorically denied)

Now we can see some challenges faced by producers of Farman books after the very high standards set by the Golden Edition published privately under the instructions of the Imam.

Lets see how accurate the new books are. And it would be interesting to see what was the approval process when/if the Imam authorised these new books as that process is not yet part of the present Constitution.

One has to remember, even by repeating a million times a book is authorised by the Imam, it does not become authorised unless the Imam said so. And even if there are a million announcement in Jamatkhanas and institutional papers that a book is not authorised, it does not become so unless the Imam says so.

In an intellectual tradition, which is that of the Ismailis, this is the way it happens.

[mahebubchatur]

These 2  books are published by Islamic Publications Limited.  

There is no mention of the Ismaili community constitutional entities who are responsible to undertake publication and distribution of Farmans,  books and materials on relevant aspects of Islam and the Ismaili Tariqah”  (namely, ITREB & The Institue of Ismaili Studies). 

There is a statement in the books that Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan approved these, and this is dated July 2019. 

A Farman is defined by Hazar Imam, Aga Khan in the Ismaili constitution (a Farman),  as “Any pronouncement, direction, order or ruling made or given by Mawlana Hazar Imam.”  Farmans are also Imams Talim and Talim (Teachimgs and interpretations) of the Quran for all Ismaili Muslims and  to be given freely to them . (constitution)

Details of Islamic Publication Limited. (IPL) are as follows 

This is a publishing company registered in UK 

Directors of this company are as follows 

Naguib Kheraj  - appointed in 1995 - (Also at IIS in London)

Shafik Sachedina- appointed in 1995 ( Also at IIS LIF and DJI in London and Lisbon) 

Zauhar Meghji- Appointed in 1997 (Also at IIS in London) 

(Appointments under the Ismaili constitution are for 3 years with a maximum of 2 terms)

Sole Shareholder of IPL  is AKD Limited

This is an off shore company registered in Guernsey. Directors and beneficial shareholders of the company are not disclosed. 

IPL business and Income

IPL’s entire business and income is stated to be from United Kingdom, (principally from IIS - The Institue of Ismaili studies. The current UK Ismaili council President, Vice President, or UK ITREB chairman are not Directors of IPL. (they should be constitutionally) 

IPL business address 

This is the same address as IIS at The Aga Khan Centre in London

IPL - Significant control 

The entity with significant control of IPL is stated  as “The Ismaili Imamat” in Lisbon Portugal. (This is an entity constituted and registered in Lisbon Portugal)

These Books have not been given in UK but not to all Ismailis globally at the same time. What is the reason. So far only UK. Canada is starting this week.  

Clarification has been requested from ITREBS, LIF, Councils, LIF and DJI

[mahebubchatur]

Two new books of Farmans have been published by Ismaili community constitutional entities for all the community. One is Farmans during 2012-2013 and the second is for 2017-2018. The rest of the Farman are reportedly in the process of being published.

It would be interesting to see the authorisation of Hazar Imam to Islamic Publication who is identified as recipient of Imam's Copyrights on Farmans.

I doubt there is any such document unless the signature is forged. There is no way Hazar Imam will bypass Itreb or his own institution to give publication rights to "Islamic Publication" for his Farman

Though the postal address of Islamic Pubication is Imam's institutional headquarters, that private compagny is not part of the institutions listed in the Ismaili Constitution.

It is important to remind that it is only when the Imam personally that can have any rights on Farmans and that right has not been transferred to his institution unless someone can produce a proof to the contrary said the Toronto Judge in the Copyright lawsuit.

In the old Ismaili Constitution before 1986, the Ismailia Association could publish Farmans after endorsement by the president of the Supreme Council (Sir Eboo, at that time) - During that time (remember the last Farmans were published by Institutions in 1978, no books after that) since Sir Eboo's English was not that good, the task of revising the drafts before publication was left to Iqbal Rupani, his secretary.

In one of the meeting, our Imam was not happy and asked if there were mistakes in the Farman books because of a lack of knowledge of proper English.

In 1986, Mowlana Hazar Imam changed the Ismaili Constitution and got rid of the Supreme Council and its Nairobi office rendering the secretarial staff jobless.

In the 1986 Ismaili Constitution, the Imam removed the right of publishing Farmans from the institutional organisation, keeping it for himself.

All this was the Wisdom of the Imam.

However, when the new institutions were organised, somehow the same people our Imam got rid of by closing the Nairobi office of the Supreme Council, made their ways as paid staff in the new organisation, perpetuating the fallacies that "Imam thinks in French and speaks in English therefore we have to edit his Farmans" (Something the Imam categorically denied)

Now we can see some challenges faced by producers of Farman books after the very high standards set by the Golden Edition published privately under the instructions of the Imam.

Lets see how accurate the new books are. And it would be interesting to see what was the approval process when/if the Imam authorised these new books as that process is not yet part of the present Constitution.

One has to remember, even by repeating a million times a book is authorised by the Imam, it does not become authorised unless the Imam said so. And even if there are a million announcement in Jamatkhanas and institutional papers that a book is not authorised, it does not become so unless the Imam says so.

In an intellectual tradition, which is that of the Ismailis, this is the way it happens.

Mukhis and Kamadias, who conduct congregational prayers, similar to Priests, have been told by those controlling to say and are saying in emails to the Jamat not to copy and share these Farmans on the one hand. On the other hand they are also say that we can refer to them. Meaning these can be shared. Why this paradox and contradiction. (see the email below)

Hazar Imam has said clearly to all his Murids, to be his Dais, to share Farmans, to demystify our faith, to clarify misinformation and misperception, & this is also a Diamond Jubilee goal from Hazar Imam. (link below)

We know there is a clique” of Ismaili Leaders controlling for decades, and who continue a culture of material greed self interest, cynicism and individualism, with a political elite ideology.

Leaders down the line & Jamat (followers), and volunteers, need to read and share Farmans and the Jamats constitutional reports and budgets with the community (their brothers and sisters).

If you have them do what Hazar Imam says & share. Hazar Imam has said we must verify and not act blindly.

What Leaders said Hazar Imam said in early 2010- 10 years ago.
“The Jamat will be pleased to be informed that Mawlana Hazar Imam has already approved that the Jamati institutions should formally publish a volume containing the approved texts of his Farmans, including those made for the Golden Jubilee. This will be made available to the Jamat in the near future...”

Hazar Imam approved a Book of Farmans published by Nagib Tajdin verbatim Farmans from 1957 to 2008.
Link- Meeting with Hazar Imam Imam
http://ismaili.net/source/legal-documen ... hatur8.pdf

More at

http://ismaili.net/timeline/2018/101-proofs-chatur.pdf

Clarification and or comment has been sought from those in control.
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[mahebubchatur]

A Preliminary book review of the 2 new books of Farmans Published by Islamic Publications Limited **

10 years after Hazar Imam asked ITREB, (constitutional entity), 2 new books of Farmans have been published, but not by ITREB.

It is not known if these books have been translated in other languages (like Gujerati, Urdu, Arabic, French, etc).
Hazar Imam has said Farman must be freely available to all, and translated in all local languages by missionaries (ITREBS)

The following official Announcement was made by ITREBS in early 2010.

“The Jamat will be pleased to be informed that Mawlana Hazar Imam has already approved that the “Jamati institutions” should formally publish a volume containing the approved texts of his Farmans, including those made for the Golden Jubilee. This will be made available to the Jamat in the near future...”

What is a Farman
Imam, Aga Khan defines it as “Any pronouncement, direction, order or ruling made or given by Mawlana Hazar Imam.” Farmans are also Imams Talim and Talim (teachings & interpretations) of the Quran for all Ismaili Muslims and to be given freely to them. (Ismaili constitution)

Before and since 2010
H H The Aga Khan has repeatedly said that his Farmans (including the Ismaili constitution), are to be given freely to all Ismaili Muslims and are an integral & foundational part of their faith. All Ismaili Muslims have a duty to read understand, share & obey them. And to demystify their faith and Farmans.

On 11 July 2018, Hazar Imam asked all his followers to be his Dais. -Link http://ismaili.net/timeline/2018/101-proofs-chatur.pdf

On 15th October 2010, Hazar Imam, Aga Khan, gave permission for Farmans published by Nagib Tajdin to be retained and shared. These are Farmans for 50 years (1057 -2008)

The group of Ismailis in control, then and today, tried to stop and block these Farmans and filed a court case in Canada. Hazar Imam and Court did not agree and allowed the Farmans to be retained and have since been shared. During this court case evidence of forgeries, editing and changing of Farmans, were exposed (link Aga Khan Copyright Lawsuit - Lifting The Veil by M. Chatur)

Regarding these 2 books of Farmans, contradictory statements & misinformation has been circulated. For example;

1. There is a statement in the books that Hazar Imam has personally approved and authorised this in July 2019. No such a Farman has been read in the congregations or quoted verbatim in the books. This was authorised in 2010, and before.

2 There is a statement in the books that Islamic Publications Limited (IPL)** has published these books under an “exclusive licence” direct from Hazar Imam -,His Highness the Aga Khan, and IPL claims copyright. Under the Ismaili constitution this claim should be Hazar Imam or ITREB and or IIS (not IPL). During the copyright court case IPL took legal action claiming copyright. They could not produce the evidence. IPL is not mentioned in the Ismaili constitution as a constitutional entity having a licence to publish Farmans from His Highness the Aga Khan nor to undertake religious publications. IPL was not a party in the court case, or was claimed that entity had a licence to publish from Aga Khan.

3. IPL the publisher** has instructed UK jurisdiction Mukhis and Kamadias (Ismaili Priests) to circulate the following contradictory announcement to their congregations “ Mawlana Hazar Imam has authorised the release of two printed publications of his Farmans, covering the years 2011 to 2013, and 2017 to 2018. The KITAB desk will be open this evening for members that wish to purchase these Farman books. A contribution of £5 per set of two books will be requested upon collection. As Farmans are Mawlana Hazar Imam's private guidance to the Jamat, when and in what form these may be made available to the Jamat is entirely up to the Imam. Therefore, please respect the Imam's prerogative by not circulating copies of the Farmans by email or through social media or through any other means. If you receive copies or any other texts of these Farmans, please do not share them. Refer only to the Farmans as contained in these books.Mawlana Hazar Imam's decision to authorise the release of these two books is a great blessing for the Jamat and one for which we are all truly grateful. We look forward to seeing you in Jamatkhana (congregational prayer hall) this evening. “

Hazar Imam has said that he does not edit Farmans after he has given them . He annotates, meaning he elucidates them.

Farmans are a part of the Imams Talim and Talim of the Quran. (link http://ismaili.net/source/legal-documen ... hatur8.pdf)

In last 1400 years, Imams, of Ismaili Muslims and Prophet Mohammed never claimed copyright or asked for copies not to be circulated nor to seek prior written consent before circulating or when referring to them (As is alleged by IPL** in the above statements)

IPL, ITREBS , IIS and Councils have been requested to comment and clarify the above. The contents of Farmans in the two new books are yet to be verified with the originals Farmans and annotations. No responses so far from them or access to originals.

If you have any related information, comments or documents, please share them.

Hazar Imam, Aga Khan wishes everyone of his followers to read, verify and be his Dais.


** Who is Islamic Publication Limited. (IPL)

This is a company registered in UK in 1980. This is not named in the constitution of 1986 and 1998.

Directors of this company are as follows

Naguib Kheraj - appointed in 1995 - (Also at IIS in London)

Shafik Sachedina- appointed in 1995 ( Also at IIS LIF and DJI in London and Lisbon)

Zauhar Meghji- Appointed in 1997 (Also at IIS in London)

(Appointments under the Ismaili constitution are for 3 years with a maximum of 2 terms)

Sole Shareholder of IPL is AKD Limited

This is an off shore company registered in Guernsey. Directors and beneficial shareholders of the company are not disclosed.

IPL business and Income

IPL’s entire business and income is stated to be from United Kingdom, (principally from IIS - The Institue of Ismaili studies. The current UK Ismaili council President, Vice President, or UK ITREB chairman are not Directors of IPL. (they should be constitutionally)

IPL business address

This is the same address as IIS at The Aga Khan Centre in London

IPL - Significant control

The entity with significant control of IPL is stated as “The Ismaili Imamat” in Lisbon Portugal. (This is an entity constituted and registered in Lisbon Portugal)

Link to more at http://www.ismaili.net/html/modules.php ... sc&start=0

[mahebubchatur]

http://ismaili.net/source/didar-meaning.pdf

[mahebubchatur]

To:
• Leaders of the Ismaili Institutions
• International Forum
• The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS)
• National and Regional Councils
• Members of the Noorani Family

Subject: Clarification of the Definition and Scope of “Farmān” According to Mawlana Hazar Imam

Ya Ali Madad,

I am writing to draw your attention to a matter of both spiritual significance and constitutional clarity—the correct understanding and communication of the term Farmān within our Jamat and all institutional and educational materials.

Recently, a post circulated through community media, attributed to the Institute of Ismaili Studies and/or official platforms such as TheIsmaili, defined Farmān as follows:

“Farman –

A Persian term meaning ‘command,’ ‘authority,’ ‘will,’ or ‘permission.’

In some contexts, such as the Ottoman Empire, it referred to an edict or proclamation issued by a ruler.

For Shia Ismaili Muslims, farman refers to guidance given by the Imam-of-the-Time to his followers.”

While this conveys a partial sense of the term, it is incomplete and misleading when compared to the definitive definition provided by Mawlana Hazar Imam himself

⸻

The Authoritative Definition of Farmān by Mawlana Hazar Imam

According to the Interpretation Clause in the Constitution of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims:

“Farman” means any pronouncement, direction, order or ruling made or given by Mawlana Hazar Imam.

This definition is legally binding, theologically complete, and not subject to institutional reinterpretation or reduction.

It confirms that Farmān is not limited to only “guidance,” nor confined to specific formats (such as speeches or messages). It includes:

• Spoken pronouncements (e.g. Didār Farmans)
• Written rulings or messages (e.g. Talikas, Constitutional Farmans, appointment letters)
• Public addresses and directions (e.g. speeches or interviews)
• Any communication by Mawlana Hazar Imam to the Jamat

As murids, we are bound by our Bay‘ah to follow the Imam’s Farmans, which guide both our spiritual life and our worldly conduct.

No distinction should be made between different types of communications by the Imam—written or oral - they are all Farmans according to Imam under the Constitution.

⸻

Clarifying the Issue with Institutional Language

Unfortunately, recent institutional communication has segmented the Imam’s words into various labels—such as “message,” “guidance,” “talk,” or “speech”—instead of consistently and reverently referring to them as Farmans. Also definition of Nazrana and Mehmani - see my responses

This not only mystifies our faith, contrary to Mawlana Hazar Imam’s repeated Farmans , but also leads to ambiguity & confusion for the Jamat.

It is respectfully submitted that such inconsistent terminology risks diminishing the unity and supremacy of the Imam’s Farmans.

The use of diverse labels should not obscure the fact that all pronouncements of the Imam are Farmans—binding, sacred, and central to our practice of the faith.

⸻

A Call for Institutional Clarity and Respect for the Constitution

In light of this, I humbly request the following:
1. That all institutional references to the Imam’s guidance align with the constitutional definition of Farmān, and that the full meaning be restored in public and internal communications.
2. That if there is any alternative interpretive position held by institutions, it be shared clearly and openly with the Jamat, along with the source and reasoning, so that it may be respectfully addressed.
3. That the Imam’s Farmans including the constitution not be witheld and be made more accessible, consistent with Hazar Imams Farmans , the Constitution and numerous Farmans

⸻

In the Spirit of Dialogue inclusion & pluralism

This letter is being shared publicly in the spirit of constructive dialogue, transparency, and fidelity to the Constitution you are still withholding

It will be posted with a link, and any clarification or correction from the institutions or Noorani family will be added faithfully and respectfully.

I am always open to correction and seek only that we honour the Imam’s words - Farmans - as He has defined them, not through paraphrase, but through faithful understanding and implementation.

May we continue to be guided by the Light of the Imam and the integrity of his Farmans.

With sincere prayer and hope for unity, transparency, and growth,

M Chatur
10 July 2025

[mahebubchatur]

A letter to Leaders IIS DJI ITTREB Huzur & Noorani Family

Subject: Imam’s Clear Direction – Farmans and the Constitution Must Be Shared with the Entire Jamat

Dear All,

With humility and love, I write again as a spiritual brother, conscious of our shared duty - Bayah in faith.

⸻

Imam Has Spoken Clearly

On 11 February 2025, Mawlana Hazar Imam signed the updated Ismaili Constitution, including the Instrument. He gave an explicit Farman:

“The Constitution must be made available to the entire Jamat.”

This is not optional.

It is a binding Farman and must be followed — by every institution, every leader, and every murid.

⸻

Yet Today: Farmans Are Being Withheld

Despite this clear direction:

• Farmans from the France Didar (12–13 July 2025) are only being read in Jamatkhanas — not distributed to all murids.

• Most murids do not attend Jamatkhana regularly — many due to age, illness, location, or exclusion.

• Many murids, including in places like Dholka (India), are denied access to Jamatkhana, the Constitution, and Farmans — despite praying regularly in a consecrated space and writing to the Imam.

This is not a mistake.

It is a deliberate failure to obey the Imam’s Farman.

It violates our ethics. It breaches Bay‘ah.

⸻

Colonial Mindset Must End

What we’re seeing reflects an outdated colonial leaders culture & against Farmans

• secrecy over transparency

• control over empowerment

• silence over dialogue

But our Constitution demands transparency.

Our Farmans teach equity and Adab.

Our Bay‘ah requires obedience.

To change, we must choose to change.

⸻

What Every true Murid Can Do

1. If you have the Constitution or any Farman, share it. It is your duty and right.

2. Do not support institutions that withhold guidance or deny murids their rights.

3. Speak up — with Adab and love. Encourage your family, friends, and Jamat to seek, study, and reflect on the Imam’s Farmans.

⸻

Reminder: Bay‘ah Is a Two-Way Sacred Contract

The Imam has reminded us:

If we do not follow the Farman… if we do not honour the Bay‘ah… then we should not expect the blessings, barakah, or Noorani Didar we pray for daily

⸻

Request & reminder to Leaders

Please follow the Imam’s direction.

Do not withhold the Constitution, Farmans, or the Jamat’s resources from the Jamat. Enable include & empower them - Do not be selective and exclude the majority as you do.


FARMAN (TALIKA)

TO THE ENTIRE JAMAT

"I AM MOST HAPPY TO INFORM MY JAMAT THAT I HAVE DIRECTED THAT THE UPDATED CONSTITUTION-WHICH ENCOMPASSES THE INSTRUMENT I SIGNED ON MY TAKHT-NISHINI-BE MADE AVAILABLE TO MY JAMAT."

AGA KHAN V
18 MARCH 2025

Therefore there cannot be any doubt that Imam wishes all the Jamat to have all his Farmans including the full constitution which is also a Farman

⸻

With hope, clarity, and love,

M Chatur

Murid, spiritual brother, and servant in the path of truth through Farmans



https://x.com/chaturmahebub/status/1946 ... hqfO552USg

Farman to Share Farmans

https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/087F ... _july_2018


Mahebub Chatur

[mahebubchatur]

On 11 February 2025, all Leaders renewed their Bayah and committed to obey and implement all the Farmans & wishes of Hazar Imam. Imam has asked them to share the constitution and Farmans with the entire Jamat. They are not abd have still not respected their Bayah and so be extention Hazar Imam and Jamat

Bayah on 11 Feb 2025 by Leaders for themselves and on behalf of the Jamat

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6p7am204 ... 4k000&dl=0


Bayah - what is and significance

viewtopic.php?p=73597#p73597

[mahebubchatur]

Subject: Request for Immediate Global Access to the Farman of 12–13 July 2025 — As Directed by Mawlana Hazar Imam

Dear all, including beloved members of the Noorani family,

Ya Ali Madad.

I write with utmost love, unity, and concern — as one murid among many — to respectfully to highlight the following and requests

1. Didar Blessed by Mawlana Hazar Imam

On 12 and 13 July 2025, Mawlana Hazar Imam graciously granted the Jamat in France a Didar Mubarak, presiding personally over a sacred religious gathering.

2. Imam’s Directives on the Farman

Towards the conclusion of the Farman on 12 July, Hazar Imam gave a clear, explicit instruction:

“I would like you to know that I instructed that the official text of this Farman to be released as soon as possible to the Jamat around the world.”

— Mawlana Hazar Imam, 12 July 2025, Paris

Imam says release to the Jamat around the world

This instruction is not limited to one region or format. In fact, in the earlier Farman of 8 March 2025, also delivered in France, Mawlana Hazar Imam reemphasised the need to:

• Share his Farmans and the full Ismaili Constitution globally and promptly

• Use technology, internet, and AI to ensure timely and universal access

• Be inclusive, transparent, and act as one global family, helping one another

3. Current Situation: Withholding of the Farman

Despite these Farmans, leaders in various jurisdictions — across the 21 Jamati councils globally — have chosen to restrict access to the 12–13 July Farmans by:

• Reading them only during Jamatkhana ceremonies on selected days in July and August

• Not providing written or digital copies to murids

• Preventing murids from accessing or preserving the Farmans individually or within families

• Continuing to withhold the Ismaili Constitution, which is itself a Farman, despite repeated guidance by the Imam to share it

This Leaders pattern not only contradicts the Imam’s guidance but creates confusion and deep sorrow among many sincere murids.

4. The Farman Has Already Been Shared by the Jamat

It is now evident that the entire Farman from 12 July — as read recently in Jamatkhanas — has been shared, privately but widely, by members of the Jamat. This includes:

• Murids who were not able to attend that day or do not have regular access to Jamatkhanas

• Those in distant or smaller regions who were spiritually present

• Individuals acting out of love and obedience to the Imam, fulfilling his directive by sharing with others as brothers and sisters

I extend my deep gratitude to those murids and leaders who are helping fulfil the Imam’s wishes, as instructed by sharing

May they be blessed for doing what Hazar Imam has asked of all of us.

5. A Renewed, Humble Appeal

I now renew the call for our leadership to:

• Release the official full text of the 12–13 July 2025 Farmans in full, to every murid worldwide with any annotations which are also part of the Farman

• Share them digitally, as cost-effectively and swiftly as possible, with climate-conscious practices, as Mawla reminded us

• Release the Ismaili Constitution, as mandated by the Imam

• Uphold our responsibilities as one global Jamat, grounded in Farmans and the Imam’s ethics

Hazar Imam has made it abundantly clear: his guidance is for every murid, without exception, without delay.

No Jamati leader has the legal or moral discretion to override, postpone, or withhold that Farman.

Let us not fail in the duty entrusted to us — to follow the Imam faithfully and to serve one another sincerely.

With love, prayer, and humility,

Ya Ali Madad,

Farman Extract

Aga Khan- Imam of the Time
Farman 12 July 2025 • Paris France

“I would like you to know that I instructed that the official text of this Farman to be released as soon as possible to the Jamat around the world

My beloved spiritual children once again I give to each and everyone of you individually to your families wherever they are and to my Jamat worlhwids my best, my most affectionate blessings I pray for peace or your happiness for Unity in your familes and across the Jumat for success on all your endeavours for the fulfilment of your god wishes and for mushkil Assan and that you stay firm on Siratul Mustageem Khanavadan Khanavadan
Khanavadan“

Mahebub Chatur


On Sat, 19 Jul 2025 at 06:00, Mahebub Chatur <mahebubchatur@gmail.com> wrote:
Subject: On the Meaning of Didar and Mulaqat in our Ismaili faith

[mahebubchatur]

To: All — including Members of the Noorani Family, Leaders, and the Global Jamat

Subject: Urgent Reminder — Why Verbatim Farmans and Imam’s Signed Guidance Must Be Shared with the Jamat, Not Summarised by Leaders

I write once again to raise a matter concerning the integrity of our Tariqah and the sacred communication by Imam to & for his murids.

Below, I have attached and compared two documents regarding Mawlana Hazar Imam’s upcoming visit to Kenya (25–27 August 2025):

1. The official announcement issued by institutional leaders via the community media (The.Ismaili)

2. The actual signed letter from Mawlana Hazar Imam, dated 17 July 2025, addressed to the Jamat

This comparison - see below- clearly illustrates why murids have persistently and respectfully requested the verbatim and signed Farmans, letters, and messages of guidance — not summaries or filtered communications by institutional leaders or media outlets.

Why This Matters

This is no longer a matter of speculation — it is evidence:

• The announcement through The.Ismaili is not the complete or faithful representation of the Imam’s guidance.

• Core spiritual elements — blessings, countries, affection, tone — are omitted.

• The Jamat is being presented with institutional interpretations, not the sacred, original words of the Imam.

As we have long said, this situation reinforces the urgent need for:

• The verbatim release of all Farmans, letters, and official guidance from the Imam;

• Transparency regarding any communication attributed to the Imam;

• Murids’ independent access to signed, original documents — including the Constitution;

• Retroactive release of all Imam’s communications and Farmans, especially from July 2024–July 2025, and earlier.

⸻

A Confirmed Didar — and Need for Truth

It is now officially confirmed by Leaders that Mawlana Hazar Imam will visit Kenya from 25–27 August 2025, at the invitation of President William Ruto.

Previously, the Jamat only heard rumours or filtered announcements. Now, with the Imam’s own letter, we see the truth — and the contrast is stark.

This moment, like the Didar in France, is sacred. Every murid has a right under Bayah to receive the Imam’s words directly — in their true tone, meaning, and affection, not reduced to a list of Leaders bullet points.

⸻

Request for Immediate Action

With respect and deep sincerity, we request:

1. The release of all original, signed Farmans, letters, constitution & communications from Mawlana Hazar Imam, beginning with 2024 onward;

2. Verification of all prior institutional communications issued in the Imam’s name;

3. A clear commitment that no future Farman or message will be paraphrased before being made available to the Jamat;

4. Support from all members of the Noorani Family affirming the murids’ right to receive the Imam’s guidance in full, as reaffirmed in the Paris Didar.

⸻

Conclusion

The 17 July 2025 letter is proof of what murids have long said:

Without direct access to the Imam’s voice, the murid cannot truly fulfil their bay‘ah — nor receive the full blessings of guidance, love, and spiritual nourishment that the Imam so generously gives, but which may not always be faithfully conveyed by Leaders & withhold as is evident

With humility and deep concern for truth and spiritual accountability,

Ya Ali Madad.

M Chatur

Link to Bayah offer and acceptance in Farman of 12 July 2025

viewtopic.php?p=73854&sid=83a6d43a15cb1 ... eab#p73854
⸻

Attachments:

1. Chart

2. Institutional Announcement (The.Ismaili)

3. Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Signed Letter (17 July 2025)

https://x.com/chaturmahebub/status/1946 ... hqfO552USg

[mahebubchatur]

Dear All, including IIS AKDN LIF- Councils & the Noorani Family,

Understanding Divine Knowledge Farmans - What Is Created, and What Is Manifested?

Ya Ali Madad.

I’m sharing this note as part of an ongoing conversation across platforms, including Twitter/X, where some are suggesting that the Imam of the Time—or Allah is creating new knowledge, or God has uncreated Power & that God is continually creating in a dynamic way.

But this view, while understandable, is not entirely accurate.

Let me try to explain in simple terms. IIS & all are welcome to share

God, in His Divine simplicity, created all in their entirety. Creation was complete—nothing is missing or left to be finished later. In that perfection, God also became part of creation, not as something separate, but as its essence. This is what some call monoreality: the idea that God and creation are not two different things, but one unified reality, with God as the eternal source and inner reality of all that exists - Tawhid

So when we speak of new knowledge or new realities unfolding, we are not talking about God creating something new—but rather about what already exists unfolding becoming visible to us over time. This is what we mean by manifestation.

The ta’wil (spiritual interpretation) and ta‘lim (teaching) of the Imam of the Time are part of this unfolding of truth. What is revealed through Farmans is not authored or invented—it is the manifestation of Divine truth, just as the Qur’an is the Word of God, not the authorship of the Prophet.

This is why no human being, not even the Imam, claims ownership (copyright) of these truths.

As Imam has always affirmed, Farmans come from Noor from Allah, and through the Imam they are made manifest for the guidance blessings and mercy of the murids.

There is no contradiction between the light (nur) of the Imam and the light of Allah. Both are part of the same reality. The knowledge revealed through the Imam—including the hidden meanings of the Qur’an—is not a new creation, but a progressive unfolding of what was already created.

In this light, success is also misunderstood. What we see as success—material gains, social position—may not be success in God’s eyes.

True success is aligned with intention, service, compassion, and the ethics of our faith. As Mawlana Hazar Imam said in his most recent Farman:

“Keep the ethics of your faith at the centre of all of your activities. Remember that material wealth is a blessing from Allah. It is not only because you have worked hard that you achieve material success. Your success is by the grace of Allah, and it comes with a responsibility to use your intellect, intellectual material and cultural capital for the benefit of those in need.”

— 12 July 2025, Didar in Paris

Imam also reminded us in many Farmans that:

“Your effort is your success.”

This is a profound truth. The result is a blessing—but our sincere intent & effort, guided by ethics and humility, is what defines real success.

Let us remember: truth is not made; it is revealed. Knowledge is not created; it is manifested.

And leadership,must share Farmans —not claim ownership over what is Divine, but serving humbly as its conduit as directed in Farmans - 100s

IIS and all are welcome to clarify the above & share

With prayers for clarity, courage, and unity.

Ya Ali Madad,

Link https://x.com/chaturmahebub/status/1948 ... hqfO552USg


Mahebub Chatur


On Wed, 23 Jul 2025 at 01:23, Mahebub Chatur <mahebubchatur@gmail.com> wrote:
Subject: Withholding of the Constitution and Farmans – with the same group of leaders in control for decades - further reminder and requests to III LIF AKDN & Councils

[kmaherali]

God, in His Divine simplicity, created all in their entirety. Creation was complete—nothing is missing or left to be finished later. In that perfection, God also became part of creation, not as something separate, but as its essence. This is what some call monoreality: the idea that God and creation are not two different things, but one unified reality, with God as the eternal source and inner reality of all that exists - Tawhid

So when we speak of new knowledge or new realities unfolding, we are not talking about God creating something new—but rather about what already exists unfolding becoming visible to us over time. This is what we mean by manifestation.

Creation is continuous, it is not fixed. Quote from Shah Karim's speech:

In Islamic belief, knowledge is two-fold. There is that revealed through the Holy Prophet (s.a.s.) and that which man discovers by virtue of his own intellect. Nor do these two involve any contradiction, provided man remembers that his own mind is itself the creation of God. Without this humility, no balance is possible. With it, there are no barriers. Indeed, one strength of Islam has always lain in its belief that creation is not static but continuous, that through scientific and other endeavours, God has opened and continues to open new windows for us to see the marvels of His creation.

http://heritage.ismaili.net/node/27590

[kmaherali]

God, in His Divine simplicity, created all in their entirety. Creation was complete—nothing is missing or left to be finished later. In that perfection, God also became part of creation, not as something separate, but as its essence. This is what some call monoreality: the idea that God and creation are not two different things, but one unified reality, with God as the eternal source and inner reality of all that exists - Tawhid

So when we speak of new knowledge or new realities unfolding, we are not talking about God creating something new—but rather about what already exists unfolding becoming visible to us over time. This is what we mean by manifestation.

Creation is continuous, it is not fixed. Quote from Shah Karim's speech:

In Islamic belief, knowledge is two-fold. There is that revealed through the Holy Prophet (s.a.s.) and that which man discovers by virtue of his own intellect. Nor do these two involve any contradiction, provided man remembers that his own mind is itself the creation of God. Without this humility, no balance is possible. With it, there are no barriers. Indeed, one strength of Islam has always lain in its belief that creation is not static but continuous, that through scientific and other endeavours, God has opened and continues to open new windows for us to see the marvels of His creation.

http://heritage.ismaili.net/node/27590

Shah Karim's Farman:

"In the concept of Islam, Allah is eternal, His creation knows no limit in time, nor in form and as a result He creates when He will, when He wishes, when He wills, how he wishes, where He wishes and man's perception of science is therefore nothing more than the perception of God's creation, His continuous creation, and there is no conflict between Islam and science but at the same time do not make the mistake of becoming vain and proud, simply because technology surrounds you. On the contrary, those who are most qualified in scientific subjects today are often the most humble and the most convinced in their attitude to the existence of Allah and therefore as you prepare for the future, do not shun the technological era, but do not make the mistake of thinking that, that era is the creation of man." (Silver Jubilee Mulaqat, NewYork, June 14th, 1983)

[kmaherali]

Creation is continuous, it is not fixed. Quote from Shah Karim's speech:

Memoirs of Mowlana Sultan Muhammad Shah:

There is a fundamental difference between the Jewish idea of creation and that of Islam. The creation according to Islam is not a unique act in a given time but a perpetual and constant event; and God supports and sustains all existence at every moment by His will and His thought. Outside His will, outside His thought, all is nothing, even the things which seem to us absolutely self-evident such as space and time. Allah alone wishes: the Universe exists; and all manifestations are as a witness of the Divine will.

https://www.ismaili.net/Source/0016b.html

[swamidada786]

YEH KAAINAT ABHI NA TAMAAM HAI SHAYAD
KE AA RAHI HAI SADAA E KUN FAYAKUN

Perhaps this universe is not complete yet, therfore one can hear 'sada' (voice) of Kun Fayakun.

Allamah Iqbal (national poet of Pakistan)

[mahebubchatur]

Creation is continuous, it is not fixed. Quote from Shah Karim's speech:

Memoirs of Mowlana Sultan Muhammad Shah:

There is a fundamental difference between the Jewish idea of creation and that of Islam. The creation according to Islam is not a unique act in a given time but a perpetual and constant event; and God supports and sustains all existence at every moment by His will and His thought. Outside His will, outside His thought, all is nothing, even the things which seem to us absolutely self-evident such as space and time. Allah alone wishes: the Universe exists; and all manifestations are as a witness of the Divine will.

https://www.ismaili.net/Source/0016b.html

In addition;

Creation Was Completed – Then Unfolded & continues to unfold - manifest

A Reflection from Ismaili Cosmology, Qur’anic Symbolism, and Rational Thought

⸻

Opening Clarification

Many confuse the reality of creation being complete with the ongoing unfolding or manifesting of that creation. They assume that because the universe continues to evolve, God is still “creating” in the same way as at the beginning.

But this misunderstands a vital distinction in Islamic metaphysics.

Creation was completed in its essence and totality by Allah at the metaphysical level—from the very beginning—through the First Intellect. Everything that was to exist—material, spiritual, intellectual—was already encompassed in divine knowledge and will.

What we witness over time is not new creation, but rather the unfolding, manifestation, and realization of what was already created—perfect and complete—in the First Act of Creation.

As Mawlana Hazar Imam has often emphasized, Ta’wīl (esoteric interpretation) and Ta‘līm (spiritual education) are continuing processes. But this continuity refers not to ongoing acts of divine creation, but to the ongoing unveiling of divine meaning—a process by which the Imam, through divine Light (Nūr), reveals ever-deeper understanding of creation and God’s will.

In this sense, Ta’wīl itself mirrors the unfolding of creation: not adding something new, but illuminating what already exists within the perfected structure of divine knowledge. This is rooted in Tawḥīd, the oneness of God, and in the understanding that Allah is both transcendent and immanent—a monoreality that includes creation, not apart from it.

Therefore creation is continuous & ongoing is a reference to unfolding of manifestation

Let us now explore this in cosmological terms:

⸻

The Emanative Chain of Being

A Chronology of Metaphysical Unfolding

⸻

1. GOD (Allah)

→ The Unknowable, Absolute, and Eternal Source.
→ Beyond time, space, form, and imagination.

⸻

2. First Intellect (al-‘Aql al-Awwal / al-‘Aql al-Kull)

→ The first created being (makhlūq), emanated directly by Allah.
→ Contains all knowledge (‘ilm) and all archetypes (forms) of everything that will ever exist.
Creation is considered complete at this stage.
→ All realities—spiritual, intellectual, physical—are fully present in potential and principle.

Like a seed that contains the full blueprint of a tree, the First Intellect contains within itself all future forms and realities. Nothing new is created after this; everything that follows is manifestation, not addition.

⸻

3. Tawḥīd (Divine Unity and Simplicity)

→ The unity of God is reflected in the unity of creation.
→ All things derive from and return to the One.
→ Allah is both independent of creation and yet present within it. Creation depends entirely on God, but God is not dependent on anything.
→ This expresses the concept of Divine Simplicity (no separation between God’s essence, will, and knowledge) and Monoreality (one seamless reality rooted in the Divine).

Allah created through His command—and by doing so, creation carries His presence. He is not external to the cosmos, nor reduced to it. Rather, His Light (Nūr) is immanent within it.
→ In this sense, Allah is also present within the First Intellect, the very first act and vessel of creation, which in turn contains the totality of all things in potential.

This viewpoint avoids two extremes: the idea that God is merely watching creation from a distance (deism), and the idea that creation is identical to God (pantheism). Instead, it affirms a unified reality, where the Divine is ever-present, sustaining, and unfolding all that was already complete.

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4. Nūr (Primordial Divine Light)

→ The metaphysical Light that bridges the intelligible and sensible realms.
→ Sustains all of existence and manifests as the Nūr of Imamat in time.

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5. Creation (Spiritual and Physical Worlds)

→ The universe, time, souls, and matter begin to unfold from the First Intellect.
→ This is not a second act of creation, but the actualization of what already exists.
→ The process is called Tajallī (manifestation) and Tanazzul (descent).

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6. Universal Intellect & Universal Soul

→ Emerge as governing principles of nature and order.
→ They direct the unfolding of creation and movement of the cosmos.

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7. Qur’an (Tanzīl)

→ The Word of God revealed in time through Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
→ Reflects eternal truths that were already present in divine knowledge.
→ Functions as a reminder and clarifier of the original act of creation.

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8. Farmāns, Ta’wīl, and Ta‘līm

→ The Imams of the Time unfold divine knowledge and guide humanity.
→ This is not new act of creation but the illumination of existing truths.
→ The Imam, as the bearer of Nūr, interpret the signs (āyāt) of God through every age and guides us towards the right path by conveying the will and Nur of Allah - The first intellect

As Prophet Muhammed conveyed Nur of Imam is mercy guidance and love

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9. Humanity & the Cosmos

→ The physical universe is the final stage of appearance, not of creation.
→ Everything that appears in time emerges from what was already present in the First Intellect.

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So, When Was Creation Completed?

Creation was completed at the stage of the First Intellect.
All future realities—spiritual, intellectual, physical—were already present in divine knowledge, and their unfolding is a matter of form and time.

Just as a fully detailed architectural plan is “complete” even before construction, the universe was completed in its divine form before any temporal unfolding occurred.

Allah is closer to us then our Jugular Vein and know what we think and what we will do and out intentionality

This understanding upholds Tawḥīd: If God is One and indivisible, then His act of creation is also unified—not fragmented into moments or stages. What appears to us as change or progress is, in reality, the unveiling of a single, eternal truth.

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What About the “Six Days of Creation” and the Throne (ʿArsh)?

The Qur’an repeatedly states:

“Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then established Himself above the Throne (al-ʿArsh).”
— Surah Al-A‘rāf 7:54, Surah Yūnus 10:3, and others

How do we understand this?
1. “Six Days” is symbolic, not literal
→ Represents harmony, order, and completeness (like six directions: up, down, north, south, east, west).
→ These are stages of manifestation, not six literal days.
2. “Then He rose above the Throne”
→ Symbolizes divine sovereignty and the encompassing nature of divine knowledge.
→ Does not imply movement or change in God but refers to His eternal governance.
3. Ismaili and Shi‘i Interpretations (Imam al-Bāqir and others)
→ The six days represent stages of command and the descent of divine will.
→ The Throne (ʿArsh) is a metaphor for God’s supreme knowledge and power.

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Ismaili Theology

“Creation was not a linear act in time. It was completed at the level of the First Intellect, and the rest is unfolding — Tajallī (manifestation) and Tanazzul (descent).”

In this unfolding, the Imam’s role is central—not as one who creates, but as one who unveils, explains, and guides us through the meanings embedded in creation.

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Final Qur’anic Reminder

“From Allah is all creation, and to Him all returns.”
— Qur’an 30:11, 36:83

All that exists is from Allah—created once, perfectly, and completely—and all is unfolding in time according to divine will, eventually returning to its origin - to Allah

Unfortunately IIS is not responding and this part of Ismaili theology - Ali Allah - has not been taught by or through IIS

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M Chatur

[kmaherali]

Many confuse the reality of creation being complete with the ongoing unfolding or manifesting of that creation. They assume that because the universe continues to evolve, God is still “creating” in the same way as at the beginning.

But this misunderstands a vital distinction in Islamic metaphysics.

Are our 48th and 49th Imams confused as well?