Farmans and Hadiths - Understanding, Sharing and Need

Discussion on doctrinal issues
mahebubchatur
Posts: 800
Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2014 7:01 pm

Re: Farmans and Hadiths - Understanding, Sharing and Need

Post by mahebubchatur »

[God] has not left the earth without an Imam on it for the community, who states the truth and who serves as the proof.” Qadi al-Nu'man
Posted Tweet by The Ismaili IIS on X

Qadi al-Nu‘man, a leading #Ismaili jurist & theologian, under 4 #Fatimid Imams—from al-Mahdi (founder) to al-Mu‘izz.
He affirms a core Ismaili doctrine : a living Imam who guides humanity as bearer of truth (ḥaqq) & God’s proof (ḥujja)

In this context:
• Haqa (ö»)
Means Truth — not just factual truth, but ultimate divine reality, justice, and what is right.
When used for the Imam, it means the Imam is the bearer and interpreter of God's true guidance.
• Hujja (ü0)
Means Proof or Divine authority/evidence.
In Ismaili understanding, the Imam is the living "proof of God" on earth—a clear, present guide through whom God's guidance is known.
swamidada
Posts: 620
Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2020 8:59 pm

Re: Farmans and Hadiths - Understanding, Sharing and Need

Post by swamidada »

mahebubchatur wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 3:08 pm [God] has not left the earth without an Imam on it for the community, who states the truth and who serves as the proof.” Qadi al-Nu'man
Posted Tweet by The Ismaili IIS on X
[God] has not left the earth without an Imam on it for the community,

Do you mean, Imam is only for a particular community and not for humanity?
mahebubchatur
Posts: 800
Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2014 7:01 pm

Re: Farmans and Hadiths - Understanding, Sharing and Need

Post by mahebubchatur »

swamidada wrote: Mon Apr 13, 2026 9:21 pm
mahebubchatur wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 3:08 pm [God] has not left the earth without an Imam on it for the community, who states the truth and who serves as the proof.” Qadi al-Nu'man
Posted Tweet by The Ismaili IIS on X
[God] has not left the earth without an Imam on it for the community,

Do you mean, Imam is only for a particular community and not for humanity?
The quotation reflects a philosopher’s insights & perspective, which invites understanding and interpretation.

When ‘community’ is referenced, it should not be seen as exclusive to a single group, but as encompassing all believers.

In the Qur’an, a believer is anyone open to seeking, understanding, and engaging with the Divine message. Access is not restricted—all guidance including Farmans are from Allah and available to all humanity not a select group or community

Whether one accepts or rejects it is a matter of individual free will, not limitation of the message from Allah conveyed through the Noor of Imam
mahebubchatur
Posts: 800
Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2014 7:01 pm

Farmans and Hadiths - Understanding, Sharing and Need

Post by mahebubchatur »

Understanding faith of Shia Ismaili Nizari Islam

The Role and Authority of the Imam and the source of Farmans blessings and mercy


The following is a summary from the excellent video presentation of about 1 hour - link below

In the Ismaili faith, the Imam is the living, ever-present bearer of the Noor - Light - Knowledge - Command - Amr of God - Will of Allah

Imams are designated by divine will through an unbroken lineage by Allah, and in the 6th Cycle of Prophets, through and conveyed by Prophet Muhammad.

The Imam is ever present eternally : never absent from the world and serves as the continuous link between Divine guidance and humanity.

The Imam’s authority is conveyed from and rooted in God’s Command (Amr) and expressed through Divine Light (Noor). This is not knowledge acquired independently or through personal interpretation; rather, it is Divinely bestowed knowledge—the same essential truth conveyed to the Prophet by command Will or Amr of Allah transmitted through the spiritual light - intellect (‘aql).

The Imam, as the bearer of this Divine Light and Command, conveys (not independently interprets) this knowledge to humanity in forms appropriate to the time and context through Farmans, reflecting the Command Amr or Will of Allah.

Accordingly, the Imam does so with the full authority in all matters—spiritual, material, and jurisprudential—because what is conveyed through him originates from the Divine Command ( Amr & Will)

His guidance (Farmans) conveyed is therefore regarded as final and authoritative, as it reflects Divine Will, not personal interpretation & reasoning.

Ismaili theology also teaches that history unfolds through seven prophetic cycles, culminating in the present era of the 7th cycle—Qiyamah (Resurrection)—a time deeper spiritual (batin) understanding and the inner and spiritual meanings of the Ismaili faith.

Religious understanding of Ismailism includes:

* Zahir (outer material form)
* Batin (inner spiritual meaning)
* Ta’wil (spiritual/esoteric understanding and teachings - Talim)

The Imam alone is the Divinely appointed bearer and conveyor of these inner truths. True worship, therefore, includes both outward practice and intellectual and spiritual alignment with the Imam, who is the locus through which Divine knowledge blessings and mercy is conveyed & made accessible.



Jurisprudence

In matters of Ismaili jurisprudence - as the essence of Ismaili faith - authority rests in:

1. The Qur’an
2. The teachings of the Prophet
3. The rulings (Farmans) conveyed by the Imam. The Farmans of the later Imams of the time can supersede the earlier Farmans

Independent reasoning without reference to the Imam is not considered valid where authoritative guidance -Farman is required, because Divine knowledge is entrusted to and conveyed through the Imam.



Prayers, Intercession, and Tawhid

Directing prayers through the Imam does not constitute shirk (associating partners with God).

Rather, the Imam functions as a Divinely appointed intermediary:

* Believers offer prayers through the Imam
* The Imam conveys these to Allah
* Allah alone determines acceptance, reward, mercy, and blessings which are conveyed through the Imam

In return, guidance and blessings are conveyed to humanity through the Imam in the form of Farmans.

This preserves absolute monotheism (Tawhid) while recognizing the Imam’s authority as the bearer and channel of conveying Divine Command Will Amr and Light.



Historical Context

This authority was also manifested historically, particularly during the Fatimid Caliphate, where the Imam served as both spiritual Imam of the time for Ismailis and temporal leader for Ismailis and the state & the Fatimid empire



Selected Quotations & Farman from the presentation

“The Ismaili Imam of any given time-period has the full authority and right to interpret Islam, implement religious laws, institute or abrogate religious practices, and give socio-political guidance as he sees most appropriate for the current circumstances, even if that guidance contradicts that of a prior Imam.”
— Khalil Andani

“God is the originator (al-mubdi), and His command (amr) acts as an intermediary between Him and His creation. The universal intellect (‘aql) is the first originated being… the source of all light.”
— Farhad Daftary

“The esoteric interpretation of ritual prayer is the worship of God with the rational soul… turning towards the qiblah of spirits, which is… the Imam of Truth.”
— Nasir Khusraw

“The Book of God comprises four things: the explicit statement, the implied meaning, the hidden meanings, and the highest spiritual truths.”
— Ja’far al-Sadiq

“A judge should decide in accordance with the Book of God… and if he does not find it, he should refer it to the Imam… and not decide based on personal opinion or analogy.”
— Qadi al-Nu’man

“Only the Imams from his progeny can expound the inner meanings of the Qur’an… this knowledge is inherited and entrusted to them.”
— Qadi al-Nu’man

“Those jurists followed their own whims… and produced rulings without guidance from God, contradicting the Book and the Messenger.”
— Qadi al-Nu’man



Further Learning (Video Presentation)

For a full, referenced explanation (approx. 1 hour), please watch:

👉 https://youtu.be/CFm03oac9es?si=miGpFAqXSdRoP-sk



Closing Note

This resource is intended for those seeking to understand or revisit the foundations of the Ismaili faith, particularly the central role of the Imam as the bearer, conduit, and conveyor of Divine guidance, knowledge, and authority in all matters—spiritual, material, and jurisprudential.
mahebubchatur
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Farmans and Hadiths - Understanding, Sharing and Need

Post by mahebubchatur »

Hazar Imam has asked us to read and understand Farmans and In addition, to read books and materials from our institutions and, to also seek knowledge and understanding independently

Imam would never say that Farmans—divine guidance conveyed through the Noor of the Imam for the Jamat by Allah’s will—should be delayed, restricted, or denied to any murid.

Farmans include the Ismaili constitution which is a Farman too 

“ Read and study the good religious and cultural educational materials which have been produced for the Jamats by our institutions: seek knowledge and understanding independently. Try to deepen your understanding of our history, our values and the principles of our faith" — Mawlana Hazar Imam, Shah Rahim al Hussaini, Paris, July 12, 2025.X
swamidada
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Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2020 8:59 pm

Re: Farmans and Hadiths - Understanding, Sharing and Need

Post by swamidada »

mahebubchatur wrote: Tue May 05, 2026 4:37 am Hazar Imam has asked us to read and understand Farmans and In addition, to read books and materials from our institutions and, to also seek knowledge and understanding independently

Imam would never say that Farmans—divine guidance conveyed through the Noor of the Imam for the Jamat by Allah’s will—should be delayed, restricted, or denied to any murid.

Farmans include the Ismaili constitution which is a Farman too 

“ Read and study the good religious and cultural educational materials which have been produced for the Jamats by our institutions: seek knowledge and understanding independently. Try to deepen your understanding of our history, our values and the principles of our faith" — Mawlana Hazar Imam, Shah Rahim al Hussaini, Paris, July 12, 2025.X
Chaturji wrote," Farmans include the Ismaili constitution which is a Farman too".

In past 40 years, I did not hear explanation of constitution or the Preamable in JKs. In 1986/87, for some time the copies of Preamble and brief explanation of constitution was posted on notice boards, but later on those were withdrawn till today!!!
mahebubchatur
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Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2014 7:01 pm

Farmans and Hadiths - Understanding, Sharing and Need

Post by mahebubchatur »

Consolidated Farman Calls to Action
Integrated Guidance from the Farmans Mubarak
Youth Mulaqat & Didars
Montreal, Canada — 26, 27 & 28 March 2026

What Mawlana Hazar Imam Is Asking all the Jamat To Do Now and Going Forward

1. Recognise and Honour the Sacred Bond with the Imam
Understand bay’ah as a free, conscious, loving, and lifelong spiritual bond between the murid and the Imam-of-the-Time.
2. Recognise the Authority of the Imam-of-the-Time
Accept and uphold the Imam’s authority in matters of faith, ethics, guidance, institutional governance, and interpretation of Islam for the time and place.
3. Protect the Direct Relationship Between Imam and Murid
Do not allow any individual or group to interfere with, manipulate, or place themselves between the Imam and his murids.
4. Trust Only Officially Mandated Institutions and Leadership
Follow guidance communicated directly by the Imam or through authorised Jamati and Imamat institutions.
5. Reject Unauthorised Leadership and Religious Exploitation
Do not trust individuals claiming spiritual authority, leadership, financial authority, or representation of the Imam outside official structures.
6. Reject Coercion, Manipulation, Division, and Abuse
The Imam strongly condemns coercion, backbiting, slander, division, emotional abuse, domestic abuse, financial exploitation, and harmful behaviour within the Jamat.
7. Live According to the Ethics of the Faith at All Times
Practice honesty, humility, integrity, kindness, compassion, gentleness, generosity, trustworthiness, and respect consistently in every area of life.
8. Hold Firmly to Sirat al-Mustaqim
Stay on the straight path illuminated by the Nur of the Imams through ethical conduct, remembrance, and faith-driven living.
9. Keep Constant Awareness of Allah
Build a life rooted in remembrance of Allah through prayer, contemplation, gratitude, reflection, and awareness of Divine presence.
10. Make Prayer a Living Spiritual Dialogue
Let prayer become an active conversation with Allah, the Prophet, and the Imams, rather than a routine ritual alone.
11. Nourish and Purify the Soul Continuously
Recognise that the soul is eternal and must be nourished daily through prayer, remembrance, contemplation, ethics, gratitude, and good deeds.
12. Practice the Faith of the Heart and Soul
Focus on sincerity, intention, spiritual awareness, and inner transformation — not outward form alone.
13. Live Din and Duniya Together
Understand that faith and worldly life are inseparable. Ethics and spirituality should guide education, careers, finances, service, family life, and social engagement.
14. Develop Your Intellect (‘Aql) Responsibly
Use the intellect entrusted by Allah to reflect deeply, seek understanding, ask difficult questions, and make ethical decisions.
15. Create Time for Reflection and Spiritual Grounding
In a busy and distracted world, intentionally make time for quiet contemplation, stillness, and awareness of Allah.
16. Keep Faith Alive and Active Every Day
Faith should remain a living force throughout daily life and not be limited to Ramadan, ceremonies, or special occasions.
17. Live with Gratitude as a State of Mind
Cultivate constant shukrana and appreciation for Allah’s blessings regardless of circumstances.
18. Pursue Lifelong Education and Learning
Education is lifelong and includes academic learning, trades, technical skills, creativity, professional development, and intellectual growth.
19. Strive for Excellence and Continuous Growth
Do not settle for mediocrity or “good enough.” Seek to maximise your capacities and continue improving throughout life.
20. Respect All Forms of Productive Knowledge and Work
Practical trades, craftsmanship, technical skills, creativity, and building are all dignified and valuable forms of education and contribution.
21. Choose Careers Ethically and Wisely
Select work that aligns with faith, ethics, sustainability, meaningful contribution, and long-term viability.
22. Prepare for the Changing Future Economy
Develop skills and professions that remain valuable in a changing world shaped by automation and artificial intelligence.
23. Seek Financial Responsibility and Self-Reliance
Build stable and sustainable lives while avoiding becoming unnecessary burdens on family or society.
24. Be Ambitious for Yourself, Your Family, and the Jamat
Strive toward meaningful success, growth, stability, and contribution in all areas of life.
25. Remain Humble in Success
Recognise that success comes through both hard work and Allah’s blessings. Avoid arrogance and intellectual pride.
26. Protect Physical, Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual Health
Care for the body, mind, emotions, and soul as trusts from Allah.
27. Avoid Harmful Behaviours and Destructive Social Habits
Stay away from activities and lifestyles that damage health, wellbeing, reputation, or spiritual life, even if socially acceptable.
28. Maintain Healthy and Active Lifestyles
Exercise, sports, movement, and healthy routines are encouraged for lifelong wellbeing.
29. Reject Domestic Abuse and Create Safe Homes
Physical and emotional abuse are unequivocally condemned. Every person should feel safe and respected within their home and community.
30. Remove the Stigma Around Seeking Help
Seek emotional, mental, social, and professional support when needed without shame or fear.
31. Strengthen Families Through Respect and Compassion
Honour parents, spouses, children, elders, and relatives with kindness, dignity, and patience.
32. Raise Children with Faith, Ethics, and Love
Parents are encouraged to nurture children spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, and ethically from early childhood.
33. Invest Deeply in Early Childhood Education and Development
Read to children, encourage curiosity, play with them, pray with them, and establish strong educational and moral foundations early in life.
34. Support Equal Opportunities for Women and Men
Women and men should both have full opportunities for education, employment, leadership, contribution, and shared family responsibilities.
35. Integrate Successfully Into Wider Society
Become constructive, ethical, law-abiding, productive, and respected contributors within society.
36. Learn Languages and Build Bridges Across Communities
Learn local languages and strengthen communication, understanding, and integration with broader society.
37. Strengthen and Protect Civil Society
If you value peace, pluralism, freedom, and opportunity, actively contribute to maintaining and strengthening them.
38. Migrate Ethically and Through Legal Channels
Migration should occur lawfully, responsibly, and through proper government-approved processes.
39. Embrace Diversity as a Strength
Diversity of culture, language, ethnicity, and experience should be engaged with curiosity, empathy, respect, and openness.
40. Strengthen Unity Across the Entire Jamat
Remain united across backgrounds, generations, cultures, and geographies as one spiritual family.
41. Help Newly Settled Families and Vulnerable Murids
Support newcomers, refugees, and struggling families in building stable and successful lives.
42. Build and Support Strong Jamati Institutions
Invest in Jamatkhanas, educational programmes, community infrastructure, and institutional systems for future generations.
43. Ensure Leadership Reflects the Diversity of the Jamat
Institutional leadership and programmes should evolve to reflect the changing realities and diversity of the Jamat.
44. Use Jamatkhanas as Centres of Community Life
Jamatkhanas are not only places of prayer but centres for education, connection, emotional support, unity, and community wellbeing.
45. Contribute Resources Toward Community Building
Offer time, skills, wisdom, experience, compassion, finances, and effort to strengthen the Jamat and wider society.
46. Practice Service as a Way of Life
Service includes everyday kindness, compassion, volunteerism, family care, community support, and helping humanity.
47. Protect Yourself from Excessive Individualism and Materialism
Service and generosity help keep murids grounded, connected, and spiritually balanced.
48. Practice Generosity as a Core Ethic of Faith
Wealth, knowledge, influence, time, and opportunity are trusts from Allah to be used for the benefit of others.
49. Help Improve the Human Condition
Contribute positively toward peace, dignity, opportunity, education, wellbeing, and the upliftment of humanity.
50. Pray and Work for Peace, Unity, and Mushkil-Asan
Continue praying and striving for peace, harmony, fairness, safety, and relief from suffering for all humanity.
51. Study and Reflect on Farmans Broadly
Read, understand, and reflect on Farmans from different times and places as continuing guidance for the Jamat worldwide.
52. Use the Tasbih as a Reminder of Spiritual Connection
Let the tasbih serve as a constant reminder of remembrance, contemplation, prayer, and closeness to the Imam.
53. Live with Joy, Hope, Happiness, and Light
Happiness, laughter, optimism, and joy are described as expressions of faith and signs of spiritual wellbeing.
54. Remember Constantly That the Imam Is Always Near
The Imam repeatedly reassures the Jamat that he is always spiritually present with them — in their joy, hardship, uncertainty, struggles, and success.
mahebubchatur
Posts: 800
Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2014 7:01 pm

Farmans and Hadiths - Understanding, Sharing and Need

Post by mahebubchatur »

July 1945, Mawlana Sultan Mohammed Shah - Aga Khan III, speaking at the Ismaili Association Conference in India, conveyed in this Farman, the deeper spiritual foundations of Ismaili thought and the responsibility of missionaries not only to understand but also to teach the faith clearly and meaningfully.

He conveyed;

“According to Ismaili religion, Allah is the ocean. Ali, during his life on earth was the river separated from the ocean of the Almighty… running towards the origin.” As Hazar Imam said rope of Imam is through which the light blessings guidance and mercy flow

And further stressed:

“These are the fundamentals which ought to be understood.”

He also reminded missionaries that unless they themselves truly understand and are able to teach others, “their standard will fall below the standard necessary for the proper explanation of the Ismailism.”

Source:
1945 Ismaili Association Conference
Farman

https://ismaili.net/timeline/1945/1945- ... hatgpt.com
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