Ismaili Gnosis is a private organization dedicated to reviving Ismaili Muslim esoteric thought and intellectual discussion for today’s audiences. Our platform is run by a group of Ismaili scholars with academic training and graduate degrees in religion, philosophy, and Islamic studies. The website articles draw upon much of the Ismaili intellectual tradition of the past, including the writings of the Ismaili Imams, historians, philosophers, and poets such as the pirs, hujjahs, and da‘is.
Ismaili Gnosis is managed and operated by a team of 6 Ismaili academics who collectively hold PhD and MA degrees in Islamic Studies from Harvard, McGill, University of Chicago, Rutgers University, and Aga Khan University (ISMC). Ismaili Gnosis does not represent nor is related to any official community organizations or institutions.
Just like the Institute of Ismaili Studies publications, the content published by Ismaili Gnosis reflects the individual research, opinions, and perspectives of Ismaili Gnosis authors only. The over-arching inspiration, motivation and vision behind the Ismaili Gnosis project are:
Mawlana Hazar Imam’s critical guidance that we understand the faith within the context of our time.
The need for an intellectually satisfying, philosophically rich, and spiritually penetrating Ismaili theological discourse for contemporary sensibilities.
A thorough engagement with teachings of the intellectual Ismaili works composed by the contemporary and past Ismaili Imams, hujjats and Da‘is.
Henry Corbin’s pioneering research into Ismaili Muslim esoteric thought. Corbin once wrote, astutely: “To know the Imam of the Time and to recognize him through his disguise … is the great concern and preoccupation which mobilizes all the spiritual energies of a devout Ismaili.”
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Why a paid subscription?
For over ten years, we have published scholarly articles on Ismaili history, theology, spirituality, and ritual practices and addressed religious topics that the Ismaili Jamat and public have expressed great interest in. However, to continue the work of Ismaili Gnosis in the long term and produce high quality research content on a regular basis, we recognize that we require the financial support of our readership. To be able to dedicate the necessary time and attention to producing quality scholarship for our readers, it is necessary for Ismaili Gnosis Scholars to be adequately remunerated for the countless hours of academic research, translation, and writing that goes into producing new articles.
A revenue stream will also allow Ismaili Gnosis scholars to focus on producing Ismaili scholarship on a full-time basis for the long term rather than being something they can only pursue in their limited free-time outside of working hours. Finally, subscription revenue will allow Ismaili Gnosis to cover expenses, promote Ismaili Gnosis more widely through sponsored ads, invest in better technology, and expand operations into in-person media such as conferences and presentations in other cities.
While we will continue to make available some articles for the benefit of all subscribers (paid and free), with the help and support of our readers, we will be in a position to produce much-needed, well-researched educational and inspirational content for premium subscribers without whom such work will not be possible.
We are excited to cover the various topics that many of our readers have requested us to address. We are grateful for all your continued support as we take Ismaili Gnosis to the next level!
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