Salaam and thank you for an interesting post. I was aware of some of the Ismali practices but not in the depth explained here. Much appreciated.
I have a sincere question, however. Since the Qur’an allows expiation and exemption from fasting in many many categories, including simply finding it difficult, or even abstaining simply because one doesn’t want to fast (with charity as a substitute) – because of these possibilities existing in the Qur’an, why not use these instead of doing away with the exoteric fast? It seems to me the fast is a monumental and truly unique phenomenon that deserves preservation in its exoteric form. Perhaps an Imam, if he deems it so, could reinstate it, although I imagine it may be difficult.
I have written briefly about it here (fasting, exoteric and esoteric), if you’re interested:
Mashallah, professeur for an exhaustive and cogent analysis--it is much appreciated --It is a brilliant debating piece against our Sunni brothers---Shukhiria!
Thank you for this article that is thorough and timely on Ismaili approach to fasting during Ramadhan and, indeed, all year round.
Salaam and thank you for an interesting post. I was aware of some of the Ismali practices but not in the depth explained here. Much appreciated.
I have a sincere question, however. Since the Qur’an allows expiation and exemption from fasting in many many categories, including simply finding it difficult, or even abstaining simply because one doesn’t want to fast (with charity as a substitute) – because of these possibilities existing in the Qur’an, why not use these instead of doing away with the exoteric fast? It seems to me the fast is a monumental and truly unique phenomenon that deserves preservation in its exoteric form. Perhaps an Imam, if he deems it so, could reinstate it, although I imagine it may be difficult.
I have written briefly about it here (fasting, exoteric and esoteric), if you’re interested:
https://open.substack.com/pub/polishthemirror/p/and-fast-until-the-onset-of-night?r=2qufyf&utm_medium=ios
At any rate, thank you for an enlightening article.
Wasalaam,
- Irshaad
Mashallah, professeur for an exhaustive and cogent analysis--it is much appreciated --It is a brilliant debating piece against our Sunni brothers---Shukhiria!