‘Ayn al-Quzzāt Hamedānī and the Accusation of Promoting Ismā‘īlism

Subject Areas : Christianity

فاطمه کیائی ¹

1 - ندارد

Received: 2012-11-12 Accepted : 2013-01-16 Published : 2012-09-22

Keywords: Imam, Master, ‘Ayn al-Quzzāt Hamedānī, Sufism, Ismā‘īlism, esoteric&#x0D, &#x0D, knowledge, Interpretation,

Abstract :

One of The charges against ‘Ayn al-Quzzāt Hamedānī was propagationof Ismā‘īlī doctrines, especially the doctrine of infallible Imam. Hisidea about the necessity of master’s guidance for aspirants provided thepretext for his opponents to accuse him. In fact, there are closesimilarities between these two concepts, i.e. Imam in Shi’ism andMaster in Sufism, because both Sufis and Shiites believe that there isan esoteric knowledge beyond the external world which could beacquired only by a few men. Consequently, as they say, people needImam/Master as the successor of the prophet to teach them the secrettruths and to uncover the esoteric meanings of Holy Quran. SinceImam/Master’s knowledge is inspired by God Shiites/aspirants shouldobey him without questioning. However, this doctrine is completelyrejected by the majority of Sunnis.