Importance of Dua Part 2 English ismaili Lectures of Rashida Noormohamed Hunzai

The global Ismaili community is part of the Shia branch of Islam, the religion of Divine nature (fiṭratu’llāh, Sūrah 30:30). Only in the last few decades has the study of this branch of Islam emerged from the biased and sometimes vitriolic information that has been propagated by its opponents. In this context it is appropriate to have a concise introduction to its beliefs and history. The holy Qur’ān is the common Book to which all Muslims look for their fundamental beliefs. It states clearly in Sūrah 5, ayat 15 that: “Indeed from Allāh has come to you a Light and a manifest Book.” Further, it is very emphatic in two places (9:32; 61:8) that this Light cannot be blown out by the disbelievers in fact, it is described as “Light upon light” in Sūrah 24, ayat 35. Parallel to this theme it speaks about the continuity of Divine guidance from Prophet Adam to Prophet Muḥammad, the Seal of Prophets (3:33-34). Thus, the Ismailis throughout their sometimes turbulent history have adhered to this fundamental belief of the continuity of Divine guidance in the form of the manifest Book and the ever present Divine Light, who gives the ta’wīl and wisdom of the Book (Sūrah 2:129, 151). In current times this office of Imamate is held by the 49th Imam in direct descent from the Prophet Muḥammad, who is recognised by them as Nūr Mawlānā Shāh Karīm al-Ḥusaynī Hāẓir Imām, known generally as His Highness the Aga Khan IV.