Understand Ismaili beliefsat their foundations.
Ismaili Nur offers in-depth explanations and analyses of core Ismaili beliefs in their contexts through a holistic lens—drawing upon the Qur’an, the authentic teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the teachings of Hazrat Ali, and the farmans of the Ismaili Imams.
قَدْ جَاءَكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَابٌ مُّبِينٌ
“There has certainly come to you from Allah a Light and a clear Book.”
Our approach
Identify and analyze the core premises of Ismailism.
Like this site’s authors, if you were raised Ismaili, you were taught a set of premises about Ismaili and Islamic belief. Because these ideas are often introduced early and repeated throughout life, it can be easy to accept them without examining how they were formed or where they lead.
For serious seekers of truth, Ismaili Nur slows that process down. We identify each premise, trace it through the relevant Ismaili sources, place it alongside the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, and ask whether the conclusion is sound.
Explore
Articles & Videos
Careful, accessible explanations of Ismaili beliefs, their supporting premises, and the evidence relevant to each one.
Qur’an, Hadith, Hazrat Ali & Companions
Primary Islamic sources on revelation, prophethood, worship, guidance, authority, and the foundations of faith.
Farmans, Ginans, Books & Al-Waizeen
Ismaili teachings studied in their own words, with attention to audience, date, genre, and the wider context of each source.
Selected reading
Begin with the foundations.
Hadith · Foundations of Islam
What did the Hadith of Jibreel identify as the foundations of religion?
A close reading of the foundational narration describing Islam, faith, and excellence—and the place of Imamat within that discussion.
Read the analysisHazrat Ali · Succession
Hazrat Ali’s Bayʿah to Abu Bakr
ReadHadith · The Qur’an
The Qur’an as the Rope of Allah and the Straight Path
ReadHadith · Prophethood
What remains after messengership and prophethood?
ReadQuestions we examine
Return to the premises beneath the belief.
Read carefully. Reflect sincerely.
Begin with one belief—and follow it to its foundations.
Explore the sources, consider their contexts, and weigh the evidence for yourself.
Explore the articles