A Study of the Scholastic and Theological Concepts of Gnosticism in Isma'ilism (Imamate and the interpretive and esoteric realm of the Holy Word)
Subject Areas : Islamic theologyمریم ناصر ترک 1 , عزیز الله توکلی کافی آباد 2 * , هادی حیدری نیا 3
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Abstract :
Gnosticism was a combination of the manifestation of divine light in man and his coming out of the dark world of matter. In Gnosticism, knowledge is a divine and intuitive thing that does not appear except in the light of a single truth. The influence of Gnostic wisdom throughout history has been profound and far-reaching. For example, one of the most important teachings that entered the Shiite currents from Gnosticism is dualism or duplicity, according to which existence is the arena of constant struggle between good and evil. In addition, the humiliation of the body as the place of matter and evil is another major theme of Gnosticism that emerged among the Shiite mystical sects, especially the Isma'ilism and the Gholat. Gnostics believe that knowledge is not a rational thing, but more than anything else is empirical and based on mystical revelations and is obtains by knowing the soul and its nature and destiny. In Gnostic theology, man has a very prominent place. He, created from body, soul and spirit, has a dual origin: one is material and the other is spiritual. According to some Gnostic texts, the Creator created the human body and his soul originated from the Almighty. Accordingly, in most of the early Shiite currents, we see the emergence of major concepts of Gnosticism such as duality, the deity of man in the position of the Infallible Imam (AS) and the interpretive and symbolic aspect of the holy books. The Isma'ilism were one of the most important Shiite sects that received the most influence from Gnostic wisdom. The influence of Gnosticism in the Isma'ilism was mainly representing in the field of Imamate and interpretation of the Holy Word. In fact, the constant existence of the Imam as a direct manifestation of divine grace, mercy, and knowledge is one of the direct effects of Gnosticism in the Ismaili religion. In Gnosticism, in order to understand the true and esoteric knowledge of Gnosticism, the existence of a divine source is necessary, and in Isma'ilism, this source is the Imam. Interpretation and knowledge of outward and inward matters was also one of the basic principles of Gnosticism, which had a profound effect on the Isma'ilism.