Numerology (Ismailism)

Numerology (Ismailism)

Numerology is an element of Ismailis belief; the idea that numbers have religious meanings. The number seven plays a general role in the theology of the Ismā'īliyya, including mystical speculations that there are seven heavens, seven continents, seven orifices in the skull, seven days in a week, seven prophets, and so forth.

Position of the Imam

Old Ismaili doctrine holds that divine revelation had been given in six periods (daur) entrusted to six prophets, also called Natiq (Speaker), who were commissioned to preach a religion of law to their respective communities.

While the Natiq was concerned with the rites and outward shape of religion, the inner meaning was entrusted to a Wasi (Representative), who would know the secret meaning of all rites and rules and would reveal them to a small circles of initiates.

The Natiq and Wasi are in turn succeeded by a line of seven Imams, who would guard what they received. The seventh and last Imam in any period would then be the Natiq of the next period. The last Imam of the sixth period however would not bring about a new religion or law but would abrogate the law and introduce din Adama al-awwal ("the original religion of Adam"), as practised by Adam and the Angels in paradise before the fall. This would be without cult or law but would consist in all creatures praising the creator and recognizing his unity. This final stage was called Qiyamah.[1]

Natiq Wasi Line of Imams
Adam Seth ... 7. Nuh
Nuh Sem ... 7. Ibrahim
Ibrahim Ishmael ... 7. Musa
Musa Harun ... 7. Isa
Isa Sim'un as-Safa ... 7. Muhammad
Muhammad Ali ... 7. al-Qa'im

Notes

  1. ^ Halm, Heinz (1988). Die Schia. Darmstadt, Germany: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft. pp. 202–204. ISBN 3-534-03136-9. 

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