Grades
We are taught to remove our shoes before entering the prayer hall. Beyond keeping the carpet clean, this is a ritual act of leaving this behind.
What is the Material World (or Dirt/Ego)?
We recite the Dua every day. Unlike a regular prayer where we just ask for things, the Dua is a structured dialogue that renews our promise, or Bay'ah, to this person.
Who is the Imam of the Time?
Muslim artists developed Calligraphy because they wanted to make the "Word of God" beautiful to the eye. This turns the act of writing into an act of this.
What is Worship?
We have a Conciliation and Arbitration Board (CAB). The goal of this board is not to define a "winner" and "loser," but to restore this between people.
What is Harmony (or Relationship)?
This specific term describes a society where intellectual capital (ideas and creativity) are the main drivers of well-being, and where pluralism is the guiding spirit.
What is a Knowledge Society?
We say "Ya Ali Madad" when greeting. This isn't just "Hello"; it is a specific invocation asking for this type of spiritual support.
What is Help (or Strength/Assistance)?
Before the age of email, the Fatimid government sent messages across the empire using the Barid system, which relied on these animals to carry letters quickly.
What are Pigeons (or Horses)?
Early Muslim scientists built the first Hospitals not just to fix broken bones, but because saving a life is ethically equivalent to saving this.
What is Humanity (or the entire world)?
Across various modules in 9th and 10th grades, students saw that the Qur’an shaped law and theology, but also calligraphy, architecture, and music. An IIS exhibition called The Qur’an: Form, Fragrance & Feeling highlights this by showing how the Qur’an inspires many different forms of this kind of human creativity.
What is artistic and cultural expression (or ‘art and aesthetics’)?”
According to the Preamble of the Ismaili Constitution, the Imam's mandate covers these two inseparable aspects of life.
What are Spiritual Advancement and Quality of Life (or Faith and World / Din and Duniya)?
On special occasions like a birthday or a wedding, we say "Mubaraki" to each other. This word means that we hope you receive this from Allah.
What are Blessings (or Barakah)?
In the Ginans, the human body is often compared to a Fortress or a City. The enemies attacking this city are the "Five Vices" (like Anger and Greed), and the King of the city is this.
What is the Soul?
In Ismaili philosophy, "Music" is not just entertainment. It is the echo of the order of the universe, helping the soul remember its this.
What is Origin (or Source/Home)?
This 10th-century Fatimid Imam-Caliph founded the city of Cairo (al-Qahira) and established the Al-Azhar University, one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the world.
Who is Imam al-Mu'izz?
In his speech at the Tutzing Evangelical Academy, Imam Shah Karim cited Hazrat Ali, stating that "No support is more reliable than..." this trait.
What is Consultation?
We celebrate Eid al-Ghadir to remember the day Prophet Muhammad stopped at a pond (Ghadir) to raise the hand of this person and declare him the Guide.
Who is Hazrat Ali?
This journey from Macca to Madina marked the beginning of a new community where Muslims could live their faith with freedom and justice.
What is the Hijra (the Prophet’s migration)?
Islamic art often avoids drawing figures of people for religious texts and instead uses this intricate form of "beautiful writing" to honor the Qur'an.
What is Calligraphy?
During the Alamut period, the Ismaili community faced immense external threats. This Persian da'i and leader is famous for establishing the seat of the Ismaili state at the fortress of Alamut in 1090.
Who is Hasan-i Sabbah?
At the Battle of Siffin, when enemies raised pages of scripture on spears, Imam Ali declared himself to be this (the true interpreter of the text).
What is the Speaking Qur'an (or Qur'an-e-Natiq)?
When we attend Jamatkhana, we often bring an offering (like food or money [maliwaj]) known as Nandi or Mehmani. This teaches us that everything we have actually belongs to this.
Who is Allah?
In many lessons about caring for the planet, Muslims are described with this Qur’anic term meaning “stewards” or “vicegerents” who must protect Allah’s creation.
What are khalifa?
According to the Qur'an, Allah created humans into nations and tribes so that they may do this.
What is "Know one another"?
Before the Fatimid Caliphate was established, the Ismaili Imams lived in a period of concealment known by this Arabic term, where they communicated with followers through da'is.
What is Dawr al-Satr?
According to the 13th Century poet Sa'di in his work Gulistan, a person is not fit to be called a "human being" if they lack this specific quality.
What is concern for the troubles of others?