How can I study the Quran from a Shia Ismaili Perspective?

[azappulla]

Hi all,
I would like to study the Quran from a Shia Ismaili perspective and to start studying the life of the Ismaili Imams. I want to understand the theological need from a living Imam. I am fascinated by the work of His Holiness Aga Khan Karim, but I want to be able to go beyond the Philantropic approach in order to be able to understand the deep roots of the Ismaili faith. I know this is an ambitious challenge I have set for myself, but challenge is the spirit of my life and I am ready for it. I need guidance, should I approach the Ismaili Centre in London directly? Are there any religious classes I can attend? Can anyone help?

[kmaherali]

There is information about basic introductory readings about Ismailism at:

Doctrines --> Where To Start?

http://www.ismaili.net/html/modules.php ... hunsberger

Below is a thread developed in this forum around the perception of the Quran within the Jamat.

Doctrines --> Is Quran complete?

http://www.ismaili.net/html/modules.php ... 72&start=0

The Institute of Ismaili Studies has a Quranic Studies department which deals with the study of various interpretations of the Quran throughout history. In this regard it has published two important books which are noteworthy and which reflect the divesity of approaches to the Quran and close affinity to Ismaili interpretation:

1. Keys to the Arcana: Shahrastani’s Esoteric Commentary on the Qur’an

http://www.iis.ac.uk/view_article.asp?ContentID=110452

2. Sufi Hermeneutics: The Qur’an Commentary of Rashid al-Din Maybudi

http://www.iis.ac.uk/view_article.asp?ContentID=106832

[azappulla]

Thank you so much for your reply. I will surely get my hands on those books and read the links you recommended. I find this website extremely informative generally. Thanks once more for your support.

[kmaherali]

You are welcome. There is a lot of useful information in this forum which is readily accessible if one can utilize the search tools available by clicking the blue Search link at top of the page just below the red Welcome to the Heritage Web Site label.

[kmaherali]

The concept of Imamah is central to Shia interpretation of faith rooted in the Quran. There is an article by Dilshad Keshwani: "Some Considerations of the Term 'Imam' in the Holy Quran" which elaborates on the manner in which the term has been mentioned in the Quran and how it is interpreted in Shia Islam. It can be accessed at:

http://simerg.com/literary-readings/lit ... 2%80%99an/