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Wasi: ‘Gaurdian’ or ‘trustee’ in Ismaili teachings, it refers to the person accompanying each Prophet, who was entrusted with the knowledge of the inner meaning of revelation. The wasi of Prophet Mohammed was held to be Hazrat Ali, and after him, the Imams descended directly from him.
Wasi: The Guardian of Divine Knowledge
Wasi is a crucial concept in Ismaili theology. It refers to the individual entrusted by a Prophet with the profound, inner meaning of divine revelation. This person serves as a guardian of esoteric knowledge, transmitting it to subsequent generations.
Key Points:
Role of the Wasi: To preserve and interpret the deeper spiritual dimensions of the Prophet's message.
Wasi of Prophet Muhammad: Hazrat Ali, the first Imam in Ismaili tradition.
Succession of Imams: The Ismaili belief is that the Imams, spiritual leaders, descend directly from Hazrat Ali, forming an unbroken chain of knowledge and guidance.
Significance of the Wasi Concept:
The concept of the Wasi underscores the importance of spiritual interpretation and guidance in Ismaili Islam. It highlights the belief in an esoteric dimension to religion, beyond the literal text. The Wasi, and subsequently the Imams, are seen as essential for understanding the true essence of divine message.
The Ismaili interpretation of the Wasi, as a person entrusted with the esoteric meaning of revelation, is primarily derived from:
Quranic exegesis: Ismaili scholars interpret certain Quranic verses to support their understanding of the Wasi and Imamate.
Hadith: The sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad, as recorded in Hadith, are used to substantiate the concept.
Ismaili tradition: The oral and written traditions of the Ismaili Imams provide the foundational framework for the doctrine.
Potential Quranic Allusions
While not directly addressing the Wasi, some Quranic verses can be interpreted to support the concept:
Verses on trusteeship and guardianship: These verses, often used in the broader Islamic context, can be applied to the role of the Wasi. For example, Quran 4:59 emphasizes fulfilling trusts.
Verses on knowledge and wisdom: These verses can be seen as supporting the idea of an esoteric knowledge held by the Wasi.
It's crucial to remember that the Ismaili interpretation of these verses, and their connection to the Wasi concept, is a matter of theological interpretation and scholarly discourse.
Quran 3:31
Arabic: قل هو الله أحد الله الصمد لم يلد ولم يولد ولم يكن له كفوا أحد
English: Say, "He is Allah, the One and Only. Allah, the Eternal, Absolute. He begets not, nor is He begotten. And there is none like unto Him."
Ismaili Interpretation: This verse, often referred to as the Tawhid verse, is fundamental to Islamic monotheism. Ismaili scholars interpret it as affirming the unique and transcendent nature of God and the necessity of a divinely appointed guide (the Wasi and subsequent Imams) to understand the deeper meaning of God's unity.
Quran 2:282
Arabic: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا اقْتَرَضْتُمْ لِأَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى فَاكْتُبُوهُ وَلْيَكْتُبْ بَيْنَكُمْ كَاتِبٌ بِالْعَدْلِ وَلَا يَأْبَ كَاتِبٌ أَنْ يَكْتُبَ كَمَا عَلَّمَهُ اللَّهُ فَلْيُكْتُبْ وَلْيُدِّ لِلَّذِي اقْتَرَضَ بِيَدِهِ وَلْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ رَبَّهُ وَلَا يَبْخَسْ مِنْهُ شَيْئًا فَمَنْ كَانَ الْكَاتِبُ فَلْيُكْتُبْ وَلْيُقْرَأْ بِالَّذِي يَدِينُ بِهِ وََلْيُكْلِّفْ بِاللهِ رَبِّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرًا
English: O you who believe! When you contract a debt for a fixed period, write it down. And let a scribe write it down honestly between you. Let not the scribe refuse to write as Allah has taught him. So let him write, and let the debtor dictate, and let him fear Allah, his Lord, and not diminish anything from it. But if the debtor is of limited understanding or weak, let his guardian dictate honestly, and let two witnesses from among you bear witness. And if there are not two men, then let there be a man and two women from among those whom you accept as witnesses, so that if one of them errs, the other can remind her. And let the witnesses be called upon to testify when the debt is due. But if Allah makes you independent of one another, then there is no blame on you for what you omit. And take witnesses when you make a contract, and let the scribe be free from blame. And Allah is Witness over all things.
Ismaili Interpretation: This verse emphasizes the importance of witnesses and record-keeping in financial transactions. Ismaili scholars interpret the role of the scribe as analogous to the Wasi, who is seen as a witness and recorder of divine knowledge. The scribe's duty to write accurately reflects the Wasi's responsibility to preserve and transmit the true meaning of revelation.
It's crucial to note that these are just a few examples, and Ismaili scholars have provided interpretations for many other Quranic verses to support their understanding of the Wasi.
Deeper Dive into Quranic Interpretations and the Wasi
Quran 5:69
Arabic: إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَى آدَمَ وَنُوحًا وَآلَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَآلَ عِمْرَانَ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ
English: Indeed, Allah chose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of Imran over the worlds.
Ismaili Interpretation: This verse highlights the concept of divine selection. Ismaili scholars interpret this to mean that certain individuals and families were chosen by God to receive a special spiritual mission. The "family of Imran" is often connected to the lineage of the Imams, with Mary, mother of Jesus, being a prominent figure in this lineage. This verse, therefore, supports the idea of a chosen lineage entrusted with divine knowledge, aligning with the concept of the Wasi and Imamate.
Quran 16:43
Arabic: وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا دَاوُدَ وَسُلَيْمَانَ عِلْمًا قَالَا سُبْحَانَكَ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُدْعِينَ
English: And We certainly gave knowledge to David and Solomon, and they said, "Praise to You; indeed, we have been to You devout."
Ismaili Interpretation: This verse emphasizes the granting of knowledge by God to specific individuals. David and Solomon are presented as examples of those who received divine wisdom. Ismaili scholars see this as a pattern of God choosing certain individuals to be vessels of knowledge. The Wasi and Imams are considered successors in this tradition of divinely appointed knowledge bearers.
Deeper Exploration of Quran 3:31
The verse "Say, 'He is Allah, the One and Only. Allah, the Eternal, Absolute. He begets not, nor is He begotten. And there is none like unto Him.'" (Quran 3:31) is central to Islamic monotheism. However, Ismaili interpretation goes beyond the surface level.
The Concept of Unity (Tawhid): Ismaili scholars emphasize the absolute unity of God, but also recognize the need for a human intermediary to understand and interpret this unity. The Wasi is seen as essential in bridging the gap between the transcendent God and human understanding.
The Rejection of Anthropomorphism: The verse explicitly denies any form of physical attributes to God. Ismaili's interpretation aligns with this, rejecting any literal understanding of divine qualities. The Wasi's role is to explain divine attributes' spiritual and symbolic nature
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