The Social Life of the Ismailis in the Islamic East

Abstract

The Ismailis in the Islamic East were able to form a society that had its independence, which distinguished it from others, whose life proceeded according to one system, and it aimed at common goals. Strong ties of gender, language, religion and a general feeling of solidarity exist among its members. The Ismailis have established in their country a purely Ismaili society whose members adhere to the Ismaili doctrine, and work to defend their doctrine and spread it on the widest scale. In the countries of the East, Al-Hassan Al-Sabah worked to organize the Ismaili society in a precise manner that would ensure its long survival. This organization was one of the most important things this leader cared about. He knew that a society like his, which was distinguished by the revolution against the Abbasid Caliphate and the Fatimid Caliphate alike, must live in safety and brotherhood must prevail in it so that it can stand on its own two feet. The Ismaili society consisted of several layers, and they had social customs and traditions that did not differ much from what was prevalent in the Islamic society of the East, especially with regard to holidays and religious and social occasions.