Early Philosophical Shi'ism The Isma'ili Neoplatonism of Abu Yaqub al-Sijistani By Paul E. Walker. Cambridge, UK and New York: Cambridge University Press, 1995, 203 pp.

Abstract

Early Philosophical Shi'ism is a comprehensive study of the Isma'ili
thinker and neoplatonist, Abu Ya'qub al Sijistani. Chapter one, which follows
a brief preface that presents some general remarks about al Sijistani
and the book's structure discusses "The Ismaili Message and It
Philosophers." He first explains the origin of the Ismailis and their doctrine
of authority and then alludes to the concept of imiimah and its relationship
to occultation (ghaybah). After this, Walker deals with the concept
of da'wah from it origin to its subsequent historical development.
Several Ismaili dais, among them al Razi, al Kirmani, Nasir-i Khusraw,
and al Shirazi, are discussed briefly, as are the role of early dais and the
concept of hermenuetics (ta'wil). Walker begins with Iran in order to provide
a background to da'wah in that land and also analyzes the massacre
of al Na afi and his followers. The author, having offered an account of
Sijistani's biography and the evolution of some of his thoughts, brings the
chapter to an end by introducing his works and placing particular emphasis
on al Yanabi', al Maqalid, al lftikhar, and Sullam al Najat ...