Ismaili Intellectuals Al Sijistani: Philosopher

Al Qadi Al Numan: Chief judge

Ibn Al Haytam: Scientist

Al Sijistani: Philosopher

Full Name: Abu Yaqub Al Sijistani

Area of influence: Khurasan, Iran

Major works: Kitab Al Yanabi (wellsprings): The elevation of the

soul from a purely human form to an elevated spiritual entity.The Prophets and Imams as the wellsprings of spiritual knowledge and spiritual life. Absolute transcendence of God.

Major Influence: Plotinus.

Major teaching: God is beyond both being and non-being, God is not a substance nor an intellect, nor can he be described thoroughly by any of the categories that pertain to the created universe.

Al Qadi Al Numan Chief Judge

Full Name: Abu Hanifa Al Nu’man ibn Muhammad Al Tamimi Al Qadi Al Numan

Area of Influence: North Africa

Responsibilities: Jurist, Keeper of the Palace Library, Judge of Tripoli and Mansuriyah

Major works: Da’a’im Al Islam (Pillars of Islam), Iftitah Al Da’wa wa Ibtita Al Dawla (Commencement of the Dawa and Inception of the State

Major teachings: Al Numan discussed the esoteric and exoteric aspects of the Fatmid Ismaili Law. He held Majalis after afternoon prayers where he would explain the esoterism of the Imam and the importance of education.

Ibn Al Haytam Scientist

Full Name: Ibn Al Haytam (Alhazen)

Area of Influence: Basra, Baghdad, Cairo

Major works: Optical Thesaurus, Basel, 1572

Major Influence: Aristotle

Major Teachings: Ibn Al Haytam was the first scientist to present the idea that light rays bounced off objects and entered the eyes for an image to be see, to prove this he made the world’s first dark room inside a wine cellar with an outlet to the outside to let the light filter into the room in a similar manner that it does for the human eye. Ibn Al Haytam’s new found theories challenged the age old belief that visual rays are sent out by the eyes to the objects seen. His discoveries on optics were unique and allowed him to explain why objects farther away appeared smaller, this eventually let to the use of perspective in painting.

A depiction of Ibn Al Haytam and Galileo as two scientists who explored the world through observation and rational thought.