Ikhwan al-safa' - a secret society in medieval Iraq

[@yasmeen0224]

I must say, that this is my personal favorite channel. It has given me a lot of knowledge and I love all the research you do. I doing research on the Brethren of Purity, and I within 2 days of non stop researching, I barely got even a quarter as much research as you. You explain everything with so much detail and you make it easy for us to understand. I do believe that you are the best research secret channel. I have referred you to many people. Keep doing what you are doing!

[@LetsTalkReligion]

I am honored that you feel that way. Thank you!

[@miriamwilson9542]

⁰⁰0000000p

[@paradhoax]

@@LetsTalkReligion Man, your map used in the beginning is a mess and shows that you don't really do your research the good way, check what kingdoms where in Algeria at that time instead of being lazy or even for another reason you didn't mentioned it.

[@jassimarsingh6505]

@@paradhoaxnot a geographical channel

[@jtadros16]

This was probably one of your most interesting videos! Continue the great work!

[@Skwisgaar_Skwigelf]

As someone who lives in Masyaf; which was a bastion of Ismailism, The Hashashins, and The ikhwan al safa, and where a shrine and a sort of monastery of the Ikhwan still stands, I can tell you that it is widely believed around here that the ikhwan were actually only one man called Imam Ahmad Al Wafi. It is thought that he signed his writings in the name of a fake brotherhood to avoid heretical charges and retribution.

[@mobee4801]

Interesting

[@zaraz5130]

Imam Wafi Ahmad

[@salimsopari]

@@zaraz5130 Ismaili Imam, son of Muhammad Ibn-Ismail?

[@babysenpai3883]

But that's the least acceptable theory because the people who wrote this letters were experts in different fields, they talk politics, philosophy,biology, mathematics and from time to time astrology, it's hard to believe a person that rational would have some mythological takes when he/she just showed us that they are more science oriented. Also abu hayan tawhidi talked about them being a group after he got accused of being a member of some secret society, naming zyad bno rifaaa as a member of the ikhwan safa wa khilan al wafa. About them avoiding heretical charges, highly doubt it because by that time people were publishing more potentially dangerous claims and stuff and no one object to that.

[@ayanlethesomali7357]

Heretical charges? Only a few exceptions like Shaykh Ahmad Ibn Hanbal and Mansur al-Hajjaj got punished for their religious views/expressions, the Caliphates rarely involved themselves in the internal disputes of the Scholars and philosophers and people wrote waaay more heretical stuff than the Brethren of Purity ever got close to, some even being outright atheists, so this isn’t like the European Inquisitions.

[@mahadbasra3287]

I’m watching every ad all the way through, this man deserves it all, thank you for your good work!

[@tigertimani4205]

Thank you for this wonderful summary of the thought of the “brethren of Purity” and as an Unitarian “Druze” person , I felt the extent to which the Brotherhood’s epistles were similar to the Druze’s epistles to the point of congruence, maybe because both of them are from the Ismaili sect and written at the same period (10th century)

[@MrMikkyn]

Amazing channel. It discusses more obscure information about Islamic history and philosophy, stuff that is hard to find on other channels. Great scholarship on fascinating and difficult to find topics.

[@frasenp8411]

If anyone wanted the Arabic of the quote at 0:05 "اعلم أيها الأخ البارُّ الرحيم، أيَّدك الله وإيانا بروح منه، أنَّا نحن جماعة إخوان الصفا أصفياء وأصدقاء كرام، كنا نيامًا في كهف أبينا آدم مدة من الزمان تتقلَّب بنا تصاريف الزمان ونوائب الحدثان..." رسائل إخوان الصفاء وخِلَّان الوفاء (الجزء الرابع)

[@faisalalkhedhrawi7311]

beautifully written .

[@madhegelian4816]

النص العربي أفضل و أبلغ بسنين ضوئية !!! ❤️

[@waleedmustafa2847]

I love how you accurately pronounce all the Arabic words although you are a foreigner.

[@zoyablake9538]

Thank you so much for all your talks. You're making me re-discover Islam, in such an easy, accessible way.

[@najiibabdulrahman2083]

ALL thanks are due to Allah (swt). Dont forget uhkti

[@ssa3101]

Your arabic pronunciation gives me life

[@TheModernHermeticist]

Great stuff. I shared on Twitter to try and funnel some people here. Cheers.

[@LetsTalkReligion]

Thanks a lot!

[@ashiaij]

Thank you!!!! I love love love learning from you! May you get all that is best for you

[@rashachaklader9519]

I really admire your work. Your topics are genuinely interesting and your content especially your succinct explanations of rather complex and diverse issues are astonishingly impressive. Could you please consider covering diversity of beliefs and practices amongst different Sufi Turooqs across time and place? Thank you again for the generous sharing of your insight and sincere effort. Please keep up the great work.

[@LetsTalkReligion]

Thank you so much! Yes I would love to dive deeper into different Sufi orders eventually :)

[@omarmiz]

Yes please

[@waynedombrowski7568]

My new favorite channel! I am shocked at how close their train of thought is to my own,from a very different tradition and spiritual and intellectual path.

[@space4639]

Man there is a beauty in the script only shows in Arabic, the words is heavily deep and touching. Thanks I enjoy it 🤍

[@BEANDITIS_]

Very interesting to know that bounderies were crossed and the concept of using your gift to explore beyond the norm within reason and group rational thinking yet in guidence of knowledge. Thank you I really enjoy your work God bless you with truth and guidence🙏🙌

[@raheemahabdul8454]

Amazing channel. Love your research and clear explanation.

[@veronicaharwick9013]

When seeking the truth of Our Creator it is important to be open to all thoughts, ideas, & people.

[@alib3148]

This guy is the most underrated KZbinr

[@sephirothu1290]

Hey Brother, Don't know if you know or not, But this is the only efficient video resource on Ikhwan Al-Safa, On youtube ! Peace and love from Iran Please ! Please Keep Up The Valuable Work

[@ramaalcoutlabi4674]

Thank you I am one of your biggest fans. I am Syrian living in London. I am an Ismaili scholar (my religion is unity and spirituality though) I am in the process of academic endeavour in collaboration with a group of researchers to revisit the philosophy of Ikhwan aLSAFA (CHECK IIS In London ) I am going to partly do it with a music lens

[@khalednajada2514]

Interisting

[@youtubeexpert2441]

ahh.. the good old golden age of the middle east.. thanks for a wonderful video. your channel is amazing. edit: 1:40 your pronounciation of Almamun is %100 on point. its my name too =D

[@LetsTalkReligion]

Thank you so much!

[@Rashid-un2ql]

If it was not Imam Taqi Muhammad (the 9th Ismaili Imam), this was the entourage of 52 Ismaili scholars who had written Ikhwan as safa, comprising 52 epistles (rasail). W. Ivanow writes in Ismailis and Qarmatians (JBBRAS, Bombay, 1940, p. 73) that, "The second hidden Imam, the author of the Encyclopaedia of the Ikhwanu’s Safa, or Sahib al-Rasail, as he is usually referred to in the Ismaili theological works, is also known definitely as Ahmad." Genealogy: Ahmad (aka Taqi) bin Abdullah (aka Wafi) bin Muhammad bin Ismail bin Jafar bin Muhammad (aka Baqir) bin Ali (aka Zain ul Abidin) bin Hussain bin Ali ibn Talib

[@FreeFalasteen4ever]

Quick correction at 12:40- in the Qur’an God does not “rest” after creating the universe. He sits on the throne . Ayat Al-Kursi refuted the claim made that God rested or was fatigued, God is القيوم- the Self Subsisting And neither fatigue nor sleep overtake the Perfect Being. This is in contrast and a rebuke to a false claim/error made in the Torah.

[@shirazismail5861]

I am listening to you again I have really enjoyed is the first time well done stay Blessed and continue giving us such nuggets THANK YOU

[@AOZaB123]

Good hard working! I honestly was searching about this topic, but explained by western people since Im a Muslim from a congregation that’s called Al Ismailiah which follows Brethren purity beliefs. I decided to see anyone from western people explaining or talking about these people because many of Muslims consider them faithless and godless while many western societies have been following and reading their letters and got huge benefits from it. Brethren purity were following the Imam of their time whose name is Ahmed and he was like the grand master. Nobody knows their names until now because they were asked to work secretly otherwise the Abbasid’s king would kill them because he was an enemy of all the prophet Mohammed’s grandsons. At the time of Imam Ahmad, Islamic Call became hidden because of his enemy who wanted to kill him and to end Mohammed’s progeny. Going back to the Brethren Purity, their encyclopedia are hard to understand unless superficially understanding due to the gigantic philosophy they used.

[@hassanabdaladl]

Salaam brother. I just wanted to ask, what would Imam Ahmed be short for? Which Imam was it

[@AOZaB123]

@@hassanabdaladl Walekm alslaam, Imam Ahmed is the son of the Imam Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ismail bin Jafer (Alsadek). He's called also Ahmed Alttqi.

[@hassanabdaladl]

Ahh Imam Taqi Muhammad? Mashallah. Awesome brother

[@hassanabdaladl]

I'm an Ismaili as well. Nizari Ismaili

[@AOZaB123]

Hassan Sabbah Welcome brother! Me as well.

[@zozo0044]

Great work, you are a phenomena. A lot of love and respect from Egypt.

[@abdulwahidburhani9245]

Consider doing Sk.Ahmadu Bamba of Senegal.

[@dd615]

Ihvan al Safa were Ismaili scholars.The Epistles written in the time of Satr. Concealment of Imams.

[@dd615]

Yep

[@alybudwani3011]

They were Shia imami ismailis. But no need to argue lets respect everyone's views and improve ourselves to achieve salvation

[@Mr14994]

Shums tabriz whose deciple was Rumi was Ismaili, Rumi dedicated his masnavi to Shums tabriz

[@naveed4061]

@@Mr14994 Nice Joke

[@miracleyang3048]

No they weren't Ismaelis were influenced by them and some of them maybe were but to claim that they were an ismaeli group is just wrong

[@jawadhaider5221]

Please do on "Hassan -e- Sabah an Ismaili preacher, a lot of black legends are attributed by Marco Polo about his fortress. + Many controversial topics are related to him.

[@ayzee4]

Agree

[@ayzee4]

This is an interesting topic

[@GhaniSahar]

Great, amazing nd thought provoking upload 👌😍❤️

[@parindamji7180]

Great work need more on concealment of Imams from 1st Imam till present. example Prophet's revelation at Ghadir-e-kum etc. I am an Ismaili

[@nancytoulouse6973]

Very meaningful content that I otherwise might not have come to learn. Thank you. 🌞🌺

[@zaraz5130]

Their purpose was to find the meaning of life. Soul completion and fana fillah through Imam of the time's guidance. As an Ismaili, we know they were devotees to the spiritual path.

[@thepunchpk5853]

Alfatimids promoted rational inquiry during the 10th, 11th and 12th century

[@mza3764]

especially during the rule of Al Hakim :p

[@PythonPilgrim]

It might be interesting to know that this particular set of epistles also influenced Yeminite Jewry to develop something called "Jewish Ismailism."

[@hannahr77]

the same Yemenite Jews back in Israel

[@mahmoudanabtawi]

@@hannahr77 what is Israel ?

[@MoReal2]

@@mahmoudanabtawi you know very well what Israel is..now take a seat and behave !

[@ayanlethesomali7357]

He made a video about it, btw

[@cemyazc388]

Very interesting video. Thank you very much, and greetings from Istanbul.

[@LetsTalkReligion]

Thank you! I visited Istanbul last year, loved it!

[@dd615]

Me too I sail to Buyuq Adalar:) I also visit Konya Hazrat Shams and Hazrat Mavlana and Shaikh Sadreddin Qunavi Turbesi.

[@klearkhoswashokani1797]

Kürtstanbul

[@madie4307]

Amazing channel you are my favorite vloger

[@nutriphilo.ayurveda]

Beautiful, thank you so much for spreading those words

[@naseemabizer]

At the peak of this frightful chaos in entire Muslim world, the peace to learners mind was bestowed by the rightful successor of Prophet Mohammad s.a.w.w. the 8th Fatimi Imam Syyedna Ahmed Al Mastoor a.s. by serving all the elixir (aab a hayat) of intelligence - the WORLD FIRST ENCYCLOPEDIA called 'IKHWAN AS-SAFA'.

[@ayanlethesomali7357]

How do you know Ahmad al-Mastur wrote it

[@sherry-10z]

Are you bohra?

[@wael4070]

Very interactive video for a Ck2 player such me. Also your Arabic pronunciation fascinate me. First I thought that you are Russian as Russians can pronunciate it relatively correct, but it seems that you're not

[@georgew2014]

@O Car Swedish

[@lordwolfgangjosephuskaiser6778]

An amazing Video. Thank you very much 🌹🌹🌹 A very interesting history and facts. The letters of the Brethren of purity are one the greatest works in the middle ages and I wish that I could have these fascinating books. The most famous members of the Brethren of purity is Avicenna, Nasir Khousro and those who were named by Abu Hayyan at Tawhidi. The most famous Letter/ Book were written against the Ismailis Shia and the Brethren of purity especially from the orthodox scholars and theologians were the book "The scandals of the esoteric people/ Fadaih al Batiniyah" by Abu Hamid al Ghazali.

[@pattiburrus6964]

I have been Searching since We've be in lock down. So My favorite is Documentaries, and Travel. So India, China and the Middle East, The Silk Road and the History in each Country. We found IBN ARABI in a Series. A Series that is Teaching the Western World about Islam! Great Job Turkey!

[@abhishekdalvi1276]

Hii In your videos you talk a lot about use of neo platonic model. Can you make a video on that? Thanks in advance

[@dCash117]

❤️ I'm getting great ideas for my D&D campaign... Middle eastern themed Dwarves

[@AI-hx3fx]

The similarities with the Bahá’í Faith are indeed striking (e.g. progressive revelation), while the opposition to the Brotherhood seems to stem partly from, among other things, downplaying the orthodox view on the supremacy and perfection of the Qur’ān as the word of Allah.

[@baronesselsavonfreytag-lor1134]

Wasn't familiar with Ikhwan Al Safa at all but a fascinating subject. As a person who transcended the religion of my birth to identify as a Sikh because it most closely resembles my panentheistic stance within a religious framework, I relate very much to the plurality and spiritual syncretism - although religions are not the same at all superficially, the core spiritual values are the same. When you practice one religion well, you essentially practice every religion.

[@Kim_Rahma200]

As an Arab Muslim, I am very sorry that I cannot find such content in Arabic for that Thank you very much brother, may God bless you

[@Xaviergonzalez85]

No, a lot of it is covered by arab writers.

[@Xaviergonzalez85]

Also read "Terrorism & the illuminati" by David Livingstone to understand this sufi-neoplatonic-ismaili connection.

[@Kim_Rahma200]

@@Xaviergonzalez85 thank u brother god bless you

[@gabrielerge8678]

Noble work, thank you

[@azlanameer4912]

wAooo Bombastic!!! keep it up Sir. channel subscribed.

[@rafiisaat8708]

Assalam manit taba'al huda-)السلام من الطبع الهدى. Pursue knowledge with sincerity and with intention to gain the favour of Allah. May Allah shower upon us His blessings and true guidance to the straight path.

[@nzofhull]

السلام على من اتبع الهدى**

[@elduderino7456]

Ismailis are my favourites so far, created the asassins, fatimid empire, and were the most rational and intellectually philosophical of all the groups.

[@sherry-10z]

Hahahah thanks brother. Love from an ismaili Muslim

[@jeremyt4292]

Groups like this must have been huge influences on the formation of Templar beliefs

[@OguzDemirelli]

Its puts one in awe when you find what you didnt know you lost

[@svet.dushi04]

Did the "brothers of purity" swear allegiance to the imam of that time?

[@larrybuzbee7344]

This seems very much like a Muslim corollary to western Freemasonry. That might be an interesting subject for further examination.

[@azwerbukhari579]

The inspiration behind the western culture of secret and esoteric societies actually came from Muslim Sufi orders and mimicked their models.

[@Xaviergonzalez85]

@@azwerbukhari579 Read "Secret practices of the Sufi Freemasons" by Baron Rudolf von Sebottendorf

[@maksal2023]

Wrong comparion...Western Freemasonary was/is seeker of Material world, Ikhwan-al Safa seeker of Spiritual World...One represents world of matter, other world of spirit..

[@krimozaki9494]

@@maksal2023 the creed of freemasonary started just like Ikhwan as a hermetic secret mouvement called Rosicrucians

[@majorblazer9055]

please can you do a video on the hashasshin? assassins? originating in Ismaili Islam.

[@moholoho]

How could they believe in reincarnation when Allah SWT clearly states in the Quran how people will beg for a chance to come back to the earth and they will not get one? I don’t understand how men of knowledge could arrive at this conclusion...

[@mahmoudanabtawi]

@Muhammad Ismail also don't forget his punishment.

[@asisruiz7416]

Nice video, may Allah bless you. Salam w aleykum from Spain.

[@LetsTalkReligion]

Thank you! And you as well. :)

[@krimozaki9494]

There is a great similarity between the Brotherhood of Purity and the Rosicrucians of 17th century Protestant europe . both were a secret fraternity of people influenced by Hermeticism and Gnosticism, and both spread their ideas among people with anonymous letters. There is a great possibility that the Rosicrucians were an imitation of the Brotherhood of Purity, as Europe at that time had several translated Islamic philosophical works, and surely many knew about the Brotherhood of Purity

[@tecumsehcristero]

Please do a video on The Qarmatians or Caramatins. The utopian Muslims who hated the Kaaba and destroyed it along with the black stone

[@harounelmizwghi832]

Incredible video I learned so much

[@ChaseWittman]

Does anyone have any sources for a decent English translation of these epistles? I'd especially be interested in what all you Ismailis who don't speak Arabic have been reading. Thanks!

[@yusukesmokes2398]

I searched and found a few on Amazon but I don’t know if they’re accurate as There’s few reviews.

[@Huzefakhozemasaifee]

Is there any available translation of the epistles?

[@thescionofbabylon9574]

I am not sure whether the epistles were ever commissioned for translation in the golden age itself but the al ismailiah works , especially those that took place during the mamluk sultanate era in Egypt , indeed were translated and widely circulated in the west which helped it reconcile several philosophical differences during the age of renaissance.

[@halimorganic3104]

U said it.its crazier than it sounds.

[@karanaima]

15:55 very similar to the three kinds of intelligence of machiavelli if you think about it

[@loveshearing8483]

Thank you it’s lovely article

[@valonkamberi5199]

Personal opinion on how this concides with the prohibition in the Quran of calling ourselves 'pure'?

[@shadazmi5402]

Awesome content!

[@aadxb9493]

One Ismaili brother in Texas told me he pointed to a picture of Aga Khan in his shop and told me this is my God. So this is the height of their rational thinking and philosophy.

[@reoglah]

So they are worshipping human as their god ? It's so different from islam, interesting

[@waleed8530]

@@reoglah Zealous, when you take something so extreme, you end up like that. similar to Christianity & Jesus.

[@dd615]

May be his God for the most Ismailis He is Imam of their time.

[@waleed8530]

@@anahata3478 isn't that paganism?

[@nazzyph]

God is everything. He is manifested in every human and in every creation. God and his qualities are most perfectly manifested in pure beings like Prophets and Imams.

[@beefandpotatoes6525]

every one improves upward we muslims improve downward. with such a great achievements in the past we are dealing with Taleban Saudies khomeini and Taleban

[@pamihmod]

would you kindly do a video on neoplatonism? Would like to familiarise with Greek studied

[@90slost80]

A secret group of philosopher's, the coolest gang ever

[@rizzwan-42069]

is nouman ali khan ikhwan al safa?

[@martineyman1132]

My favorite video of yours, thanks for sharing this, you are appreciated, thanks 😊 sent.

[@ConservativeArabNet]

Excellent insight of Muslim world

[@onlyme7248]

Liana saif work relating to Akhwan alsafa , is worth looking in to it .

[@RainingFlow19]

Watched a lot of your videos these past few days and I just wondered on specifically islamic branches, why so many, if not all seemingly according to your various videos of these sect/branches/division/diverted from main orthodox Shia? Is it due to their interpretation of islam more personal/allegory that led to this? Love your channel btw its a good insight on how so many religion works.

[@babysenpai3883]

In my opinion is purely personal interpretation influenced by different environments and societies also 100% influenced by power and politics.

[@ayanlethesomali7357]

Shi’ah theology revolved around the Imams in the Prophet’s family. Due to being both a spiritual and dynastic line, every time there were two claimants in the family, the sect split and went their seperate ways. Their more doctrinal differences developed later, when they stopped interacting with each other.

[@zccau2316]

What is funny is that it was the Asharis not the Mutazilah who kept winning debates. The use of both reason and scripture. Today however the Hanbalis are in charge who do not allow reason at all.

[@waqqasabdul5094]

The only thing funny is your comment. Do you read Arabic and have an access to the religious heritage? I’m asking because no one would say what you said except fanatic Asharis. Asharis NEVER won any debate and both Atharis and Muatazelah had different but both stronger foundation than Asharis who lacked well established foundation caused many of later ones to shift to Muatazilah. Also Asharis backed by muslim governments who prefer Jabri and Irjai’e creeds - which help to control masses - are in charge of the most of the Muslim scene and not Atharis/Hanbalis

[@iahmedku]

Great content

[@user-kq8rk1vd3u]

they were ismailis the most advanced thinkers in the world

[@ghulamkarim9085]

Fantastic work. Highly informative and well presented. Sheik Nooruddin Durkee has also given a special lectures series about Ismaili legendary figures including Hassan Bin Sabah and Nasir Khusro on UTube titled as The Strangers.

[@amilitarymind]

Bro love your videos. Whats that soothing background music track throughout the video? Its awesome

[@abf3948]

Please make a video about Mansoor alaj

[@matthewperry5121]

Great work mister

[@mateuslofrano5535]

I'm searching until the exhaustion of any published on the internet parts or entirely epistles of Brethren. Could someone help me, please?

[@alybudwani3011]

Regarding 6 cycles the time difference between Jesus and prophet Muhammad pbuh is not 1000 years and nether Adam and Ibrahim . can u please explain . thanks

[@LetsTalkReligion]

The simple answer could be that they belived that there indeed was a thousand years between them, even if we know otherwise today.

[@alial-fatlawi5565]

I had the same question

[@ayanlethesomali7357]

@@LetsTalkReligion That’s so silly to think about

[@saifuddinlakdawala8988]

Great inside stories of Islam. How did you get this knowledge? Please be kind enough to explain your sources of information for the purpose of authenticity.

[@babysenpai3883]

Do you speak Arabic? I recommend a show called علامات استفهام staring رشيد الخيون talking about his book where he talked about these so called Ikhwan Safa Wa Khilan AlWafa

[@saifuddinlakdawala8988]

@@babysenpai3883 as usual I can read Qurran-ul-Kareem but I can't say I know Arabic language. Any thing on the net?

[@babysenpai3883]

@@saifuddinlakdawala8988 I can't really find any credible things on the net for now, especially in a language other than Arabic since their letters are so little studied even by the Arab scientists , if I do I will be happy enough to share with you.

[@saifuddinlakdawala8988]

@@babysenpai3883 thanks

[@audreycermak]

Thank you for this video! I shared it with my daughter who studies Art History and Islamic Studies. Do you have more info on the picture of the man planting fruit trees while a green-robed man looks on? It's so intriguing. 💕🌳🦋💕

[@naseemabizer]

Pls sir include name of moulana Ahmad Al Mastoor a s in your blog.

[@datodrali3998]

Jazakallahu kathiran

[@frialsharefabdo6472]

Thank you 💚

[@timothyruffle4777]

Yeah... this video was dope!!!!!!!

[@ihavenomouthandimusttype9729]

Is it a coincidence that both the Ikhwan al-safa and Nizari Ismaili Assassins were Ismailis? I’ve read that the Nizari, too, had very strange beliefs and were a secret society.

[@observant6953]

I always looked down upon religion as something outdated, but the more I hear about this it feels like greater religions were all close to the same kind of truth. I know very little about buddhism, but don't they also want "Oneness"? Sounds a lot like the muslim god who is oneness and with whom some movements try to become one is the same kind of oneness others try to achieve through meditation.

[@IsmailBae-l9h]

Amazing video

[@shahzaibhussain3075]

sir jee plz make a video on sabeans plz

[@safetyleednkom8274]

Can you talk about the ilm of JAT WAJIBAL UJUD?

[@thepunchpk5853]

A greatest video

[@halimorganic3104]

Today I hv perfected yr religion....