Ismaili Onto-Cosmological Doctrines in the Manuscript Tradition of the Ikhwān al-Ṣafāʾ

Abstract

This paper discusses Ismaili tendencies in some additions to the MSS of the Rasāʾil Ikhwān al-Ṣafāʾ consulted for the new edition of the encyclopaedia launched by the Institute of Ismaili Studies. Onto-cosmology is addressed in particular. The texts are in part copied from the Risāla al-Jāmiʿa and the Risāla Jāmiʿat al-Jāmiʿa. Sometimes they show similarities with Balīnūs, the Arabic pseudo-Apollonius of Tyana whom recent studies consider to play an important role in Ismaili thought. Though based on emanatism, onto-cosmology shares the religious terminology referred to hypostases; it introduces the concept of ibdāʿ besides that of emanation, the cosmic role of Imperative and the conception of God “beyond everything”; and it re-examines the Neoplatonic hypostases in the light of the Scriptural tale of Adam. Even if the additions were later interpolations, they demonstrate that the Ikhwān’s leaning towards Ismailism was a common belief at least in a certain manuscript tradition.