Political Aspects of Naser Khosraw’s Imamology

Exploring Naser Khosrow’s -the eminent theosophist of the fifth decade A.H- neoplatonism basics of Imamology, and comparing it with some fundamental assumptions in Greek thought reflected in Plotinus philosophy as the founder of Neoplatonism philosophy, this article attempts to reach to some conclusions regarding the Islamic thought. Therefore, our main perspective in this study is rather a political perspective than a theologico-philosophical one. On this account, emphasizing the political aspects of Naser Khosraw’s thought; we attempt to explain his Imamology. This study reveals that despite the fact that Naser Khosraw’s Imamology has borrowed from the Neoplatonist philosophy, Naser Khosraw’s Ismaili thought has fundamental incompatibilities with this philosophy, incompatibilities which bear the utmost importance in terms of discussing political thought. Posing no claim on a-priori authority of The Neoplatonist philosopher, the Neoplatonist philosophy stresses on the civil virtues as the initiating stage of attaining salvation and happiness. It is while the Naser Khosraw`s Ismaili Imam, has a unique specificity, e.g. the esoteric knowledge through which he posses both the worldly and heavenly authority. On the other side, there is basically an Eastern or in a sense, Iranian, concern lied behind Naser Khosraw’s Imamology and that is the essentiality of an individual bringing about both human and divine salvation and happiness.