Video: Why Are Prayers in Jamatkhana Only for Ismailis?
September 14, 2023 | Canada
Participation in formal prayers in Ismaili jamatkhanas is restricted to those who pledge their allegiance (bay‘a) to the Ismaili Imam-of-the-Time. In Shia Islam, the authority of the Imam is rooted in the notion of hereditary succession from Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny), and the practices observed in jamatkhanas are the sole prerogative of the Imam-of-the-Time.
The jamatkhana, meaning “house of the community,” is among the different types of spaces of worship and gathering used by Muslim communities around the world.
Ismaili jamatkhanas are private tariqa spaces. Tariqa is an Arabic word meaning “path” and refers to a path to spiritual enlightenment and union with God. Tariqas are communities of Muslims that follow a path guided by a spiritual leader, such as a Shia Imam or a Sufi murshid. They guide their community’s interpretation and practice of the Islamic faith as part of an inward search for spiritual enlightenment. The Imam-of-the-Time has the sole authority to determine Ismaili tariqa practices in jamatkhana at any time.
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