ABSTRACT
Ismā‘īlism belongs to the Shī‘ah branch of Islam, and, in common with various Muslim interpretive communities, has been concerned with developing an intellectual discourse to elucidate foundational Qur’ānic and Islamic beliefs and principles. Ismā‘īlī philosophy grew out of an attempt at discursive reflection aimed at an explanation of the ḥaqā’iq or truths grounded in revelation but intelligible to human reason, which was regarded as a gift of God. The appropriate use of the intellect in the service of exegesis was thus regarded as both necessary and legitimate. 1
