This article, the conclusion of a two-part series (the first part was published in Volume 26 of this journal) presents a comparative dialogue between the Trinitarian metaphysics of Christianity as taught by Meister Eckhart and the metaphysics of Islam as elucidated in Shi’a Isma’ili theosophy, in which the three Persons of the Christian Trinity are compared with the three highest hypostases of Isma’ili gnosis. In this second instalment, the author continues the metaphysical dialogue by comparing Eckhart’s concept of the Son and the Isma’ili notion of the Universal Intellect (al-‘Aql al-Kull) in light of concept of the Divine Intellect. The author then explores the relationship between the Father and the Son as understood by Meister Eckhart and compares this to the relationship between the Divine Command and Universal Intellect as conceived in Isma’ili gnosis. This is followed by a comparison of Eckhart’s concept of the Holy Spirit and the Isma’ili concept of the Universal Soul (al-Nafs al-Kull) in relation to the notion of Divine Love. The author also highlights the correspondence between the figures of Christ and his Virgin Mother in Christianity and the figures of the Imam and his Hujjah in Isma’ili Islam. The article concludes by exploring how metaphysical commonalities can inform and enlighten the Christian and Muslim dialogues in the modern world.
http://sacredweb.com/contributors/#Andani
http://sacredweb.com/journals/sw27.html
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Khalil Andani – https://www.khalilandani.com – is Ph.D candidate (ABD) and an SSHRC Doctoral Fellow (2014-2019) at Harvard University studying Muslim intellectual history with a focus on Islamic theology, philosophy, and mysticism. His dissertation in progress focuses on how Muslims understand the nature and revelation of the Qur’an, with special attention to the concepts of scripture (kitab), revelatory inspiration (wahy), and hermeneutics in the Qur’an, classical Sunni exegesis (tafsir), classical Sunni kalam theology, and Shi’i Ismaili thought. His focus area in Ismaili thought is the theology and philosophy of Nasir-i Khusraw (d. ca. 1088).
His publications include articles in the Oxford Journal of Islamic Studies, Religion Compass, The Oxford Handbook of Islamic Philosophy, forthcoming chapters in A Guide to Sufi Literature and Global-Critical Philosophy of Religion, and two articles in Sacred Web. He has also taught several courses in Islamic studies and religious studies as a Graduate Teaching Fellow. His recent conference papers and academic talks are featured on his Research Blog.
Khalil holds a Master of Theological Studies degree (2014), specializing in Islamic philosophy and Ismaili thought, from Harvard University. He is Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and articled with KPMG Canada and also completed Bachelor of Mathematics (BMath) and Master of Accounting degrees at the University of Waterloo (2008).
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- Ismaili Studies Blog: Latest Research and Events in the Field of Ismaili Studies
- Online Event: Khalil Andani speaking on Ismaili Eschatology on Intra-Muslim Panel at Simon Fraser University
- Was Jesus Crucified? Christian vs. Muslim Debate by Scholars
- An Ismaili Answer to the Problem of Evil by Dr. Khalil Andani
- Catch the Live Streaming of 2021 Ismaili Studies Conference (August 6-10, 2021) #ISC2021
- 2021 Ismaili Studies Conference Registration and Program #ISC2021
- Video: Dr. Khalil Andani (@KhalilAndani) Discusses Ismaili Views of Jesus with Rev. Jonathan Stewart
- Dr. Khalil Andani (@KhalilAndani) wins Best PhD Dissertation Award for “Revelation in Islam: Qur’anic, Sunni, and Shiʿi Ismaili Perspectives”
- Metaphysics of Muhammad: The Nur Muhammad by Dr. Khalil Andani (@KhalilAndani)
- Muslim-Christian Dialogue: Dr. Khalil Andani (@KhalilAndani) & Sir Anthony Buzzard
- Read Dr. Khalil Andani’s (@KhalilAndani) Chapter on Ismailiyya & Ismailism: From Polemical Portrayal to Academic Inquiry
- Abbasid History Podcast (@AbbasidHistory): Dr. Khalil Andani (@KhalilAndani) on a brief history of Ismailism
- Ismaili Islam (Ismailism): History, Theology & Ritual
- Khalil Andani: Video- Ismailism as a Scholarly Category in Islamic Studies Shi’i Studies Symposium 2018 Chicago
- Khalil Andani- Ismaili Interpretations of Shariah: Between Affirmation and Abrogation
- UChicago Shi’i Studies Group Symposium: Sectarian Identity and Community Formation in Islam- Oct 26-27, 2018
- Khalil Andani’s Paper on Nasir Khusraw & Shahrastani at Iranian Studies Conference
- Harvard & IIS scholars present on Nizari Ismaili Thought at Iranian Studies Conference
- Khalil Andani – Teaching and Learning Guide on Ismaili Muslim History and Thought
- Khalil Andani Reviews “Beyond the Qur’an” by David Hollenberg
- Khalil Andani Presents on Ismaili Hermeneutics (Ta’wil) at Quranic Studies Conference
- New Publication: Al-Ghazālī’s Appropriation of Ismaʿili Cosmology by Khalil Andani
- Branches of Shia Islam: Ismailis, Twelvers, and Bohras
- 60 Years of Muslim Leadership: The Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee
- Understanding Ismaili Muslim Theology and Practice
- A Brief History of Ismaili Muslims
- “The Speaking Qur’an: Revelation in Sunni & Shia Islam” – Academic Lecture by Khalil Andani at UT Austin – Friday April 7
- New Publication: A Survey of Ismaili Studies (Part 2) by Khalil Andani
- Khalil Andani Published in the Oxford Handbook of Islamic Philosophy
- New Publication: A Survey of Ismaili Studies (Part 1) by Khalil Andani
- Khalil Andani & Shiraz Hajiani to organize Ismaili Studies Panels at 2016 MESA Conference in Boston
- Harvard Islam Course (Day 7): Sufi & Ismaili Esoteric Interpretation of the Qur’an and Islamic Art
- Harvard Course on Islam: Qur’an, Prophet Muhammad, Shi’a Muslim Tafsir and Muslim Devotion
- Khalil Andani Presents on the Ismaili Ta’wil of Hajj at 2016 Medieval Congress
- Khalil Andani and Faraz Alidina to present on “Modern Ismaili Imamat” at the American Academy of Religion Conference in Boston
- Khalil Andani’s Review of Amir-Moezzi, The Divine Guide in Early Shi’ism
- Event – April 1 | Islamic Studies at Harvard University: Khalil Andani’s Presentation: “From Divine Word to Prophetic Word: Revelation in the Thought of Nasir-i Khusraw”
- Event: March 21 | Boston College School of Theology | Khalil Andani: Shared Theologies between Islam and Christianity
- Event – February 26 | University of Toronto – Ismaili Influence on al-Ghazali: Khalil Andani’s Presentation
- The Neoplatonic Qur’anic Exegesis of Nāṣir-i Khusraw – Khalil Andani’s Presentation at MESA 2014 Conference in Washington, DC
- Khalil Andani’s Presentation in Chicago: Revelation in the Thought of Nasir-i Khusraw
- Scholars from IIS, Harvard, and Indiana host panels on Ismaili History and Philosophy at MESA 2014
- Khalil Andani’s Upcoming Presentation in Chicago: The Theology of Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III
- Event – Monorealism: The Theology of Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III by Khalil Andani
- Khalil Andani’s Presentation on the Delegation of Ismaili Imamat: Esoteric Thought in Physical Form
- Khalil Andani’s Presentation on the concept of Tawhid in the Isma’ili & Sufi Thought, at the University of Toronto
- Book Review by Khalil Andani: Pearls of Persia: The Philosophical Poetry of Nāṣir-i Khusraw
- IIS Scholars and Khalil Andani present papers on Isma’ili history/thought at 2013 MESA Annual Meeting
- Ismailis: An Understudied Minority | A Little View of the World
- Isma’ili Muslim Thought on Knowledge (‘ilm)
- Video: The Concept of Knowledge (‘ilm) in Nasir-i Khusraw’s Philosophy, by Khalil Andani
- Attend Khalil Andani’s Presentation at University of Toronto: The Concept of Knowledge (‘ilm) according to Nasir-i Khusraw
- Visions of Jesus in Esoteric Islam: Shi‘i Isma‘ili Christology: A Student Presentation and Discussion Forum at Harvard Divinity School
- Video: Presentation on the Isma‘ili Thought of Nasir-i Khusraw by Khalil Andani
- The Metaphysics of the Common Word: A Dialogue of Eckhartian and Isma’ili Gnosis Part Two: Intellectual and Emanative Reality, by Khalil Andani
- Sacred Web Journals – Article by Khalil Andani: The Metaphysics of the Common Word: A Dialogue of Eckhartian and Isma’ili Gnosis
Ismailimail 
I think this is the type of knowledge we need shared. A quarterly jounral with such articles compiled , as this author has done, researched from many sources, might be a joint venture between individuals and say, the institution, or a group and the institution..or even just private venture.
Like government, decentralisation, within certain frameworks might make us even more well-rounded.
Just a thought.
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