Shahrastani (d.548 AH/1153 CE) is a major figure of the Islamic intellectual tradition, best known for his universal survey of religious and philosophical teachings, The Book of Religions and Sects (Kitab al-Milal wa ‘l-Nihal) and his treatment of Ash‘ari theology, The Furthest Steps in Theology (Nihayat al-Aqdam fi ‘Ilm al-Kalam). He also held a position at the famous Nizamiyya College in Baghdad, 1120 CE, and in due course became a confidant of the Seljuq ruler, Sanjar. Despite this prominence in the Sunni intellectual scene of his day, Shahrastani’s later works reveal the deep impact on him of Isma‘ili ideas and strongly imply that he secretly espoused Isma‘ili Islam
Ismailimail 