Know Your Qasidas

Know Your Qasidas is the first title in the Read & Reflect series, introducing qasidas, devotional compositions central to the spiritual and cultural life of many Ismaili communities, particularly those that are part of Iranian and Central Asian traditions. Each qasidaA polythematic poem originating in pre-Islamic Arabia. It has come to refer to any poem of a certain length in Arabic, Persian and Turkish literatures, often including the eulogy of... More is presented in its original language, with an English transliteration, translation, and a short explanatory essay. QR-linked audio renditions enable readers to listen to and follow the recitation.

This publication supports the transmission of the qasida traditions to English-speaking contexts while opening their meaning and performance to IsmailisAdherents of a branch of Shi'i Islam that considers Ismail, the eldest son of the Shi'i Imam Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq (d. 765), as his successor. from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Read & Reflect is a new publication series by The Institute of Ismaili Studies designed to make key aspects of Islamic, including Ismaili, intellectual and cultural heritage accessible to general, non-specialist audiences.