Our publications

In facilitating these and other publications, the purpose of The Institute of Ismaili Studies is to encourage original research and analysis of relevant issues. While every effort is made to ensure that the publications are of a high academic standard, there is naturally bound to be a diversity of views, ideas and interpretations. As such, the opinions expressed in these publications must be understood as belonging to their authors alone.

In order to promote its publications to a wider audience, to make them more accessible, and to assist non-specialist readers, the IIS has developed a number of Reading Guides.

The academic publications of The Institute of Ismaili Studies fall into several distinct and interrelated categories:

• Occasional papers or essays addressing broad themes on the relationship between religion and society, with special reference to Islam
• Monographs exploring specific aspects of Islamic faith and culture, or the contributions of individual Muslim figures or writers
• Editions or translations of significant primary or secondary texts which contribute to an understanding of Islam and Muslim cultures and societies
• Translations of poetic and literary texts which illustrate the rich heritage of spiritual, devotional and symbolic expressions in Muslim history
• Works on Ismaili history and thought, and the relationship of the Ismailis to other traditions, communities and schools of thought in Islam
• Proceedings of conferences and seminars sponsored by the Institute
• Bibliographical works and catalogues which document manuscripts, printed texts and other source materials of interest to the academic community
• Introductory texts to Islamic studies, catered to non-specialist audiences

To make the publications of the Institute accessible to broader, and non-English speaking audiences, they are selectively translated into Arabic, Persian, Urdu and other languages.

Most of the works which feature on this website are published through our affiliated company, Islamic Publications Ltd. (IPL), in association with publishers such as I.B. Tauris & Co. Ltd. Our Publications Listing will direct users to the pages of the respective publisher where the works may be purchased. Our publications are also available in academic and other bookstores and online. Many of our scholars publish in academic journals and through other publishers unaffiliated with the IIS. These can be found on their profiles in the Our People section.

The IIS offers limited distribution of our two non-specialist series, World of Islam and Living Ismaili Traditions. You can find digital versions of these texts, including eBooks and audiobooks, in the IIS Shop (subject to restrictions).