{"product_id":"guided-by-light-francis-williams-9781997668411","title":"Guided by Light: The Story of the Ismailis - Faith, Resilience, and Global Impact","description":"\u003cb\u003eGuided by Light: The Story of the Ismailis - Faith, Resilience, and Global Impact\u003c\/b\u003e is an inspiring journey through more than a thousand years of one of the world's most resilient and dynamic Muslim communities. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBeginning in the heart of early Islamic history, this book traces the origins of the Ismaili tradition from the succession debates following Prophet Muhammad's passing, through the rise of the Fatimid Caliphate - a golden age of learning, art, and pluralism. We then follow the community into the mountains of Iran and Central Asia, where they created secret fortresses and developed sophisticated networks of survival during times of persecution. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAt the center of the narrative is the powerful concept of a \u003cb\u003eliving Imam\u003c\/b\u003e - a spiritual leader who guides the community not only in ritual matters but also in social, ethical, and intellectual life. Through this living guidance, the Ismailis developed a unique theological focus on the inner meanings (\u003ci\u003ebatin\u003c\/i\u003e) of faith, harmonizing spiritual depth with the power of reason.\u003cbr\u003eFrom the poetic hymns of South Asia to the haunting music of Badakhshan, from the architectural brilliance of Cairo's Fatimid mosques to the luminous glass domes of modern Ismaili Centers, the story is woven with art, beauty, and cultural creativity. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe book also highlights the extraordinary contributions of the modern Ismaili community under the leadership of the Aga Khans, particularly the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). With projects spanning health care, education, environmental stewardship, and cultural restoration, the Ismailis embody a living faith dedicated to service, pluralism, and uplifting humanity. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThrough tales of hidden survival, global migration, and courageous adaptation, \u003cb\u003eGuided by Light\u003c\/b\u003e reveals how the Ismailis transformed from a persecuted minority into a globally connected, thriving community deeply committed to peace and progress. Their story is not only one of survival, but also of flourishing - a testament to faith as a source of strength, creativity, and compassion. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eMore than a historical account, this book is an invitation: to see faith as a living journey, to celebrate diversity as a divine gift, and to find inspiration in a community that has turned adversity into light for themselves and the world.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Francis Williams\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1997668416\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781997668411\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Quite Frank Educational Services\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/04\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 84\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.27lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.17d","brand":"Francis Williams","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48442976567551,"sku":"9781997668411","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_0774868e-5e51-49a2-a2fb-c63548c460b0.jpg?v=1777201019","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/guided-by-light-francis-williams-9781997668411","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}