Ikhwan al-safa' - a secret society in medieval Iraq

In this latest video I talk about the Ikhwan al-safa, or "Brethren of Purity" - a group of secretive philosophers and scholars who lived in medieval Basra, Iraq.

Sources used:

de Callatay, Godefroid (2006). "Ikhwan al-safa - a brotherhood of idealists on the fringes of Orthodox Islam". Oneworld Publications.

Walker, Paul E. (2005). "The Isma'ilis". In "The Cambridge companion to Arabic Philosophy". (Edited by Peter Adamson & Richard C. Taylor). Cambridge University Press.

[yasmeen]

I must say, that this is my personal favorite channel. It has given me a lot of knowledge and I love all the research you do. I doing research on the Brethren of Purity, and I within 2 days of non stop researching, I barely got even a quarter as much research as you. You explain everything with so much detail and you make it easy for us to understand. I do believe that you are the best research secret channel. I have referred you to many people. Keep doing what you are doing!

[Skwisgaar_Skwigelf]

As someone who lives in Masyaf; which was a bastion of Ismailism, The Hashashins, and The ikhwan al safa, and where a shrine and a sort of monastery of the Ikhwan still stands, I can tell you that it is widely believed around here that the ikhwan were actually only one man called Imam Ahmad Al Wafi. It is thought that he signed his writings in the name of a fake brotherhood to avoid heretical charges and retribution.

[jtadros]

This was probably one of your most interesting videos! Continue the great work!

[frasenp]

If anyone wanted the Arabic of the quote at 0:05
"اعلم أيها الأخ البارُّ الرحيم، أيَّدك الله وإيانا بروح منه، أنَّا نحن جماعة إخوان الصفا أصفياء وأصدقاء كرام، كنا نيامًا في كهف أبينا آدم مدة من الزمان تتقلَّب بنا تصاريف الزمان ونوائب الحدثان..."
رسائل إخوان الصفاء وخِلَّان الوفاء (الجزء الرابع)

[mahadbasra]

I’m watching every ad all the way through, this man deserves it all, thank you for your good work!

[tigertimani]

Thank you for this wonderful summary of the thought of the “brethren of Purity” and as an Unitarian “Druze” person, I felt the extent to which the Brotherhood’s epistles were similar to the Druze’s epistles to the point of congruence, maybe because both of them are from the Ismaili sect and written at the same period (10th century)

[MrMikkyn]

Amazing channel. It discusses more obscure information about Islamic history and philosophy, stuff that is hard to find on other channels. Great scholarship on fascinating and difficult to find topics.

[ssa]

Your arabic pronunciation gives me life

[waleedmustafa]

I love how you accurately pronounce all the Arabic words although you are a foreigner.

[veronicaharwick]

When seeking the truth of Our Creator it is important to be open to all thoughts, ideas, & people.

[zoyablake]

Thank you so much for all your talks. You're making me re-discover Islam, in such an easy, accessible way.

[AOZaB]

Good hard working! I honestly was searching about this topic, but explained by western people since Im a Muslim from a congregation that’s called Al Ismailiah which follows Brethren purity beliefs. I decided to see anyone from western people explaining or talking about these people because many of Muslims consider them faithless and godless while many western societies have been following and reading their letters and got huge benefits from it. Brethren purity were following the Imam of their time whose name is Ahmed and he was like the grand master. Nobody knows their names until now because they were asked to work secretly otherwise the Abbasid’s king would kill them because he was an enemy of all the prophet Mohammed’s grandsons. At the time of Imam Ahmad, Islamic Call became hidden because of his enemy who wanted to kill him and to end Mohammed’s progeny. Going back to the Brethren Purity, their encyclopedia are hard to understand unless superficially understanding due to the gigantic philosophy they used.

[rashachaklader]

I really admire your work. Your topics are genuinely interesting and your content especially your succinct explanations of rather complex and diverse issues are astonishingly impressive. Could you please consider covering diversity of beliefs and practices amongst different Sufi Turooqs across time and place?

Thank you again for the generous sharing of your insight and sincere effort. Please keep up the great work.

[ramaalcoutlabi]

Thank you I am one of your biggest fans. I am Syrian living in London. I am an Ismaili scholar (my religion is unity and spirituality though) I am in the process of academic endeavour in collaboration with a group of researchers to revisit the philosophy of Ikhwan aLSAFA (CHECK IIS In London ) I am going to partly do it with a music lens

[ashiaij]

Thank you!!!! I love love love learning from you! May you get all that is best for you

[zaraz]

Their purpose was to find the meaning of life. Soul completion and fana fillah through Imam of the time's guidance. As an Ismaili, we know they were devotees to the spiritual path.

[sephirothu]

Hey Brother, Don't know if you know or not, But this is the only efficient video resource on Ikhwan Al-Safa, On youtube !

Peace and love from Iran
Please ! Please Keep Up The Valuable Work

[space]

Man there is a beauty in the script only shows in Arabic, the words is heavily deep and touching. Thanks I enjoy it 🤍

[BEANDITIS_]

Very interesting to know that bounderies were crossed and the concept of using your gift to explore beyond the norm within reason and group rational thinking yet in guidence of knowledge.
Thank you I really enjoy your work God bless you with truth and guidence🙏🙌

[alib]

This guy is the most underrated YouTuber