Abstract
This article describes the concept of the divine Word (Kalima) in the Majlis of Shahrastānī, one of the forerunners of the universal history of religions. Shahrastānī combines several elements of Fātimid Ismā'īlisin in his Majlis. With Hasan-i Sabbāh he is one of the first representatives of the Ismā'īlī Nizārī tradition. He brings new elements to this tradition which others will later develop in their philosophy. He exhibits an undeniable influence of Fātimid Ismā'īlī in his teaching on the divine Word. In the hierarchical world of spiritual ascent, there are several divine Words which reveal themselves at various levels. Each of these levels represents the completion of the one before. The divine Word helps the soul to overcome the obstacles to its spiritual journey and acts as a catalyst which speeds up the ascent to God.
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