Ismaili Concept | Didar (Vision of the Imam) in Ismaili Islam: Zahiri, Batini, Noorani

Didar in Ismaili theology means the vision or “viewing” of the Imam-of-the-Time. It is both literal and spiritual, connecting believers to Divine Truth through devotion to the living Imam.

Didar has three levels:

Zahiri Didar (Outer/Physical): Seeing or encountering the Imam in person or through his presence, grounding faith in tangible experience.

Batini Didar (Inner/Spiritual): An inward, mystical vision of the Imam through spiritual practice, devotion, and purification of the heart.

Noorani Didar (Luminous/Illuminated): The highest, a divine gift of seeing the Imam’s spiritual light (nūr), transcending ordinary experience as grace.

Classical Ismaili thinkers like Pir Nasir Khusraw and Fatimid daʿīs emphasize that true recognition combines zahir and batin. The Imam’s role is both worldly and spiritual, guiding believers toward enlightenment.

Seeking these three forms of didar is central to the Ismaili spiritual path, uniting outer devotion with inner illumination under the living Imam’s guidance.

3 Types of Didar (Vision)
1. Pir Nasir Khusraw (1004–1088 CE)
“When the light of the Imam shone upon my soul, even though I was black as night, I became the shining sun.”
Original Persian:
"چون نور امام در جانم تابید،
اگرچه چون شب تاریک بودم، آفتاب درخشان شدم"
This expresses the spiritual transformation when the Imam’s divine light illuminates the soul.

2. Qur’anic Reference on Vision vs. Spiritual Seeing
“And you see them looking at you, but they do not see.” (Surah A'raf 7:198)
This verse highlights the difference between physical sight and true spiritual vision—only believers truly behold the Imam.

3. Saying of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) on the Reward of Seeing Ali
“There is only one person who earns the daily income of the entire world.”
When asked who, the Prophet pointed to a humble man and said:
“Indeed, to behold Ali is equivalent to earning the daily income of the entire world.”
He added, “To see Ali is an act of worship (ibadat).”
This emphasizes the spiritual significance and reward of beholding Imam Ali.

4. Imam Fakhruddin Razi and al-Tabari’s Hadith on Ali’s Spiritual Status
“Whoever wishes to see Adam in his knowledge, Noah in his piety, Abraham in his forbearance, Moses in his strength, and Jesus in his devotion—let him look at Ali bin Abi Talib.”
Ali embodies all prophetic virtues in one soul.

5. Al-Muayyad’s Didar of Imam al-Mustansir Billah (1048 CE)
“I was taken near the place wherefrom I saw the bright Light of the Prophethood.”
“My eyes were dazzled by the Light. I shed tears of joy and felt as if I was looking at the face of the Prophet of Allah and of the Commander of the Faithful, Ali.”
“I prostrated myself before the one who is the fittest person to bow to.”
This experience shows Didar as a transformative spiritual encounter with the Imam’s divine light.

6. Ja‘far bin Mansur al-Yaman on the Imam’s Divine Manifestation
“His (the Imam’s) face is the face of God and he is the manifestation of the absolute truth.”
“I bear testimony to the fact that you are the face of God, which gives luster to the faces of believers.”
This highlights the Imam as the living embodiment of Divine Light (Noor).

7. Qur’anic Promises on the Vision of God
“Upon that day faces shall be radiant, gazing upon their Lord.” (Qur’an 75:22-23)
“Indeed, those who do good will have [the best] and extra.” (Qur’an 20:26)
“Indeed, those who disbelieve will be veiled from their Lord.” (Qur’an 83:15)
These verses affirm the ultimate spiritual reward—seeing God’s light, with the Imam as the divine intermediary.