Eight Questions Answered - Eight Questions

Eight Questions

Tags: 1, 2, 3

Why do women sometimes lead the prayers in jama`at-khanah, while there is no such precedent in the shari`at (revealed law)?
Why is money collected in jama`at-khanah under the name of different assemblies (majalis) and on different occasions? For since jama`at-khanah is the house of God, surely only prayers should be performed there.
When any other Muslim brother wants to come to jama`at- khanah, why should he not be allowed to come?
How can Shah Karim, the Imam of the Isma`ilis in truth be the true Imam, while in Europe he leads a western way of life?
Why is your zakat (religious tax) different from the shar`i zakat (religious tax according to shari`at) ? Why is it not distributed among the poor and needy directly?
To what extent are your religious rites correct and valid? Tell me about nandi in particular.
How far do the Isma`ilis follow the salat (ritual prayer)? What do they mean by salat?
Why do men and women pray together in the jama`at-khanah?

Note: These questions were posed by an Isma`ili student in the month of December 1976.