Batin (Islam)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Part of a series on Ismaili Shi'a Islam
Branches Nizari · Mustaali · Druze
Concepts
The Qur'an · The Ginans Reincarnation · Panentheism Imam · Pir · Da'i al-Mutlaq Aql · Numerology · Taqiyya Zahir · Batin
Seven Pillars Guardianship · Prayer · Charity Fasting · Pilgrimage · Struggle Purity · Profession of Faith
History Fatimid Empire Hamza ibn Ali  · ad-Darazi Hassan-i-Sabbah  · Hashashin Dawoodi  · Sulaimani  · Alavi Hafizi · Taiyabi  · Ainsarii Seveners  · Qarmatians Sadardin  · Satpanth Baghdad Manifesto
Early Imams Ali · Hasan · Husayn al-Sajjad · al-Baqir · al-Sadiq Ismail · Muhammad Ahmad · at-Taqi · az-Zaki al-Mahdi · al-Qa'im · al-Mansur al-Muizz · al-Aziz · al-Hakim az-Zahir · al-Mustansir · Nizar al-Musta'li · al-Amir · al-Qasim
Contemporary Leaders Mohammed Burhanuddin Aga Khan IV al-Fakhri Abdullah Taiyeb Ziyauddin Saheb Mowafak Tarif This box: view • talk • edit

Batin is defined as the interior or hidden meaning of the Quran. Some Muslim groups believe that the Batin can only be fully understood and interpreted by the Aga Khan, who is the Imam of the Time. This is in contrast to the Quran's exterior or apparent meaning, or the Zahir.

In a wider sense, "batin" can refer to the inner meaning or reality behind all existence, the Zahir being the world of form and apparent meaning.