Understanding The Ismaili Faith: A Spiritual Journey

The Ismaili Muslims, or Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, are a culturally diverse community living in over 25 to 35 countries around the world. They adhere to a 1,400-year tradition of Shi'a values, expressed through a commitment to the search for knowledge, embracing pluralism, and sharing their time, talents, and resources to improve the quality of life of their community and those among whom they live. The Ismailis are the only Shia Muslims to have a living, hereditary Imam, currently His Highness the Aga Khan, who is their 49th Imam in direct lineal descent from Prophet Muhammad.

Ismailism belongs to the Shi'a branch of Islam, and its philosophy seeks to create a bridge between Hellenic philosophy and religion. The human intellect is engaged to retrieve and disclose that which is interior or hidden (batin). Human history operates cyclically, and the function of the Prophet is to reveal the religious law (shari'a) while the Imam unveils the inner meaning of the revelation through the ta'wil.

The Ismailis hold that Muslims are commanded to be a community of the middle path and of balance, a community that avoids extremes, and that enjoins good and forbids evil. They believe in the unity of God as the first and foremost article of faith, followed by that of Divine guidance through God's chosen messengers, of whom Prophet Muhammad was the last.

The Ismaili Muslims are a culturally diverse community living in over 35 countries

Ismailism, or Shia Ismailism, is a branch of Shia Islam, one of the two major interpretations of Islam, the other being Sunni. The Ismailis are the only Shia community with a living, hereditary Imam, currently His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, who is their 49th Imam. They trace the line of succession from Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, who is revered by all Muslim communities for his wisdom, piety, and leadership.

Ismaili philosophy seeks to build a bridge between Hellenic philosophy and religion, employing the Qur'anic term 'ta'wil' to interpret scripture and uncover its hidden meaning. Human intellect plays a crucial role in Ismaili thought, engaging with the physical universe to penetrate the mystery of the unknowable God. This intellectual pursuit is viewed as complementary to revelation, with Ismailis emphasising the importance of both spiritual and intellectual quests.

Ismaili Muslims are known for their commitment to pluralism and tolerance. They believe in the Divine endorsement of religious and cultural pluralism, as revealed in the Holy Quran, and celebrate the salvific value of other monotheistic religions. This ethos of pluralism is reflected in their efforts to foster fruitful collaboration among different peoples and optimise the use of resources.

The Ismaili interpretation is a major, historical part of the faith of Islam, with a credal tradition stretching back to the early seventh century. Over their long history, the Ismailis have evolved a well-defined institutional framework, establishing schools, hospitals, health centres, housing societies, and various social and economic development institutions for the common good of all citizens, regardless of race or religion.

The Ismailis are led by a living Imam, tracing the line of Imamat in hereditary succession from Ali to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan

The Ismaili Muslims, or Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, are a culturally diverse community living in over 35 countries around the world. They are the second-largest community within the Shia branch of Islam, with a population of approximately 12 to 15 million.

The Ismailis are led by a living Imam, currently His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, who is their 49th Imam. They trace the line of Imamat in hereditary succession from Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, to the present Aga Khan. This belief in hereditary succession sets them apart from other Shia groups and makes the Ismaili community unique.

The followers of Ali, or Shia, maintained that while the revelation ceased at the Prophet’s death, the need for spiritual and moral guidance of the community continued. They believed that only a member of the Prophet's family could be entrusted with his legacy and authority. That person was Ali, who was designated by the Prophet as his successor before his death.

Over time, the Shia sub-divided, and the Ismailis gave their allegiance to Imam Jafar as-Sadiq’s eldest son, Ismail. Thus, the Ismailis continue to follow the line of Imamat in hereditary succession from Ismail to the present Aga Khan.

The Ismailis comprehend Islam through the guidance of the Imam of the time, who is considered the inheritor of the Prophet's authority and the trustee of his legacy. The Imam's role is to lead believers towards the spirituality and wisdom of the Revelation, while also making the outward form of the religion relevant according to the needs of the time. This succession of prophecy by Imamat ensures a balance between the exoteric and esoteric aspects of the faith.

The Ismaili interpretation of Islam is a major, historical part of the faith, with a credal tradition stretching back to the early seventh century. The Ismailis have a well-defined institutional framework and have established schools, hospitals, health centres, housing societies, and various social and economic development institutions under the leadership of their Imam.

The Ismailis affirm the unity of God as the foremost article of faith

The Ismaili Muslims, or Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, are a culturally diverse community living in over 35 countries around the world. They are the second-largest community within the Shia branch of Islam, which is one of the two major interpretations of Islam, the Sunni being the other.

Like all Muslims, the Ismailis affirm the unity of God as the first and foremost article of faith, followed by that of Divine guidance through God's chosen messengers, of whom Prophet Muhammad was the last. The verbal attestation of the absolute unity and transcendence of God and of His choice of Muhammad as His Messenger constitutes the profession of faith, and the basic creed of all Muslims.

The Ismailis maintain that while the Revelation ceased at the Prophet's death, the need for spiritual and moral guidance of the community continued through an ongoing interpretation of the Islamic message. They assert that the Prophet invested his authority through designation onto Ali, his cousin, the husband of his daughter and only surviving child, Fatima, and his first supporter who had devoutly championed the cause of Islam and earned the Prophet's trust and admiration.

The Ismailis have been led by a living Imam throughout their history, tracing the line of Imamat in hereditary succession from Ali to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, who is the 49th Imam in direct lineal descent from Prophet Muhammad through Ali and Fatima. The Ismailis comprehend Islam through the guidance of the Imam of the time, who is the inheritor of the Prophet's authority and the trustee of his legacy. The principal function of the Imam is to enable the believers to go beyond the apparent or outward form of the Revelation in search of its spirituality and wisdom.

According to the Ismailis, Islam or submission in its pristine sense refers to the inner struggle of an individual to engage fully in the journey of this earthly life and yet, with the guidance of the Alid Imam, to rise above its trappings in search of the Divine. The succession of the line of prophecy by that of the Imamat ensures this balance between the exoteric aspect of the faith and its esoteric, spiritual essence. Neither the exoteric nor the esoteric obliterates the other. While the Imam is the path to a believer's inward, spiritual elevation, he is also the authority who makes the outward form of the religion relevant according to the needs of the time.

The inner, spiritual life in harmony with the exoteric is a dimension of the faith that finds acceptance among many groups within Islam. For an Ismaili, the quest for harmony requires the engagement of not only the spirit but also the intellect. The human intellect is viewed as a precious Divine gift and a fundamental facet of religion. Its role has never been seen in terms of a confrontation between Revelation and reason. Rooted in the teachings of Imams Ali and Jaffer as-Sadiq, the Ismailis have historically emphasized the complementarity between Revelation and intellectual reflection, including the study of the Physical Universe, each substantiating the other and both providing different perspectives into the mystery of God's creation.

Over the course of their 1400-year-old history, the Ismailis and the Ismaili Imams have encouraged natural and philosophical inquiry and promoted the culture of unhindered scientific thought through the generous patronage of luminaries such as the jurist al-Nu'man, the physicist Ibn Haytham, astronomers Ali bin Yunus and al-Tusi, and philosophers Nasir-i-Khusraw and Ibn Sina, to name a few. Many of these were Ismailis themselves. In keeping with this tradition, exploring the frontiers of knowledge through scientific and other endeavours, and facing up to the ethical challenges posed by an evolving world, is seen as a requirement of the faith.

The human intellect is viewed as a precious gift and a fundamental facet of religion

The Ismaili Muslims, or the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, are a culturally diverse community of approximately 12 to 15 million people living in over 35 countries around the world. They are the second-largest community within the Shia branch of Islam.

The Ismaili faith emphasises the importance of the human intellect as a precious gift from God and a fundamental facet of religion. This belief is deeply rooted in the teachings of Imams Ali and Jaffer as-Sadiq. Throughout their 1400-year history, the Ismailis have encouraged natural and philosophical inquiry and promoted a culture of unhindered scientific thought. They have also advocated for the complementarity of revelation and intellectual reflection, including the study of the physical universe, recognising that each substantiates and provides different perspectives on the mystery of God's creation.

Ismaili philosophy seeks to create a bridge between Hellenic philosophy and religion. It employs the Qur'anic term 'ta'wil' as a tool of interpretation, which involves going back to the original meaning of the Qur'an. The human intellect is engaged in this process to retrieve and disclose that which is interior or hidden (batin). The function of the Prophet is to reveal the religious law (shari'a), while the Imam unveils the inner meaning of the revelation gradually to his disciples through ta'wil.

The Ismailis have a long history of promoting scholarship and knowledge. Over the centuries, they have generously patronised luminaries in various fields, including the jurist al-Nu'man, the physicist Ibn Haytham, astronomers Ali bin Yunus and al-Tusi, and philosophers Nasir-i-Khusraw and Ibn Sina.

The Ismailis' belief in the importance of intellect and knowledge is reflected in their commitment to seeking knowledge for the betterment of both self and society. They embrace pluralism and promote peace, understanding, and the sharing of time, talents, and resources to improve the quality of life of their community and those among whom they live.

In summary, the Ismaili faith strongly values the human intellect as a gift from God and an essential aspect of their religious tradition. This intellectual curiosity has guided their pursuit of knowledge, understanding, and harmony with people from diverse backgrounds.

The Ismailis believe in the Divine endorsement of religiously and culturally plural human societies

The Ismaili Muslims, or the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, are a culturally diverse community living in over 35 countries around the world. They are the second-largest community within the Shia branch of Islam.

The Ismailis' interpretation of Islam is influenced by their commitment to knowledge and intellectual inquiry. They believe that the human intellect is a precious Divine gift and a fundamental facet of their religion. This has led them to encourage natural and philosophical inquiry and promote a culture of unhindered scientific thought.

The Ismailis' belief in pluralism and their respect for other faiths stand in stark contrast to the beliefs of some other Islamic revivalist schools, such as the Wahhabi movement, which preaches a monolithic and puritanical interpretation of Islam. The Ismailis' interpretation of the Quran emphasizes the importance of balance and tolerance, encouraging all to vie for goodness and to respect the faith of others.

The Ismailis' spiritual and intellectual quest is complemented by their commitment to social equity and justice. They strive to improve the quality of life for all members of society, regardless of their background, and to be responsible citizens of the countries in which they reside.

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