I just want to point out that Mowlana Ala' Muhammad, when traveling to Syria and residing at Masiyaf Fort, was known as Dai Rashiduddin Sinan and as Old Man of the Mountain by Orientalists, he was not known by anyone as the Imam, he was not telling anyone in Syria that he was Imam Ala Muhammed son of Imam Hasan Alazikrihis Salaam in Alamut. (Mustafa Ghaleb, The Ismailis of Syria. See also the letter of Rashiddudin Sinan to Noureddin Zenki.
Also my personal remark is one should not always believe what is printed, even if it comes from our institutions as "Authorised, authentic, approved etc..." What was considered or institutionally declared once "authorised or authentic" can be within a second be declared void by the Imam if he so which. Never forget that.
Imam and Imamat
Re: Imam and Imamat
I fully agree with and understand your perspective, Admin. While I possess a few books published by reputable sources such as IIS, I have observed that much of the information they contain is either inaccurate or misleading. This issue is not confined to IIS alone; for instance, I have noted errors in the first edition of Noran Mubin (India), authored by Chunara, including the claim that a fabricated burial ceremony took place in which Imam Jaffar Sadiq participated.
-
swamidada786
- Posts: 320
- Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2025 8:56 pm
Re: Imam and Imamat
you have asked me,"What is your understanding of Dawr i Satr"?kmaherali wrote: Thu Jan 22, 2026 5:24 amIt is well known in our history, that Imams concealed their true identities hence we have periods of concealment (Satr). What is your understanding of Dawr-i Satr?swamidada786 wrote: Wed Jan 21, 2026 10:14 pm Was Imam scared of worldly powers (I donn't think so) that he went into Taqqiyah, calling himself first Hujjah of Hidden Imam, and then Khalifa and representative of Allah, finally settled as Real Imam!!! Brainless Ismaili Nizari Historians have degraded the Institution of Imamah (following secondary sources, mostly written by enemies of Ismailis).
Kmaherali you wrote:... and where is it mentioned that he was assasinated?True but I did not mention these facts in my post!swamidada786 wrote: Wed Jan 21, 2026 10:14 pm First proof: Imam was assasinated by his brother in law named Hasan Namawar. Name of book; Tarikh A'ama e Ismailia part 3, page 62, published by Ismaila Association Pakistan, year 1980.
Second proof: Name of book: The Ismailis, their history and doctrines by Farhad Daftary, page 391. Published by Cambridge University press in 1990. Imam was stabbed by his brother in law Hasan Namawar in castle of Lamasar.
Answer: Is Imam scared of worldly powers that he has to conceal his true identification? Imam Hussain fought sacrificed himself and his family but never concealed his identification.
For second question, your tone of asking was,....and where is it mentioned that he was assasinated?
And I gave you proofs. I have few more non Ismaili accounts of assasination also.
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swamidada786
- Posts: 320
- Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2025 8:56 pm
Re: Imam and Imamat
Patron of IIS and ITREB is Hazar Imam. Both institutions work under his guidance. Mostly books published by IIS are abridged means paragraphs which go against Ismaili ideology are not included. Regarding the history bookashraf59 wrote: Thu Jan 22, 2026 2:38 pm I fully agree with and understand your perspective, Admin. While I possess a few books published by reputable sources such as IIS, I have observed that much of the information they contain is either inaccurate or misleading. This issue is not confined to IIS alone; for instance, I have noted errors in the first edition of Noran Mubin (India), authored by Chunara, including the claim that a fabricated burial ceremony took place in which Imam Jaffar Sadiq participated.
'The Ismailis' written by Farhad Daftray had Shah Karim's approval. The history book Nooran Mubin had Shah Sultan Muhammad Shah's approval and he specially asked jamaits to read that book.
Re: Imam and Imamat
Imam's don't express themselves in the same manner in all circumstances. Sometimes they are kings and sometimes unknown to the majority. That is how Imamat has continued regardless of the external circumstances. Mowlana Sultan Muhammad Shah stated in his Memoirs:swamidada786 wrote: Thu Jan 22, 2026 10:31 pm
you have asked me,"What is your understanding of Dawr i Satr"?
Answer: Is Imam scared of worldly powers that he has to conceal his true identification? Imam Hussain fought sacrificed himself and his family but never concealed his identification.
Often persecuted and oppressed, the faith of my ancestors was never destroyed; at times it flourished as in the epoch of the Fatimite Khalifs, at times it was obscure and little understood.
I meant to tell you that I did not mention the assassination in my post. I am not disputing the fact that he was assassinated.swamidada786 wrote: Thu Jan 22, 2026 10:31 pm For second question, your tone of asking was,....and where is it mentioned that he was assasinated?
And I gave you proofs. I have few more non Ismaili accounts of assasination also.
Re: Imam and Imamat
To Admin ,
So, brother Admin, do you really believe that Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (a.s.) participated in a fake funeral for his own son, Imam Ismail (a.s.)? This claim appears in the first edition of Nooran Mubin, published by the Ismailia Association of India.
If possible, please read the first edition of Nooran Mubin, if you can find it.
Do you think this passage was printed by mistake, or later misunderstood?
Also, who actually authored the well-known granth Buj Niranjan?
There has already been a long discussion on this forum about how accurate Mr. Daftary’s writings are—so I request that you revisit those discussions and read them once again with a critical eye.
So, brother Admin, do you really believe that Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (a.s.) participated in a fake funeral for his own son, Imam Ismail (a.s.)? This claim appears in the first edition of Nooran Mubin, published by the Ismailia Association of India.
If possible, please read the first edition of Nooran Mubin, if you can find it.
Do you think this passage was printed by mistake, or later misunderstood?
Also, who actually authored the well-known granth Buj Niranjan?
There has already been a long discussion on this forum about how accurate Mr. Daftary’s writings are—so I request that you revisit those discussions and read them once again with a critical eye.
Re: Imam and Imamat
There is discussion about Buj Niranjan in this forum at : viewtopic.php?t=8826ashraf59 wrote: Fri Jan 23, 2026 2:59 pm Also, who actually authored the well-known granth Buj Niranjan?
Re: Imam and Imamat
Mawlana Murad Mirza, our 36th Imam
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kow7rOT ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Murad Mirza (peace be upon him) succeeded to the Imamat at an unknown date in the mid-16th century. His Imamat coincided with the rule of Shah Tahmasp I (r. 1524-1576), who persecuted the Imam because of his popularity among his Ismaili followers. Mawlana Murad Mirza died in 1574, having been executed by the Safavid Shah.
Story
During the Imamat of Mawlana Murad Mirza (peace be upon him), the Safavids became increasingly intolerant towards other Shia and Sufi communities, resulting in the renewed persecution of Ismailis. The Safavids noticed the Imam’s popularity among his followers both within and outside Persia, including Ismailis who would visit from the Indian subcontinent and other regions. This alarmed Shah Tahmasp I, who had the Imam imprisoned in 1573. Imam Murad Mirza escaped from prison with the help of a high-ranking Safavid official who was secretly an Ismaili, then he fled to Afghanistan. However, the Imam was recaptured a few months later in 1574. He was brought before the Shah, who had him executed soon after. Mawlana Murad Mirza’s story demonstrates the danger and persecution faced by the Imams and the Ismailis if they revealed their true identity. His descendants would change their strategy for concealing themselves during the Safavid period.
Era: Anjudan Period
Quote
“Do you desire salvation, O brother of mine?
Then with affection for the king of Anjudan, arise!”
Darwish, Ismaili poet during the 15th and 16th centuries
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 169-173.
Landolt, Sheikh & Kassam, eds. An Anthology of Ismaili Literature, p. 293.
https://the.ismaili/news/mawlana-murad- ... -36th-imam
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Mawlana Dhu’l-Faqar Ali, our 37th Imam
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpOnOAk ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Dhu’l-Faqar Ali (peace be upon him) was born around 1566 and succeeded to the Imamat in 1574 at just eight years old. He was known both as Khalil Allah and by his Sufi name, Dhu’l-Faqar Ali. He re-established the seat of the Imamat at Anjudan after his father, Mawlana Murad Mirza (peace be upon him), had left due to persecution by the Safavid empire. Unlike his father, Mawlana Dhu’l-Faqar Ali largely stayed aloof from political activity, although he established friendly relations with Shah Abbas I (r. 1587-1629), including marrying the Shah’s sister, Sharaf Nisa Begum. After the second Imamat in history that is known to have reached 60 years, he died in March 1634 at the age of 68.
Story
Mawlana Dhu’l-Faqar Ali (peace be upon him) responded to the Safavid empire’s persecution of Ismailis in Persia by changing strategies for hiding their religious identity. Instead of posing as a Sufi tariqa, Ismailis now appeared outwardly as a Shia Ithna‘ashari community. Presenting himself as a sayyid, or descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny), Imam Dhu’l-Faqar Ali developed friendly relations with Shah Abbas I, the most famous Safavid ruler, and married a Safavid princess. This strategy seems to have worked, because a royal decree was issued to the Imam in March 1627 granting a tax exemption for the community at Anjudan, recognising them as Ithna‘asharis. As the political and religious landscapes changed around them, Mawlana Dhu’l-Faqar Ali’s diplomatic efforts and strategy for hiding their identity helped safeguard the security of the Ismailis in Persia.
Era: Anjudan Period
Quote
“Ali of the age, lord of the time, master of the epoch,
From whose pleasure all your desires you find.”
Da’i Anjudani, 16th century Ismaili da‘i and poet
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 175-177.
Virani, Shafique N. The Ismailis in the Middle Ages, p. 81.
IIS Secondary Curriculum: Encounters in Muslim History, vol. 2, pp. 234.
https://the.ismaili/news/mawlana-dhu-l- ... -37th-imam
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Mawlana Nur al-Din Ali, our 38th Imam
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8TCaKm ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Nur al-Din Ali (peace be upon him) succeeded to the Imamat in March 1634. He was also known as Nur al-Dahr Ali, a name with both Shia and Sufi connotations, as the Ismailis of the Safavid period continued to pose outwardly as a Shia Ithna‘ashari community. The relationship between the Imamat and the Safavid shahs became even stronger after Shah Abbas II came to power in 1642, and it is reported that Imam Nur al-Din Ali accompanied Shah Abbas II on a visit to Mashhad. He died in November 1671 at Anjudan after an Imamat that lasted 37 years.
Story
Mawlana Nur al-Din Ali (peace be upon him) continued to reside in Anjudan. While the Ismailis continued to pose outwardly as Shia Ithna‘asharis, the da‘wa also remained active in many regions, teaching the faith and composing literature. Khaki Khurasani was one Persian Ismaili poet who lived during both the Imamats of Mawlana Nur al-Din Ali and his father, Mawlana Dhu’l-Faqar Ali (peace be upon him). One of Khaki Khurasani’s poems describes the transition of the Imamat, saying: “The allusion to ‘offspring, one from the other’ means that after the father comes the son. One entrusts the essence to the other when the body and the name have to change.” This poem speaks to the emotions of Ismailis throughout history during the transition from one Imam to the next, while also emphasising the spiritual reality that unites all the Imams.
Era: Anjudan Period
Quote
“The inner reality of the Ali of the time is not
the same as his outward forms.
He is the manifestation of every wonder in the world,
his state different at every time.”
Khaki Khurasani, 17th century Ismaili poet
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 177-178
IIS Secondary Curriculum: Encounters in Muslim History, vol. 2, p. 234.
Hunzai, Faquir, trans. Shimmering Light, p. 102.
https://the.ismaili/news/mawlana-nur-al ... -38th-imam
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Mawlana Khalil Allah Ali, our 39th Imam
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGTTEw4 ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Khalil Allah Ali (peace be upon him) succeeded to the Imamat in November 1671. He was the last Imam of the Anjudan period. After a brief Imamat of nine years, he died in January 1680. He is buried in the mausoleum of Mawlana Gharib Mirza (peace be upon him) in Anjudan, where his tombstone had been preserved until recently.
Story
Mawlana Khalil Allah Ali (peace be upon him) was the last Imam of the Anjudan period. After the instability that followed the fall of the Nizari Ismaili state at Alamut, the relative stability of the Anjudan period allowed the da‘wa to be strengthened. Despite still having to pose outwardly as a Shia Ithna‘ashari community, the da‘wa was organised into a simple but clear structure, and was active in various parts of Persia, Badakhshan, Afghanistan, and the Indian subcontinent. As a result of their efforts, the bulk of Nizari Ismailis were following the Qasim-Shahi line of Imams by the end of Mawlana Khalil Allah Ali’s Imamat, attesting to the Imamat’s capacity for adapting and organising the community’s institutions through changing circumstances.
Era: Anjudan Period
Quote
“By the grace of God, a light shone upon my imagination,
Teaching it lessons about His blessings.”
Husayn b. Yaqub Shah b. Sufi, 17th century Ismaili poet
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 177-178.
Landolt, Sheikh & Kassam, eds. An Anthology of Ismaili Literature, p. 297.
https://the.ismaili/news/mawlana-khalil-allah-ali
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Mawlana Nizar II, our 40th Imam
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUMdxg3 ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Nizar II (peace be upon him) succeeded to the Imamat in January 1680. During the early years of his Imamat, he moved his seat from Anjudan to the nearby village of Kahak, marking the end of the Anjudan period of the Imamat’s history. He also had ties to the Ni‘mat Allahi Sufi tariqa and was known by the Sufi name ‘Ata Allah, hence some of his followers came to be known as ‘Ata Allahis. There is a qasida, or devotional poem, attributed to him in which he speaks of his exalted position and his knowledge as the Imam. Mawlana Nizar died in September 1722 after an Imamat of 42 years, and is buried in his former residence at Kahak, which still exists today.
Story
Mawlana Nizar II (peace be upon him) relocated his residence and the headquarters of the Ismaili da‘wa to the nearby village of Kahak. Kahak is mentioned as the Imam’s seat in some ginans, which are Ismaili devotional poetry from South Asia. At Imam Nizar’s mausoleum, there are numerous other tombstones including some written in Khojki, a script that was used by Khoja Ismailis from the Indian subcontinent. Such tombstones provide clear evidence that Ismailis, especially members of the da‘wa, were making the long and dangerous pilgrimage from South Asia to visit Mawlana Nizar at Kahak, and that some also stayed there to work in his service. In a time when such journeys were difficult to make, those who travelled from various regions demonstrated a deep commitment to their faith and to serving the Imam.
Era: 18th century
Quote
“See my station, see my place;
Hear my lineage, hear my race.
If the world’s foundations shine with light,
I am the Light, and the Hand that gives it sight.”
Mawlana Nizar II
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 181-184.
IIS Secondary Curriculum: Encounters in Muslim History, vol. 2, pp. 235.
IIS Secondary Curriculum: Connecting Worlds, Volume 1, p. 24.
Qasida translation by Dr Karim Javan.
https://the.ismaili/news/mawlana-nizar-ii-our-40th-imam
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Mawlana Sayyid Ali, our 41st Imam
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xAt2rB ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Sayyid Ali (peace be upon him) succeeded to the Imamat in 1722, continuing to reside at Kahak. His Imamat coincided with the fall of the Safavid empire and a period of political instability in Persia. While the exact date is not known, Imam Sayyid Ali likely died sometime during the mid-1730s at Kahak.
Story
Mawlana Sayyid Ali (peace be upon him) succeeded to the Imamat in 1722, amidst the collapse of the Safavid empire and an Afghan invasion of Persia. This resulted in various short-lived dynasties, which created an unstable political environment in Persia until the ruler Nadir Shah came to power in 1736, founding the Afsharid empire. Nadir Shah reduced the influence of the Shia Ithna‘ashari religious clerics, which freed Ismaili and Sufi communities from the persecution that they had endured under the Safavids. The Afsharids built strong relations with the Ismaili Imams, reducing the need for the Imams to hide their identity. After living in concealment for much of the past few centuries, the Imams were able to emerge more into the open during the 18th century.
Era: 18th Century
Quote
“Whoever comes to this blessed place
and reaches the threshold of the Imam's door,
his desire is fulfilled and he alights
in the abode of paradise.”
al-Hajj Shaykh Khudr, 18th century Syrian Ismaili poet
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 185-188.
IIS Secondary Curriculum: Connecting Worlds, Volume 1, p. 24.
Hunzai, Faquir, trans. Shimmering Light, p. 114.
https://the.ismaili/news/mawlana-sayyid ... -41st-imam
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Mawlana Hasan Ali, our 42nd Imam
Biography
Mawlana Hasan Ali (peace be upon him) probably succeeded to the Imamat during the mid-1730s. He moved the seat of the Imamat from Kahak to Shahr-i Babak in the region of Kirman of southeastern Persia, where he acquired extensive properties. He maintained close relations with Nadir Shah and his descendants, which allowed the Ismailis to stop hiding their identity and emerge more into the open. Thus, Mawlana Hasan Ali became actively engaged in the political, social, and economic affairs of the city and the province, becoming a well-respected member of society. He died shortly before 1750.
Story
During a period of political upheaval in Persia, Mawlana Hasan Ali (peace be upon him) moved the seat of the Imamat to Shahr-i Babak in the region of Kirman in southeastern Persia. This decision may have been motivated by the Imam’s concern for the safety of Ismailis travelling from the Indian subcontinent to visit him. By the 18th century, members of the large community of South Asian Ismailis were travelling in increasing numbers to Kahak, but political instability in Persia was making it more dangerous for them to travel, and they were often attacked on the long journey. The move to Kirman made the journey shorter and safer, demonstrating the lengths to which Mawlana Hasan Ali was willing to go to safeguard the security of members of his community.
Era: 18th Century
Quote
“The people of the house of Prophethood
are the manifestations of light…
They are the ships of salvation for those
who come running to them with hope.”
al-Hajj Shaykh Khudr, 18th century Syrian Ismaili poet
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 185-188.
IIS Secondary Curriculum: Connecting Worlds, Volume 1, pp. 26-27.
Hunzai, Faquir, trans. Shimmering Light, p. 106.
https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/mawlana- ... -42nd-imam
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kow7rOT ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Murad Mirza (peace be upon him) succeeded to the Imamat at an unknown date in the mid-16th century. His Imamat coincided with the rule of Shah Tahmasp I (r. 1524-1576), who persecuted the Imam because of his popularity among his Ismaili followers. Mawlana Murad Mirza died in 1574, having been executed by the Safavid Shah.
Story
During the Imamat of Mawlana Murad Mirza (peace be upon him), the Safavids became increasingly intolerant towards other Shia and Sufi communities, resulting in the renewed persecution of Ismailis. The Safavids noticed the Imam’s popularity among his followers both within and outside Persia, including Ismailis who would visit from the Indian subcontinent and other regions. This alarmed Shah Tahmasp I, who had the Imam imprisoned in 1573. Imam Murad Mirza escaped from prison with the help of a high-ranking Safavid official who was secretly an Ismaili, then he fled to Afghanistan. However, the Imam was recaptured a few months later in 1574. He was brought before the Shah, who had him executed soon after. Mawlana Murad Mirza’s story demonstrates the danger and persecution faced by the Imams and the Ismailis if they revealed their true identity. His descendants would change their strategy for concealing themselves during the Safavid period.
Era: Anjudan Period
Quote
“Do you desire salvation, O brother of mine?
Then with affection for the king of Anjudan, arise!”
Darwish, Ismaili poet during the 15th and 16th centuries
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 169-173.
Landolt, Sheikh & Kassam, eds. An Anthology of Ismaili Literature, p. 293.
https://the.ismaili/news/mawlana-murad- ... -36th-imam
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Mawlana Dhu’l-Faqar Ali, our 37th Imam
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpOnOAk ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Dhu’l-Faqar Ali (peace be upon him) was born around 1566 and succeeded to the Imamat in 1574 at just eight years old. He was known both as Khalil Allah and by his Sufi name, Dhu’l-Faqar Ali. He re-established the seat of the Imamat at Anjudan after his father, Mawlana Murad Mirza (peace be upon him), had left due to persecution by the Safavid empire. Unlike his father, Mawlana Dhu’l-Faqar Ali largely stayed aloof from political activity, although he established friendly relations with Shah Abbas I (r. 1587-1629), including marrying the Shah’s sister, Sharaf Nisa Begum. After the second Imamat in history that is known to have reached 60 years, he died in March 1634 at the age of 68.
Story
Mawlana Dhu’l-Faqar Ali (peace be upon him) responded to the Safavid empire’s persecution of Ismailis in Persia by changing strategies for hiding their religious identity. Instead of posing as a Sufi tariqa, Ismailis now appeared outwardly as a Shia Ithna‘ashari community. Presenting himself as a sayyid, or descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny), Imam Dhu’l-Faqar Ali developed friendly relations with Shah Abbas I, the most famous Safavid ruler, and married a Safavid princess. This strategy seems to have worked, because a royal decree was issued to the Imam in March 1627 granting a tax exemption for the community at Anjudan, recognising them as Ithna‘asharis. As the political and religious landscapes changed around them, Mawlana Dhu’l-Faqar Ali’s diplomatic efforts and strategy for hiding their identity helped safeguard the security of the Ismailis in Persia.
Era: Anjudan Period
Quote
“Ali of the age, lord of the time, master of the epoch,
From whose pleasure all your desires you find.”
Da’i Anjudani, 16th century Ismaili da‘i and poet
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 175-177.
Virani, Shafique N. The Ismailis in the Middle Ages, p. 81.
IIS Secondary Curriculum: Encounters in Muslim History, vol. 2, pp. 234.
https://the.ismaili/news/mawlana-dhu-l- ... -37th-imam
**************************
Mawlana Nur al-Din Ali, our 38th Imam
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8TCaKm ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Nur al-Din Ali (peace be upon him) succeeded to the Imamat in March 1634. He was also known as Nur al-Dahr Ali, a name with both Shia and Sufi connotations, as the Ismailis of the Safavid period continued to pose outwardly as a Shia Ithna‘ashari community. The relationship between the Imamat and the Safavid shahs became even stronger after Shah Abbas II came to power in 1642, and it is reported that Imam Nur al-Din Ali accompanied Shah Abbas II on a visit to Mashhad. He died in November 1671 at Anjudan after an Imamat that lasted 37 years.
Story
Mawlana Nur al-Din Ali (peace be upon him) continued to reside in Anjudan. While the Ismailis continued to pose outwardly as Shia Ithna‘asharis, the da‘wa also remained active in many regions, teaching the faith and composing literature. Khaki Khurasani was one Persian Ismaili poet who lived during both the Imamats of Mawlana Nur al-Din Ali and his father, Mawlana Dhu’l-Faqar Ali (peace be upon him). One of Khaki Khurasani’s poems describes the transition of the Imamat, saying: “The allusion to ‘offspring, one from the other’ means that after the father comes the son. One entrusts the essence to the other when the body and the name have to change.” This poem speaks to the emotions of Ismailis throughout history during the transition from one Imam to the next, while also emphasising the spiritual reality that unites all the Imams.
Era: Anjudan Period
Quote
“The inner reality of the Ali of the time is not
the same as his outward forms.
He is the manifestation of every wonder in the world,
his state different at every time.”
Khaki Khurasani, 17th century Ismaili poet
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 177-178
IIS Secondary Curriculum: Encounters in Muslim History, vol. 2, p. 234.
Hunzai, Faquir, trans. Shimmering Light, p. 102.
https://the.ismaili/news/mawlana-nur-al ... -38th-imam
***********************
Mawlana Khalil Allah Ali, our 39th Imam
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGTTEw4 ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Khalil Allah Ali (peace be upon him) succeeded to the Imamat in November 1671. He was the last Imam of the Anjudan period. After a brief Imamat of nine years, he died in January 1680. He is buried in the mausoleum of Mawlana Gharib Mirza (peace be upon him) in Anjudan, where his tombstone had been preserved until recently.
Story
Mawlana Khalil Allah Ali (peace be upon him) was the last Imam of the Anjudan period. After the instability that followed the fall of the Nizari Ismaili state at Alamut, the relative stability of the Anjudan period allowed the da‘wa to be strengthened. Despite still having to pose outwardly as a Shia Ithna‘ashari community, the da‘wa was organised into a simple but clear structure, and was active in various parts of Persia, Badakhshan, Afghanistan, and the Indian subcontinent. As a result of their efforts, the bulk of Nizari Ismailis were following the Qasim-Shahi line of Imams by the end of Mawlana Khalil Allah Ali’s Imamat, attesting to the Imamat’s capacity for adapting and organising the community’s institutions through changing circumstances.
Era: Anjudan Period
Quote
“By the grace of God, a light shone upon my imagination,
Teaching it lessons about His blessings.”
Husayn b. Yaqub Shah b. Sufi, 17th century Ismaili poet
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 177-178.
Landolt, Sheikh & Kassam, eds. An Anthology of Ismaili Literature, p. 297.
https://the.ismaili/news/mawlana-khalil-allah-ali
***************************
Mawlana Nizar II, our 40th Imam
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUMdxg3 ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Nizar II (peace be upon him) succeeded to the Imamat in January 1680. During the early years of his Imamat, he moved his seat from Anjudan to the nearby village of Kahak, marking the end of the Anjudan period of the Imamat’s history. He also had ties to the Ni‘mat Allahi Sufi tariqa and was known by the Sufi name ‘Ata Allah, hence some of his followers came to be known as ‘Ata Allahis. There is a qasida, or devotional poem, attributed to him in which he speaks of his exalted position and his knowledge as the Imam. Mawlana Nizar died in September 1722 after an Imamat of 42 years, and is buried in his former residence at Kahak, which still exists today.
Story
Mawlana Nizar II (peace be upon him) relocated his residence and the headquarters of the Ismaili da‘wa to the nearby village of Kahak. Kahak is mentioned as the Imam’s seat in some ginans, which are Ismaili devotional poetry from South Asia. At Imam Nizar’s mausoleum, there are numerous other tombstones including some written in Khojki, a script that was used by Khoja Ismailis from the Indian subcontinent. Such tombstones provide clear evidence that Ismailis, especially members of the da‘wa, were making the long and dangerous pilgrimage from South Asia to visit Mawlana Nizar at Kahak, and that some also stayed there to work in his service. In a time when such journeys were difficult to make, those who travelled from various regions demonstrated a deep commitment to their faith and to serving the Imam.
Era: 18th century
Quote
“See my station, see my place;
Hear my lineage, hear my race.
If the world’s foundations shine with light,
I am the Light, and the Hand that gives it sight.”
Mawlana Nizar II
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 181-184.
IIS Secondary Curriculum: Encounters in Muslim History, vol. 2, pp. 235.
IIS Secondary Curriculum: Connecting Worlds, Volume 1, p. 24.
Qasida translation by Dr Karim Javan.
https://the.ismaili/news/mawlana-nizar-ii-our-40th-imam
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Mawlana Sayyid Ali, our 41st Imam
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xAt2rB ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Sayyid Ali (peace be upon him) succeeded to the Imamat in 1722, continuing to reside at Kahak. His Imamat coincided with the fall of the Safavid empire and a period of political instability in Persia. While the exact date is not known, Imam Sayyid Ali likely died sometime during the mid-1730s at Kahak.
Story
Mawlana Sayyid Ali (peace be upon him) succeeded to the Imamat in 1722, amidst the collapse of the Safavid empire and an Afghan invasion of Persia. This resulted in various short-lived dynasties, which created an unstable political environment in Persia until the ruler Nadir Shah came to power in 1736, founding the Afsharid empire. Nadir Shah reduced the influence of the Shia Ithna‘ashari religious clerics, which freed Ismaili and Sufi communities from the persecution that they had endured under the Safavids. The Afsharids built strong relations with the Ismaili Imams, reducing the need for the Imams to hide their identity. After living in concealment for much of the past few centuries, the Imams were able to emerge more into the open during the 18th century.
Era: 18th Century
Quote
“Whoever comes to this blessed place
and reaches the threshold of the Imam's door,
his desire is fulfilled and he alights
in the abode of paradise.”
al-Hajj Shaykh Khudr, 18th century Syrian Ismaili poet
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 185-188.
IIS Secondary Curriculum: Connecting Worlds, Volume 1, p. 24.
Hunzai, Faquir, trans. Shimmering Light, p. 114.
https://the.ismaili/news/mawlana-sayyid ... -41st-imam
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Mawlana Hasan Ali, our 42nd Imam
Biography
Mawlana Hasan Ali (peace be upon him) probably succeeded to the Imamat during the mid-1730s. He moved the seat of the Imamat from Kahak to Shahr-i Babak in the region of Kirman of southeastern Persia, where he acquired extensive properties. He maintained close relations with Nadir Shah and his descendants, which allowed the Ismailis to stop hiding their identity and emerge more into the open. Thus, Mawlana Hasan Ali became actively engaged in the political, social, and economic affairs of the city and the province, becoming a well-respected member of society. He died shortly before 1750.
Story
During a period of political upheaval in Persia, Mawlana Hasan Ali (peace be upon him) moved the seat of the Imamat to Shahr-i Babak in the region of Kirman in southeastern Persia. This decision may have been motivated by the Imam’s concern for the safety of Ismailis travelling from the Indian subcontinent to visit him. By the 18th century, members of the large community of South Asian Ismailis were travelling in increasing numbers to Kahak, but political instability in Persia was making it more dangerous for them to travel, and they were often attacked on the long journey. The move to Kirman made the journey shorter and safer, demonstrating the lengths to which Mawlana Hasan Ali was willing to go to safeguard the security of members of his community.
Era: 18th Century
Quote
“The people of the house of Prophethood
are the manifestations of light…
They are the ships of salvation for those
who come running to them with hope.”
al-Hajj Shaykh Khudr, 18th century Syrian Ismaili poet
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 185-188.
IIS Secondary Curriculum: Connecting Worlds, Volume 1, pp. 26-27.
Hunzai, Faquir, trans. Shimmering Light, p. 106.
https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/mawlana- ... -42nd-imam
-
swamidada786
- Posts: 320
- Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2025 8:56 pm
Re: Imam and Imamat
For God sake, why comments are blocked on U tube and The.Ismaili. It is weakness and lack of confidence. May be some knowledgable person can add more historical facts.
Re: Imam and Imamat
Mawlana Qasim Ali, our 43rd Imam
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zscG6p ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Qasim Ali (peace be upon him) succeeded to the Imamat shortly before 1750. He continued to reside in Shahr-i Babak, where he was also known as Sayyid Ja‘far. His Imamat coincided with the rise to power of Karim Khan Zand as the ruler of Persia in 1751. Mawlana Qasim Ali died in the early 1750s, with his Imamat only lasting a few years.
Story
By the time of Mawlana Qasim Ali (peace be upon him), the Imams were no longer hiding their identity and enjoyed respect in Kirman, where they were actively involved in the social, political, and economic life of the city. The Imamat had close ties with Sufi pirs and other nobles, with a marriage alliance being formed between Imam Qasim Ali’s sister and the governor of Kirman’s son. In 1751, Karim Khan Zand took power over much of Persia, and the Imam forged a relationship with the new ruler. During his short Imamat in the early 1750s, Mawlana Qasim Ali maintained diplomatic bridges outside the Ismaili community and contributed positively to Persian society, while also improving the security and quality of life of Ismailis.
Era: 18th Century
Quote
“Why, my heart, why, O why do you sleep
At this hour of remembrance
of the King, of the Lord?
My heart, why, O why are you asleep?”
Pir Ghulam Ali Shah, 18th century South Asian Ismaili poet
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 185-188.
Esmail, Aziz. A Scent of Sandalwood, p. 97.
IIS Secondary Curriculum: Connecting Worlds, Volume 1, pp. 26-27.
https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/mawlana- ... -43rd-imam
**********************
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcQIz4I ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Abu’l-Hasan Ali (peace be upon him) succeeded to the Imamat in the early 1750s. He served as the governor of the city of Kirman and, by 1756, of the province of Kirman. Following the death of the ruler Karim Khan Zand in 1779, the Zand dynasty underwent significant turmoil, so the Imam was able to rule relatively independently. He also renewed the bond between the Imamat and the Ni‘mat Allahi Sufi tariqa, and the Imam is said to be buried in the mausoleum of a prominent Ni‘mat Allahi Sufi named Mushtaq Ali Shah. Mawlana Abu’l-Hasan Ali died in 1792, following an Imamat of about 40 years.
Story
Mawlana Abu’l-Hasan Ali (peace be upon him) was politically active in the province of Kirman during a chaotic period in Persia. Early on, the Imam was made the governor of the city of Kirman. In 1756, he was appointed as the governor of the province of Kirman by Karim Khan Zand, the ruler of Persia. Imam Abu’l-Hasan Ali was popular among his subjects and managed to navigate the continuously shifting political landscape over several decades, forming alliances with new rulers amidst various military conflicts and conquests. He established ties with the Qajar dynasty during their conquests of Persia, which laid the foundation for a close relationship between the Qajars and the Imamat. Mawlana Abu’l-Hasan Ali’s participation in Persian society demonstrates the Imamat’s longstanding commitment to improving the quality of life of wider society.
Era: 18th Century
Quote
“O King! I always seek refuge in your court for protection,
For my palate, this is the only remedial nectar I have…
The flower, which is the glory of the nine meadows of the Eternal Garden,
Is the signet rings’ seal of the King of the faith, Abu’l-Hasan.”
Rubabi, 18th century Badakhshani Ismaili poet
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 189-194.
IIS Secondary Curriculum: Connecting Worlds, Volume 1, pp. 28-29.
https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/mawlana- ... -44th-imam
************************************
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-N3HOw ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Khalil Allah Ali II (peace be upon him) succeeded to the Imamat in 1792. The Ismailis were spared by Agha Muhammad Khan, the first Shah of the Qajar empire, who massacred many people during his conquest of Kirman in 1794. The Shah allowed the Imam to move to Kahak, where he was given properties as compensation for what he had lost in Kirman. He remained in Kahak until 1815, when he moved to Yazd in order to make the journey safer for Ismailis travelling to visit the Imam from the Indian subcontinent. He died during a dispute in 1817 after an Imamat of 25 years. He is buried in a family mausoleum in Najaf that is within the enclosure of Mawlana Ali’s shrine.
Story
One day in 1817, a dispute broke out between some Ismailis and some shopkeepers in Yazd. The group of Ismailis sought protection at the residence of Mawlana Khalil Allah Ali II (peace be upon him). A local mulla, who was unhappy with the growing influence of Ismailis, gathered a mob to attack the Imam’s house. Tragically, the Imam and several Ismailis were killed in the attack and the house was looted. Mawlana Khalil Allah Ali’s widow sought justice from the Qajar ruler, Fath Ali Shah. As a show of respect, the Shah appointed Mawlana Hasan Ali Shah (peace be upon him) as the governor of Qum, gave him properties, offered one of his daughters in marriage, and bestowed him with the hereditary title of Aga Khan. This tragic event ultimately ushered in the modern era of the Imams under the leadership of the Aga Khans.
Era: 18th century
Quote
“Shah Khalil Allah was hunting near the citadel at the ring of fortresses
And graciously called for Fath Ali
My untold hopes were realised
The lord appeared eternally as light.”
Sayyid Fath Ali Shah Shamsi, 18th century South Asian Ismaili poet
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 195-197.
Daftary, F. and Hirji, Z. The Ismailis: An Illustrated History, p. 175
https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/mawlana- ... -45th-imam
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Mawlana Hasan Ali Shah, our 46th Imam
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhh-D_a ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Hasan Ali Shah (peace be upon him) was born in 1804 at Kahak. He succeeded to the Imamat in 1817 at just 13 years of age. He received the hereditary title of Aga Khan from Fath Ali Shah Qajar, the ruler of Persia, and also married the Shah’s daughter, Sarv-i Jahan Khanum. He served as governor of Qum, and was later appointed governor of Kirman in 1835. However, an armed confrontation erupted with Qajar forces and the Imam was ultimately forced to leave Persia in 1841. The details of this confrontation and his journey are documented in his memoir, Ibrat-afza. He settled in Mumbai in 1848 and focused on organising the community in India. He died in April 1881 after an Imamat of 64 years, the third longest in history. His mausoleum is at Hasanabad in Mumbai.
Story
After political intrigues against him at the court of Muhammad Shah Qajar, Mawlana Hasan Ali Shah (peace be upon him) was forced to flee Persia in 1841, ending seven centuries of Imamat in Persia. He settled in Mumbai in 1848. However, a small group of community members rejected his rights over their communal properties. This dispute resulted in a court challenge known as the Aga Khan Case, which came before the Bombay High Court in 1866. In a landmark ruling, Mawlana Hasan Ali Shah was formally recognised by a British judge as the Ismaili Imam, and confirmed that the community were, in fact, historically Shia Ismaili Muslims. Thus, Mawlana Hasan Ali Shah was granted full authority over the community’s affairs and institutions, which he focused on reorganising. The Aga Khan Case was important because it firmly established the legal authority of the Imamat in modern times.
Era: Modern period
Quote
“[God] is neither matter nor material. He has neither any direction nor any place. Seeing Him is not possible, other than through spiritual eyes. Observing Him is not possible other than through the sight of the speaking soul, which is purified of material pollution.”
Mawlana Hasan Ali Shah
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 201-211.
Beben, D. and Mohammad Poor, D., ed. and trans. The First Aga Khan, p. 134.
https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/mawlana- ... -46th-imam
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Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, our 48th Imam
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5uaGJL ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah (peace be upon him) was born in Karachi on 2 November 1877. Known as Aga Khan III, he was just seven years old when he succeeded to the Imamat on 17 August 1885. Working to modernise the Ismaili community institutions, he established constitutions and a system of councils. Education was a strong area of emphasis for him, particularly for girls, and he established hundreds of schools in Asia and Africa. He was actively involved with the independence movement in British India, and played a leadership role in the Muslim community, including supporting Aligarh Muslim University. He was active on the global stage, culminating with his election in 1937 as President of the League of Nations, the forerunner to the United Nations. He eventually transferred the seat of the Imamat to Europe. Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah died on 11 July 1957 in Geneva, Switzerland, following the longest Imamat in recorded history at 72 years. His mausoleum is in Aswan, Egypt.
Story
One of the most widely publicised aspects from the Imamat of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah (peace be upon him) were the weighing ceremonies commemorating his three Jubilees. During his Golden, Diamond, and Platinum Jubilee ceremonies, he was weighed against these precious metals, which Ismailis offered as an unconditional gift, or nazrana. Despite sensationalised media reporting, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah’s weighing ceremonies were not meant as a spectacle to show off the Imam’s wealth. Rooted in a tradition going back to the Mughal empire, the gifts given to him were invested back into the community to strengthen their educational, health, and economic institutions. As the Imam himself said, “the Diamond Jubilee came as a unique opportunity for bringing about some radical changes not only materially, but of the general outlook amongst my people.” The Jubilees were Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah’s way of providing a springboard to dramatically improve the quality of life of Ismailis and wider society.
Era: Modern period
Quote
“Life is a great and noble calling, not a mean and grovelling thing to be shuffled through as best as we can but a lofty and exalted destiny.”
Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 217-223.
Aga Khan III. Memoirs of Aga Khan, p. v.
https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/mawlana- ... -48th-imam
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Mawlana Shah Karim, our 49th Imam
Biography
Mawlana Shah Karim (peace be upon him) was born in Geneva on 13 December 1936. Known as Aga Khan IV, he succeeded his grandfather to the Imamat on 11 July 1957 at age 20. His Imamat focused on building institutions aimed at the long-term progress of Ismailis and the wider societies in which they live, most notably through the Aga Khan Development Network. In continuing the Imamat’s longstanding promotion of scholarship and learning, he established The Institute of Ismaili Studies in 1977. He ordained the first global Ismaili Constitution in 1986 to strengthen the social governance of his institutions. In the face of a rapidly changing and globalising world, he championed pluralism as a means to build more peaceful societies, including founding the Global Centre for Pluralism. After working for decades at his private secretariat, Aiglemont, in France, he formally established a Seat of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon, Portugal in 2015. He died on 4 February 2025 in Lisbon after a 67-year Imamat, the second longest in recorded history. He is buried in Aswan, Egypt.
Story
Following the first year of his Imamat in which he visited various Ismaili communities, Mawlana Shah Karim (peace be upon him) decided to return to Harvard University to finish the final year of his degree. As he described it, “I was able to listen to a remarkable spectrum of knowledge that was available at that time at Harvard University… what I have been able to achieve since that time is largely anchored in the education that I received.” What the Imam achieved over almost seven decades was remarkable. He built institutions to serve Ismailis and the societies in which they live, under the umbrella of the Aga Khan Development Network, as an expression of the Imamat’s centuries-long mandate to improve quality of life. Mawlana Shah Karim’s impact was immense, with his institutions making life better for millions of people regardless of their background, while also providing spiritual guidance to Ismailis through decades of rapid change.
Era: Contemporary period
Quote
“The love of the Imam knows no physical boundaries. No mountain, no river, no desert can stop the love of the Imam for his Jamat worldwide.”
Mawlana Shah Karim
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 225-239.
Mawlana Shah Karim, Asia Society Lifetime Achievement Award, 2017.
https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/mawlana- ... -49th-imam
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Mawlana Shah Rahim, our 50th Imam
Biography
Mawlana Shah Rahim al-Hussaini was born in Geneva, Switzerland on 12 October 1971. He succeeded to the Imamat on 4 February 2025 at the age of 53, and is also known as Aga Khan V. Like the Imams before him, his guidance encourages Ismailis to strive to reach their full potential, individually and collectively. He has emphasised pluralism and inclusiveness, and has called on Ismailis to be ethical, contributing citizens to the societies they live in. Mawlana Shah Rahim meets regularly with leaders of government, international organisations, and civil society to strengthen their relations with the Ismaili Imamat and its institutions, including the Aga Khan Development Network, and to advance efforts to improve the lives of marginalised and vulnerable communities.
Story
On 12 October 2025, Ismailis around the world were celebrating Mawlana Shah Rahim’s birthday for the first time since he succeeded to the Ismaili Imamat. That day, word began to spread that the Imam was participating in the Chicago Marathon, creating a buzz. This embodied the Imam’s guidance about the importance of physical activity and sports. In today’s world, people often feel too busy to exercise or play sports, and are too immersed with their phones and other screens, causing a rise in physical and mental health issues. At the opening of the Global Encounters Festival in Dubai, the Imam said, “I pray that each of you experiences the blessing of joy and happiness as you come together to celebrate art, culture, sport, and human potential.” The Imam’s guidance, therefore, encourages individuals to reach for their potential in all aspects of their worldly and spiritual lives. The Imams throughout history have responded to the challenges of their day in the same way. For 14 centuries, the guidance of the Imams has illuminated the path towards spiritual enlightenment and a better quality of life, stretching from Mawlana Ali (peace be upon him) all the way to Mawlana Shah Rahim.
Era: Contemporary period
Quote
“Our faith is rooted in a set of values and principles, which include a code of conduct and behavior that comprise kindness, generosity, tolerance, helping those in need, service, looking after each other. I think these values are universal. For Ismailis, living according to these ethical principles is an expression of our faith.”
Mawlana Shah Rahim
Sources
His Highness the Aga Khan’s Biography https://the.ismaili/about/his-highness-the-aga-khan
Mawlana Hazar Imam celebrates his birthday by completing the Chicago Marathon https://the.ismaili/news/mawlana-hazar- ... o-marathon
Mawlana Hazar Imam visits Ismaili Centre in Lisbon https://the.ismaili/news/mawlana-hazar- ... -in-lisbon
https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/mawlana- ... -50th-imam
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zscG6p ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Qasim Ali (peace be upon him) succeeded to the Imamat shortly before 1750. He continued to reside in Shahr-i Babak, where he was also known as Sayyid Ja‘far. His Imamat coincided with the rise to power of Karim Khan Zand as the ruler of Persia in 1751. Mawlana Qasim Ali died in the early 1750s, with his Imamat only lasting a few years.
Story
By the time of Mawlana Qasim Ali (peace be upon him), the Imams were no longer hiding their identity and enjoyed respect in Kirman, where they were actively involved in the social, political, and economic life of the city. The Imamat had close ties with Sufi pirs and other nobles, with a marriage alliance being formed between Imam Qasim Ali’s sister and the governor of Kirman’s son. In 1751, Karim Khan Zand took power over much of Persia, and the Imam forged a relationship with the new ruler. During his short Imamat in the early 1750s, Mawlana Qasim Ali maintained diplomatic bridges outside the Ismaili community and contributed positively to Persian society, while also improving the security and quality of life of Ismailis.
Era: 18th Century
Quote
“Why, my heart, why, O why do you sleep
At this hour of remembrance
of the King, of the Lord?
My heart, why, O why are you asleep?”
Pir Ghulam Ali Shah, 18th century South Asian Ismaili poet
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 185-188.
Esmail, Aziz. A Scent of Sandalwood, p. 97.
IIS Secondary Curriculum: Connecting Worlds, Volume 1, pp. 26-27.
https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/mawlana- ... -43rd-imam
**********************
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcQIz4I ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Abu’l-Hasan Ali (peace be upon him) succeeded to the Imamat in the early 1750s. He served as the governor of the city of Kirman and, by 1756, of the province of Kirman. Following the death of the ruler Karim Khan Zand in 1779, the Zand dynasty underwent significant turmoil, so the Imam was able to rule relatively independently. He also renewed the bond between the Imamat and the Ni‘mat Allahi Sufi tariqa, and the Imam is said to be buried in the mausoleum of a prominent Ni‘mat Allahi Sufi named Mushtaq Ali Shah. Mawlana Abu’l-Hasan Ali died in 1792, following an Imamat of about 40 years.
Story
Mawlana Abu’l-Hasan Ali (peace be upon him) was politically active in the province of Kirman during a chaotic period in Persia. Early on, the Imam was made the governor of the city of Kirman. In 1756, he was appointed as the governor of the province of Kirman by Karim Khan Zand, the ruler of Persia. Imam Abu’l-Hasan Ali was popular among his subjects and managed to navigate the continuously shifting political landscape over several decades, forming alliances with new rulers amidst various military conflicts and conquests. He established ties with the Qajar dynasty during their conquests of Persia, which laid the foundation for a close relationship between the Qajars and the Imamat. Mawlana Abu’l-Hasan Ali’s participation in Persian society demonstrates the Imamat’s longstanding commitment to improving the quality of life of wider society.
Era: 18th Century
Quote
“O King! I always seek refuge in your court for protection,
For my palate, this is the only remedial nectar I have…
The flower, which is the glory of the nine meadows of the Eternal Garden,
Is the signet rings’ seal of the King of the faith, Abu’l-Hasan.”
Rubabi, 18th century Badakhshani Ismaili poet
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 189-194.
IIS Secondary Curriculum: Connecting Worlds, Volume 1, pp. 28-29.
https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/mawlana- ... -44th-imam
************************************
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-N3HOw ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Khalil Allah Ali II (peace be upon him) succeeded to the Imamat in 1792. The Ismailis were spared by Agha Muhammad Khan, the first Shah of the Qajar empire, who massacred many people during his conquest of Kirman in 1794. The Shah allowed the Imam to move to Kahak, where he was given properties as compensation for what he had lost in Kirman. He remained in Kahak until 1815, when he moved to Yazd in order to make the journey safer for Ismailis travelling to visit the Imam from the Indian subcontinent. He died during a dispute in 1817 after an Imamat of 25 years. He is buried in a family mausoleum in Najaf that is within the enclosure of Mawlana Ali’s shrine.
Story
One day in 1817, a dispute broke out between some Ismailis and some shopkeepers in Yazd. The group of Ismailis sought protection at the residence of Mawlana Khalil Allah Ali II (peace be upon him). A local mulla, who was unhappy with the growing influence of Ismailis, gathered a mob to attack the Imam’s house. Tragically, the Imam and several Ismailis were killed in the attack and the house was looted. Mawlana Khalil Allah Ali’s widow sought justice from the Qajar ruler, Fath Ali Shah. As a show of respect, the Shah appointed Mawlana Hasan Ali Shah (peace be upon him) as the governor of Qum, gave him properties, offered one of his daughters in marriage, and bestowed him with the hereditary title of Aga Khan. This tragic event ultimately ushered in the modern era of the Imams under the leadership of the Aga Khans.
Era: 18th century
Quote
“Shah Khalil Allah was hunting near the citadel at the ring of fortresses
And graciously called for Fath Ali
My untold hopes were realised
The lord appeared eternally as light.”
Sayyid Fath Ali Shah Shamsi, 18th century South Asian Ismaili poet
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 195-197.
Daftary, F. and Hirji, Z. The Ismailis: An Illustrated History, p. 175
https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/mawlana- ... -45th-imam
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Mawlana Hasan Ali Shah, our 46th Imam
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhh-D_a ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Hasan Ali Shah (peace be upon him) was born in 1804 at Kahak. He succeeded to the Imamat in 1817 at just 13 years of age. He received the hereditary title of Aga Khan from Fath Ali Shah Qajar, the ruler of Persia, and also married the Shah’s daughter, Sarv-i Jahan Khanum. He served as governor of Qum, and was later appointed governor of Kirman in 1835. However, an armed confrontation erupted with Qajar forces and the Imam was ultimately forced to leave Persia in 1841. The details of this confrontation and his journey are documented in his memoir, Ibrat-afza. He settled in Mumbai in 1848 and focused on organising the community in India. He died in April 1881 after an Imamat of 64 years, the third longest in history. His mausoleum is at Hasanabad in Mumbai.
Story
After political intrigues against him at the court of Muhammad Shah Qajar, Mawlana Hasan Ali Shah (peace be upon him) was forced to flee Persia in 1841, ending seven centuries of Imamat in Persia. He settled in Mumbai in 1848. However, a small group of community members rejected his rights over their communal properties. This dispute resulted in a court challenge known as the Aga Khan Case, which came before the Bombay High Court in 1866. In a landmark ruling, Mawlana Hasan Ali Shah was formally recognised by a British judge as the Ismaili Imam, and confirmed that the community were, in fact, historically Shia Ismaili Muslims. Thus, Mawlana Hasan Ali Shah was granted full authority over the community’s affairs and institutions, which he focused on reorganising. The Aga Khan Case was important because it firmly established the legal authority of the Imamat in modern times.
Era: Modern period
Quote
“[God] is neither matter nor material. He has neither any direction nor any place. Seeing Him is not possible, other than through spiritual eyes. Observing Him is not possible other than through the sight of the speaking soul, which is purified of material pollution.”
Mawlana Hasan Ali Shah
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 201-211.
Beben, D. and Mohammad Poor, D., ed. and trans. The First Aga Khan, p. 134.
https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/mawlana- ... -46th-imam
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Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, our 48th Imam
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5uaGJL ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah (peace be upon him) was born in Karachi on 2 November 1877. Known as Aga Khan III, he was just seven years old when he succeeded to the Imamat on 17 August 1885. Working to modernise the Ismaili community institutions, he established constitutions and a system of councils. Education was a strong area of emphasis for him, particularly for girls, and he established hundreds of schools in Asia and Africa. He was actively involved with the independence movement in British India, and played a leadership role in the Muslim community, including supporting Aligarh Muslim University. He was active on the global stage, culminating with his election in 1937 as President of the League of Nations, the forerunner to the United Nations. He eventually transferred the seat of the Imamat to Europe. Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah died on 11 July 1957 in Geneva, Switzerland, following the longest Imamat in recorded history at 72 years. His mausoleum is in Aswan, Egypt.
Story
One of the most widely publicised aspects from the Imamat of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah (peace be upon him) were the weighing ceremonies commemorating his three Jubilees. During his Golden, Diamond, and Platinum Jubilee ceremonies, he was weighed against these precious metals, which Ismailis offered as an unconditional gift, or nazrana. Despite sensationalised media reporting, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah’s weighing ceremonies were not meant as a spectacle to show off the Imam’s wealth. Rooted in a tradition going back to the Mughal empire, the gifts given to him were invested back into the community to strengthen their educational, health, and economic institutions. As the Imam himself said, “the Diamond Jubilee came as a unique opportunity for bringing about some radical changes not only materially, but of the general outlook amongst my people.” The Jubilees were Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah’s way of providing a springboard to dramatically improve the quality of life of Ismailis and wider society.
Era: Modern period
Quote
“Life is a great and noble calling, not a mean and grovelling thing to be shuffled through as best as we can but a lofty and exalted destiny.”
Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 217-223.
Aga Khan III. Memoirs of Aga Khan, p. v.
https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/mawlana- ... -48th-imam
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Mawlana Shah Karim, our 49th Imam
Biography
Mawlana Shah Karim (peace be upon him) was born in Geneva on 13 December 1936. Known as Aga Khan IV, he succeeded his grandfather to the Imamat on 11 July 1957 at age 20. His Imamat focused on building institutions aimed at the long-term progress of Ismailis and the wider societies in which they live, most notably through the Aga Khan Development Network. In continuing the Imamat’s longstanding promotion of scholarship and learning, he established The Institute of Ismaili Studies in 1977. He ordained the first global Ismaili Constitution in 1986 to strengthen the social governance of his institutions. In the face of a rapidly changing and globalising world, he championed pluralism as a means to build more peaceful societies, including founding the Global Centre for Pluralism. After working for decades at his private secretariat, Aiglemont, in France, he formally established a Seat of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon, Portugal in 2015. He died on 4 February 2025 in Lisbon after a 67-year Imamat, the second longest in recorded history. He is buried in Aswan, Egypt.
Story
Following the first year of his Imamat in which he visited various Ismaili communities, Mawlana Shah Karim (peace be upon him) decided to return to Harvard University to finish the final year of his degree. As he described it, “I was able to listen to a remarkable spectrum of knowledge that was available at that time at Harvard University… what I have been able to achieve since that time is largely anchored in the education that I received.” What the Imam achieved over almost seven decades was remarkable. He built institutions to serve Ismailis and the societies in which they live, under the umbrella of the Aga Khan Development Network, as an expression of the Imamat’s centuries-long mandate to improve quality of life. Mawlana Shah Karim’s impact was immense, with his institutions making life better for millions of people regardless of their background, while also providing spiritual guidance to Ismailis through decades of rapid change.
Era: Contemporary period
Quote
“The love of the Imam knows no physical boundaries. No mountain, no river, no desert can stop the love of the Imam for his Jamat worldwide.”
Mawlana Shah Karim
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 225-239.
Mawlana Shah Karim, Asia Society Lifetime Achievement Award, 2017.
https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/mawlana- ... -49th-imam
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Mawlana Shah Rahim, our 50th Imam
Biography
Mawlana Shah Rahim al-Hussaini was born in Geneva, Switzerland on 12 October 1971. He succeeded to the Imamat on 4 February 2025 at the age of 53, and is also known as Aga Khan V. Like the Imams before him, his guidance encourages Ismailis to strive to reach their full potential, individually and collectively. He has emphasised pluralism and inclusiveness, and has called on Ismailis to be ethical, contributing citizens to the societies they live in. Mawlana Shah Rahim meets regularly with leaders of government, international organisations, and civil society to strengthen their relations with the Ismaili Imamat and its institutions, including the Aga Khan Development Network, and to advance efforts to improve the lives of marginalised and vulnerable communities.
Story
On 12 October 2025, Ismailis around the world were celebrating Mawlana Shah Rahim’s birthday for the first time since he succeeded to the Ismaili Imamat. That day, word began to spread that the Imam was participating in the Chicago Marathon, creating a buzz. This embodied the Imam’s guidance about the importance of physical activity and sports. In today’s world, people often feel too busy to exercise or play sports, and are too immersed with their phones and other screens, causing a rise in physical and mental health issues. At the opening of the Global Encounters Festival in Dubai, the Imam said, “I pray that each of you experiences the blessing of joy and happiness as you come together to celebrate art, culture, sport, and human potential.” The Imam’s guidance, therefore, encourages individuals to reach for their potential in all aspects of their worldly and spiritual lives. The Imams throughout history have responded to the challenges of their day in the same way. For 14 centuries, the guidance of the Imams has illuminated the path towards spiritual enlightenment and a better quality of life, stretching from Mawlana Ali (peace be upon him) all the way to Mawlana Shah Rahim.
Era: Contemporary period
Quote
“Our faith is rooted in a set of values and principles, which include a code of conduct and behavior that comprise kindness, generosity, tolerance, helping those in need, service, looking after each other. I think these values are universal. For Ismailis, living according to these ethical principles is an expression of our faith.”
Mawlana Shah Rahim
Sources
His Highness the Aga Khan’s Biography https://the.ismaili/about/his-highness-the-aga-khan
Mawlana Hazar Imam celebrates his birthday by completing the Chicago Marathon https://the.ismaili/news/mawlana-hazar- ... o-marathon
Mawlana Hazar Imam visits Ismaili Centre in Lisbon https://the.ismaili/news/mawlana-hazar- ... -in-lisbon
https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/mawlana- ... -50th-imam
Re: Imam and Imamat
Mawlana Aga Ali Shah, our 47th Imam
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyWkRVd ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Aga Ali Shah (peace be upon him) was born in 1830 at Mahallat in central Persia. He succeeded to the Imamat in 1881. Known as Aga Khan II, he married a Qajar princess, Shams al-Muluk, who was the granddaughter of Fath Ali Shah Qajar, who had bestowed the hereditary title of Aga Khan on Mawlana Hasan Ali Shah (peace be upon him). The Imam maintained friendly relations with the British and other Muslim communities. After a brief Imamat of just four years, Mawlana Aga Ali Shah died in 1885 and is buried in a family mausoleum at Najaf alongside his grandfather, Mawlana Khalil Allah Ali II (peace be upon him), and other relatives.
Story
Mawlana Aga Ali Shah (peace be upon him) made important contributions to wider society in British India, as well as for Ismailis. He was appointed to the Bombay Legislative Council and was elected President of the Muhammadan National Association, through which he promoted educational and philanthropic projects to benefit all Muslims in British India. For Ismailis, he concerned himself with improving educational standards for children, and he increased his contacts with Ismaili communities, particularly in Central Asia, Burma, and East Africa. During his brief Imamat of just four years, Mawlana Aga Ali Shah laid the foundations for the massive institutional growth that would take place under his successors.
Era: Modern period
Quote
“The foundation of faith is love for the Mawla.”
Pir Shihab al-Din Shah, son of Mawlana Aga Ali Shah
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 213-216.
Al-Husayni, Shihab al-Din Shah. Ivanow, W., trans. True Meaning of Religion, p. 25.
https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/mawlana- ... -47th-imam
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyWkRVd ... he.ismaili
Biography
Mawlana Aga Ali Shah (peace be upon him) was born in 1830 at Mahallat in central Persia. He succeeded to the Imamat in 1881. Known as Aga Khan II, he married a Qajar princess, Shams al-Muluk, who was the granddaughter of Fath Ali Shah Qajar, who had bestowed the hereditary title of Aga Khan on Mawlana Hasan Ali Shah (peace be upon him). The Imam maintained friendly relations with the British and other Muslim communities. After a brief Imamat of just four years, Mawlana Aga Ali Shah died in 1885 and is buried in a family mausoleum at Najaf alongside his grandfather, Mawlana Khalil Allah Ali II (peace be upon him), and other relatives.
Story
Mawlana Aga Ali Shah (peace be upon him) made important contributions to wider society in British India, as well as for Ismailis. He was appointed to the Bombay Legislative Council and was elected President of the Muhammadan National Association, through which he promoted educational and philanthropic projects to benefit all Muslims in British India. For Ismailis, he concerned himself with improving educational standards for children, and he increased his contacts with Ismaili communities, particularly in Central Asia, Burma, and East Africa. During his brief Imamat of just four years, Mawlana Aga Ali Shah laid the foundations for the massive institutional growth that would take place under his successors.
Era: Modern period
Quote
“The foundation of faith is love for the Mawla.”
Pir Shihab al-Din Shah, son of Mawlana Aga Ali Shah
Sources
Daftary, Farhad. The Ismaili Imams, 2020, pp. 213-216.
Al-Husayni, Shihab al-Din Shah. Ivanow, W., trans. True Meaning of Religion, p. 25.
https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/mawlana- ... -47th-imam