Mawlana Hazar Imam visited the France jurisdiction Jamat in July 2025.Photo: IPL / Akbar Hakim
By The Ismaili
On 4 February 2025, Mawlana Hazar Imam succeeded his father, Mawlana Shah Karim, as the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. We observe the anniversary of this occasion as Imamat Day.
Foremost among the principles of the Shia Ismaili tariqa of Islam is the recognition of the Imam-of-the-Time. Throughout history, Ismaili Muslims have been led by a living, hereditary Imam descended from Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) through his cousin and son-in-law, Hazrat Ali, and his daughter, Hazrat Bibi Fatima.
In Shia belief, the Prophet designated Hazrat Ali at Ghadir Khumm to be his successor and the first hereditary Shia Imam. Since that time, the Imamat has been passed down in a direct line of succession, with each Imam designating his successor by way of nass. The role of each Imam-of-the-Time is to interpret the faith through changing historical contexts, as well as to seek to improve the quality of life of the Jamat and wider society.
One year ago, on 4 February 2025, the authority, inspiration, and umbrella of protection for the Jamat passed from Shah Karim to the next Imam. He designated Prince Rahim as our 50th Imam: our pir and murshid, and the fifth Aga Khan. In his Takht-nishini Farman on 11 February 2025, Hazar Imam pledged to dedicate his life to care for the spiritual and material well-being of the Ismaili Jamat.
In keeping with the 1,400-year old tradition of Muslim leadership, Hazar Imam has guided his murids in matters of faith, while working to improve the quality and security of their lives.
In the early months of his Imamat, one of Hazar Imam's highest priorities has been to meet as many of his Jamats as possible. He has visited his Jamats in France, Kenya, Uganda, the USA, and Portugal, and will visit his UK and Ireland Jamats in early February 2026. In this time, he has also met with many leaders of government, international organisations and civil society, to strengthen their relations with the Ismaili Imamat and advance the Aga Khan Development Network’s efforts to improve the lives of marginalised and vulnerable communities.
In a special video message at the opening ceremony of the Global Encounters Festival in July 2025, Hazar Imam spoke of the strength of our faith, which has kept the Jamat united for centuries: “Let us cherish this unity,” he said, “which has brought us so far and seen us through every challenge with courage and conviction.”
Imamat Day is an occasion to reaffirm our allegiance and gratitude to Hazar Imam for his benevolence and guidance, and to renew our commitment to the ethics of the faith. Today we also give thanks to Allah for the continuity of Imamat, which lights our path through good times and difficult ones.
On the first anniversary of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s accession to the Ismaili Imamat, The Ismaili extends warmest Imamat Day wishes to all Ismaili Muslims around the world.
https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/imamat-day
Listen to this Kids’ Zikr Birthday Gift with our little angels, and share it with your family and loved ones, inspiring their children to join in this precious gift of Zikr to Mawla. 