Ismailiten wikipedia

Ismaili is a branch of Shia Islam that emerged in the 7th century. Here's a summary of the Ismaili faith based on Wikipedia:

History

The Ismaili branch of Shia Islam originated from the Fatimid Caliphate, which was founded by Ismail ibn Jafar al-Sadiq, a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. Ismail ibn Jafar was considered the seventh Imam by the Ismailis, while the majority of Shia Muslims recognized his brother Musa al-Kadhim as the seventh Imam.

Beliefs

Ismailis believe in the following:

  1. Imamate: They believe in the concept of Imamate, which is the leadership of the community by a divinely appointed Imam. They recognize a series of Imams, starting from Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad.
  2. Seven Imams: Ismailis recognize seven Imams, starting from Ali ibn Abi Talib and ending with Muhammad ibn Ismail, who is believed to have disappeared (ghaybah) and will return as the Mahdi.
  3. Fatimid Caliphate: Ismailis believe that the Fatimid Caliphate, which was founded by Ismail ibn Jafar, was a legitimate Islamic state that was guided by the Imams.
  4. Tawhid: Ismailis believe in the unity of God (Tawhid) and reject the concept of intermediaries between God and humanity.
  5. Quran and Hadith: Ismailis believe in the authority of the Quran and Hadith (the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad) as the primary sources of Islamic law and guidance.

Practices

Ismailis have a unique set of practices, including:

  1. Dhikr: Ismailis perform a daily ritual of Dhikr, which involves reciting prayers and verses from the Quran.
  2. Mawlid: Ismailis celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (Mawlid) with great enthusiasm.
  3. Ashura: Ismailis commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, on the day of Ashura.
  4. Khutbah: Ismaili Imams deliver sermons (Khutbah) on Fridays, which are considered a day of rest and worship.

Subgroups

There are several subgroups within the Ismaili community, including:

  1. Nizari Ismailis: This is the largest subgroup, led by the Aga Khan IV, who is the 49th Imam of the Nizari Ismailis.
  2. Mustaali Ismailis: This subgroup is led by the Da'i al-Mutlaq, who is the spiritual leader of the Mustaali Ismailis.
  3. Tayyibi Ismailis: This subgroup is led by the Dai al-Fatimi, who is the spiritual leader of the Tayyibi Ismailis.

Conclusion

Ismaili is a significant branch of Shia Islam that has a rich history and unique beliefs and practices. Despite their differences with other Shia and Sunni Muslims, Ismailis have contributed significantly to Islamic thought and culture.