Sekte ismailiyah i 1

A great topic!

The Ismaili sect is a branch of Shia Islam that emerged in the 7th century. Here's an overview:

History

The Ismaili sect was founded by Ismail ibn Ja'far, the seventh Imam of the Shia Imamiyyah, in the 8th century. Ismail was the son of Ja'far al-Sadiq, who was considered one of the most important Imams in Shia Islam. Ismail's followers believed that he was the rightful successor to the Imamate, but he died before his father, leaving his son Muhammad ibn Ismail as the next Imam.

Beliefs

Ismailis believe in the following key principles:

  1. Imamate: They believe in the concept of Imamate, where a divinely appointed leader (Imam) guides the community and interprets Islamic law.
  2. Seven Imams: Ismailis recognize seven Imams, starting from Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, to Muhammad ibn Ismail.
  3. Hidden Imam: Ismailis believe that the seventh Imam, Muhammad ibn Ismail, went into occultation (ghaybah) and will return as the Mahdi (the guided one) to establish a period of justice and peace.
  4. Taqleed: Ismailis follow the teachings of their Imams and believe in the importance of following the guidance of the Imam, rather than individual interpretation (ijtihad).
  5. Shari'ah: Ismailis follow the Shari'ah (Islamic law) as interpreted by their Imams, but also recognize the importance of spiritual guidance and the need for a living Imam to interpret the law.

Practices

Ismailis have several unique practices:

  1. Dhikr: They perform a daily ritual of remembrance (dhikr) of God, which involves reciting prayers and phrases.
  2. Mawlid: Ismailis celebrate the birthday of their Imams, particularly the birthday of Muhammad ibn Ismail, with feasts and ceremonies.
  3. Khutbah: They have a unique style of Friday prayer (khutbah) that emphasizes the importance of the Imam and the community.

Notable Ismaili Leaders

  1. Aga Khan: The current leader of the Ismaili community is Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, who has been the Imam since 1957.
  2. Fatimid Caliphs: The Fatimid Caliphs, who ruled Egypt and North Africa from the 10th to the 12th century, were also Ismailis.

Ismaili Communities

Ismailis can be found in many parts of the world, including:

  1. Pakistan: The largest Ismaili community is found in Pakistan, particularly in the cities of Karachi and Lahore.
  2. India: Ismailis have a significant presence in India, particularly in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra.
  3. East Africa: Ismailis have a long history in East Africa, particularly in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
  4. Europe: Ismailis have established communities in Europe, particularly in the UK, France, and Germany.

I hope this gives you a good introduction to the Ismaili sect!