The History of Ismaili Islam – A Brief Overview
???? The Aga Khan Era (19th Century – Present) Ismaili Islam is one of the largest branches of Shia Islam with over a thousand years of spiritual, political, and intellectual activity. A brief history of its development: ???? Origins – The Death of Prophet Muhammad (632 CE) After the death of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), a dispute over his rightful successor led to the division of Islam into Sunni and Shia. The Shia believed that Imam Ali, the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, was the rightful successor. ???? Line of Imams Shia Muslims follow a lineage of Imams (spiritual leaders). Ismailis diverged from other Shia groups in the 8th century over the succession of the 7th Imam. While most Shias followed Musa al-Kadhim, Ismailis believed that his elder brother, Isma'il ibn Jafar, was the rightful Imam. This gave birth to the Ismaili sect. ????️ The Fatimid Caliphate (909–1171 CE) One of the golden eras of Ismaili history was the establishment of the Fatimid Caliphate in North Africa, with...
