Imam Abu Tamim Ma'add succeeded his father to the Imamat and Fatimid caliphate on March 7, 9531 at age of twenty-one, adopting the regal title of al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah, 'the one who strengthens the religion of God.' Named after the Prophet's daughter, the Fatimids, Mawlana Hazar Imam's ancestors, established their empire in 909 in North Africa when Imam al-Mahdi was proclaimed ...
Nasir Khusraw, a Persian poet, philosopher, traveller, and a da'i, was born on 1004 in Qubadiyan, a small town in eastern Iran. After completing his schooling, where he studied Arabic, Persian, mathematics, philosophy, and religious sciences, Nasir entered government service in the revenue department. He enjoyed travelling, admiring the architectural and cultural creations of the regions to which he travelled, engaging ...
Mawlana Sultan Muhammad Shah succeeded his father to the Imamat on August 17, 1885 reigning for seventy-two years, longer that any of his predecessors. Mawlana Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III. Image: Daftary, The Ismaili Imams Among the eventful years of his Mawlana Sultan Muhammad Shah's Imamat were the Jubilees. Upon the completion of fifty years of Imamat, the Ismailis wished ...
"My eyes had barely fallen on him when awe took hold of me and reverence overcame me..." Al-Mu'ayyad al-Shirazi A distinguished Ismaili scholar, da'i, and statesman of the Fatimid era, Abu Nasr Hibat Allah b. Musa b. Abi Imran b. Dawud al-Shirazi was born around the year 1000 in Shiraz, the capital of Fars region in south-west Persia, where his forefathers ...
"We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the truth" (Qur'an 41:53) "It is We Who created man, and We know what dark suggestions his soul makes to him: We are nearer to him than his jugular vein" (Qur'an 50:16) God said: I could not be ...
"They [Ismailis] with amazing care and devotion kept through ages burning that Light, mentioned in the Qur'an which God always protects against all attempts of His enemies to extinguish it...I rarely saw anything so extraordinary and impressive as this ancient tradition being devoutly preserved..."Wladimir Ivanow The pioneer of modern Ismailis Studies, Wladimir Ivanow was born in 1886 in St. Petersburg, Russia, ...
He brings them forth from the shadows into the light (Qur'an 2:257) The Sun has for long been a primary symbol of divinity in man's religious consciousness. ... The Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Hindu, Aztec, Navaho, Wachagga, and Shinto traditions are a few of the many who have granted prominent roles to solar figures in their respective traditions. In Islam, the Qur'an-e ...
An allegory is a story, play, poem, picture, or other work in which the characters and events represent particular qualities or ideas that relate to morals, religion, or politics (Cambridge Dictionary).The allegory form of poetry was widely used in Persia among the mystical and esoteric traditions to convey spiritual concepts such as birds in flight representing the soul's spiritual ascension. Mysticism ...
Ginans are a vast collection comprising several hundred poetic compositions which have been a central part of the religious life of the Nizari Ismaili community of the Indian subcontinent that today resides in many countries around the world. Derived from the Sanskrit gyan, meaning contemplative knowledge, Ginans refer to the poetic compositions authored by Ismaili Pirs, who came to the Indian ...
"A true dialogue requires not only that we articulate one perspective, but also that we listen - attentively - to other perspectives. More than that, it asks us not only to listen to one another, but also to learn from one another." Mawlana Hazar Imam Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation,13 September 2019 Speech "It is ironic that a sense of ...
And indeed We have created man And We know what his soul whispers to him, And We are nearer to him than [his] jugular vein" (Q 50:16). "God said: I could not be contained in the heavens and the earth but can be contained in the heart of a true believer." Hadith of Prophet Muhammad Ginans are a vast collection comprising ...
"I do not believe that we should fear material progress nor should we condemn it. The danger is that it should become an obsession in our lives, and that it should dominate our way of thinking. There is no reason why our traditions and our faith should stop us from moving with our times, nor in fact why we should not ...
"I am very keen that the arts should speak to each other. The arts reflect our senses, and as our senses talk to each other, so the arts should talk to each other. It is, in my view, a mistake to show one art totally independent of all other arts. So, as often as possible, I like to see a dialogue ...
"...I know that in some parts of the world, the words "Muslim" and "music" are not often linked together in the public mind. But they should be. The cultural heritage of Islam has long embraced musical language as an elemental expression of human spirituality. Listening to music, practising music, sharing music, performing music - have long been an intimate part of ...
Ginans are a vast collection comprising several hundred poetic compositions which have been a central part of the religious life of the Nizari Ismaili community of the Indian subcontinent that today resides in many countries around the world. Derived from the Sanskrit gyan, meaning contemplative knowledge,Ginans were authored by Ismaili da'is, known as pirs, who were sent to the Indian subcontinent ...
Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III, the forty-eighth Imam of the Nizari Ismailis, was born in Karachi on November 2, 1877 succeeding to the Imamat in 1885 at the age of eight years. He was educated in Bombay and Poona, where he studied a range of subjects including Arabic, Persian literature, and calligraphy. Prof. K.K. Aziz states that through his ...
![Moment in Time [October 25, 1980]: The inaugural class of Aga Khan School of Nursing](https://ismailidigest.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/509da13d53-1024x576.jpeg)
On October 25, 1980, thirty-five students began their inaugural class at the newly opened Aga Khan School of Nursing in Karachi, Pakistan, the first component of the Aga Khan Hospital and Medical College (now Aga Khan University). On this day, Mawlana Hazar Imam performed the symbolic groundbreaking of the main complex of the Hospital and Medical College, which received its university ...
Ginans are a vast collection comprising several hundred poetic compositions which have been a central part of the religious life of the Nizari Ismaili community of the Indian subcontinent that today resides in many countries around the world. Derived from the Sanskrit gyan, meaning contemplative knowledge, ginans refer to the poetic compositions authored by Ismaili da'is, known as pirs, who were ...
Ginans are a vast collection consisting of several hundred poetic compositions which have been a central part of the religious life of the Nizari Ismaili community of the Indian subcontinent that today resides in many countries around the world. Derived from the Sanskrit jnana, meaning contemplative knowledge, ginans refer to the compositions authored by Ismaili Pirs, who came to the Indian ...
![Moment in Time [October 12, 909]: Imam al-Mahdi was proclaimed Caliph establishing the Fatimid Caliphate](https://ismailidigest.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/4f1935bd50.jpeg)
On October 12, 9091 Imam al-Mahdi was solemnly enthroned as caliph in Sijilmasa (in present-day Morocco), where he had been residing for four years. This marked the end of the dawr al-satr (period of concealment) in early Ismaili history. Following the proclamation, Imam and his entourage set off for Qayrawan, the seat of the fallen dynasty, to officially establish Fatimid Caliphate. ...
Even though you're the last in our da'wa, You have surpassed the compass of the earlier (da'is). The like of you cannot be found among those who have gone, From all the people, nor those that remain. Imam Al-Mustansir bi'llah Abu Nasr Hibat Allah b. Musa b. Abi Imran b. Dawud al-Shirazi, one of the most distinguished da'is of the Fatimid ...
Ginans are a vast collection comprising several hundred poetic compositions which have been a central part of the religious life of the Nizari Ismaili community of the Indian subcontinent that today resides in many countries around the world. Derived from the Sanskrit gyan, meaning contemplative knowledge, Ginans refer to the poetic compositions authored by Ismaili Da'is, known as Pirs, who were ...
Now I know that in some parts of the world, the words "Muslim" and "music" are not often linked together in the public mind. But they should be... The cultural heritage of Islam has long embraced musical language as an elemental expression of human spirituality. Listening to music, practising music, sharing music, performing music - have long been an intimate part ...
"The beauty of writing is the tongue of the hand and the elegance of thought." Ali ibn Abi TalibBifolium from the Blue Qur'an (North Africa), 9th-10th century. Aga Khan Museum From the Greek kallos (beauty) and graphein (to write), calligraphy is the art of beautiful writing. Although the development of sophisticated calligraphy as an art form is not unique to Islamic ...
The document comprises some of the major work of Mawlana Hazar Imam, members of his family, and the AKDN following the commemorative Diamond Jubilee year. footprints-iii-post-diamond-jubileeDownload Also see: Footprints -Golden-Jubilee - Highlights of Mawlana Hazar Imam's vast work during the 50 years of his Imamat - 1957-2007 Memories-Golden-Jubilee - Events commemorating the extended Golden Jubilee year - from July 11, 2007 ...
O mankind! Verily There hath come to you A convincing proof From your Lord: For we have sent unto you A light (that is) manifest (4:174)Image: Wikipedia The Prophet's descendant has taken up the seat of his ancestor in majestic glory, the tip of his crown stretching all the way to Saturn. The Chosen One is the one whom God has ...
"...in 1957 I was a junior when I became the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims -- when my grandfather designated me to succeed him. What does it mean to become an Imam in the Ismaili tradition? To begin with, it is an inherited role of spiritual leadership. As you may know, the Ismailis are the only Muslim ...
Nasir Khusraw (1004- ca.1077) was born in Qobadiyan in the eastern Iranian province of Khurasan. He did well at school, learning Persian and Arabic as well as sciences, literature, mathematics, philosophy, religious sciences, and history. Following his family's tradition, Nasir joined the government bureaucracy in a financial capacity, perhaps as tax collector. Nasir enjoyed to travel and "relished the opportunity to ...
Mawlana Hazar Imam's final Takht Nashini ceremony was held in Bombay (now Mumbai) on 11 March 1958.Mawlana Hazar Imam with his mother, Princess Joan Aly Khan, in Bombay (now Mumbai) for the Takht Nashini ceremony. Photo: Depth of Field Edited by Gary OtteTakht Nashini in Bombay. Image: 25 Years in Pictures, Islamic Publications Ltd., London, 1983 "Bombay, as you have reminded, ...
Mawlana Hazar Imam's fifth Takht Nashini ceremony was held in Dacca, Bangladesh, on 12 February 1958.Takht Nashini in Dacca. Image: 25 Years in Pictures, Islamic Publications Ltd., London, 1983 "The position which I hold has no political significance. The Ismailis are scattered all over the world, owing allegiance to many flags and serving beneath many different forms of government. In taking ...
Mawlana Hazar Imam's fourth Takht Nashini ceremony was held in Karachi, Pakistan, on 22 January 1958.Mawlana Hazar Imam with his mother, Princess Joan Aly Khan, welcoming his father, Prince Aly Khan, on his arrival at Karachi airport. The family was gathered for the Takht Nashini. Photo: Depth of Field Ed. by Gary OtteMawlana Hazar Imam with his father Prince Aly Khan ...
Mawlana Hazar Imam third Takht Nashini ceremony was held in Kampala, Uganda on 25 October 1957.Alijah Hassaanali Lalji Mangalji, President of Kampala Provincial Council accompanied by Rai Sherali Bandali Jaffer, the Secretary of the Council, presents the signet ring to Mawlana Hazar Imam at the Takht Nashini ceremony in Kampala. Image: Ismaili.net "...The Ismaili community in Uganda is closely knit. This ...
Mawlana Hazar Imam's second Takht Nashini ceremony was held in Nairobi, Kenya, on 22 October 1957.Takht Nashini in Nairobi. Image: 25 Years in Pictures, Islamic Publications Ltd, London "...Never before in the history of man has there been such an age of technological progress. Only thirty years ago it was an adventure to fly in an aeroplane. Today there are machines ...
Mawlana Hazar Imam succeeded his grandfather to the Imamate on 11 July1957. To mark his accession, several Takht Nashini (Masnadnashini) ceremonies were held, the first in Dar es Salaam, Tanganyika (now Tanzania) on 19 October 1957.Mawlana Hazar Imam at the Takht Nashini ceremony in Dar es Salaam. Image: AKDN / Mohamed Lalji RamjiMawlana Hazar Imam addressing the audience at the Takht ...
Ginans are a vast collection comprising several hundred poetic compositions which have been a central part of the religious life of the Nizari Ismaili community of the Indian subcontinent that today resides in many countries around the world. Derived from the Sanskrit gyan, meaning contemplative knowledge, ginans refer to the poetic compositions authored by Ismaili Pirs, who came to the Indian ...
From the Sanskrit jnana meaning 'contemplative knowledge,' ginans are a vast corpus of poetic compositions whose authorship was attributed to preachers (pirs) sent by Imams residing in Iran to the Indian subcontinent around the 11th century to teach the Ismaili interpretation of Islam to non-Arabic speaking people. At the time, the field of devotional poetry was flourishing in the subcontinent, with ...
Literally meaning "luminous lamp," the Chiragh-i Roshan (or Rawshan) is a ceremony practised by the Nizari Ismailis of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, western China, and northern Pakistan. The ceremony, generally performed on the third night following the death of a family member, is guided by the authorised text Chiragh-nama which comprises poetry, supplication, and verses of the Qur'an, culminating in the kindling of ...
From the Sanskrit jnana meaning 'contemplative knowledge,' ginans are a vast corpus of poetic compositions whose authorship was attributed to preachers (pirs) sent by Imams residing in Iran to the Indian subcontinent around the 11th century to teach the Ismaili interpretation of Islam to non-Arabic speaking people. At the time, the field of devotional poetry was flourishing in the subcontinent, with ...
"Some may ask why a Muslim spiritual leader would get involved in the media business. In all interpretations of Islam, Imams are required to lead not only in interpreting the faith but also in improving the quality of life for the people who refer to them. This ethical premise is the foundation of the Aga Khan Development Network, which has long ...
Named after the Prophet's daughter, the Fatimids, Mawlana Hazar Imam's ancestors, established their empire in 909 in Qayrawan, North Africa, when Imam al-Mahdi was proclaimed Caliph. The Fatimid Caliphate remained in North Africa during the reign of Imams al-Mahdi (r. 909-934), al-Qa'im (r. 934-946), and al-Mansur (r. 946-953). Imam al-Mu'izz (r. 953-975) founded the city of Cairo which subsequently became the ...
