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The Imamate in Nizari Isma'ili doctrine[1] (Arabic: إمامة) is a concept in Nizari Isma'ilism which defines the political, religious and spiritual dimensions of authority concerning Islamic leadership over the nation of believers. The primary function of the Imamate is to establish an institution between an Imam who is present and living in the world and his following whereby each are granted rights and responsibilities.[2]
The Nizari Imamate follows a genealogy of male Imams originating from the prophethood of Muhammad by means of wedlock of his daughter Fatimah with his cousin Ali and in succession, through their son Hussein and his onward descendants up to the present day. Each ordained as successor Imam of this lineage is charged with serving the Nizari Ismailis community of his era; who are liable to pay the zakat (tithe) dues to him due to his being as ex-officio and the designated Nizari Imam. The Imam in return, imparts them the religious and spiritual guidance and also strives for their physical well-being to the best of his ability.
With respect to their spiritual and religious nature, the Imams are considered living manifestations of the divine word as well as intermediaries (wasilah in Qur'an 5:35) between God and the Ummah. Based on this belief, the Nizari Ismaili concept of Imamate differs from that of the Twelver's concept in that the Nizari Imams possess the authority to interpret the Quran according to the times and change or even abrogate any aspect of "The Way/The Path" (Sharia) of Islam. With respect to their political nature, the Imams are regarded by Nizaris as the Amir al-Mu'minin, or "Commander of the faithful".
The 49th and presently living Nizari Imam is Prince Shah Karim Al Hussaini Aga Khan (IV).[3][4][5][6] His authority as the Imam and guardian of the faith allows him to contextualize the faith according to time and place.[7]
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- ^ Badakhchani, S. Jalal. "RAWŻA-YE TASLIM". Encyclopædia Iranica. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
- ^ Interview on BBC Radio 4 - 1979, September 6|http://www.ismaili.net/heritage/node/17808
- ^ Zachary, G. Pascal (9 July 2007). "The Aga Khan, a jet-setter who mixes business and Islam". NY Times. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
- ^ "Mapping the Global Muslim Population". The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Pew Research Center. 7 October 2009. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
- ^ "The 500 Most Influential Muslims – 2011". Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre. Archived from the original on 9 April 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
- ^ "His Highness the Aga Khan". Archived from the original on 26 January 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
- ^ Virani, Shafique N. (2011). "Taqiyya and Identity in a South Asian Community". The Journal of Asian Studies. 70 (1): 99–139. doi:10.1017/S0021911810002974. ISSN 0021-9118. S2CID 143431047.
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