Ismaili facts for kids

Ismaiili Shia (or Ismailiya; Arabic: الاسماعيلية) are a Shia Muslim sect. They are different from the usual Shia Islam because of the do not agree on who the 7th Imam, or religious leader is. Unlike other Shia Muslims, they believe that Ismail ibn Jafar was the 7th Imam. Most Shia Muslims believe that Musa ibn Jafar was the 7th Imam. Ismail died when his father, Jafar ibn Muhammad the 6th Imam was still alive. They believed that Ismail's son Muhammad was the next Imam and deserted the sixth Imam.

They are split into several sects. The biggest of these are the Nizaris. They are led by the 49th Imam Aga Khan, another title of the Ismaili Imams. The current Aga Khan is Karim Al Hussaini.

Images for kids

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  Al-Hakim Mosque in Cairo, Egypt, erected by al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, an Ismāʿīlī Imām and Fatimid Caliph.

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  The Fatimid Caliphate at its peak.

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  View of Alamut besieged.

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  Ismāʿīlīs believe the Quran has two layers of meaning, the zāhir meaning apparent, and the bātin, meaning hidden.

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  Branching of Ismāʿilism within Shia Islam at a glance. (Note: Kaysani's Imam Hanafiyyah is a descendant of Ali from Ali's wife Khawlah, not Fatimah.)

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  The divisions of the Mustaali, sometimes referred to as Bohras.

See also

In Spanish: Ismailismo para niños