ISMAILI FAITH

Ismailies are a Shia Muslim sect, sometimes called "Seveners" as opposed to Twelver Shia. The term is understood to have different meanings. They all believe that Ismail was the seventh Imam and the eldest son of Imam Jaffar-e-Sadiq (Aliahi Salam). Twelver Shia, the main Shia branch, believe that Jafar -e-Sadiq (A.S) had passed the Imamate to his second son. Ismaili, unlike the the Twelver Shia, have a system of philosophy science and religion that provided a theological rationale for the Imamate and the rights of the Fatimids to it. The precise origins of the Ismaili are shrouded in mystery. Ubaid Allah al Mahdi, the founder of the Fatimid Dynasty, came to North Africa from Yemen apparently in the early tenth century and actively promoted the Ismaili faith. The Fatimid rulers proclaimed themselves true caliphs and may have originated much of the doctrine to justify their rule.
The common meaning often refers only to the Nizari followers of the Aga Khan, who claim exclu -sivily being the largest part of the Ismaili community today with over 10 million members. The Nizari accept Prince Karim Aga Khan IV as their 49th Imam. He is is descended from Nizar. Nizar was a pre-eminent pir (teacher or dialogician) also accetped as Imam by some. The 46th Imam, Aga Hassan Ali Shah, fled Iran to South Asia in the 1840s after a failed coup against the Shah of theQajar dynasty. Aga Hassan Ali Shah settled in Mumbai in 1848.
Like its predecessors, the present constitution is founded on each Ismaili's spiritual allegiance to the Imam, distinguished from the secular allegiance that all Ismailis owe as citizens to their national entities. The Nizari rule of the Aga Khan is progressive and patriotic. The present Imam and his predecessor emphasized Ismailis' allegiance to their country as a fundamental obligation. These obligations are to be discharged not by passive affirmation but through responsible engag -ement and active commitment to uphold national integrity and contribute to peaceful develop -ment.The Nizari followers of the Aga Khan are found in India, Pakistan, Syria, China and other countries. In countries such as Pakistan, they are prominent in government.
"Ismaili" as referring to all Nizari and Bohra (branches of Mustaali) Shi'a Muslims today. The Nizari were founded in the east, having split off from Egyptian Ismailis after the succession disp -ute at the accession of Caliph Musta'ali. The Mustaali originally split off after a succession disp -ute following the death of Caliph Musta'ali, and then split into the three Bohra branches over leadership disputes.
The Mustaali have three branches: Dawoodi Bohr, Suleimani Bohr and Alavi Bohra of India (evidently not to be confused with the Alawi of Syria). There are approximately one million but Dawoodi Bohras. The majority of these reside in India and Pakistan, but there are also larger communities of Dawoodi in the Middle East, East Africa, Europe, North America and the Far East.
"Ismaili" as an inclusive term, referring to all sects that derived from the original Ismaili doctrine. These include the Druze, who do not generally consider themselves Ismaili and who are often not classed as Muslims. They also include the "Seveners," who believed that Ismail or his son was the the last Imam, and not just the Seventh. They include the Hafizi, an "established religion" branch. The Hafizi believed that whoever the political ruler of the Fatimid Empire was, was also the Imam of the faith. The "Seveners" and the Hafizi are no longer extant.
Major practices and beliefs of the Ismaili. The Ismaili follow Dai - teachers and missionaries and Pir, dialogicians. Some Nizari Ismaili and Druze believe in reincarnation. All branches of Ismaili, unlike other Muslim sects, have ceased to take on converts for different theological reasons. The Ismaili were frequently persecuted and therefore practiced Taqiyah, dissimulation, to hide their faith.
Like Twelver Shia, the Ismaili believe that the true Imam went into occultation when persecuted and will return as the Mahdi or Messiah. However, whereas Twelver Shia identify the Mahdi as the twelfth imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, the Ismaili, at least the original followers, believed it was Ismail bin Jaffar or Muhammad ibn Ismail. Several individuals were also identified by vario -us Ismaili sects are the returned Mahdi.
Ismaili faith is both universalist and at the same time particularist. They see the Imam as a manifestation Allah in this reality.
Ismailis hold that divine revelation took place in six periods (daur) entrusted to six prophets, who they also call Natiq (Speaker), commissioned to preach a religion of law to their respective communities.
While the Natiq was concerned with the rites and outward shape of religion, the inner meaning was entrusted to a Wasi (representative). The Wasi would know the secret meaning of all rites and rules and would reveal them to a small circles of initiates.
The Natiq and the Wasi were in turn succeeded by a line of seven Imams, who would guard
what they received. The seventh and last Imam in any period would in turn be the Natiq of
the next period. The last Imam of the sixth period however would not bring about a new religion of law but supersede all previous religions, abrogate the law and introduce din Adama al-awwal ("the original religion of Adam") practiced by Adam and the Angels before the fall, which would be without cult or law but consist in all creatures praising the creator and recognizing his unity. This final stage us the Qiyama.

Exception for the Mustaali Ismailis, Ismaili believe in panentheism, holding that God is both reality and transcends it. While the Godhead is outside this universe, the Godhead has created reality, which is God itself. All living beings exist in this reality; however, reality in its entirety is invested in the manifestation of Allah, the Imam of the time.
Numerology is an important feature of Ismaili belief and may have been responsible for the
spread of the Kabbalah among Jews as well. The number seven in particular, understandably,
has great significance.