ismiyya

Ismiyya, also rendered as Ismāyīyya or Ismailiyya, refers to a branch within Shia Islam that traces its line of Imams through Isma'il ibn Jafar, whom they regard as the rightful seventh Imam. The split from other Shia groups stemmed from a dispute over the succession after Ja'far al-Sadiq, with Ismā'īliyya affirming Isma'il’s line and its continuing Imamate through a living Imam.

Core beliefs of the Ismiyya include the authority of a living Imam as the divinely designated guide for spiritual and worldly matters, and the esoteric interpretation (ta'wil) of the Quran and religious texts. The community also emphasizes the role of a trained da‘i (missionary or envoy) who communicates religious knowledge and supports the faithful in difficult times. While unity centers on the Imamate, Ismaili thought also encompasses a belief in the hidden or esoteric aspects of divine revelation.

Historically, the Ismiyya contributed to the development of the Fatimid Caliphate in the 10th to 12th centuries, with Ismaili communities spreading across North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of the Indian Ocean world. Within Ismailism, two principal branches emerged: the Nizari and the Musta'li. The Nizari line eventually gave rise to the modern Aga Khans, who lead the community today. The Musta'li branch later subdivided into groups such as the Dawoodi Bohras, Alavi Bohras, and others in various regions.

Today, Ismaily (Ismaili) communities are a global religious and cultural group, with significant populations in Africa, South Asia, the Middle East, and the Western world. The current Imam of the Nizari Ismailis is Aga Khan IV, who has led the community since 1957 and heads a transnational network of social, economic, and educational programs.