Why in news?

Prince Karim al-Husseini, Aga Khan IV, passed away in Lisbon at the age of 88.

A direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad through Fatima and Ali, he was the Imam of the Nizari Ismaili Shias and held near-divine status within the community.

What’s in today’s article?

• Shia-Sunni Split and Shia Denominations
• Nizari Ismailis and the Aga Khan
• Imam of the Atomic Age: Aga Khan IV
• Aga Khan IV: A Leader in Times of Crisis
• Aga Khan’s Philanthropic Work

Shia-Sunni Split and Shia Denominations

• Following Prophet Muhammad’s death in 632 CE, Islam split over succession.
• One group, later called Sunnis, believed leadership should go to qualified individuals, while another, the Shias, insisted it should remain within Muhammad’s bloodline.
• This led to lasting differences in doctrine, law, and religious practices.
• Major Shia Denominations
  • Shia Islam is not monolithic and has three main branches:
    • Twelver Shias (Ithna Ashariyah) – The largest Shia sect, making up 90% of Shias, follows a line of 12 Imams. The 12th Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, is believed to be in occultation.
    • Ismaili Shias (Sevener Shias) – They follow the same lineage as Twelvers until the sixth Imam, after which they diverge.
    • Zaydi Shias (Fiver Shias) – They separate after the fourth Imam and have their distinct beliefs

Nizari Ismailis and the Aga Khan

• The Ismaili branch of Shia Islam has two major subsects:
  • Nizari Ismailis – Trace their lineage directly to the Aga Khans.
  • Dawoodi Bohras – Recognize descent only up to the 18th Imam and follow a line of Dais, who are representatives of the hidden Imam.
• Origins of the Aga Khan Title
  • The title of Aga Khan was granted to Hasan Ali Shah, the 46th Imam of the Nizari Ismailis, by Fath-Ali Shah Qajar, the king of Iran, in the 19th century.
• Global Presence and Leadership
  • Nizari Ismailis are spread across 30+ countries, primarily tracing their roots to Persia and the Indian subcontinent.
  • They are not a majority community anywhere.
• Lisbon as the Nizari Imamate’s Seat
  • In 2015, after an agreement with the Portuguese government, Aga Khan IV declared Lisbon as the global headquarters of the Nizari Imamate.

Imam of the Atomic Age: Aga Khan IV

• Born in 1936 in Geneva, Prince Karim was the eldest son of Prince Aly Khan and grandson of Aga Khan III.
• Raised in Nairobi and Switzerland, he later pursued Islamic history at Harvard.
• Succession to the Imamate
  • In 1957, after the death of Aga Khan III, Prince Karim was named his successor, bypassing his father and uncle.
  • Aga Khan III justified this choice, stating that modern times required a young leader familiar with the new atomic age.
• A Modern and Global Figure
  • Nicknamed the “Imam of the Atomic Age”, he symbolized progress and adaptability.
  • Bridged multiple divides – spiritual and material, East and West, Muslim and Christian.

Aga Khan IV: A Leader in Times of Crisis

• Despite his lavish lifestyle, he remained a guiding force for Nizari Ismailis.
• Helped his community navigate major global shifts, including:
  • The end of the Cold War
  • Decolonization in Africa
  • The fall of communism in Central Asia
  • Ongoing conflicts in the Middle East
• He believed an imam should engage with everyday life, not withdraw from it.
• As he told Vanity Fair: “An imam is expected to protect his community and contribute to their quality of life.”

Aga Khan’s Philanthropic Work

• Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)
  • Focus areas: Healthcare, housing, education, and rural economic development.
  • Operates in 30 countries with an annual budget of over $1 billion.
  • Guided by Islamic ethics, aiming to improve the quality of life in Asia and Africa.
• Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC)
  • Works to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the Muslim world.
  • Supports artists, musicians, and traditional art forms.
  • Engaged in renovating and refurbishing historic monuments.
• Key Restoration Projects in India
  • Humayun’s Tomb Complex & Nizamuddin area, Delhi – Major restoration and revitalization project.
  • Sunder Nursery, Delhi – Transformed into a cultural and ecological park.
  • Quli Qutb Shahi Tombs, Hyderabad – Being restored into a heritage park.