Ismailis

The Formative Years (ca. 7th to 9th Centuries CE)

The Ismailis disagreed with the majority of Shi'i in a dispute over the proper succession of the imams, during the eighth century. The imam Ja'far al-Sadiq designated his son Isma'il Muhammad bin Ja'far (from whom Ismailis derive their name) as his successor. However, Isma'il died before his father, which resulted in complications in the succession. After Ja'far's death, the majority of Shi'i, later known as Twelver Shi'i (ithna'asharis) due to their belief in 12 divine leaders, eventually agreed to support Musa al-Kazim as imam. Concurrently, two other Shi'a factions supported Isma'il and his son Muhammad, forming the protonucleus of what would become Ismaili Shi'ism. These two groups were the Mubarakiyya, who believed in Isma'il's death, and the Isma'ili al-Khalisa, who denied the death and insisted that he would return as Mahdi (an eschatological designation for one who will reinstate “true” religion). The former group supported Muhammad, who they designated as the seventh imam accordingly. Shortly after this, Muhammad entered into hiding to avoid ‘Abbāsid persecution. Thus began a phase of Ismaili history referred to as dawr al-satr (“period of concealment”).

The Fātimids and Qarmatis (ca. 9th to 12th Centuries CE)

Though historical documentation is limited, after roughly a century, a unified Ismaili movement arose in the middle of the ninth century, largely through the efforts of hidden Ismaili leaders. During this time, particular emphasis was placed on al-daw'ah, the missionary effort of the Ismailis, which spread throughout the Middle East and into North Africa. The Fātimid caliphate in northern Africa was the first successful Ismaili state. There were some disputes over the designation of the imams during this hidden phase that led to the formation of a dissident Ismaili faction called Qarmatis. The Qarmatis did not recognize the Fātimid rulers as their imams. Despite this dissidence, the Fātimid Dynasty is typically considered the “golden age” of Ismaili history. For instance, it was during this period that the famous Al-Azhar institution was founded. Even as the state declined, the Ismaili missionary efforts continued to yield significant conversions. Throughout the course of the Fātimid era, most of the Qarmatis outside Bahrain converted to Fātimid Ismailism.

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