Recently, on February 4, 2025, Aga Khan died. He “passed away peacefully” in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family, at the age of 88.
Following his death, attention has turned to who the Ismaili Muslims are, given that he had been their leader since 1957, when he was 20 years old, after the passing of his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan.
By the way, if you didn’t know, “Aga Khan” is not a name. It is a noble title given to hereditary Imams (spiritual leaders) of the Ismaili Muslims. That said, the late Aga Khan’s actual name was Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. He will be succeeded by his son, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini, who has been named Aga Khan V and is the 50th hereditary Imam of the Ismailis.
Ismaili Muslims differ from other Muslim groups mainly in their belief that the lineage of religious leaders, called Imams, continues through a living successor. At any particular time, there is one hereditary Imam, who is the Aga Khan.
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The Aga Khan is considered by his followers to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through his daughter, Hazrat Bibi Fatima, and his son-in-law, Hazrat Ali, the first Imam in Shia Islam.
With a population of approximately 12 to 15 million worldwide, Ismaili Muslims belong to the Shia sect of Islam. There are seven main sects of Islam: Sunni, Shia, Wahhabi, Salafi, Barelvi, Sufi, and Deobandi. These groups differ in how they understand and interpret Islamic scriptures, prayer, and religious practices.
A key observation is that Ismaili Muslims are often seen as having a more liberal interpretation of Islamic practices, as they are even permitted to pray fewer times a day than other Muslims because they believe that a follower’s spiritual journey, guided by their teachings and devotion to their Imam, is more important than strict legal rules, including the five pillars of Islam faith.
The Ismaili community is widely known for its strong commitment to education, philanthropy, and social development. Their official website states:
“The community adheres to a 1,400-year tradition of Shi’a values that are expressed through a commitment to a search for knowledge for the betterment of self and society; embracing pluralism by building bridges of peace and understanding; and generously sharing one’s time, talents, and material resources to improve the quality of life of the community and those among whom they live.”
This philosophy was actively embodied by Aga Khan IV through his leadership of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which has played a crucial role in improving healthcare, education, and economic opportunities in developing countries.
For over 60 years, he dedicated himself to uplifting marginalized communities while promoting a vision of Islam as a faith of intellect, compassion, and human dignity.
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