Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

As his father had done, Imam Qassim Shah lived in Azerbhaijaan under an assumed identity (Daftary & Hirji, 2008). Under his 60-year rule, the Ismailis lived peaceful lives by continuing the practice of taqiya. Imam Qassim Shah sent Pir Shams to India, where he converted a significant number of inhabitants to the Ismaili tariqah of Islam. During this time also, even thousands of Mongols had embraced the faith (Aziz, 1974).

The Imamate of Imam Shamsiddeen Muhammed marks the beginning of the second period of taqiya in Ismaili history. The great Ismaili saint, Shams Tabriz, who was also the uncle of the Imam, played a vital role in the propagation of the faith despite the harsh conditions. He is well known due to the fact that one of his loyal disciples was the mystical poet Jalaluddin Rumi. The succession of Pirs during this time was Pir Salahuddin, followed by his son Sayyid Shamsuddin, more commonly known as Pir Shams. The Imam, when passing away, appointed his son Qassim Shah as his successor (Aziz, 1974).

Mowlana Shamsiddeen Muhammed was born in Lamasar. As his only son, he was sent away by his father during the Mongol invasion to ensure his safety. He was destined to succeed his father at the age of eight years.

Notable figures that lived during the rule of Imam Alaiddeen Muhammed include Jalaluddin Rumi, Ibn al-Arabi, and Naseeruddin Tusi, who served as the Prime Minister of the Alamut State (Aziz, 1974). Threatened by the Mongol empire, the Imam of the Time sent a message of peace to these imminent invaders, which was promptly dismissed by them in great contempt (Daftary & Hirji, 2008). Despite these uncertain times, due to the Imam's patronage of science and learning, intellectual activity flourished immensely, and attracted many scholars from outside the Fort of Alamut (Sadik Ali, 1997).

The orthodox Muslims had responded to the doctrine of qiyama by propagating that the Ismailis had violated the Islamic Shariah. In order to avoid secular marginalization and subsequently suffer from isolation and economic hardship, Imam Jalaluddin Hassan restricted his followers in preaching the doctrine of qiyama and encouraged them instead to adopt such esoteric practices in solitude, as was common with many Sufi traditions in the past.

The Imamate of Imam Ala Muhammed spanned a period of about 44 years - a span of time that saw the succession of three Pirs one after the other, namely, Pir Salaamuddin, followed by Sayyid Solehdin alias Sayyid Muhammed Noorbaksh, followed by Pir Salaahuddin. The Imam died of poisoning and was buried in Alamut in 1210AD.

During the reign of Imam Qahir, the Imam once again began to govern both religious and temporal powers, the latter of which had been entrusted hitherto in the hands of an appointed prime minister or dai during the period of Dawri Satr. In taking over temporal rule from Muhammed bin Kaya, the third territorial ruler and hujjat at Alamut - the first two having been Hassan bin Sabbah and Kiya Buzrug Ummid, respectively - Imam Qahir appointed Muhammed as his vizier and the latter served as such until his death in 1162.

The 23rd Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, Imam Ala Zikrihis Salaam, was born in Alamut in the year 1152AD.

Born in Alamut, Imam Qahir's full name was al-Qahir bi Quowatullah. Physically well-built and handsome, he took an early interest in the governing of affairs at Alamut and succeeded to the Throne of Imamate when he was in his late thirties.

Imam Hadi was 21 years of age when he succeeded to the Throne of Imamate. Escaping imprisonment by his uncle Caliph Mustali, Imam Hadi established a new Ismaili kingdom at Alamut. Founded by Hassan bin Sabbah during the Imamate of Imam Mustansir Billah, the new state of Alamut was to last for 170 years, until the Imamate of Imam Ruknuddin Khairshah. During the reign of Imam Hadi, Ismailism spread from the Caspian to the Mediterranean Sea, as well as to Central Asia and India.

Scision dans le mouvement Ismaelien: naissance de la secte Bohra a la mort de l'Imam mustansir Billah I

Mowlana Imam Hadi, the 20th Imam of the Ismailis, was born in Cairo in the year 462AH (1069AD) during the Imamat of his grandfather Imam Mustansir Billah.

Dynastie des Ismaeliens Sumras en Inde

Sulayhid Ismaili Dynasty in Yemen - 1037-1139

Dynastie des Ismaeliens Sulayhides au Yemen

Imam Mustansir Billah was born on the 17th of Jama'di-el Thani, 420 AH, 1029AD, in Cairo. He would become the eighth Fatimid Caliph at the early age of seven years, and reign as Imam and Caliph for a period of more than 60 years.