Ismaili Dictionary & Encyclopedia

ALL INDIA MUSLIM LEAGUEEncyclopedia Topic

"The year 1324/1906 marks the cleavage and culmination of Muslim politics in the subcontinent, when Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah led the Muslim delegation and met Lord Minto (1845-1914), the Viceroy of India from 1905, at Simla to demand the political rights of the Muslims of India. The deputation to the Viceroy consisted of the most influential leaders, such as Mohsin al-Mulk, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Sir Ali Imam, Sir Muzammallah Khan, Sir Rafiquddin Ahmad, Sir Muhammad Shafi, Sir Abdul Rahim, Sir Salimullah, Justice Shah Din, etc. Syed Razi Waste writes in Lord Minto and the Indian Nationalist Movement 1905-1910 (Lahore, 1976, pp. 69-70) that, "Minto received the Muslim Deputation on October 1, 1906. Thirty-five prominent Muslim leaders from all over India gathered in the Ball Room of the Viceregal Lodge at Simla. Their leader was a young man of twenty-nine years, H.H. Aga Sir Sultan Mohamed Shah Aga Khan from Bombay, who besides being the head of the rich Ismaili sect of Muslims had close and friendly relations with prominent British people." Lord Minto gave them a patient hearing, assuring that their political rights and interests as a community will be safeguarded in any administrative organization. The Imam realized that the Muslims should not keep themselves aloof from politics because the Congress was already proving incapable in representing the Indian Muslims. At length, the demands of separate electorate and weightage in number in representation to all elected bodies were accepted by the Viceroy Lord Minto, and incorporated in the Minto-Morley Reforms of 1909.

On October 24, 1906, the Imam wrote a letter to Mohsin al-Mulk, emphasizing to form a Muslim organization what had been achieved at Simla. The letter reads: "It may well be that provincial associations should be formed with the aim of safeguarding the political interests of Muslims in various portions of India and similarly some central organization for the whole." In the meantime, the All-India Muslim Educational Conference met at Dacca on December 30, 1906 and the Imam's letter was circulated among the delegates. The Conference unanimously resolved that a political association styled as the All-India Muslim League be formed to promote among the Muslims the loyalty to the British government, to protect and advance the political rights and interests of Muslims, and to prevent the rise among Muslims of India of any feeling of hostility towards other communities. The Imam was thus elected permanent President of the All-India Muslim League and Syed Hussain Bilgrami was made the Honorary Secretary. M. Abdul Aziz writes in The Crescent in the Land of the Rising Sun (London, 1941, p. 140) that, "It is well known that His Highness the Aga Khan was the first President of The All-India Moslem League and the way in which he took a keen and sympathetic interest in the organization and development of the League, is shown from his letter of appreciation in his capacity as its first President." According to The Foundations of Pakistan (ed. by Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada, Dacca, 1969, 1:33), "In tracing the origins of Pakistan, some commentators give decisive importance to the separate electorates secured by the Muslim Deputation which was received by the Viceroy Lord Minto at Simla on October 1, 1906. The event has been described in the Diary of Lady Minto as `an epoch in Indian history.'" According to The Encyclopaedia Americana (1980, 1:327), "The delegation established the Muslim League, which carried the seeds of Muslim separation and eventual creation of Pakistan." Aziz Ahmed also writes in Islamic Modernism in India and Pakistan (London, 1967, p. 66) that, "One of the chief promoters of this design of Muslim separatism in subcontinent was the Agha Khan."

At the sixth annual session of Muslim League held on March 22-23, 1913 at Lucknow, the Imam resigned from the presidency. He hinted a numerous reasons, but did not propose to cut himself away from the League. "Resignation" he said, "frees me from that necessarily judicial character that attaches to the presidency. The League does not need a leader but leaders." According to Encyclopaedia of Asian History (ed. Ainslie T. Embree, London, 1988, 1:47), "The Ismaili leader, Agha Khan, who presided over the League's destiny from 1906 to 1913, and resigned on November 3, 1913." On the seventh session of the League at Agra, held on December 30-31, 1913, Syed Wazir Hasan (1874-1947), the Secretary of League from 1912 to 1929, announced the resignation of the Imam in the meeting, expressing, according to the Foundations of Pakistan (Dacca, 1969, 1:323) that, "it would be a calamity for Muslims when His Highness resigned." Sir Ibrahim Rahimtullah appealed to the Imam not to place his resignation in their hands today and to continue as President till the rules of the League were altered. The Imam said that he would remain President for the time suggested. He said also that in no case, it would severe his connection with the League as Vice-President. In a meeting of the Council of the League, held on February 25, 1914, the Imam was declared the Vice-President of Muslim League, and Sir Ali Muhammad Khan (1879-1931), the Raja of Mahmudabad was elected as the second President of Muslim League in the eight session at Bombay on December 30, 1915.

Encyclopaedia of Ismailism by Mumtaz Ali Tajddingeneral ALLAHEncyclopedia Topic

Allah is the proper or personal name (ism dhat) of the Divine Being, as distinguished from all other names which are called asma' al-sifat or names denoting attributes. The word Allah occurs 2702 times in the Koran, such as Allahu 980 times, Allaha 592 times, Allahi 1125 times and Allahumma 5 times. It is also known as the greatest name of God (ism a'zam). Being a proper name it does not carry any significance, but as being the proper name of the Divine Being it comprises all the attributes which are contained separately in the attributive names. Hence, the name Allah is said to gather together in itself all the perfect attributes of God. The word Allah being a proper name is jamid, that is to say, it is not derived from other word. Nor has it any connection with the word ilah (god or object of worship), which is either derived from the root aliha meaning tahayyara or he became astonished, or it is a changed form of wilah from the root waliha, which means he became infatuated. It is sometimes said that Allah is a contracted form of al ilah, but that is a mistake, for if al in Allah were an additional prefix, the form ya Allah, which is correct, would not have been permitted, since ya al-ilah or ya al-Rahman are not permissible. Moreover, this supposition would mean that there were different gods (aliha, pl. of ilah), one of which became gradually known as al-ilah and was then contracted into Allah. This is against facts, since Allah has never been the name of the Eternal Being. Nor has the word Allah ever been applied to any but the Divine Being, according to all authorities on Arabic lexicology. The Arabs had numerous ilahs or gods but none of them was ever called Allah, while a Supreme Being called Allah was recognized above them all as the Creator of the universe (29:61), and no other deity, however great, was so regarded.

When asked by Abdul Rahman bin Abi Najran, whether it was proper to imagine God as something, Imam Muhammad al-Bakir replied, "Yes, but not as something bound by reason or any limitation." He added, "God is completely different to whatever you imagine. He neither resembles anything nor can imagination ever attain Him, for how could imagination ever attain Him while He is totally different to what is bound by reason and also different from what can be pictured in imagination? He can be imagined only as an entity beyond reason and beyond any limitation" (al-Kafi, 1:82). Once the Imam replied to a question of a Kharji that, "Although eyes do not see Him, yet the heart can see Him with the reality of faith. He is neither known by analogy, nor is He felt by the senses, nor can He be likened to human beings. He is described by signs or the verses (of the Koran) and known by symbols; He is not unjust in His judgments, that (verily) is Allah, there is no God but He" (Ibid. 1:99).

Encyclopaedia of Ismailism by Mumtaz Ali Tajddingeneral ALLAHName

God the Creator, Bhrama, focal point of all the Attributes. Aql-i Qul*, Light, Noor*, explanation in Sura al Noor. Allah was also the name of the "head" idol in Mecca during pre-islamic time.

Dieu créateur, Brahma, point focal de tous les Attributs, Aql-i Qul*. Lumière, Noor*, Surat al-Noor, également nom de l'idole chef dans la Mecque pré-islamique.

Heritage Dictionary of ismailism, entry #16general ALLAH TOHAREncyclopedia Topic

In Sindhi and Kutchhi, Allah Tohar or Allah Toahar means with the help of God or reliance on God. It was a common phrase the scribes wrote in the beginning of the manuscripts of the ginans in Indo-Pakistan subcontinent.

Encyclopaedia of Ismailism by Mumtaz Ali Tajddingeneral AloEncyclopedia Topic

Give, offer, grant

Various Sources AlpEncyclopedia Topic

Less, little

Various Sources AlseEncyclopedia Topic

Will give, will offer

Various Sources AlshoEncyclopedia Topic

If you will give

Various Sources AlvaEncyclopedia Topic

To pay, to give, to offer

Various Sources ALY SALOMONE KHAN, PRINCEEncyclopedia Topic

"Prince Aly Salomone Khan, the son of Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah was born at Turin in Italy on June 13, 1911. Because he was a delicate child, his father decided against sending him to experience the rigours of an English boarding school. He was entrusted to the care of a private tutor, Mr. C.M. Waddington, the former Principal of Mayo College for the sons of Princes in India. He finished his education at Lincoln's Inn, London, though he was not called to the bar. He was fluent in a number of European and Oriental languages. He spoke English in the right Oxford accent, and talked and gave speeches in French with rich fluency.

Prince Aly Khan visited India with his mother in 1923. The Imam sent him in Syria in 1930 and again in 1931 where he inaugurated a school at Khawabi. He also visited India on November 21, 1931, and during the year 1932 he had been deputed to India as a representative of his father and made historical visit of Bombay and Calcutta. He also had gone to Pinang, Singapore and Rangoon. Prince Aly S. Khan was granted an honour of J.P. (Justice of Peace) by British India on November 1, 1934. His first marriage took place at Paris with Joan Guinness, known as Joan Aly Khan or Princess Tajudawla on May 18, 1936, who gave birth of the Present Imam, Prince Karim al-Husayni Aga Khan IV on December 13, 1936 and Prince Amyn Muhammad on September 12, 1937. This marriage, however, did not last long. Then on May 27, 1948, he married the famous Hollywood actress Rita Hayworth. This marriage was not fated to go well. There was a divorce in 1953. Through this marriage, Prince Aly Khan had a daughter, Yasmin, who was born in December 20, 1949.

Prince Aly Khan obtained an aeroplane pilot's license in 1937 when he was about 26 years old, and was flying regularly. He is said to have made the longest civil flight from India to Singapore and back covering about 10,000 miles. He was equally enthusiastic about motor racing and skiing. He was great at taking risks. He broke his legs three times skiing and nearly broke his neck many a time while motor racing and flying. From a gentleman jockey who had whipped home more than 100 winners to a distinguished soldier winning high praise in the Second World War; he swam, dived and played tennis like a professional. In a biography of Prince Aly Khan, entitled Golden Prince (London, 1955, p. 15), the British author Gordon Young says, "He has always looked like a man restlessly - searching for a happiness which for most of the time seems to have eluded him like a shadow. His life has been rich but it has never seemed incomplete."

He was a skillful hunter and launched several hunting expeditions in Africa and India. Like his grandfather, he never made use of shelters in the hunting field for big game. In this way he is reported to have bagged no less than three lions, seven tigers and twenty leopards.

With his wife, Princess Tajudawla, he visited India in 1936 and attended the Silver Jubilee of His Highness the Nizam of Hyderabad. From India they traveled in Turkey, Egypt and Syria. While in Egypt he made that country the base for visits to East Africa and there met many thousands who recall with joy his benevolent manner and his care for the social and educational welfare of the people. It was here that the sportsman's instinct led him to hunting safaris.

The East Africa saw Prince Aly Khan for the first time in February, 1939 when he visited every large town and met Ismailis who were struck by his captivating youth and charm. One glaring instance is the Prince Aly Khan War Fund which he inaugurated in East Africa and which raised for the Allies a very handsome amount.

His life has been a headline parade. He was an outstanding social figure, a darling of the international set - equally at home in the West and in the East, an international sportsman, philanthropist, soldier and an able diplomat. Unfortunately, the social gossip column writers took keen interest only in his social occupations and painted him as a playboy in florid and bombastic words. Prince Aly Khan had played a key role in the Ismaili communities and directed the different institutions from time to time. He inaugurated Aly Nursary at Bombay on February 23, 1944 and since then the opening of the nursery schools began in the community in different places. In 1945, a hospital in an old rented building, at Samuel Street, Bombay was erected. Prince Aly Khan took keen interest in it and donated his large estate of Aga Hall, where a magnificent hospital was built and declared open by him in 1957.

He had rendered outstanding military services to the Allies in the World War II (1939-1945) and joined one of the toughest fighting forces in the world - the French Foreign Legion. He saw service in the Middle East under General Waygand. In 1940, he joined the British forces in the Royal Wiltshire Yeomantry. He was promoted to Lt. Col. on October 10, 1944. Later, he was decorated for distinguished service with the U.S. Army. In an operation, aided by a British officer and two Ismaili irregulars, he captured a tank in the desert of Syria. From the French he received both the Legend of Honour and the Croix de Guerre with palms on August 15, 1944 at Paris. In 1951, he opened Kibuli Mosque at Kampala.

In November, 1957, he met President Iskander Mirza of Pakistan and was offered a service as the country's permanent spokesman in the United Nations, whose formal announcement was made on February 6, 1958. He put over Pakistan's viewpoint admirably. His Assistant at the Pakistan Mission to the U.N., Mr. Agha Shahi said: "He sometimes worked till 10 or 11 in the night. He did not smoke, and at cocktail parties, he just ordered tomato juice for himself." He was elected Vice-President of the U.N. General Assembly on September 17, 1958 and was also the Chairman of the Peace Observation Committee in 1959. Within a very short time he proved himself a first rate diplomat. Shortly before his fatal blow of the unfortunate accident, he was accredited in addition as an Envoy to Argentine. But as fate would have it, in the midst of it all when the world was seeing in him a different Aly, a budding statesman marching along the glorious path reaching the heights.

The tragic death of Prince Aly S. Khan took place in a car accident near Paris on the night between May 12 and 13, 1960. Field Marshall Ayub Khan, President of Pakistan said in his tribute that: "I am deeply shocked at the sudden tragic death of Prince Aly Khan. His statesmanship, his friendliness and his personal charm will be remembered by thousands of his friends and admirers. Pakistan has lost a diplomat of the high calibre and value."

Prince Aly Khan had expressed his wish to be buried at Salamia among Syrian Ismailis he knew and loved so well. In the meantime he was to be interred in the grounds of the Chateau de l'Horizon where a grave was dug in the lawn by the side of his study. Starting on the sad journey to the South of France, chanting and praying Ismailis carried the coffin, which was covered with the red and green Ismaili flag and put it on a special train. In the coach ahead were the Present Imam, Prince Sadruddin and Prince Amyn Muhammad in their compartment. Regular trains taking precedence, the trip took twelve hours and it was midnight before they arrived. Next day, at the open grave, the Imam palms turned skywards, recited the funeral prayers. Then Prince Aly Khan was put to rest in the temporary grave.

On Monday, the 27th Jamada I, 1392/July 10, 1972 the final burial ceremony of late Prince Aly Khan took place in Salamia, Syria according to his will. It was participated by the leaders of the community from Pakistan, India, East Africa, Europe, United States and South East Asia, including 36 delegates and four guests. Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan and Prince Amyn Muhammad were also present in the ceremony. The remains of late Prince Aly Khan was transported from Nice to Damascus by an Air France chartered Boeing on July 10, 1972 at 7.00 a.m., and it was interred in the main Jamatkhana compound with great honour. In his speech, Ahmad Nasir al-Hayek, President of H.H. The Aga Khan's Salamia Council said: "Salamia, this town which is situated at the edge of the desert, and patiently faced many natural disasters, is very proud to have within its humble existence this selected gathering on this very sad occasion. The occasion of the Prophet's sacred family; His Serene Highness Prince Aly Khan, son of late Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah and the beloved father of the present Imam of the Ismailis...The late Prince Aly Khan had loved Salamia and its inhabitants. To whom they represented the Arab tradition, which are well known for their pride, integrity, bravery and hospitality. In this patch of our Arab land his imagination took him back, through our Islamic and Arabian history, to see his great ancestors travelling through the Arabs land to Africa, and Europe to spread Islamic ideas and Arab civilization. His great ancestors played a major role in the establishment and spreading of such civilization. As it is also well known that he in person had served Islam and Arab affairs internationally and particularly in United Nations. And as a symbol of his love and admiration he made his will to be buried here in Salamia which is loved by every Ismaili, because our glory started from its soil, and also in this soil rest the bodies of a number of his ancestors as it will have now his own."

He was popularly known as the Golden Prince in spite of all the worldly wealth and comforts was a model of nobility, politeness and humility of demeanour. Though with a dashing character, the Prince by his amiable nature, sociable ways and kindness of heart and made himself agreeable to all the varied people around him. To all big and small he gave a smile that captivated their hearts. He was a prince among men and a man among princes. The sentimentalist was always uppermost in his heart. To quote Gordon Young, when asked, Aly replied with apparent sincerity, "I should say that the greatest satisfaction in life comes from showing kindness to other people. That does not necessarily mean giving the money; it may mean just showing them consideration." In him dwelt not one person but several different people rolled into one, a rare example of unparalleled combination. First there was the sporting Aly. He lived fully and very minute of his life, colourful and gay, and dangerously too. His love for education was unsurpassable. Karachi University is the realization of his dreams. He had the dynamic energy and zeal and took keen interest in the welfare of Ismailis in general. The Co-operative societies, rehabilitation of Ismailis in Pakistan, Scouting, semi-military organizations, banking and sports organizations owe a great deal to Prince Aly Khan for his continuous guidance.

Mata Salamat Umm Habibeh, the Begum Aga Khan observed her 90th birthday at Aswan in Upper Egypt on February 15, 1996. She told in an interview to Hello (February 24, 1996) that, "He (Prince Aly Khan) was a very big-hearted man and not only did he not mind being displaced by his son, he was proud of him. Aly Khan was phenomenally alive."

Encyclopaedia of Ismailism by Mumtaz Ali Tajddingeneral Amal chalayaEncyclopedia Topic

Was willful, head-strong

Various Sources aMANaTNoun

L'éthique du Dépôt confié. Coran 33:72, 8:27, 4:61. Confiance. Fiducie. v. Corbin "Philos. Isl." p. 60-61.

Heritage Dictionary of Ismailism, entry #875general aMaRNoun

Ordre, commandement, Farman*. V. AMR.

Heritage Dictionary of Ismailism, entry #443general AmarEncyclopedia Topic

Eternal, immortal, undying, perpetual, forever, endless; command, decree, Farman

Various Sources Amar (Amr)Encyclopedia Topic

Command, order, Farman

Various Sources Amar didariEncyclopedia Topic

One who is in a state of perpetual didar

Various Sources Amar gadhEncyclopedia Topic

Eternal abode

Various Sources Amara / AmariEncyclopedia Topic

My, mine

Various Sources AmareEncyclopedia Topic

Our

Various Sources AmaroEncyclopedia Topic

Our

Various Sources AmbaEncyclopedia Topic

Mango

Various Sources AmbarEncyclopedia Topic

Perfume, ambergris, sky, heaven; ambergris, silky cloth, dress

Various Sources Ambarat / AmratEncyclopedia Topic

Nectar, sweet, life-giving water, immortal, eternal

Various Sources AmiEncyclopedia Topic

Nectar, life-giving water, sweet, Nur, water of life, Nectar, Ab-e-Shafa

Various Sources aMINoun

Nyaz, Ism-é-Azam, eau bénite. aMI ZaRNA = nom d'un livre de Farmans en Gujerati classés par sujets.

Heritage Dictionary of Ismailism, entry #444general AMI ZaRNAName

Name of a Farman Book - see. ami - Nyaz

Nom d'un livre de Farmans. V. aMI. ou Nyaz

Heritage Dictionary of ismailism, entry #445general AmijalEncyclopedia Topic

Sweet water, water of life, nectar, water of life, spiritual water, Ab-e-Shafa

Various Sources AMINA BINT WAHBName

(6th Century) Wife of Abdallah ibn Abdul Muttalib* and mother of Prophet Mohamed.

(6e S). Epouse de Abdallah ibn Abdul Muttalib* et mère du Prophète Mohamed.

Heritage Dictionary of ismailism, entry #169general AMIR AHMED, 6è. PIRName

(83AH/702 - 148AH/765) Imam Jaffar Sadiq, son of Imam al-Baqir. Pir during the Imamat of his father. His grand-son Nooruddin succeeded him on the trone of Piratan during the Imamat of Mowlana Mohmmad bin Ismail.*

(83AH/702 - 148AH/765). Imam Jaffar Sadiq fils de Imam al-Baqir. Pir pendant l'Imamat de son père. Son petit-fils Nooruddin (Imam Moh'd b. Ismail* lui succeda.)

Heritage Dictionary of ismailism, entry #170general AMIR AL-UMRAEncyclopedia Topic

The word umra is the plural of amir means chiefs, thus amir al-umra means chief of the chiefs. It was a title created by the Safavid ruler, Shah Ismail (d. 930/1524). Imam Abuzar Ali (d. 915/1509) married to Sabira Khatoon, the daughter of Shah Ismail, and he was granted the title of amir al-umra. Imam Murad Mirza (d. 920/1514) was also invested the same title.

Encyclopaedia of Ismailism by Mumtaz Ali Tajddingeneral AmirasEncyclopedia Topic

Sweet nectar, Ab-e-shafa

Various Sources AMREncyclopedia Topic

"The word amr means authority, occurring 89 times in the Koran, which explains the meaning of authority (amr) in stage-wise. At first, it insists that the authority of giving decision is the sole prerogative of God: "The authority rests with none but God. He commands you not to surrender to anyone else than Him. This is right way" (12:40) and "Beware! Creation is His and authority is (also) His" (7:54). Besides, the Koran declares that all prophets are representatives of God on earth, and convey His commands to the mankind, and thus are entitled to be obeyed from those who accept them as such. The Koran says: "Whoso obeys the messenger, obeys God" (4:80), and "Each and every messenger who was sent by Us was sent for the sole purpose that he should be obeyed by God's sanction" (4:64). The Koran further says: "Surely! We have revealed this Book to you with truth that you may judge mankind in the light which God has shown to you" (4:105), and "Nay, by your Lord, they will not be believers until they accept you as the judge in all their disputes and submit to your decision wholeheartedly with entire submission" (4:65).

From the above Koranic verses, it is clear that God, the Sole Authority invests all the prophets in general and the last Prophet in particular with absolute powers to reign over the faithful. Yet, it is impossible to affirm that the divine law could remain forceful only upto the time of the Prophet and after his passing away this important mission was to be left to the choice of the masses, so that they could select someone from among themselves and appoint him to spiritual sovereignty. But, God warns the believers against it: "Follow that which has been sent down to you from your Lord and do not follow the guardians (awliya) other than Him" (7:3).

Encyclopaedia of Ismailism by Mumtaz Ali Tajddingeneral aMRNoun

(Arabe: Ordre, commandement, autorité), ISM*, Source du 1er Intellect, Lumière de l'Imam, Volonté divine, Verbe. Amri - Minkum, Coran IV/59

Heritage Dictionary of Ismailism, entry #17general aMRAPOURINoun

Paradis.

Heritage Dictionary of Ismailism, entry #446general aMRAPOURINoun

De AMaR = éternel. Paradis.

Heritage Dictionary of Ismailism, entry #1008general AmrapuriEncyclopedia Topic

Heaven, paradise, abode of eternity, eternal house, eternal place, paradise, eternal abode

Various Sources AmratEncyclopedia Topic

Nectar, life-giving water, sweet, eternal, immortal

Various Sources aMRaTNoun

Bon, go

Heritage Dictionary of Ismailism, entry #447general Amrat bhojanEncyclopedia Topic

Delicious food

Various Sources Amrat nurEncyclopedia Topic

Life giving nectar, sweet nectar

Various Sources AmulEncyclopedia Topic

Invaluable, expensive, priceless

Various Sources AmulakhEncyclopedia Topic

Invaluable, priceless, precious, very useful, expensive

Various Sources AmuliyaEncyclopedia Topic

Priceless, invaluable

Various Sources AMYN MUHAMMAD, PRINCEEncyclopedia Topic

Prince Amyn Muhammad, the younger brother of the Present Imam was born on September 12, 1937 in Geneva. His mother Princess Tajudawla (d. April 26, 1997) was the daughter of Lord Churston and the 7th Duke of Leinslter, the descendant of King Edward III of Great Britain. The early days of his infancy with his elder brother, were spent in Europe under the care of his parents and the personal supervision of Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah. During the second world war, he with his brother, accompanied his mother to the trip of Nairobi, where they stayed for four year. He also participated in a large Eid prayer at Nairobi, where his elder brother led the prayers at the age of seven years.

When the world war was over, he returned to Europe and joined Le Rosy School, Switzerland with his elder brother. Both brothers then proceeded to United States for further education at Harvard University in 1953. Both brothers used to visit Europe during the vacations to spend the holidays with their parents and grandfather.

In 1954, Prince Amyn Muhammad and his elder brother, in compliance with the instructions from their grandfather, paid first visit to the Ismaili community of Pakistan, India and East Africa. The Ismailis were overwhelmingly jubilant on having a first glimpse of these two brothers.

As an under-graduate at the Harvard, he majored in History and Literature, which entailed the study of three countries in three languages. In the summer of 1960, he received his master degree in Literature and Economics with the distinction Magna cum Laude. In the end of 1960, he entered Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences to work in the Department of Comparative Literature, towards the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

In 1962, Prince Amyn Muhammad obtained the degree of master of Arts and was awarded a teaching fellowship, and remained engaged in Harvard for some time as a professor of French. It implies his intellectual caliber and tremendous academic faculty. His appointment in this young age as a professor is unprecedented in the history of the Harvard University. In 1963, he passed his exams for the doctoral degree and set to work on his doctoral thesis.

In the end of 1964, he left Harvard and joined United Nations and associated with the program of implementation of development program in the under-developing countries. In March, 1965, he began to work as an Advisor on the Economic Division in UN Secretary General U Thant's office, and then started to share his services in the socio-economic affairs of the Ismaili community.

Since 1969, Prince Amyn Muhammad is working in the field of economic planning and development of the Ismaili community, and assisting his elder brother in the Agricultural Promotion Services in East Africa. He is also the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) and of its subsidiary, Tourism Promotion Services (T.P.S.).

Prince Amyn Muhammad was taking keen interest in the semi military organizations of the Ismaili community wherever he was on his routine tour in Pakistan, India and East Africa. He was a symbol of inspiration to the Volunteers, Rovers, Scouts, Cubs, Bands, Orchestras, Girl Guides and Blue Birds. He always exhorted them to follow adamantly, the noble concept of service to the humanity and to ever remain in preparedness to respond to the call of country and nation at the time of need. His love for the scouts organization can be revealed from his unfailing visit to these organizations, and even at occasion when he was greatly embarrassed by his densely knit program of engagements, he always acceded to their requests and graced their important occasions of Ceremonial March Past, Torch Light Tattoos and Rallies by his august presence.

The Ismailia Scouts Association of Karachi and other relevant world organizations have earnestly urged to the Imam to appoint Prince Amyn Muhammad as Chief Scout of Ismaili world and the Imam graciously pleased to accede to this humble request following confirmation by Prince Amyn Muhammad to accept this exalted position.

The Aga Khan Association for Ismaili Scouts has declared him as the Chief of World Ismailia Scouts. The investiture ceremony was held at Karachi on December 7, 1974, where he took oath as Chief World Ismailia Scouts on this grand occasion.

Encyclopaedia of Ismailism by Mumtaz Ali Tajddingeneral AnEncyclopedia Topic

Order, Farman, authority, principle, reign, without

Various Sources An chintavyaEncyclopedia Topic

Without worry

Various Sources An dithaEncyclopedia Topic

Unseen, without seeing

Various Sources An galiyoEncyclopedia Topic

Without straining, without filtering

Various Sources An phaliyaEncyclopedia Topic

Useless, fruitless, futile

Various Sources Ana ghadiEncyclopedia Topic

At this moment, just now

Various Sources