Imamat Day 2015: Imamat Day – 58 years anniversary of the 49th Imam, the Direct Descendent of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

It’s been 8 years since the Golden Jubilee. This is the 58th anniversary of Imamat Day. Only two more years to go before the Diamond Jubilee, Masha’Allah!

We are so blessed that this year Imamat Day is just two days after Layla tul Qadr! So much celestial and spiritual significance, taking place in the holy month of Ramadan!

Surely I will make you an Imam of men. – Quran 2:124

“He has ordained for men the faith He has revealed to you and formerly enjoined on Noah and Abraham, on Moses and Jesus, saying: “Observe this Faith and be united in it” Quran 42:13 (The Faith is Islam! – Submission to the Will of God).

The Holy Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan’s Imamat Day Celebrations – Khushiali Mubarak!

Each year, Ismailis all over the world–from the concentrated populations in areas of the United States and Canada, all throughout Europe and Asia, from China and Russia to India, and Africa and even in countries including Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand–celebrate the tradition of Imamat Day. Ismaili Shia Muslims, on the anniversary of the day that the Imamat transfers from the past Imam (Mowlana Shah Sultan Mahomed Shah) to our Present Living Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan Shah Karim Al-Hussaini Hazar Imam – Lord of the Age. Inherited in a continuous chain since Prophet Muhammad, we commemorate the declaration of Hazrat Ali as his successor and that their progeny would succeed until they return to al-hawd, the pool in paradise. (See sayings of Prophet Muhammad below). The current Imam is the direct descendent and the 48th generation grandson of the Prophet. This chain of 49 Imams flows from the day when Imam Hazrat Ali was appointed as Prophet Muhammad’s successor. This anniversary is celebrated with great rejoicing by the followers of the Imam, for it is a unique occasion full of symbolism wherein the continuance of God’s covenant is celebrated. This tradition has continued for over 1400 years since the time of Hazrat Ali (a.s. – on whom be peace) the first Imam who was appointed by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s. – peace be upon him).

Imamat Day falls on July 11th every year for the current Imam. Since the time of our holy Prophet Muhammad, this tradition has continued as the Prophet’s grand children pass on the Imamat to their heirs who bear the Noor (Light) of God and the blood of the Prophet as the Intercessor between God and man, to maintain this divinely ordained hereditary office as God’s vicegerent on earth has been ordained for every age. This year marks the 58th anniversary of when at the age of 20, the current Imam inherited the office from the previous Imam, his grandfather, Mowlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, Aga Khan III.

The history of the rope of Imamat begins with Hazrat Ali. The first Imam, Hazrat Ali was appointed as the successor by Prophet Muhammad at Ghadir e Khumm when he declared: Ali is the Lord of those whose Lord I am! – Man kunto Mowla, fa Ali yun Mowla! Imam Ali, as all Imams in his line, plays a pivotal role in the spiritual lives of his followers, as the Qutb, the Pole, around which the faithful gravitate to receive his guidance directly from God, and the Imam looks to God as an Intercessor for his community. Allah says that each nation will come with its Imam on Judgment Day. As the community of faithful, we are blessed to be led by the 49th Imam of the age, our beloved Mowlana Hazar Imam! Celebrations take place in over 50 countries around the world where Ismailis live to remind us of this blessing from God and to aspire to live a godly life as we see and follow the example of the Imam in our time.

This occasion is very solemn as many events point to the importance of the hereditary family tree. For example, Prophet Muhammad’s birthday was also his death anniversary. For Shia Muslims, this was a further endorsement of the divinely ordained appointment of Imam Hazrat Ali at Gadhir-e Khumm where Prophet Muhammad declared him as his successor who was to assume these duties upon the Prophet’s death. Before the Prophet Muhammad, this chain was from his ancestors as Muhammad was descended from Abraham, fulfilling God’s decree to Prophet Abraham – Surely I will make you an Imam of men. – Quran 2:124. Prophet Muhammad is the descendent of Abraham through his elder son Ishmael, Ismail in Arabic. No wonder we are also Ismailis! Prophet Abraham has been called the Father of Nations and is the founder of the three great monotheistic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. He has been given high regard in the Genesis 12:2, 3, and 7, also 17:20 and Deuteronomy 18:18. After Prophet Muhammad who received the Quran from God, wherein Allah said that Muhammad would be the last prophet and there would be no more revelation in the form of scripture but the faith had to continue. This was implemented by establishing the Office of the Imamat so that the covenant would continue by blood lines. And if we look back in history, 49 direct descendents of the Prophet have continued this chain and as we know from the Prophet that this chain will continue until the end of time on earth, until we meet at the pool in paradise.

All over the world, Ismaili Muslims celebrate Imamat Day with extra prayers and blessings in Jamat Khana, followed by traditional Dandia Raas dancing to gather together as a Jamat and celebrate the gift of present-day spiritual guidance from Mowlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini, His Highness the Aga Khan. Imamat Day Mubarak!

On my Layla tul Qadr page from last year, I highlighted what Imam Hazrat Ali said in his sermon which I repeat here after the verse of the Holy Quran:

Sunnata man qad arsalna qablaka minrusulina wala tajidu lisunnatina tahweela

(This was Our) way with the messengers We sent before thee: thou wilt find no change in Our ways. — Quran 17:77

Audio Quran 17:77

I am the meaning of Ramadan and the night of Qadr (Quran 97:1-3) mentioned in the Mother Book. My utterance is decisive, for I am the Surah of Praise (Hamd). I am the purpose of prayer itself, whether at home or when travelling. I am the purpose of fasting, and the sacred anniversaries in the months of the year. I am the Lord of Resurrection and Judgement, the One who can remove the yoke that lies heavy on the people of Muhammad. I am the Gate through which all shall pass who worship God; I am His worshipper, and one created by Him. I am both the witness and the One witnessed to, the possessor of the green canopy, He Whose name is mentioned in the heavens and the earth, Who is the travelling companion of the Messenger of God throughout the heavens, for with Me is the Book and the sacred Arc.