Imamat Day 2014: Imamat Day – The Shia Imam’s Rope of 57 years of Imamat as the a Direct Descendent of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

July is the 7th month, 49th Imam is 7 times 7. It’s been 7 years since the Golden Jubilee. This is the 57th anniversary of Imamat Day. He became an Imam in 1957!

2014 – 14 is 7 times 2. This picture was taken on July 7th when Queen Elizabeth II hosted a dinner at Buckingham Palace to mark the Golden Jubilee of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, July 7, 2008. There is lot of symbolism of the number 7 and celestial significance of this anniversary as it is 7-11 and I am sure our readers will come up with more! Please use comments below to submit suggestions.

“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 57th anniversary of when at the age of 20, the 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, play 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 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 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 His Highness the Aga Khan. Imamat Day Mubarak!

How is Imamat Day being celebrated where you are?

His Highness the Aga Khan Activities

• Imam of the Time’s activities for his 75th year birthday – prepared by Akbar Ahmed Ali Punjwani
• Imam of the Time’s activities for his 74th year – prepared by Akbar and Zehra Punjwani
• Imam of the Time’s activities for his 73rd year – prepared by Akbar Punjwani
• Golden Jubilee Tribute View some of Mowlana Hazar Imam’s achievements, amazing!
• Index of Speeches made by Mowlana Hazar Imam at the Ismaili Web Amaana.org
• Index of Speeches made by Mowlana Hazar Imam at AKDN site