Encyclopedia of Islam

Ismaili Shiism

---

of the two groups, are led by the a

ga

  k

han

, a 

descendant of the Nizari caliph-imams, whom 

they call “the Imam of the Age” (Imam-i zaman). 

As a result of their need to conceal themselves and 

their missionary activities in times of persecution, 

Khoja religious language has adapted many terms 

and concepts from Sufism and devotional Hindu-

ism (bhakti), evident in terms such as pir and guru 

(Sufi master), 

dhikr

 and samaran (remembrance 

of God), 

tariqa

 and sath panth (Sufi order, “true 

path”). God was known as a

llah

 and Alakh (a 

Sanskritic name for the transcendent God), or as 

Rahman (the most merciful) and Ram (an ava-

tar of the Hindu god Vishnu). The key religious 

texts for the Khojas are the ginans, which contain 

sacred hymns that are sung at their religious gath-

erings. The Ismaili Bohras, who are mainly from 

the region of Gujarat in India, are led by a man 

known as the dai mutlaq (the absolute dai), who 

maintains continuous contact with the hidden 

imam. Their main headquarters since the 19th 

century has been in Mumbai.

Khojas and Bohras are typically involved in 

business and finance. They tend to avoid politics, 

but they embrace 

edUcation

 and scholarship. 

The Institute of Ismaili Studies in London was 

founded in 1977 by the Aga Khan in order to sup-

port research on Shiism and enhance interfaith 

understanding. Both communities have supported 

projects relating to the preservation of the Islami-

cate architectural heritage and adapting it to meet 

the needs of Muslim communities today. They 

have also contributed significantly to humanitar-

ian causes.

See also 

ahl

 

al

-

bayt

; a

ssassins

; b

ohra

; b

reth

-

ren

 

oF

  p

Urity

;  d

rUze

; F

yzee

,  a

saF

  a

li

  a

sghar

; 

h

indUism

 

and

 i

slam

; s

UFism

; t

Welve

-i

mam

 s

hiism

.