Imamah (Shi'a Ismaili doctrine)
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- This is a sub-article to Imamah (Shi'a doctrine).
After Jafar al-Sadiq (703-765), the Ismaili concept of Imamah differentiated from the mainstream twelvers conspect of Imamah. The Ismaili concept remained uniform until 1094, when Al-Mustansir of Cairo successor was to be followed. This article is about the Ismaili concept of Imamah during the period of 765 to 1094.
Note that while twelvers conspect of Imamah is a partr of their Roots of Religion, the Ismaili concept of Imamah is not part of their Seven Pillars, rather Walayah is.
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[edit] Background
The Ismailis believe that the first five of the first six Imams listed above are the rightful successors of Muhammad, but differ as to the seventh, believing that Ismail bin Jafar was the rightful successor, and not his brother Musa al-Kazim.
- Ali ibn Abi Talib (600 CE-661 CE)
- Husayn ibn Ali (626-680)
- Ali ibn Husayn (658-713), also known as Zayn al-Abidin
- Muhammad al-Baqir (676-743)
- Jafar al-Sadiq (703-765)
- Ismail bin Jafar — not followed by twelvers.
It is important to note that Hasan ibn Ali is not counted as Imam by the Ismailis on the ground that continuation of the Imamate can only occur from the current Imam to a male descendant. Since Hasan and Husayn were siblings, the Imamate could not pass from one of them to the other.
From Ismail bin Jafar, the Ismaili line of Imams diverges to the descendants of Ismail.
[edit] 765 to 1094
[edit] Split
In 1094, they split yet again into the Nizaris and the Mustaalis.
