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Queen Elizabeth II hosts a dinner at Buckingham Palace to mark the Golden Jubilee of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, July 7, 2008

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.


Event
Imamat Day – The Shia Imam’s Ascent to the Office of Imamat as a Direct Descendent of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
What The Holy Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan’s Imamat Day Celebrations – Khushiali Mubarak! (Rejoice, Blessings!)
Why Imamat Day is celebrated every year by Ismaili Shia Muslims on the anniversary of the day that the Imamat transfers from the past Imam to the Present Living Imam in a continuous chain since Prophet Muhammad declared him 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).
When 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. This year marks the 56th anniversary of when at the age of 20, the Imam inherited the office from the previous Imam, his grand father, Mowlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, Aga Khan III.
Where The first Imam Hazrat Ali was appointed as as his 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. (See his activity reports below and see if you are amazed).
History 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. 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 he 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. See Hadiths highlighted below.
More Info Please visit past Imamat Day celebrations pages every year listed on page links below. I have talked about other verses from the Quran and discussed the edicts of our Imams who have been luminaries through the ages, mandated with God’s message as in Shia doctrine of the Imam’s knowledge, the Imam is the Quran Natiq – the Speaking Quran, while the Quran is the Silent Imam – Imam Samit. The Imam is the true interpreter of the Book and guides according to the age and keeps alive the Quran which God says is designed to be interpreted by the Ulul-Amr (Interpreters of the Divine Command) and the Rasikhoon fil-ilm (Those vested in Divine Knowledge), again both pointing to the Rightful Imams.

“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?

Imamat Day and Imam’s Birthday Pages

His Highness the Aga Khan Activities

4 thoughts on “Imamat Day July 11, 2014 – 57 Years! Mashallah!”

  1. Address of the Aga Khan Museum. Toronto. 77 Wynford Drive

    Hazar Imam’s Age: 77

    Ismailis are also known as: SEVENERS (after 7th Imam Mawlana Ismail)

    Address of Ismaili Centre, Toronto. 49 Wynford Drive

    Hazar Imam is the…….. 49th Ismaili Imam

    Amazing!!

    Co-incidence or Destiny??!!

  2. Faces on that day will be resplendent,
    wujuhun yawma’idhin nadira:

    looking toward their Lord. – Quran 75:22
    ila Rabbi-ha nazira.

    So whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord,
    Fa-man kana yarju liqa’a Rabbi-hi

    let him do righteous work,
    fa-l’-ya’mal ‘amalan salihan

    and let him give no one any share at all
    wa la yushrik

    in the worship due unto his Lord. – Quran 18:110
    bi-’ibadati Rabbi-hi ahada.

    And We supported him [Jesus] with the holy spirit. – Quran 2:87
    Wa ayyadna-hu bi-Ruhi ‘l-Qudus.

    Indeed! Verily, the friends of God have no fear, neither shall they grieve. – Quran 10:62
    Ala inna awliyaa Allahi la khawfun AAalayhim wala hum

  3. Our Beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

    ‘You will see your Lord as you see the moon on the night when it is full.’

    ‘You are from me and I am from you (anta minni wa ana minka).’

    ‘Truly, ‘Ali is from me and I am from him (inna ‘Ali minni wa ana minhu), and he is the wali (patron/spiritual master) of every believer after me.’

    ‘Ali is with the Qur’an and the Qur’an is with ‘Ali. They will not separate from each other until they return to me at the [paradisal pool] (al-hawd).’

    ‘O ‘Ali, you are a leader (sayyid) in the world and the Hereafter. Your beloved is my beloved, and my beloved is the beloved of God; your enemy is my enemy, and my enemy is the enemy of God. Woe be to those who hate you after me [after I have passed away].’

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Imamat Day July 11, 2014 – 57 Years! Mashallah!