Simerg is an independent initiative dedicated to Ismaili Muslims, the Aga Khan — their Hereditary Imam — and the Ismaili Imamat, and Islam in general through literary readings, photo essays and artistic expressions
Sunday, November 2, 2025, marks the 148th anniversary of the birth of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, His Highness the Aga Khan III, the 48th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims. Born on November 2, 1877, he assumed the role of Imam at the remarkably young age of seven on August 17, 1885, a fact that never fails to inspire awe.
48th Ismaili Imam, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, His Late Highness Aga Khan III.
His 72-year reign was the longest in Ismaili history. He passed away on July 11, 1957, and appointed his grandson, Mawlana Shah Karim, His Highness the Aga Khan IV, as the 49th Imam.
49th Ismaili Imam, Mawlana Shah Karim Shah, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV.
Born on December 13, 1936, Mawlana Shah Karim reigned for a total of 67 years, until his passing on February 4, 2025, at the age of 88, making him the oldest Imam in Ismaili history. Together, the 48th and 49th Imams served an astonishing total of 139 years.
50th and present Ismaili Imam, Mawlana Shah Rahim Al Hussaini Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan V.
Mawlana Shah Karim’s successor is his eldest son, Mawlana Shah Rahim Al Hussaini, His Highness the Aga Khan V. Since becoming the 50th Imam earlier this year, he has visited his Ismaili communities in France, Kenya, and Uganda and is scheduled to visit them in the USA and Portugal from November 5-10 and December 1-4, 2025, respectively.
We present stories of the three Imams, which provide a comprehensive and enlightening picture of their lives and guidance to the Ismailis as well as their contributions to the world at large, in all aspects of human endeavour. The stories will ensure that you are well-informed about their legacy.
For the past 24 hours, Ismaili Muslims worldwide have been united in a profound sense of loss over the death of their 49th beloved Imam, Mawlana Shah Karim Al Hussaini, His Highness the Aga Khan. His passing on February 4, 2025, in Lisbon at the age of 88 has brought the community of twelve million together in collective grief.
During this moment of sadness, the famous tradition (Hadith) of the Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him and his family) and the Qur’anic verses which follow have been comforting factors, while the Ismaili community awaited the announcement of who had been designated to continue the Hereditary Imamat:
“I am leaving behind me two things: the Book and my Progeny. If you hold fast to them, you will never go astray”
and the Quranic verses (3:33-34):
“Verily, God did choose Adam and Noah, the progeny of Abraham, and the progeny of Imran above all the worlds, descendants, one from the other: And God heareth and knoweth all things”
We have learnt with deep happiness that the late 49th Imam, Mawlana Shah Karim, has designated, through the Nass, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V, as our beloved 50th Imam. A press release (PDF format) dated February 5 2025 issued in Lisbon by the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat says:
“Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V was today named the 50th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, following the unsealing of the Will of his late father, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, who died in Lisbon, Portugal yesterday, aged 88. Prince Rahim Aga Khan V is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) through his daughter, Hazrat Bibi Fatima, and the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, Hazrat Ali, the fourth Rightly Guided Caliph of Islam and the first Shia Imam.
“Throughout their 1,400 year history, the Ismailis have been led by a living, hereditary Imam. The Ismailis live in over 35 countries and number approximately 12 to 15 million.”
Story continues below
Mawlana Shah Karim, His Highness the Aga Khan (d. February 4, 2025), the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, and Prince Rahim walk through a gathering of Ismaili Muslims during their visit to Kenya in March 1981. They were 45 and 10 years old, respectively. Photograph: Canadian Ismaili, Imamat Day Issue, July 11, 1981, Vol. 1/No. 6, print version.
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Mawlana Shah Karim, His Highness the Aga Khan (d. February 4, 2025), and Prince Rahim, now the 50th Ismaili Imam, tour Filtisac, an enterprise in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, which manufactures jute and polypropylene bags, as part of the Golden Jubilee visit to West Africa between April 23 to May 1, 2008. Photograph: Gary Otte/The Ismaili United States of America, December 13, 2008, print version
We congratulate our (new) Hazar Imam, Prince Rahim, on becoming our 50th Imam and pledge our loyalty to him, as we had to Mawlana Shah Karim during his 67 glorious years of Imamat. We also congratulate his entire family on this historic news.
We congratulate Ismailis worldwide on Prince Rahim’s appointment as our 50th Imam. We are now under his loving care and protection, as we were in Mawlana Shah Karim’s throughout his Imamat.
The Diwan has issued a brief biography (PDF format) of Prince Rahim.
Once again, we express our shukrana to Mawlana Hazar Imam on his appointment as our beloved 50th Imam. We look forward to being his devoted and beloved Spiritual Children and holding firm to the Rope of Imamat.
Date posted: February 5, 2025.
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