Ismail bin Jafar

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Isma'il bin Jafar (Arabic: إسماعيل بن جعفر, c. 721 C.E./103 AH - 755 C.E./138AH) was the eldest son of the sixth Shia Imam, Ja'far al-Sadiq. Isma'il bin Ja'far is considered to be the seventh Ismaili Imaam although, sincce he predeceased his father, he never actualyly functioned in the capacity of Imam.


Biography

He was born in Shawwal 100 AH/719 C.E. To protect him from persecution, his father sent him into hiding and publicly declared him deceased. The majority Twelver group however argue that Ismail actually died, and that the funeral was not a fraud. He died during the Imamat of Imam Ja'far al- Sadiq in the year 138 AH/756 C.E.

Dispute over the Succession

Some sources indicate that the Imam Jafar as-Sadiq designated Ismail as his successor and the next Imam after him. According to Islamili sources, Jafar repeatedly designated him as his successor but there was also some secrecy attached to this because the Sunni Caliphs were determined to "expunge the Alids from the state", and so were very interested to know the identity of the next Imam.[1] However, it is also believed that Ismail died before his father. Therefore, upon as-Sadiq's death, some Shi’i followers turned to the eldest surviving son of al-Sadiq, Abd-Allah, who claimed a second designation. When Abd-Allah died within weeks without an heir, many turned again to another son of as-Sadiq, Musa al-Kazim, while some had already accepted him as the Imam previously. This crisis of succession led to doubts about the true designation of Jafar as-Sadiq and many clung to the original designation of Isma’il and proclaimed the son of Isma’il.

There was also debate about whether Ismail's behavior was suitable for the Imamate. In this view, e had been "passed over" because of unsuitability, reportedly having once been discovered in an intoxicated state.[2]

The minority, who believe that Isma'il was the rightful successor to Jafar are known as Ismailis, while the other majority of followers of Musa Al-Kazim are known as Twelvers. They went on to recognize five more Imams after Musa - making twelve Imams in total. The Nizari Ismaili Shias follow a living Imam directly descended from Imam Isma'il ibn Jafar & Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib. The Ismaili Imams are today known as the Aga Khans - the present (hadir) Imam being Shah Karim al-Husayni - or Aga Khan IV. The Ismailis, like all Shi'a, often lived as a minority under Sunni rule keeping their identity and that of their Imam a secret. However, under the Fatimids in Egypt, when they were rivals of the Abbasids, the Ismaili Imams were able to reveal their identity. Several schisms took place during the history of the Ismaili community, which dispersed following the collapse of the Fatimids. That was the last time that Ismaili Imams exercised political as well as spiritual authority. However, the succession of Imams continued down through the centuries; they are regarded as inspired and as infallible by their followers. He is known as the "present" (or living Imam), since the 12th Imam of the majority of Shi'a, who went into "occultation" in 940C.E. is referred to as the "Hidden Iman." In theory, the Iman's authority is "absolute; in practice it covers religious and community matters." [2] After the collapse of the Fatimids, the Nizari lineage of Imams took refuge with the mini-state at Alamut led initially by Hasan i-Sabbah (1090–1124) where for some time their identity was again hidden, until Imam Hassan II, the 23rd Ismaili Imam who died in 1166. The line appears to have settled in Persia in the fifteenth century with the 29th Imam. The term "Nizari" is from the name of the 19th Imam, Nizār ibn al-Mustanṣir billāh, son of al-Mustansir, who died in prison 1094. He was not recognized by the Mustaali, who broke away under a different succession.

Legacy

Ismail himself died before he had a chance to leave a mark on history as a result of his own actions. Nonetheless, a lineage that traces its descent from him has given leadership to the community that bears his name down the centuries. Today, his heirs advocate a tolerant expression of Islam that stresses the equality of all people, people's right to dignity, freedom and a decent standard of living.

Notesd

  1. "Ismail bin Jafar Sadick." Ismaili.net Ismail bin Jafar Sadick Retrieved June 10, 2008.
  2. Bennett, Clinton pg 161.

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