His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the 49th Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims had passed away. I grappled with the influx of emotions I felt at that moment and tried to process them but to no avail. I went into my sisters’ room, telling them of the news in between my sobs and crying as inconsolable as a lost child.
In that moment of loss, as I was being consoled by my family, each one of us coming to terms with the news, each tear was both a sorrow of having lost a guide and a reminder of the rich legacy that has been left for each one of us to cherish. It was also a moment of reassurance, of knowing that the next Imam in line is already there designated in the unbroken hereditary succession from Imam Ali (peace be upon him), the fundamental Ismaili belief.
What was meant to be a quiet holiday, transformed into an emotional rollercoaster.
Maulana Hazar Imam as he was referred to by his followers – numbering to around 15 million worldwide in 35 countries – was an influential global leader renowned not only as the spiritual head of the Shia Ismaili Muslims but also as a visionary champion of development, cultural pluralism, and social progress. His Imamat was a journey that redefined modern philanthropy and community development.
Beyond development, Prince Karim championed interfaith dialogue and cultural understanding, believing peace and prosperity depend on diversity and mutual respect. Since the 4th of February (according to the Portugal time zone) the world has been revolving around him in all ways with tributes pouring from leaders and people alike into society for the extraordinary life he lived. This is the proof of what he gave to society and that he created this world a better place for living. A true life of purpose.
But his teachings and guidance for his followers were the foundation of the whole tradition of Shia Ismailis: that ours is an intellectual tradition, that faith always goes hand in hand with reason, that ethics of Islam are the guiding notion for all of us, that diversity and pluralism is how this world can thrive, that institutions in the community are the way to bring everyone together, that balance between worldly and religious life is the best way to live, that living peacefully with every one and building bridges with sister communities is the pathway to a better world, that kindness is going to take us long way; be it for your neighbor or for people in the world, that we are a faith that welcomes smile, that khidmat to your community and to society is the essence of coexistence and that each one of us is an eternal volunteer, that one has to become a true global citizen, that religious tolerance is for all of us, that education is key to progress, that we are one jamat with all different backgrounds and ethnicities, that one has to take care of their health, that social conscience is fundamental whether you follow a religion or not, that being loyal to your countries and being a contributing citizen with your knowledge and time is cardinal, that even in the time of worst adversity (Safoora incident) patience and discipline is what we practice and that when you leave; you leave this world a better place.
A friend said that he was the true epitome of the Man, the Myth, the Legend but for an Ismaili he was a guiding light that guided them through the matters of world and their faith for more than 60 years and that the chain of this guidance is unbroken with the new Imam now guiding us and that we are eternally thankful for it.
The beauty of Ismaili tariqah, the tradition, is that it is a living tradition and the following bears testimony to it: that a day that bore the news that brought depths of profound grief went on to becoming a day of deep gratitude for his leadership, following into unceasing moments of proud remembrance of his astounding legacy, leading to a soothing touch of faithful reassurance that the light is unwavering and that the next in line is there for us, and all of this culminating into a joyous celebration with the announcement of Prince Rahim Al Hussaini Aga Khan as the 50th Imam of the millions of Ismaili Muslims.
Oh, a day that was!
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