The Roles of Mawlana Shah Karim al-Husayni Hazar Imam – Aga Khan IV

Imamat Roles

By Divine Support

• Receives divine inspiration (ta’yid) from God through Nur of Imamat
• Divinely-guided & appointed to provide gnosis for human salvation
• Manifests Divine Names as human virtues & ethics; protected from all sins
• Possessor of Divine authority (ulu’l-amr) over humankind
• Transmits divine blessings, favours, and guidance from God to humanity

Imamat Roles:

Tariqah Realm for Murids (Spiritual Children)

• Imam, Mawla (Guardian) & Murshid (Guide) of his murids through bay’ah
• Gives ta’lim and ta’wil of Divine Revelation according to changing times
• Intercedes / mediates between believers and God in all matters
• Ensures the safety and security of his Jamat
• Purifies the souls of his murids and forgives their sins
• Receives religious dues/offerings (zakah, sadaqah) for rightful use
• Interprets the Ismaili Tariqah of Islam according to the time and context
• Prescribes farmans for his Jamat’s spiritual enlightenment & quality of life
• Bestows blessings and prayers for the wellbeing of his Jamat
• Grants spiritual beatific vision (didar) & audience (mulaqat) to his Jamat

Imamat Roles:

Public Realm

• Founder and Chairman of AKDN to uplift quality of life for all people
• Gives guidance (irshad) for wellbeing of Muslims and non-Muslims
• Advocates & represents interests of the Muslim Ummah in the world
• Delivers high profile addresses with guidance for human wellbeing

Personal Activities:

Private Realm

• Education: Le Rosey, Harvard; Sports: Soccer, Hockey, Olympic Skiing
• Business: past: Sardinia Costa Smeralda, Meridiana Airline & Ciga;
  present: Bahamas Island, Superyacht; Aga Khan Studs Horse Breeding
• Family Life: Husband, Father: Marriages and Children
• Social Life: Friendships with several families, leaders & dignitaries