The Ismailis

Description

"The Ismailis are a community of Shi'i Muslims who have settled around the world. Throughout their history, the Ismailis have been guided by hereditary leaders, Imams, who trace their genealogy back to the prophet Muhammad through his daughter, Fatima, and his son-in-law and cousin, 'Ali. At various times in their long, complex history, the Ismailis founded states, cities and institutions, contributed to the traditions of scholarship in Islam, and were patrons of learning and the arts. But the story of the Ismailis is also that of a religious minority who survived successive threats to their existence. Currently, the Ismailis are a pluralistic community led by their present Imam, Shah Karim al-Husaynit, Aga Khan IV. With some 400 images of manuscripts, artefacts and monuments, community documents as well as important historical and contemporary photographs, and based on the results of modern scholarship in the field, this book offers a comprehensive and accessible account of Ismaili history and intellectual achievements, set in the wider contexts of Islamic and world history." -- Back cover.

Subjects

Genres

• Pictorial works

Other Editions

• The Ismailis: an illustrated historyAzimuth Editions in association with the Institute of Ismaili Studies2008-01-01
• The Isma'ilisHardcoverCambridge University Press1990-07-27
• The Isma'ilisPaperbackCambridge University Press1992-04-24
• The Isma'ilisPaperbackCambridge University Press2006-01-02
• The Isma'ilisHardcoverCambridge University Press2007-10-31
• The IsmailisAzimuth Editions in association with the Institute of Islamic Studies2008-01-01