 |
The Imamshahi sect of Nizari Ismailism
(itself a branch of Shia
Islam) which emerged in the fifteenth
century due to split between Nizari
Ismailis. Imam Shah was the son
of Hasan Kabiruddin (died 1470), one
of the main Pirs or local leaders
of the Nizari mission the centre of
which was located at Multan,
Punjab,
Pakistan.
Imam Shah was a Nizari missionary
who converted local people in Gujarat
an Kuch to Ismailism.
The converted Ismailis were superficially
Muslims and kept many of their pagan
beliefs. Imam Shah refused to recognize
the leadership of Ismaili sect and
broke away with followers. Imam Nuruddin
Ali in 1525 instructed the faithful
Ismailis to disassociate with followers
of Sayed Nur Muhammad Shah. This breakaway
group adopted the name Imam Shai.
One other tradition has it that his
son Sayyid Nur Muhammad Shah (died
1533) declared that Imam Shah was
not merely a Pir but the real Imam
of the time. His breakaway would have
led to the emergence of the Imamshahis
of Gujarat and Khandesh as a distinct
group, separate from the Khojas
and the term Satpanthi or “followers
of the true path”, used in the ginans
to describe all Ismailis came to be
particularly reserved for the Imamshahis.
Imamshahis diverted slowly back to
local paganism and do not acknowledge
any historical connection with the
Nizari Ismailis. This majority of
this small sect is slowly reverting
back from Islam
to paganism.
Page last updated:
Friday, November 25, 2005 22:04:51 -0500 |
|
