Aga Khan
| Prince Aga Khan of the Imamate of the Nizari Ismāʿīli Shias | |
|---|---|
| Persian: آقاخان Arabic: آغا خان | |
| Incumbent | |
| Rahim al-Hussaini since 4 February 2025 | |
| Details | |
| First monarch | Hasan Ali Shah |
| Formation | 1817 |
Aga Khan (Persian: آقاخان; Arabic: آغا خان; also transliterated as Aqa Khan and Agha Khan)[1] is the hereditary title of the spiritual leader and Imām of the Nizari Ismāʿīli Shias, a branch of Islam with approximately 12–15 million followers worldwide. The Aga Khan serves as both the religious head and temporal leader of the Ismaili community, providing spiritual guidance and overseeing extensive development and humanitarian work across Asia, Africa, and other regions where Ismailis live.
The title, which means "Great Leader" or "Grand Commander," has been passed down through a hereditary line for over 150 years, with each Aga Khan believed by his followers to be a direct descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah and son-in-law Ali. Unlike many other Islamic leadership positions, the Aga Khan's authority combines religious interpretation with significant involvement in education, healthcare, cultural preservation, and economic development.
The current holder of the title is the 50th hereditary Imām, Prince Shah Rahim al-Hussaini, Aga Khan V, who acceded to the Imamat on 4 February 2025 upon the death of his father, Prince Shah Karim al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, who had led the community for nearly 68 years. The succession was formalized through his father's will, and he was granted the style "His Highness" by King Charles III, continuing a tradition dating back to the first Aga Khan.[2]
| Part of a series on Islam Isma'ilism |
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| Islam portal |
- ^ Daftary, Farhad (2007). The Ismāʻı̄lı̄s: their history and doctrines (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-511-35561-5.
- ^ "The King is pleased to grant the new Aga Khan the title "His Highness"". www.royal.uk. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.