Ismaili

For the city in Egypt, see Ismailiya.

Ismaili Shia (or Ismailiya; Arabic: الاسماعيلية) are a Shia Muslim sect that are different from other Shiites by not agreeing on who was the 7thth Imam, or religious leader. The sect believes that it was Ismail ibn Jafar, rather than Musa ibn Jafar, as is believed most Shia Muslims. Ismail died while his father, Jafar ibn Muhammad, the 6th Imam was still alive. They believed that Ismail's son Muhammad was the next Imam and deserted the sixth Imam.

They are split into several sects. The most important one is the Nizaris, who are led by the 50 Imam, the Aga Khan, another title of the Ismaili Imams. The current Aga Khan is Rahim al-Hussaini.