This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 150.135.48.51 (talk) at 17:22, 17 April 2007. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 17:22, 17 April 2007 by 150.135.48.51 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| Part of a series on |
| Islam |
|---|
 |
| Beliefs |
| Practices |
| History |
| Culture and society |
| Related topics |
Isma'il ibn Jafar (Arabic: إسماعيل بن جعفر, c. 721 CE/103 AH - 755 CE/138AH) was the eldest son of the sixth Shia Imam, Jafar as-Sadiq. To protect him from persecution, his father sent him into hiding and publicly declared him deceased.
As-Sadiq had, at one time, designated his son Isma’il as his successor, but Isma’il died before his father. Isma'il Axe is the name historically given to those closest to Isma'il who protected him in exile. Most Shi’i followers turned to the eldest surviving son of al-Sadiq, Abd-Allah, who claimed a second designation. When Abd-Allah died within weeks without an heir, many turned again to another son of as-Sadiq, Musa al-Kazim. This crisis of succession led to doubts about the true designation of Jafar as-Sadiq and many clung to the original designation of Isma’il and proclaimed the son of Isma’il.
Those who believe that Isma'il was the rightful successor to Jafar are known as Ismailis, while other follwers of Musa Al-Kazim are known as Twelvers. They went on to recognize five more Imams after Musa. The Nizari Ismaili Shias follow a living Imam directly descended from Isma'il ibn Jafar & Ali. Those Imams are the Aga Khans.
Template:Succession box one to one
 | This biographical article about a person notable in connection with Islam is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |