Ismailis: A Pluralist Search for Universal Truth Karim H. Karim Contents Introduction ....................................................................................... 2 A Review of History and Beliefs ................................................................. 4 Significance ....................................................................................... 10 Vilification ........................................................................................ 13 A Pluralist Quest for Truth ....................................................................... 15 Conclusion ........................................................................................ 17 References ........................................................................................ 18 Abstract Nizari Ismailis revere Aga Khan IV as their current hereditary Imam descended from Ali ibn Abi Talib. The Imam’ s position as an ever-present spiritual guide is important to this small transnational Shia group’ s beliefs. Ismailis are historically significant for producing notable individuals, states, institutions, literature, ideas, and practices and are currently at the forefront of Islamic engagements with modernity. The search for truth is a consistent theme that runs through the centuries-long history of the movement that has called itself ahl al-haqq (people of truth), al-da‘wat al-haqq (the invitation to truth), and satpanth (path of truth). These terms more emphatically express its adherents’ spiritual aspirations, unlike the names “Ismaili” and “Nizari” that resulted from succession disputes. The group sought knowledge from a variety of Muslim and non-Muslim sources in a pluralist pursuit of universal truth. It experienced polemical attacks and massacres in the course of history, and its members have been targeted by contemporary extremist organizations. The group continues to face occasional vilification but is also recognized for endeavors to improve the quality of the lives of Muslims and others. Its nondenominational institutions have grown to become one of the K. H. Karim (*) School of Journalism and Communication and Carleton Centre for the Study of Islam, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada e-mail: karim_karim@carleton.ca; KarimKarim@Cunet.Carleton.Ca © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020 M. Woodward, R. Lukens-Bull (eds.), Handbook of Contemporary Islam and Muslim Lives, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73653-2_98-2 1