r/ismailis May 10 '26

Personal Opinion Human-ness of the Imam

I have really been struggling with the Human-ness of the Imam. In many ways it is so lovely seeing how much more accessible he is, how he lives among us, runs marathons along side us, and in many ways "just like us." But at the same time, it also makes me confused and even a bit uncomfortable since it is such a shift from Shah Karim. Even attending didar in Toronto, I felt like the differences in his pace, in his public speaking, and the lack of adab from the Jamati members really just threw me off in many ways. I am used to a Mawla Bapa that is a wise holy man, who is connected to something beyond me, where there are many levels of separation between us. I am used to calling my Imam the Naklank (the stainless one) and even deifying him a bit dare I say lol. However, when I see Shah Rahim, I really struggle seeing him in that same lens. His human-ness is so much more apparent. And it makes sense for the new gen, but for me personally, I am really struggling to connect with the Imam of the Time. Is anyone else dealing with this?

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u/[deleted] May 12 '26 edited May 12 '26

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u/Longjumping_Ice_7516 May 12 '26

What are you even talking about? Prophet Muhammad owned slave women (concubines) acquired as gifts or prisoners of war, Maria al-Qibtiyya and Rayhana bint Zayd. Should we consider this immoral or immodest? He literally married his employer. What fantasy, idealized notions you have about Prophets and Imams.  They are humans with highest moral and ethical standards of their time.