Ismaili Definition

A member of the Ismaili sect of Shi'ism, a branch of Islam. The Ismailis are a recognized Islamic denomination, with a current global community of about 15 million followers. Ismailis believe in the imamate, which refers to the lineage of their spiritual and temporal leaders, starting from Imam Ismail, the son of Imam Ali['_a toni'] and his wife Fatima['_ula'], the daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.