Hazar Imam ≠ Mawla Bapa
As we watch videos on social media, our jamaat frequently use the word “Mawla Bapa” more than “Hazir Imam” or “Hazar Imam.” It makes me wonder: why have we become so comfortable using Bapa for our Imam, when we already have a precise Islamic term for his position?
I understand that Bapa is often used out of love and affection. In South Asian culture, it can refer to elders, saints, spiritual figures, and respected personalities. There is nothing wrong with the word itself. But Bapa and Imam are not equivalent terms.
The Imam has a unique position in Ismaili theology. He is not simply an elder, saint, or spiritual ordinary personality.He is the rightful successor and descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through Hazrat Ali (a.s.) and the Imam of the time. Our own history also tells us something important. Imam Ali (a.s.) was Mawla Ali, not “Mawla Bapa.” Imam Hussain (a.s.) was Mawla Hussain, not “Mawla Bapa.” The Imams who followed them were known through their names and their position as Imams( and caliph-Imams during Fatimid). They did not need the word Bapa to establish their spiritual authority or their connection to the Prophet.
So where does this expression come from?
Bapa is primarily a localized South Asian honorific. We see it used for figures such as Jalaram Bapa, Ganpati Bappa, and Hanumanji Bapa. Because of this, using the same expression for our Imam can unintentionally blur an important distinction, especially for non-Ismailis who may already struggle to understand where Ismailism stands within Islam. This is why terminology matters.
“Imam” is an Islamic and Quranic term, and within Ismaili theology it specifically identifies the institution of Imamat. It is also the terminology used in the Ismaili Constitution to refer to the Hazir Imam. Bapa does not have that theological meaning. So, when we say “Mawla Bapa,” I would simply ask: why not say “Hazir Imam”? It carries more divine meaning than "Bapa". This expression preserves both the affection we have for our Imam and the precise meaning of his position.
Bapa is a cultural expression. Imam is purely a religious expression. Our Imams are the rightful successors and descendants of our beloved Prophet. They were never bapas. The word "Imam" carries a meaning that Bapa simply cannot replace. The clearest term for the living Imam is Hazir Imam or Hazar Imam. We can love our Mawla deeply, use affectionate language, and still be precise about who he is. He is our Mawla. He is our Hazir Imam. And Imam is the word that defines his position. Ya Ali Madad!