Sayed Nadir Shah al-Hosseini Kayani who was also known as ‘Sayed Kayan’ was a poet, mystic, philosopher, theologian, historian, and a significant figure within the Ismaili community in Afghanistan. He was born in 1897 in the Kulab region, across the Amu Darya river, an area recognized for its contributions to learning and the Persian Dari language. He came from a distinguished family that had been exiled from Afghanistan by Amir Abdul Rahman Khan due to political differences. Nadir Shah Kayani lost his father at a young age and was raised by his elder brother, Sayed Fraidoon, who was a respected scholar and artist. Fraidoon played an essential role in nurturing Kayani’s intellectual growth.
Despite not having access to formal education, Kayani was self-motivated and dedicated to learning. He educated himself through extensive reading and practice, demonstrating a deep curiosity about the world. As a child, he often engaged in solitary reflection and spent time exploring nature. Even in exile among other Afghan expatriates in Kulab, Kayani’s talents became evident early on. He studied religious texts and classical literature under the guidance of a family tutor, developing a strong foundation in these subjects.
At the age of eleven, following the death of his brother Fraidoon, Kayani was cared for by another brother, Sayed Timur Shah. His early years were characterized by displacement and travel, experiences that broadened his perspective and connected him with diverse environments. Despite the lack of formal schooling, Kayani remained committed to his intellectual development. He began composing poetry as a young teenager and continued to refine his craft over the years. His formative years, set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Afghanistan, were marked by significant challenges that shaped his character.
In 1926, Sayed Nadir Shah Kayani was appointed by Aga Khan III, the then spiritual leader of the global Ismaili community, as the Da’i (spiritual leader) of the Afghan Ismailis. Initially, his responsibilities did not include Herat and Badakhshan provinces, but over time, with directives from Aga Khan III, his jurisdiction expanded to encompass these regions and even Bukhara. He was later honored with the title of “Da’i Kabir” (Great Da’i), recognizing his expanded role.
Throughout the 1930s, Kayani was given leadership over various Ismaili communities, including those in Herat, Badakhshan, and later the Hindi-speaking Ismailis of Afghanistan. In 1937, Aga Khan III elevated him to the rank of “Da’i Kabir” (Da’i al-Du’at), a significant title in Ismaili teachings. This title is comparable to the earlier Fatimid and Nizari traditions’ rank of “Hujjat.”
In 1939, Aga Khan III further entrusted Kayani with authority over the Ismaili communities of Badakhshan, assigning him both spiritual and administrative duties. After serving as a Da’i for 44 years, Sayed Nadir Shah Kayani passed away on February 24, 1971, in Kabul, and his body was transported to the Kayan Valley for burial.
Kayani played a significant role in promoting unity and cooperation within the Ismaili community and between different Muslim groups in Afghanistan. Despite holding a prominent social and political position, he faced challenges during the reign of Habibullah Kalakani, which led to his temporary relocation to Behsud. Following the rise of Mohammad Nadir Shah, Kayani returned to his home and continued his work in cultural and intellectual fields.
Kayani made substantial contributions to the social, cultural, and spiritual life of the Afghan Ismaili community. His leadership helped the Ismailis in Afghanistan gradually become more integrated within the broader society, allowing them to openly practice their religious rituals alongside other Muslim communities. He also introduced various social reforms and encouraged ethical conduct among his followers, emphasizing the moral teachings of Islam.
Publications
Despite the challenges associated with his leadership role and the political climate of the time, Sayed Nadir Shah Kayani authored 56 books, some of which were published in Iran, India, and privately in Kabul.
Historical Presence in Afghanistan
The Ismaili community in Khorasan and Afghanistan has faced significant challenges throughout history, often experiencing persecution and marginalization from local governments and communities. As a result, the Ismailis lived in scattered and often concealed communities across the country. The Kayan Valley, located 30 kilometers southwest of the Doshi district in Baghlan Province, has long been a central settlement for the Ismaili community and the Naderi family. This valley, home to Sadat and Hazara tribes, has been a significant Ismaili enclave for generations.
In his book Tariq-e-Irfan, Sayed Nadir Shah al-Hosseini Kayani describes the arrival of his ancestors in Khorasan/Afghanistan and their settlement in the Kayan Valley:
“Before 1676, our ancestors migrated from the regions of Kerman and Yazd in Iran to Kandahar, and from there they spread towards Turkestan and Qataghan. My great ancestor, Shah Saleh (Shah Abdal Wali), eventually settled in Kayan after residing in Eskar. A few Hazara families were already living in Kayan Valley. After a few years, my great ancestor’s son, Sayed Shah Mursal, known as Shah Saleh, was martyred by the inhabitants of Kayan Valley. At that time, Sayed Subhan Quli Khan, who ruled over Turkestan, including Mazar-i-Sharif, Maymana, and the areas up to Qataghan and Badakhshan, was known for his just and fair governance, resolving many state matters according to Islamic principles. Upon learning of the death of my great ancestor, the king granted the current Kayan Valley to the descendants of Sayed Shah Mursal as compensation.” (Ismailis of Badakhshan, p. 176, Tariq-e-Irfan, pp. 13-14)
The borders of the Kayan Valley, as per the land grant by Sayed Subhan Quli Khan, included the following areas: to the east, the orchard of Mullah Shah; to the west, Duabi Turmosh; to the south, the shrine of Khwaja Amu near the Dahana-e-Ghori pass; and to the north, the Chardar pass. Sayed Gohar Khan, the father of Sayed Nadir Shah, gifted the area from the Mullah Shah orchard to Pul Kandasan to the Zargah people, who were their allies.
Prominent Religious Leaders (Makis/Da’is) of the Naderi Family
The first Maki/Da’i from the Naderi family was Sayed Abdul Hadi, the son of Sayed Suleiman, and the grandson of Sayed Mursal, son of Sayed Shah Saleh, known as Shah Abdal. He held this position during the time of Imam Hasan Ali Shah Aga Khan I, the 46th Imam of the global Ismaili community (1817-1881), and during the reign of Amir Dost Mohammad Khan (1789-1863). At the request of the Ismaili community in Afghanistan, Sayed Abdul Hadi traveled to Kerman, where he received the title of the first Maki/Da’i of the Naderi family from Imam Hasan Ali Shah Aga Khan I. Before this, the Ismailis of Afghanistan had been under the spiritual influence of “Bai Ram Dial,” a Hindu from Kabul, for over 120 years.
In his historical writings, Sayed Nadir Shah al-Hosseini Kayani notes that the first official recognition of his ancestor, Sayed Abdul Hadi, as a Da’i occurred during the time of Imam Shah Khalilullah (1792-1817):
“During the reign of Fath Ali Shah in Iran, Shah Abdul Hadi, my ancestor, paid homage to Imam Shah Khalilullah. From that time, the title of Da’i has belonged to our family. Shah Abdul Hadi worked tirelessly to spread the Ismaili faith in various regions of Afghanistan, including Turkestan, Kabul, Hazarajat, and Kandahar. He led the Ismaili community for two years with wisdom and unity, and the community’s faith and devotion grew stronger under his guidance.” (The Strange History, pp. 6-8)
After Sayed Abdul Hadi’s death, his son, Sayed Shah Hussein, became the second Maki/Da’i from the Naderi family. Known for his knowledge and piety, Sayed Shah Hussein succeeded his father under the leadership of Imam Hasan Ali Shah Aga Khan I. He left behind seven sons and continued the family’s legacy of religious leadership. (The Strange History, p. 9)
Sayed Jafar Khan, the middle son of Sayed Shah Hussein, became the third Maki/Da’i. He lived during the reign of Amir Sher Ali Khan and was recognized as a prominent, knowledgeable, and respected figure in both political and religious circles. He served as a councilor in Amir Sher Ali Khan’s government and helped foster relations between the Amir and Imam Hasan Ali Shah Aga Khan I. Sayed Jafar Khan served as a Da’i for 40 years and passed away in 1894. (The Strange History, p. 9)
His brother, Sayed Gohar Khan, father of Sayed Nadir Shah Kayani, was appointed as the fourth Maki/Da’i by Imam Shah Ali Shah Aga Khan II, the 47th Imam of the global Ismaili community. Sayed Gohar Khan was known for his devoutness, knowledge, and virtuous character. He lived during the reign of Amir Abdul Rahman and supported Sardar Isa Khan, the governor of Balkh, in his conflict with Amir Abdul Rahman. Following the defeat, Amir Abdul Rahman sentenced all of Sardar Isa Khan’s allies, including Sayed Gohar Khan, to death. However, due to the intervention of Judge Saaduddin, Sayed Gohar Khan’s death sentence was commuted to exile. He was exiled to Kulab, then part of Bukhara, where he passed away in 1898. (Zubdat ul-Haqaiq, pp. 57-58)
After Sayed Gohar Khan’s death, his son, Sayed Fereydoun Khan, became the fifth Maki/Da’i. He was born in 1873 and appointed as Da’i by Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III in 1898. Sayed Fereydoun was known for his knowledge, artistic talent, and leadership qualities. He passed away at a young age in 1905, leaving behind a legacy of poetry and art. (The Strange History, pp. 10-11, Payam-e-Shomal, p. 176, Ghazaliat, Introduction)
Sayed Timur Shah Khan, the brother of Sayed Fereydoun Khan, succeeded him as the sixth Maki/Da’i. Born in 1881, he served as Da’i for 19 years until his death in 1924. His tenure coincided with the transfer of power from Amir Abdul Rahman to his son, Habibullah Khan. Sayed Timur Shah Khan faced many challenges during his leadership but worked to strengthen ties between the government and the Ismaili community. (Payam-e-Shomal, p. 179, The Strange History, pp. 12-15)
Sayed Nadir Shah al-Hosseini Kayani, the seventh Maki/Da’i from the Naderi family, was born in 1897 in Kulab. He was appointed as the Da’i and leader of the Ismailis of Afghanistan by Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III in 1926. Sayed Nadir Shah was a poet, mystic, and theologian. He authored 56 books and led the Ismaili community until his death in 1971 in Kabul. (Bahr al-Ma’ani, Biography of Sayed Nadir Shah al-Hosseini Kayani)
After Sayed Nadir Shah’s passing, his son, Sayed Shah Nasir Rahnema Naderi, became the eighth Maki of the Naderi family. Born in 1930, he was appointed as the Maki of the Ismaili community of Afghanistan by Imam Shah Karim al-Husseini Aga Khan IV in 1971. Sayed Shah Nasir Naderi was a prominent figure in Afghanistan’s National Assembly and served as a representative of Doshi district, Baghlan Province. He played a key role in the democratic process during the reign of Mohammad Zahir Shah and spent several years imprisoned during the Republic era. In 1980, he appointed his brother, Sayed Mansur Naderi, as his successor and moved to London. (The History of Afghanistan in the Late 19th and 20th Centuries and the Ismaili Freedom Movement in Afghanistan, p. 80)
Sayed Mansur Naderi
Sayed Mansur Naderi was born in 1936 and was known for his intelligence, responsibility, and dedication to his community from a young age. He faced political and social challenges, including imprisonment, due to his beliefs and leadership role. During his imprisonment, three of his brothers—Sayed Gohar Khan, Sayed Abdul Qadir, and Sayed Nooruddin Ronagh—were martyred.
In 1982, as the security situation in Afghanistan deteriorated and internal conflicts escalated, Sayed Mansur Naderi returned to his hometown in the Kayan Valley. There, he focused on social services, meeting the daily needs of the people, and maintaining security in northern Afghanistan. His efforts led to the establishment of an Ismaili administrative region in northern Afghanistan from 1981 to 1998