Afghanistan is one of the most complex countries in Central Asia, with its ethnic and sectarian diversity, and these differences have often led to conflicts. The dominant sect in the country is Ahl al-Sunna/Maturidism, embraced by approximately 85% of the population. Shiites, on the other hand, constitute a minority sect, comprising about 15% of the population. The Shiites are divided into Twelver and Ismaili sects. The proportion of Ismailis among Shiites is approximately 2-3%, and they mostly reside in Badakhshan, in the northeast of Afghanistan. The Ismailiyya sect, which has had supporters in the country since early times, has been ostracized by Ahl al-Sunna scholars and Twelver Shiites. They were labeled as worshippers of Imam Ali or Aga Khan, as some believed they considered Hazrat Ali as a deity, while others viewed Aga Khan in the same way. Consequently, both Sunnis and Twelver Shiites have regarded them as heretics. While information about the Ismailis’ classical and modern historical periods is available in the literature, their medieval history remains obscure. Additionally, reliable information about their religious life in the modern era has been scarce. This study examines the historical trajectory of the Ismailiyya sect in Afghanistan using the methodological framework of time-space and idea-history connections within the discipline of Islamic sects’ history. Furthermore, the religious life of the Ismailis and the perceptions of other sect members about them have been presented through interviews conducted during fieldwork in Afghanistan. The study aims to chronologically trace the historical development of the sect in the country and document the religious practices of its members through their own narratives.For this reason, both Sunnites and Twelver Shiites have regarded them as heretics. While information about the Ismailis’ classical and modern historical periods can be found in the literature, their middle historical periods remain obscure. Again, finding healthy information about their religious life in the modern period has not been possible. In this study, the historical process of the Ismaliyya sect in Afghanistan is examined chronologically within the framework of time-space and idea-history liaison as a method of the discipline of the history of Islamic sects. Moreover, the religious life of the Ismailis and the opinions of other sect members about them were presented through interviews conducted during travels to Afghanistan. This study aims to reveal the historical course and adventure of the sect in the country chronologically and to reveal the religious lives of the sect members through their own narratives
