[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

There were no direct descendants left by around the ninth century. The Shiites believe that the last Imam has disappeared into eternity and will return.

Misleading. The Ismailis are Shiite, and they think there is a direct descendant and living imam. IIRC he is a Harvard man, class of '57. :) Back in the day, had a lovely home on the Rue des Ursins in the heart of Paris...built a very cool resort in Sardinia...my human almanac is on a tear.

[NoLibZone]

Do they each have a distinct version of the Koran?

[Cronos]

yes, the head of the Ismailis is the Aga Khan. his grandfather and father both married many Europeans and he has 3/4th European blood (or more). The Ismailis are more “open” than other Moslems as the Aga Khan interprets the Koran for them and does tend towards peacefulness.