Editing Ismailism (section)

===== Reforms (on marriage, divorce, segregation, and education) =====
The focus of Imam Aga Khan III's message was to promote the idea that women were free and independent. In a message to his followers in 1926, he proclaimed that:

''"I do not want Ismaili women dependent on anyone—their parents, husbands, or anyone except God...I have no doubt that the whole spirit and teaching of my ancestor the Holy Prophet encouraged the evolution of all legitimate freedom and legitimate equality before men and women".''<ref name="Asani" />

The Aga Khan also played a pivotal role in promoting women's participation in the affairs of the Ismaili community. He criticized practices such as veiling, gender segregation, and the acts of Pardah (masking oneself from the public) and zenana (restraint on women from leaving the home). In addition, the Ismaili community from various parts of the world worshipped jointly, often in multiple languages. This has led to a general absence of racial segregation. Women play are actively engaged in all aspects of ritual practice, reflecting the inclusive and egalitarian values espoused by the Imam.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Moir |first=Zawahir |date=2013-07-04 |title=Ismaili Hymns from South Asia |page=13 |doi=10.4324/9781315027746|isbn=978-1-315-02774-6 }}</ref>

Aga Khan III believed economic independence was key to achieving this equality and freedom. By becoming educated and earning their own livelihood, women would no longer be a burden on their parents or spouses. He proclaimed:

''"I am trying to guide our young women's lives into entirely new channels. I want to see them able to earn their livings in trades and professions, so that they are not economically dependent on marriage, nor a burden on their fathers and brother[s]''".<ref name="Moolji">{{cite book |last1=Khoja Moolji |first1=Sheila |title=Forging the Ideal Educated Girl: The Production of Desirable Subjects in Muslim South Asia |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.doa.019 |date=2018 |publisher=California: University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-97053-3 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/dli.doa.019/page/n39 23]–59}}</ref>

In effect, marriage would no longer be imposed on women due to economic necessity. The Aga Khan III realized that education was at the forefront of this reform and encouraged parents who only had enough money to send one child to school to send their daughters.<ref name="Asani" /> And this advocacy for education was not limited to elementary literacy.<ref name="Moolji" /> To ensure girls had access to education, there was a minimum marriageable age instituted (for both boys and girls) and child marriage was banned.<ref name="Asani" /> Moreover, marriage against the will of the bride was outlawed as brides were to sign their marriage contracts according to their choice.<ref name="Asani" /> Other reforms in marriage laws included decisions on polygamy and divorce. In 1905, polygamy was permitted with the condition of the "maintenance of the first wife" and later that was changed to only be allowed for specific reasons.<ref name="Asani" /> In 1962, polygamy was outlawed within the Nizari Ismaili community.<ref name="Asani" /> Women were allowed to divorce their husbands and for a husband to divorce his wife, he was required to stand before a council which ultimately decided whether the divorce was granted or denied.<ref name="Asani" /> Additionally, Aga Khan III took efforts to eliminate and mitigate the stigma around divorces and divorced women.{{cn|date=May 2022}}