Ismail bin Jafar was the eldest son of the sixth Shia Imam, Jafar as-Sadiq. He died before his father, and this caused a split among the Shia. Those who believe that Ismail was the rightful sucessor to Jafar are known as Ismailis or (Seveners), while other Shias are known as Twelvers. The offspring of Ismail are considered the living imams of the Ismaili community.
