In order not to drive this thread too far off topic I have a few questions mainly, but not exclusively, directed at Angua.
In Ask the Shi`a Nizari Ismaili Muslim Woman she states that Ismaili Muslims follow the basic tenets of Islam but do not regard the Hadith (the sayings and practices of Mohammed) as authoritative.
As a horseracing aficionado I’ve always been interested in who owns what. My attention was first drawn to the Islamic connection with the sport when reading various histories of the Epsom Derby. Sultan Mohammed Shah, the 48th Imam of the Shia Ismaili sect (aka Aga Khan III), won the first of his 5 Blue Ribands in 1930 with Blenheim. His son Prince Aly Khan was also a racehorse owner but, due to his dissolute lifestyle, was passed over for the succession, which devolved upon his son Karim Khan, who became Aga Khan IV. The latter has been, and still is, a very successful owner/breeder himself.
Whereas, from the link, it is likely that Aly Khan was ostracised and disinherited due to his other peccadillos, I am curious to know what is the view of their leadership’s involvement in racehorse ownership by the grass roots Ismaili followers. I ask this because the horseracing industry is driven by gambling. I do
not suggest that Ismaelis gamble themselves, although some may participate in the activity. However the very fact of owning racehorses promotes betting on them so one might argue that the aforementioned rulers did, and continue to, encourage gambling albeit indirectly.
Of course the Ismaili sect is not alone in the Islamic ownership of racehorses. From the 1970s onwards, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, and his brothers Sheikh Makhtoum-al-Makhtoum and Sheikh Hamdan-al-Makhtoum (both now deceased I believe), have had countless runners and winners in the UK, the US and elsewhere. Sheikh Mohammed set up the Godolphin operation about 12 years ago in order to exert greater control over his racing operations. He spends vast amounts of money on this enterprise, which was originally intended to be self-financing but which currently is not.
Sheikh Mohammed is a Shia Muslim. I can’t find any examples of Sunni Muslims who own racehorses but, as usual, I’m prepared to be wrong.
As earnings from gambling are considered to be haraam (a forbidden action) by Muslims I am also wondering what philosophy is applied to racehorse ownership by ordinary Shia Muslims.
I guess this question could be couched in different terms i.e. is it, or should it be, haraam for Muslims to participate in, and indeed to be major players in, a sport which encourages gambling by non-Muslims (and perhaps Muslims also) and which puts money in the pockets of the bookmaking fraternity and others.
Many thanks.