Imam-i Mustawda'

In Ismaili theology, an Imam-i Mustawda' (Trustee Imam) is an Imam who holds the position temporarily but does not continue the hereditary line of Imamat. This concept was developed to explain cases where the imamate passed to someone other than the designated successor's descendants. It distinguishes between the permanent line of Imams (Mustaqarr) and those who held it temporarily.