Why does Hazar Imam (Aga Khan IV) own race horses? Does this promote gambling?

Hazar Imam's horse-breeding venture is rooted in Islamic history and symbolizes spiritual realities and esoteric concepts

Members of the Ismaili Jamat and the wider public regularly inquire about Mawlana Hazar Imam’s involvement in horse-breeding and racing. Some object that the Imam’s horse-racing business is a mere indulgence that promotes the gambling industry; others allege that the Imam’s horse-breeding business actually profits from gambling revenues. In this research article, we cover the following areas:

a) horse-racing was practiced by the Prophet Muhammad and is accepted in wider Islamic law and society;
b) the Imam’s involvement in horse-breeding is a longstanding family tradition that also benefits wider society;
c) the Imam’s horse-breeding business has no operational or financial ties to the modern gambling industry; the Imam does not bet on his horses and does not profit in any way from the wagering of others;
d) riding horses, as a longstanding activity in human civilization, contains a profound spiritual symbolism related to the human soul’s journey towards spiritual perfection.

Horse Racing and Breeding as a Prophetic Tradition in Islam

Horse-breeding and horse-racing are revered across Muslim cultures in Arabia, Persia, and South Asia. The Qur’an mentions horses in Surah 100 which begins with God swearing by horses: “By the galloping, panting horses”. According to both Sunni and Shi‘i hadith, the Prophet said: “There is goodness in the forelocks of horses until the Day of Resurrection” (see various Sunni hadith).

The tradition of both breeding horses and racing horses in competition goes back to Prophet Muhammad himself. Many Sunni hadith and historical writings, dating from the second/eighth century (700s), relate that the Prophet arranged horse races, offered prize money for the winners, and explicitly allowed participants in the race to make wagers (bets) on the horses: