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===In Isma'ilism===

The Gupti [[Isma'ilism|Ismailis]], who observe [[Taqiya|pious circumspection]] as Hindus, uphold that the first Shi‘i Imam, [[Ali|‘Ali b. Abi Talib]], as well as his descendants through the line of [[Isma'il ibn Ja'far|Isma‘il]], are collectively Kalki, the tenth and final ''avatāra'' of Vishnu. According to this interpretation, these figures represent the continuity of divine guidance to humankind. In the view of some Guptis, this is corroborated by the [[Quran|Quranic verse]] 14:4 which mentions the idea that [[Prophets and messengers in Islam|God had sent a messenger to every land]]. They understand the ''avatāras'' to be these messengers sent by God to their people in the [[Indian subcontinent]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Virani|first=Shafique N.|date=February 2011|title=Taqiyya and Identity in a South Asian Community|url=https://www.academia.edu/36996009|journal=The Journal of Asian Studies|language=en|volume=70|issue=1|pages=99–139|doi=10.1017/S0021911810002974|s2cid=143431047|issn=0021-9118}}</ref>