The Permanent Collection of The Aga Khan Museum presents paintings, objects and architectural pieces from the civilizations of the Muslim world, with an emphasis of the Arab Near East, the Iranian world and Hindustan (the north and west of Indian subcontinent). The display follows a chronological order, it begins with the early spread of Islam beyond the Arabian Peninsula following the death of the Prophet Mohammad in 632 CE. The works of Art are grouped in a way that underlines the highly distinctive character of cultures and profoundly differ from one another and stretch from the Atlantic shores to the Pacific Ocean.

The Museum also houses collections of Islamic art and heritage from the private collections of His Highness the Aga Khan, the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London, and Prince and Princess Sadruddin Aga Khan.

In addition to displaying the Museum's core collection from multiple perspectives, the Aga Khan Museum features several temporary exhibitions each year that respond to current scholarship, emerging themes, and new artistic developments. The Museum’s Collections and Exhibitions are complemented by programmes in performing arts.