Alavi Bohras

Last updated

Alavi Bohras
Jamaat alaviyah.png
Regions with significant populations
India
Languages
Gujarati, Arabic (liturgical), English (Indian dialect), Urdu
Religion
Islam

The Alavi Bohras are a Tayyibi Musta'lavi Isma'ili Shi'i Muslim community from Gujarat, India. [1] In India, during the time of the 18th Fatimid Imam Al-Mustansir Billah around 1093 AD in Egypt, the designated learned people (wulaat) who were sent from Yemen by missionaries (du'aat) under the guidance of the imam established a da'wah in Khambhat (Gujarat, India).

Contents

After the division of the Musta'lid community, [2] the Yemenite Da'wah followed their 21st imam, the son of 20th Imam Al-Amir bi-Ahkam Allah in the succession of Fatimid Imams of Egypt, At-Tayyib Abu'l-Qasim [3] as their Imam of seclusion, and the Bohras are the modern descendants of Tayyibi Da'wah established from Khambhat, Patan and Sidhpur in the 5th century Hijri and also the immigrants from Yemeni Tayyibi Da'wah.

Subsequently, splits occurred at various instances in the mainstream Bohra community regarding the spiritual appointment in the succession of the representative of the Imam us Satr or Da’i in Ahmedabad between 1422 and 1640 AD. Two major splits during this period resulted in the formation of three major groups of Bohras: Alavis, [4] Dawoodis and Sulaymanis.

History

After the death of the legatee of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, Ali in 40 AH, his son Hasan became the first Imam and this institution of Imamat i.e. succession of al-A'immat al-Faatemiyeen-الائمۃ الفاطمیین [5] continued from father to son till the 21st Imam. This 21st Fatimid Imam At-Tayyib Abu'l-Qasim [6] went into seclusion from Egypt in 528 AH, in Yemen under the guidance of Al-Hurrah Al-Malikah Arwa bint Ahmad [7] from 532 AH, one da'i succeeded another through the tradition of nass: the exclusive spiritual appointment, until the 23rd Da'i i.e. from 1st Da'i Zoeb bin Saiyedi Moosa till 23rd Da'i Mohammad Izzuddin. In Sindh and India too Wali-ul-Hind ولي الھند were appointed by these Du'aat دعاۃ one after another until Wali-ul-Hind Ja'far, Abd ul Wahab and Qasim Khan bin Hasan (11th and last Wali-ul-Hind, d.950AH, Ahmedabad). The last three wali were of great help in the era of the 21st to 24th Da'i i.e. Husamuddin (921–932 AH), Shamsuddin (933 AH), Izzuddin (933–946 AH) and Najmuddin (946–974 AH). It was during this time when the seat of Da'wat e Haadiyah was transferred to India from Yemen, that the 23rd Da'i ul-Mutlaq الداعي المطلق Muhammad Izz al-Din I performed Nass (transfer of authority) on Yusuf Najmuddin I in Sidhpur, Gujarat, India.

Due to constant harassment and persecution by the local Zaydi Shi'a ruler in Yemen, the 24th Da'i, Yusuf Najmuddin I (d.1567 AD), shifted the whole administration of the Da'wat Haadiyah (rightly guided mission) to India but continued to live in Yemen in the last years of his tenure and died there in Taibah. See Al-Mutahhar for further information. The 25th Da'i Jalal Shamshuddin bin Hasan (d.1567 AD) was first Da'i to die in India and he was torch-bearer in establishing the representation (نیابۃ) of the Imam of the Time (امام الزمان) from the progeny of Muhammad though he stayed for only 4 months on the Seat of Da'wat (عرش الدعوۃ); his mausoleum is in Ahmedabad, India. As mentioned his tenure as a Da'i al-Mutlaq was very short but he played a pivotal role as one of the most trusted person from Hudood and as a Mazoon during the period of 23rd and 24th Da'i.

Following the death of the 26th Da'i Dawoodji Burhanuddin bin Saiyedi Ajabshah in 997AH/1591AD in Ahmedabad, there was a dispute as to who was to succeed him. Sulayman bin Hassan, the grandson of 24th Da'i Yusuf Najmuddin I, was wali in Yemen and claimed the succession, supported by the other Yemeni Bohra. However, the Indian Bohra denied his claim of nass, declaring supporting documentation to be forged. The two factions separated, with the followers of Sulayman becoming the Sulaymanis, and the followers of 27th Da'i Dawoodji Burhanuddin bin Qutubshah becoming the Dawoodi Bohra. [8]

After the death of the 28th Da'i, Sheikh Adam Safiuddin, in 1030 AH/1621 AD, a small faction of Alavi Bohra in Ahmedabad recognized his grandson Ali bin Ibrahim [9] (1046 AH/ 1637 AD) who was Mazoon, Mansoos and treasurer of Kutub e Da'wat, as his successor and got separated in 1030 AH from the majority Dawoodi Bohra who believed in Abduttayyeb Zakiuddin I, [10] and Alavi Bohras [11] followed a separate line of Du'aat residing mainly in Vadodara (Gujarat, India) where they have their own locality. [12] Ali was supported by his uncle and secured very few followers. [13] Ali never carried his protest to the court of Mughal Emperor Jahangir to declare him as a legitimate Da'i. Unverified accounts of this episode could be found in many publications. But Ali ordered his associate Hasan Badruddin in 1031 AH/1622 AD to go to the Mughal court in Lahore to meet Jahangir to complain on his behalf about the atrocities meted upon Alavis in Ahmedabad by their opponents. The help came and the lives of Alavis became better than before. [14] This relief was short-lived and again the harassment sprung up more fiercely. Hasan Badruddin went again to Lahore for the same reason and then traveled to Kashmir to meet Emperor Shah Jahan in 1046 AH/1637 AD, the year of Ali's death. Hasan Badruddin was not present at the time of the burial of Ali. [15]

Ali, the 29th Alavi Da'i was born in the walled city of Vadodara in Fakhri Mohalla, when 27th Da'i Dawoodji bin Saiyedi Qutubshah was alive in Ahmedabad. His father Ibrahim died during his childhood. He was Hafiz ul-Qur'an in a tender age and when his grandfather 28th Da'i Sheikh Adam Safiuddin brought him to Ahmedabad for further studies in Uloom-e-Da'wat in the Majlis of 27th Da'i, by seeing face of Ali, 27th Da'i gave glad-tidings بشارۃ to 28th Da'i that, "This son will become the Light of your Eyes, so educate him as he is going to become the man of great acclaim"

Holding that the era of Muhammad had come to an end, a group of Alavi Bohras seceded in 1178 AH/1764 AD during the da'iship of 36th Da'i Shamsuddin Hameeduddin in Vadodara. Because of their abstention from eating meat they were called Nagoshias (non meat eaters). They followed their separate line of leaders for the next 100 years. In 1310 AH/1892 AD, 41st Alavi Da'i Jivabhai Fakhruddin summoned their elders and after explaining them the realities of Shari'at he respectfully accepted them and took them into the fold of Alavi Bohras. [16]

Meaning and origin of Bohras

In India, during the time of the 18th Fatimid Imam, Al-Mustansir Billah around 486 AH/1093 AD, the designated learned people (wulaat - ولاۃ) who were sent from Yemen by the celebrated missionaries (du'aat ul-balaagh [17] – دعاۃ البلاغ) under the guidance of the manifest Imam (as opposed to the imam of the time of seclusion) established the foundation of Isma'ili-Tayyibi Da'wat [18] in the region of Gujarat (Cambay or Khambhat). It was the result of their perseverance and efforts that people started believing and accepting the Isma'ili-Tayyibi principles and gradually the mission of Yemen gave birth to a new community in India – The Bohras . [19] The succession of those designated learned people who worked as deputies of the missionaries of Yemen came to be known as Wulaat ul-Hind [20] in India. They were all in close contact with the spiritual authority of Yemen i.e. the Da'i al-Mutlaq after the seclusion of the 21st Imam, At-Tayyib Abu'l-Qasim from Egypt.

In Ahmedabad between 825 and 1050 AH/1422-1640 AD the mainstream Bohra community got divided into 3 major groups. Among them, Alavi Bohras, who are mainly traders and merchants, are patriotic, peace-loving and harmonious people. The word ‘Bohra-بھرۃ or Vohra or Vohorwu or Vyavahar' itself indicates maintaining healthy relations and is derived from the Gujarati word ‘vohorvu’ or ‘vyavahar’, which means "to trade". [10] Secondly its name reflects the characteristic of "al-Jamaa'at ul-Baaherah – الجماعۃ الباھرۃ" meaning the extraordinary brilliant community with full of life and love. Their cultural and social upbringing is such that the values of peace and prosperity are in their blood and they do not believe in social discord or religious conflicts. Some of the groups or clans of Sunnis in Gujarat who also are traders and do not belong to the mainstream Bohras [21] have adopted the name of Vohra or Vora, owing to the fame and respect of the "Bohra" name. But they do not follow the basic doctrines and customs of the Isma'ili-Tayyibi Bohras. The early Indian converts of the 11th century AD during the reign of 18th Fatimid Imam Al-Mustansir Billah consisted of a single group of Isma'ili Bohras owing allegiance to the missionaries (du'aat ul-balaagh [17] ) who conveyed spiritual orders of manifest Imam (imaam-e-zaahir) to common believers in Yemen and India.

Certain Isma'ili Tayyibi terminology

Spiritual mission

The Da'wat [24] is organized hierarchically, in line with the particular importance accorded to hierarchism and step by step designation in Fatimid Isma'ili thought carried forward in its Tayyibi branch in Yemen and India called as Tayyibi Isma'ilism, continuing down to the present time. [11] Indeed, there is a close analogy between the terrestrial hierarchy of the Fatimid Da'wat organization with its highest ranks of Naatiq (Nabi, prophet), Asaas (Wasi, vicegerent) and Imam, and the celestial or cosmological hierarchy developed during the period of the Fatimid Caliphate and strictly followed by the missionaries in India today.

Designating a person on a spiritual rank

Da'i al-Mutlaq

The 45th Da'i al-Mutlaq, Haatim Zakiyuddin Alavi Bohras-Saiyedna saheb aqaa maulaa.jpg
The 45th Da'i al-Mutlaq, Haatim Zakiyuddin

Unlike the case of Imam, where he appoints his successor only from his sons through divinely guided practice called Nass-نص, the Da’i can appoint anyone in his place who is most trusted, pious and capable of carrying responsibility of Da’wah affairs with wisdom and proficiency. [8] Once a Da'i propagates Nass to a person or appoints his successor it could not be reverted. Haatim Zakiyuddin is the 45th Da’i al-Mutlaq of Alavi Bohras in the line of succession of these Da’is in which 24 are in Yemen, 7 are in Ahmedabad, 1 is in Surat and 12 are in Vadodara. Followers call him with honorific title of "Saiyedna saheb", "Aqaa Maulaa" or "Bawa saheb". [16]

Mazoon al-Mutlaq

Mukaasir al-Mutlaq

A Beginner in Isma'ili Tayyibi Faith

Salaam and Qadam-bosi

Paying respect by offering Salaam and performing Qadam-bosi to Saiyedna saheb Salaam and qadambosi.jpg
Paying respect by offering Salaam and performing Qadam-bosi to Saiyedna saheb

Shajarah

In Qur'anic verses the Holy Tree-شجرۃ طیبۃ is referred to the Light of Allah which means keeping faith in Aal e Muhammad and their Da'i and this faith gives Noor to the heart of the faithful (ch. 24 v. 35). This Holy Tree is also related to the Good Utterance-کلمۃ طیبۃ i.e. the Imam from the Pure Progeny-ذری/p>

Muhammad says in one of his Hadees: "I am in this world like a traveler who takes a nap in the shade of a tree on a hot day, then continues on his way." [27] Here, the shade of tree is Nubuwat (prophethood) and the hot day is the world of ignorance. After getting divine attachment one can proceed in his travel and hope for the better Hereafter-آخرۃ

Saiyedna Hasan bin Nooh Bharuchi in one of his works brings vivid description of this Holy Tree: "Muhammad al-Mustafa is the base (root), 'Ali Ameer ul-Mumineen is its trunk, Faatimah az-Zahraa is its branches, Imam Hasan and Imam Husain are its fruits and flowers and Shi'a is its leaves. It has been grown in the Paradise, the like of which one can never find on this earth." [30]

List of missionaries

Yemen - يمن

During the time of 18th Fatimid Imam Al-Mustansir Billah and his son, 19th Fatimid Imam Al-Musta'li, four important personalities strengthened the foundation of Fatimid Da’wat in Yemen. They were Saiyedna ‘Ali bin Muhammad as-Sulayhi, Saiyedna Ahmad al-Mukarram, Saiyedatona Hurrat ul-Malekah Arwaa binte Ahmad and Saiyedna Lamak bin Maalik. They injected new life in the Walaayat [31] of Imaam uz-Zamaan [32] and guided the faithful to the Path of Truth and Justice. Faithfuls were in peace and harmony under their leadership.

After the demise of Maulaana Imam Musta'li, his son, 20th Fatimid Imam Al-Amir bi-Ahkam Allah, ascended to the throne of Imamat on 17th Safar 495 AH/1101 AD. His period of Imamat is 31 yrs. He was martyred by his enemies in Cairo on the night of 4th Zul Qa’dah 526 AH/1132 AD and died on the same night. Maulaatona Hurrat ul-Malekah, who was in Yemen during all these hard times, was preparing to establish firmly the institution of Fatimid Tayyibi Da'wat in Yemen in the name of the 21st Fatimid Imam At-Tayyib Abu'l-Qasim who was born to 20th Imam Aamir on 4 Rabi' al-Aakhar 524 AH/1130 AD in Cairo. She acted as Hujjat-proof of Imam during this period. She came to know the fate of Fatimid Caliphate through the signs sent to her by 20th Imaam. Saiyedna Lamak bin Maalik and Saiyedna Yahya bin Lamak learned the knowledge of Da’wat from Maulaatona Hurrat ul-Malekah that helped her by all means in the administration of Da’wat. This was a crucial time when there was an imminent fall of Caliphate in Cairo and simultaneous reinforcement and establishment of Fatimid Da’wat in Yemen.

There were numerous Hudood [23] who were seeking the knowledge of Da’wat by the permission of Maulaatona Hurrat ul-Malekah from Saiyedna Lamak bin Maalik and Saiyedna Yahya bin Lamak. Out of all Hudood, Saiyedna Zo’eb bin Moosa and Saiyedna as-Sultan al-Khattaab were outstanding in grasping the teachings and intricacies of the Fatimid Da’wat. They both clearly stood out of the group in their smartness and intelligence. With the permission of Maulaatona Hurrat ul-Malekah, they were ascended to the higher ranks of the Hudood and were given privilege to acquire the complete knowledge of Da’wat. These two personalities, in future, were to become pivotal forces in the beginning of the succession of Du’aat ul-Akrameen-missionaries in Yemen. Maulaatona Hurrat ul-Malekah now had two more loyal Hudood to support her. No one knew, but this was Hikmat (wisdom) of Allah that within a span of 10 years Saiyedna Lamak bin Maalik and Saiyedna Yahya bin Lamak died in Yemen, In their absence, Saiyedna Zo’eb bin Moosa and Saiyedna as-Sultaan al-Khattaab served Da’wat with full devotion in such a way that Maulaatona Hurrat ul-Malekah never felt void of anyone. [11]

Before her death on 22nd Sha'baan 532 AH/1138 AD, she appointed Saiyedna Zo'eb as the First Da'i al-Mutlaq داعي المطلق of three 3 jazaa'ir Hind, Sindh and Yemen. Thus one after the other this succession of Du'aat al-Mutlaqeen دعاۃ المطلقین continued in Yemen until the death of 24th Da'i Saiyedna Yusuf Najmuddin I on 16th Zul Hijjah 974 AH/1567 AD.

No.Name of the Da'i (Saiyedna – سیدنا)Death – تأریخ الإنتقالPlace of the Tomb – قبر مبارکPeriod of Da'wat – مدۃ الدعوۃLicentiate – مأذونAssociate – مکاسرWorks – تألیفات
1 Zo'eb bin Moosa Al Waadei 10 Moharram 546 AH – 28/4/1151 ADHaws Mubaarak13 yrs 4 mts 18 daysas-Sultaan al-Khattaab bin Hasan, Ibraahim bin Husain al-Haamedi'Ali bin HusainRisaalat un-Nafs fi Ma'refat il-Jussah – رسالۃ النفس فی معرفۃ الجثۃ
2 Ibraahim bin Husain Al Hamidi 16 Sha’baan 557 AH – 30/7/1162 ADGhail-e-Bani Haamid, Hamdaan11 yrs 7 mts 6 days'Ali bin Husain bin Ahmad bin al-Waleed, Haatim bin Ibraahim al-HaamediMohammad bin TaaherKanz ul-Walad – کنز الولد
3 Hatim ibn Ibrahim Al Hamidi16 Moharram 596 AH – 6/11/1199 ADHutayb Mubaarak38 yrs 5 mtsMohammad bin Taaher al-Haaresi, 'Ali bin Mohammad al-WaleedTanbeeh ul-Ghaafeleen – تنبیہ الغافلین
4 Ali ibn Hatim Al Hamidi25 Zul Qa’adah 605 AH – 30/5/1209 ADSana’a9 yrs 10 mts 10 days'Ali bin Mohammad al-Waleed
5 Ali bin Muhammad Al Walid 27 Sha’baan 612 AH – 20/12/1215 ADHiraaz6 yrs 9 mts 3 days'Ali bin HanzalahAhmad bin MubaarakTaaj ul-Aqaa'id wa Ma'dan ul-Fawaa'id – تاج العقائد و معدن الفوائد
6 Ali ibn Hanzala Al Waadei12 Rabi’ I 626 AH – 7/2/1229 ADHamadaan13 yrs 6 mts 15 daysAhmad bin MubaarakHusain bin ‘AliSimt ul-Haqaa'iq – سمط الحقائق
7 Ahmad ibn Mubarak Al Waadei28 Jumaadi II 627 AH – 12/5/1230 ADHamadaan1 yr 3 mts 16 daysHusain bin 'Alial-Qaazi Ahmad bin 'Ali bin Hanzalah
8 Husain bin Ali Al Walid 22 Safar 667 AH – 30/10/1268 ADHiql, Sana’a39 yrs 7 mts 24 daysal-Qaazi Ahmad bin 'Ali bin Hanzalah, 'Ali bin HusainMohammad bin AsadKitaab ul-Izaahe wal Bayaan fil Jawaab 'an Masaa'il il-Imtihaan – کتاب الإیضاح و البیان فی جواب عن مسائل الإمتحان
9 Ali bin Husain Al Walid 13 Zul Qa’adah 682 AH – 1/2/1284 ADSana’a15 yrs 8 mts 21 daysHusain bin 'Ali, 'Ali bin Husain bin 'Ali bin HanzalahAs'ad bin Haatimar-Risaalat ul-Kaamelah fi Salaas il-Layaali il-Faazalah – الرسالۃ الکاملۃ فی ثلاث اللیالي الفاضلۃ
10 Ali bin Husain bin Ali Al Waadei 1 Safar 686 AH – 17/3/1287 ADSana’a3 yrs 2 mts 17 daysIbraahim bin Husain
11. Ibrahim bin Husain Al Walid 10 Shawwaal 728 AH – 16/8/1328 ADHisn-e-Af'edah42 yrs 8 mts 9 daysMohammad bin Haatim
12. Muhammad ibn Hatim Al Walid1 Zul Hijjah 729 AH – 25/9/1329 ADHisn-e-Af'edah1 yr 1 mt 7 days'Ali bin Ibraahim
13. Ali Shamsuddin bin Ibraahim 18 Rajab 746 AH – 13/11/1345 ADHisn-e-Zimarmar16 yrs 7 mts 18 days'Abd ul-Muttalib bin Mohammad
14. Abd ul-Muttalib Najmuddin bin Mohammad 14 Rajab 755 AH – 3/8/1354 ADHisn-e-Zimarmar8 yrs 11 mts 25 days'Abbaas bin Mohammad
15. Abbas ibn Muhammad 8 Shawwaal 779 AH – 6/2/1378 ADHisn-e-Af'edah24 yrs 2 mts 24 days'Abdullaah bin 'Ali
16. Abdullah Fakhruddin bin Ali 9 Ramazaan 809 AH – 16/2/1407 ADHisn-e-Zimarmar29 yrs 11 mts 1 day'Ali bin 'Abdullaah ash-Shaybaani, Hasan bin 'Abdullaah'Abd ul-Muttalib bin 'Abdullaahal-Muneerah fi Ma'refat il-Hudood il-Jazeerah – المنیرۃ فی معرفۃ حدود الجزیرۃ
17. Hasan Badruddin bin Abdullah 6 Shawwaal 821 AH – 5/11/1418 ADHisn-e-Zimarmar12 yrs 27 days'Abd ul-Muttalib bin 'Abdullaah, Mohammad bin IdrisAhmad bin 'Abdullaah
18. Ali Shamsuddin bin Abdullah 3 Safar 832 AH – 11/11/ 1428 ADShaareqah10 yrs 3 mts 27 daysIdrees bin Hasan
19. Idris Imaduddin bin Hasan 19 Zul Qa’adah 872 AH – 9/6/1468 ADShibaam40 yrs 9 mts 16 daysMa'ad bin 'Abdullaah'Uyoon ul-Akhbaar wa Funoon ul-Aasaar – عیون الاخبار و فنون الآثار
20. Hasan Badruddin bin Idris Imaduddin 15 Sha’baan 918 AH – 25/10/1512 ADMasaar45 yrs 8 mts 26 days'Abdullaah Fakhruddin bin 'Ali, Husain Husaamuddin bin Idrees'Ali bin Husain
21. Husain Husamuddin bin Idris Imaduddin 10 Shawwaal 933 AH – 9/7/1527 ADMasaar15 yrs 1 mt 25 days'Ali Shamsuddin bin HusainMohammad 'Izzuddin bin 'Ali
22. Ali Shamsuddin bin Husain 21 Zul Qa’dah 933 AH – 18/8/ 1527 ADMasaar1 mt 10 daysMohammad 'Izzuddin bin 'Ali
23. Mohammed Izzuddin 27 Safar 946 AH – 13/7/1539 ADZabeed12 yrs 3 mts 6 daysYusuf Najmuddin
24. Yusuf Najmuddin bin Sulaiman 16 Zul Hijjah 974 AH – 23/6/1567 ADTaibah28 yrs 9 mts 23 daysJalaal Fakhruddin bin Hasan

Ahmedabad - احمدآباد

Saraspur, Ahmedabad is the only place where mausoleums of the missionaries-du'aat of 3 Bohra communities are located. This place is the converging point for all. Mausoleum of du'aat.jpg
Saraspur, Ahmedabad is the only place where mausoleums of the missionaries-du'aat of 3 Bohra communities are located. This place is the converging point for all.

During the 11th century AD, when 18th Fatimid Imam Al-Mustansir Billah was in power in Cairo, the region of Khambhat, Patan and Siddhpur saw extensive activities of Isma’ili Da’wat and then after the concealment of the 21st Fatimid Imam At-Tayyib Abu'l-Qasim in 532 AH/1138 AD, the holy preachers and propagandists worked under the absolute guidance of their religious chief-da’ial-mutlaq who were serving as a representatives of their concealed Imam. These preachers served as the head of the Da'wat in Indian subcontinent, locally known as the wali or maulaai, were regularly selected by the da'i al-mutlaq residing in Yemen. [11] [8] It was during the da’iship of 17th Da’i Hasan Badruddin (809–821 AH/ 1406–1418 AD), the city of Ahmedabad was founded and Ahmad Shah I invited Adam Shujaa’uddin bin Sulaiman, Shaikha Mujaal and Khwaja Kalaan to convince the Bohra traders and rich merchants to start their trade from Ahmedabad and make it their home-town. [33] Till the time of 19th Da'i Idris Imaduddin (832-872 AH/1428-1468 AD), due to the efforts of Adam Shujaa’uddin sizable Bohras migrated from Patan to Ahmedabad. [34]

So this was the period of the first Bohra settlement in Ahmedabad as it proved to be a safe haven for the peace-loving community scattered in the other towns surrounding Ahmedabad. At that time sizable Bohra population could be found at Patan, Khambhat, Siddhpur, Nadiad, Kapadvanj, Bharuch, Vadodara, Umreth, Mehsana, Dholka etc. Bohras prospered in Ahmedabad but it was overshadowed with some brutal and gruesome attacks now and then by the Muslim Sultanate. The Bohras of Gujarat and their da'is were not persecuted by the local Hindu rulers, who did not feel endangered by their activities. The community thus developed without any hindrance until the Muslim conquest of Gujarat in 697 AH/1298 AD, when the Da'wat's activities came under the scrutiny of the region's Muslim governors, who recognized the suzerainty of the Sultans of Delhi, who belonged to the Khalji and Tughluqid dynasties. [11] It was chiefly because of Ja’far Patani Naherwali and his people who left Isma’ili-Tayyibi faith and accepted Sunnism and they constantly instigated local Muslim rulers against the Bohras. During the time between 850 and 950 AH/1447-1544 AD many preachers-Maulaai [35] were martyred or jailed. Ahmedabad became called "Nani Karbala" (small karbala) because of the large number of martyrs buried there and also "Baagh-e-Aal-e-Mohammad" (paradise of Ahl e Bayt). [36] 28th da'i al-mutlaq Sheikh Adam Safiuddin (d. 1030 AH/1621 AD) held the key leadership and played pivotal role in managing the internal community matters and external political affairs in Ahmedabad during the time of various da'is, he studied with 24th da'i in Yemen and was authorized to propagate the mission-da'wat in the Deccan. [29]

During the rule of Mughal Emperor Akbar & Jahangir, Bohra community witnessed 2 major splits in Ahmedabad. The Bohras got divided into three major groups viz. Alavis, Dawoodis and Sulaymanis in the span of nearly 40 years- 997–1030 AH/1589-1621 AD. This way Ahmedabad today enjoys the only converging place of all the three Bohra groups after the splits as their du’aat-missionaries are buried in the same graveyard located at Saraspur (Bibipur). Due to the constant persecution by the Muslim rulers, Bohras left Ahmedabad permanently and shifted their seat of Da’wat. [37] Alavi Bohras migrated to Vadodara in 1110 AH/1699 AD during the da'iship of 32nd da'i acting on the will of his predecessor and they were the last among Bohras to leave Ahmedabad. Dawoodi Bohras migrated to Jamnagar in 1065 AH/1657 AD and Sulaimani Bohras had their centre in Yemen after the split. Among Bohras in Ahmedabad, today Alavi Bohras remain as a minority with small number of families stay there.

No.Name of the Da'i (Saiyedna – سیدنا)Death – تأریخ الإنتقالPeriod of Da'wat – مدۃ الدعوۃLicentiate – مأذونAssociate – مکاسرWorks – تألیفات
25. Jalal Fakhruddin (Shamshuddin) bin Hasan 16 Rabi' II 975 AH – 19/10/1567 AD4 mtsDawoodji Burhanuddin bin AjabshahDawoodji Burhanuddin bin Qutubshah
26. Dawoodji Burhanuddin bin Ajabshah 27 Rabi' II 999 AH – 21/2/1591 AD24 yrs 11 daysDawoodji Burhanuddin bin QutubshahShaikh Adam Safiyuddin bin Taiyebshah
27. Dawoodji Burhanuddin bin Qutubshah 15 Jumaadi II 1021 AH – 12/8/1612 AD22 yrs 1 mt 18 daysal-Qaazi Ameenshah Shujaa'uddin, Shaikh Adam Safiyuddin bin TaiyebshahAmeenjibin Jalaal
28. Shaikh Adam Safiyuddin bin Taiyebshah 7 Rajab 1030 AH – 27/5/1621 AD9 yrs 21daysAli Mohammad bin Firoz, 'Ali bin IbraahimAmeenji bin Jalaal
29.Ali bin Ibrahim bin Sheikh Adam Safiuddin, the martyr23 Zul Qa’adah 1046 AH – 17/4/1637 AD16 yrs 4 mts 16 daysTaiyeb Zakiyuddin bin Shaikh Adam SafiyuddinAmeenji bin Jalaal, Hasan Badruddin bin WaliKitaab un-Naseehah fi Anwaar ish-Shari'ah – کتاب النصیحۃ فی انوار الشریعۃ
30.Taiyeb Zakiyuddin bin Sheikh Adam Safiuddin13 Shawwaal 1047 AH – 26/2/1638 AD10 mts 20 daysHasan Badruddin bin WaliJivabhai Ziyauddin bin Nuhji
31Hasan Badruddin bin Wali19 Rabi' II 1090 AH – 29/5/1679 AD42 yrs 6 mts 6 daysJivabhai Ziyauddin bin NuhjiHebatullaah Mo'ayyaduddin bin Jivabhai ZiyauddinDiwaan-e-Hasan – دیوان حسن

Vadodara - ودودرة

Aqaa Maulaa, the then Mazoon e Mutlaq visited Fakhri Masjid in Moharram 1436 AH/2014 AD on the death anniversary of Saiyedi Musanji bin Taaj saheb Alavi bohras syedi musanji saheb mosque.jpg
Aqaa Maulaa, the then Mazoon e Mutlaq visited Fakhri Masjid in Moharram 1436 AH/2014 AD on the death anniversary of Saiyedi Musanji bin Taaj saheb

The city of Vadodara deserves a special attention along with the Tayyibi missionary activities in Ahmedabad as many devoted personalities worked hard to retain the community faith when the turmoil of dissidents created by Ja’far Naherwali was at its peak. During the time of 21st Da’i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna saheb (tus) Hasan Badruddin bin Idris (d. 933 AH/1537 AD) when Mahmood Shah II was the sultan of Gujarat, Mulla Isma’il of Vadodara migrated to Ahmedabad and he was martyred along with his accomplices on the banks of Sabarmati River. [36]

Vadodara is the birthplace of 28th, 29th and 30th Alavi Da'is who migrated and did Da’wat in Ahmedabad from 1021 to 1047 AH/1612-1638 AD. It was the place called Fakhri Mohalla near Gendi gate in the Walled city area where all 3 of them lived. Till date this mohalla is populated by Alavi Bohras. During the time of 26th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Dawoodji Burhanuddin bin ‘Ajabshah (d. 997 AH/1589 AD) when Muzaffar Shah III ruled Gujarat, Saiyedi Musanji bin Taaj saheb [38] (d. 986 AH/1578 AD) of Vadodara was martyred in the Mandvi gate when he invited Saiyedna saheb to inaugurate the mosque which he had built after returning from Hajj, avoiding Salaahuddin the then governor of Muzaffar Shah III. The mosque named Fakhri masjid is the oldest Bohra mosque in Vadodara where Alavi Bohras today offer daily prayers. [16]

After unbearable oppression meted upon Alavi Bohras during the time of 31st Da’i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Hasan Badruddin bin Wali in Ahmedabad, he ordered 32nd Da’i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Jivabhai Ziyauddin bin Noohji to migrate along with the community to Vadodara. He spearheaded the cause of migration and in 1110 AH/1699 AD he established a new locality for the community where he built Ziyaai Masjid [39] and Badri Mohalla. Badri Mohalla proved a cradle of progress and prosperity for the entire community. An Alavi Bohra who resides anywhere in the world and he visits Vadodara has to come to Badri Mohalla as the residence of Saiyedna saheb is located right in the middle of it.

Since 328 years (1110–1438 AD/1699-2017 AD), Vadodara has remained the centre and the seat of modern Alavi Bohras [40] (ad-Da’wat ul-Haadiyat ul-‘Alaviyah [37] ) where 12 of its missionaries (du’aat) are buried here with a short interlude when 35th Da'i did Da’wat in Surat for 19 years between 1158 and 1178 AH/1745-1764 AD. Except 35th Da'i, all of them are from the progeny of Noohji bin Mohammadji, the father of 32nd Da'i. The present 45th Da'i Saiyedna Haatim Zakiyuddin saheb is the descendant from the same Aal-e-Noohji. Badri Mohalla, Fakhri Mohalla, Ajwa Road, Taiwada, Fatehgunj, Mughalwada, Pratapnagar, Panigate are the main areas of Vadodara where Alavi Bohras stay. They have 4 mosques and 3 community halls in Vadodara.

During the time of 41st Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Jivabhai Fakhruddin (d. 1347 AH/1929 AD), Gaekwadi ruler Maharaja Sayajirao III (d. 1358 AH/1939 AD) ruled Vadodara and he single-handedly spearheaded its progress and prosperity. Saiyedna maintained cordial and healthy relationship with the ruler as during the festivals Saiyedna often sent delegation in the Gaekwadi royal court to represent Alavi Bohras. This was because most of the shops of Alavi Bohras were located in the narrow streets surrounding the Mandvi area involved in the business of turban making. At that time Alavi Bohras had a monopoly of making red turban laced with golden string and Gaekwadi courtiers used to frequent these shops. Today, many Alavi Bohras are having their shops in this area inherited from their forefathers is the testimony of the social relations with Gaekwads.

Surat - سورة

Mausoleum of 35th Alavi Da'i Saiyedna Noorbhai Nuruddin saheb in Surat Urs surat syedna nuruddin saheb 1435.jpg
Mausoleum of 35th Alavi Da'i Saiyedna Noorbhai Nuruddin saheb in Surat

When Saiyedna Jivabhai Ziyauddin saheb, the 32nd Da'i al-Mutlaq migrated from Ahmedabad to Vadodara in 1110 AH/1699 AD, Saiyedi Shaikhali from Surat along with his son Noorbhai visited Saiyedna saheb when he was busy constructing the mosque at the corner of Badri Mohalla named Masjid-e-Ziyaai. During that time Noorbhai was very young and with pure intellect he witnessed the spiritual supremacy of Saiyedna saheb. Saiyedna saheb ordered Saiyedi Shaikhali to leave Noorbhai in Vadodara for religious education and training and granted him all the permissions to carry out community responsibilities of Surat. Saiyedi Shaikhali was a successful merchant but at the same time an ardent follower of Saiyedna saheb. Along with many Alavi Bohra families, he stayed in Noorpura Mohalla near Jhapa bazaar. In the same area there was a mosque, graveyard and musaafir-khaana that were managed by Saiyedi Shaikhali. After his death, Alavi Bohras of Surat relied upon Noorbhai for all Da’wat [37] affairs as he was among the most trusted Hudood [23] of Saiyedna saheb, the 33rd Da'i Hebatullaah Mo'ayyaduddin.

Saiyedna Hebatullaah Mo'ayyaduddin, conferred him the status of Mukaasir by bestowing him the epithet of "Nuruddin-نورالدین (the light of religion)". He often visited Vadodara along with the people of Surat and used to give oath of loyalty [41] to Saiyedna saheb. Surat city became the centre of Alavi Bohras, though for a short period of time i.e. 19 years [22] was only because of the pure heartedness and trustworthiness of Noorbhai Nuruddin, the 35th Da'i of Alavi Bohras. This was the time when Surat witnessed the transition period from Mughal rule to British dominion and the place where Saiyedna Noorbhai Nuruddin lived in the railway station area near Tapti River is considered the oldest area of the city and it is from here that the development of the city started in the early 20th century AD. After his death in 1178 AH/1764 AD, his son Shaikh Adam stayed in Surat and looked after the community like his father and grandfather. During this time there were around 50 Alavi Bohra families staying in Surat. The centre again got transferred to Vadodara and majority of Alavi Bohras migrated there along with their identity and surname as “Surtis”. Today the tomb of Saiyedna Noorbhai Nuruddin is the most revered place where mosque, community hall and musaafir-khaana are situated. For divine blessings every Alavi Bohra visit this place once in a year. Every year on the occasion of ‘Urs Mubaarak (death anniversary) [42] of Saiyedna Noorbhai Nuruddin in Moharram a grand function is held in Surat where Alavi Bohras participate with great fervor and faith.

No.Name of the Da'i (Saiyedna – سیدنا)Death – تأریخ الإنتقالPlace of the Tomb – قبر مبارکPeriod of Da'wat – مدۃ الدعوۃLicentiate – مأذونAssociate – مکاسرWorks – تألیفات
32.Jivabhai Ziyauddin bin Nuhji10 Zul Qa’adah 1130 AH – 4/10/1718 ADBustaan-e-Badri, Wadi40 yrs 6 mts 20 daysHebatullaah Mo'ayyaduddin bin Jivabhai ZiyauddinJalaal Shehaabuddin bin Nuhji
33.Hebatullaah Mo'ayyaduddin bin Jivabhai Ziyauddin17 Rajab 1151 AH – 30/10/ 1738 ADBustaan-e-Badri, Wadi20 yrs 8 mts 7 daysJalaal Shehaabuddin bin NuhjiNoorbhai Nuruddin bin Shaikhali
34.Jalaal Shehaabuddin bin Nuhji14 Safar 1158 AH – 17/3/1745 ADJannat ul-Mumineen, Pratapnagar6 yrs 6 mts 27 daysShamsuddin Hameeduddin bin Hebatullaah Mo'ayyaduddinNoorbhai Nuruddin bin Shaikhali
35.Noorbhai Nuruddin bin Shaikhali9 Moharram 1178 AH – 7/7/ 1764 ADSURAT19 yrs 10 mts 24 daysShamsuddin Hameeduddin bin Hebatullaah Mo'ayyaduddinShaikh Adam bin Nuruddinas-Saheefat un-Nooraaniyah – الصحیفۃ النورانیۃ
36.Shamsuddin Hameeduddin bin Mo'ayyaduddin Hebatullaah26 Sha'baan 1189 AH – 20/10/1775 ADBustaan-e-Badri, Wadi11 yrs 7 mts 17 daysShaikh Adam bin NuruddinShaikhali Shamsuddin bin Shamsuddin Hameeduddin
37.Shaikhali Shamsuddin bin Shamsuddin Hameeduddin25 Rajab 1248 AH – 17/12/1832 ADBustaan-e-Badri, Wadi58 yrs 10 mts 28 daysShamsuddin Hameeduddin bin Shaikhali ShamsuddinNajmuddin Mufeeduddin bin Shaikhali ShamsuddinKitaab ul-Miraas – کتاب المیراث
38.Shamsuddin Hameeduddin bin Shaikhali Shamsuddin30 Ramazaan 1252 AH – 7/1/1837 ADBustaan-e-Badri, Wadi4 yrs 2 mts 5 daysNajmuddin Mufeeduddin bin Shaikhali Shamsuddin'Abd ur-Raheem bin Shaikhali Shamsuddin
39.Najmuddin Mufeeduddin bin Shaikhali Shamsuddin6 Rajab 1282 AH – 24/11/1865 ADJannat ul-Mumineen, Pratapnagar29 yrs 9 mts 6 daysAmeeruddin Ameenuddin bin Najmuddin MufeeduddinSharafuddin bin Najmuddin Mufeeduddinas-Saheefat un-Najmiyah – الصحیفۃ النجمیۃ
40.Ameeruddin Ameenuddin bin Najmuddin Mufeeduddin18 Zul Hijjah 1296 AH – 2/12/1879 ADJannat ul-Mumineen, Pratapnagar14 yrs 5 mts 12 daysSharafuddin bin Najmuddin MufeeduddinJivabhai Fakhruddin bin Ameeruddin Ameenuddin
41.Jivabhai Fakhruddin bin Ameeruddin Ameenuddin20 Shawwaal 1347 AH – 30/3/1929 ADBustaan-e-Badri, Wadi50 yrs 10 mts 2 daysSharafuddin bin Najmuddin MufeeduddinFidaali Badruddin bin Jivabhai FakhruddinTa'weel-o-Salaat-e-Laylat il-Qadr – تأویل صلوۃ لیلۃ القدر
42.Fidaali Badruddin bin Jivabhai Fakhruddin8 Sha'baan 1377 AH – 26/2/1958 ADBustaan-e-Badri, Wadi29 yrs 9 mts 18 daysYusuf Nuruddin bin Fidaali BadruddinNazarali bin Fidaali Badruddin
43.Yusuf Nuruddin bin Fidaali Badruddin17 Rajab 1394 AH – 5/8/1974 ADMazaar-e-Yusufi, Behind Nooraani Masjid, Wadi16 yrs 11 mts 9 daysTayyib Ziyauddin bin Yusuf NuruddinNazarali bin Fidaali Badruddin
44. Tayyib Ziyauddin bin Yusuf Nuruddin 5 Sha'baan 1436 AH – 23/5/2015 ADMazaar-e-Yusufi, Behind Nooraani Masjid, Wadi42 yrs 18 daysHaatim Zakiyuddin bin Taiyeb ZiyauddinNazarali bin Fidaali Badruddin, Husain Mo'eenuddin bin Taiyeb Ziyauddin, Mohammad Nuruddin bin Taiyeb Ziyauddin

Reasoning and Religiosity of Esotericism

Knowledge (‘ilm-علم) and wisdom (hikmah-حكمۃ) are, according to Isma’ili belief, eternal gifts from God, revealed to humanity through His prophets. God has successively dispatched six prophets bearing a law (shari’ah): Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ and Muhammad. These prophets are ‘speakers’ [43] (naatiq-ناطق), because they talk to men, proclaiming to them a shari’ah, an exoteric (zaahir-ظاهر) law with its commandments and prohibitions, its ritual obligation and legal definitions. By the side of each prophet-speaker stands an authorized representative (wasi or asaas-وصي، اساس) who knows and teaches eternally immutable ‘esoteric meaning’ (baatin-باطن) of all these prescriptions and regulations-though only to a small number of the elect.

Thus, Adam and his son Seth at his side, Noah and his son Shem, Abraham's wasi was his son Ishmeal, Moses's wasi was his brother Aron, and Jesus Christ's was Simon Peter. The speaker-prophet of our era is Muhammad. His wasi or asaas is his cousin and son in law ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib. The latter's descendants are the true imams of Islamic community (ummah); they alone know and transmit the ‘esoteric meaning’ of the divine revelation proclaimed by Muhammad. The imams, whose succession continued with the Fatimid caliphs in Cairo till the 21st imam Abul Qaasim at-Taiyeb and their succession is in its place till date though in seclusion, are thus the repositories of the divine message; they are the upholders of ‘Knowledge’ and ‘Wisdom’, which they transmit to their followers, they are the ‘friends of God’ (awliya Allah-أولیاء الله). [2]

The imams spread ‘Knowledge’ and ‘Wisdom’ based on exoteric and esoteric interpretation of divine law through ‘Summoners’, da’is, these are propagators or missionaries who summon people to follow the true imam and instruct the individual who ‘responds to the summons’, al-mustajib or the initiate, through wise sayings and necessary knowledge. The missionary or Da'i as a teacher is the most characteristic figure of the Isma’ili movement. From the very beginning, the Da'i's travelled far and wide to spread the good tidings.

Tanzeel-تنزیل or Tafsir-تفسیر (outer meaning or commentary on the Qur'an) is completely based on Ta’weel-تأویل (inner meaning) without which Tanzeel becomes void and meaningless. The everlasting beautiful outward appearance is from inside and that which could not be seen and could not be understood by everyone. The belief that each and every Qur'anic verse has both outer and inner meaning as the same is the case with the sayings of Mohammad which are applicable and acceptable in all times till the last Day of Doom.

As distinct from the zaahir (evident meaning) of the literal wordings of sacred texts and religious prescriptions, notably the Qur'an and the Shari’ah, the baatin is the inward, hidden or esoteric meaning having deep and stronger impact on the deeds and thoughts of the believers. [44] In the Isma’ili-Taiyebi gnosis the word baatin goes hand in hand with ta’weel and it exclusively denotes the method of inducing the baatin for the allegorical, symbolic and esoteric interpretation or spiritual-hermeneutic exegesis of historic events and the world of nature as described by the sacred Islamic texts. [11] Ta’weel became the hallmark of Isma’ili thought and literature. It is to manifest the hidden so as to unveil the true spiritual reality only to those who are properly initiated into the community and who have acknowledged the spiritual guidance of the rightful imam of his era or his representatives who possess the rightful authority to interpret Islam in all its dimensions. [29] Qur'anic verses throws light on this subject in the following way:

This type of allegorical interpretation is applied on the Hadith of Mohammad:

Numerous books are dedicated to this topic and it has been written throughout the Islamic era and the same is carried out today too by the missionaries. The distinction between the zaahir and baatin was an integral part of the religious system of thought elaborated by the Isma’ili missionaries of different periods and this particular process continued with the Taiyebis in Yemen. Below is a small example of esoteric text taken from Kitaab al-Kashf by Ja’far b. Mansur al-Yemen in the mid 4th century AH/10th century AD.

"The Qur’an begins with bismillaah al-rahmaan al-raheem (بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم); bismillaah is composed of seven letters. twelve letters emerges from this and that are al-rahmaan al-raheem. This verse is the beginning of the first chapter of Qur’an surat ul-hamd which has total seven verses. The seven letters, which are the bismillaah, signify the seven naatiq. The twelve letters that arise from these signify that for each naatiq there are twelve naqeebs or hujjats. [47] Thus the twelve letters, which are al-rahmaan al-raheem, that arise from the seven lettered bismillaah, together become nineteen letters. This signifies that from the naatiqs – after each naatiq – seven imaams and twelve hujjats arise, which makes nineteen. The same is the case with pillars of Islam, in which there are seven pillars each having twelve traditions." [48]

Zaahir (ظاهر)-ExotericBaatin (باطن)-Esoteric
Islam-إسلامFaith
Skies-سمواتProphets
Qur'an-قرآنHousehold of Muhammad
Earth-أرضAli bin Abi Taalib
Temporal world-دنياSpiritual world
Body-جسمSoul
Prayer-صلٰوةSpiritual Mission
Ka’bah-كعبةThe Imam of the time
Water-ماءKnowledge
Oath of Allegiance-ميثاقThe right path
Honeybee-نحلBeliever
Salt-ملحWisdom
Fruits-فواكهThe Imams from the progeny of prophets

Library

The Personal Alavi Library, [49] housed in the Residence of Saiyedna saheb [50] is the centre of Isma'ili Studies with special reference to the Taiyebi Branch of Literature. There are various Academic and Research Institutions which carry out studies on Isma'ili Taiyebi Literature basically starting from 225 AH (c. 840 AD) until the present based on Ahaadees, [51] Akaaleem, [52] Riwaayaat [53] and historic events with the assistance of renowned and experienced scholars in their respective fields. Specifically the study of Isma'ili Literature is part and parcel of the studies of Near-Eastern Languages and Culture. Generally every University that carries out these studies also includes the study of Arabic Language which is fostered by Isma'ili scholars. These specific, selective, and special studies are centered in a very few Institutions which house Isma'ili Taiyebi Manuscripts (MSS) found in Arabic.

During the second half of the 20th century AD and in recent years scholarly, critical, and significant research work is being carried out in European, American, and Middle-Eastern Universities. But it always requires second thought and important inputs based on Isma’ili dogmas from the authoritative seat of Da’wat. Scholars who are not at all in the system of Isma’ili Faith lack that special touch while dealing or summarizing or translating texts of Core Beliefs. It is because these Isma’ili literary gems [54] had been written by Du’aat in the presence of an Imam or by his commands. It contains an Oath [55] for the Imam on which its reader must follow and without which one is not supposed to even open a book.

As these books which were guarded in the private possessions made their way to Scholars and Researchers, the central point of the Oath was mindlessly neglected and anyone who had an access to these books started their work. No doubt great efforts and hard work have been carried out by the researchers but still there remains always a dot of doubt. The Institutions which possess rich and periodically diversified Isma’ili manuscripts have now become epicenter of scholarly activities and academic journalism. The centre of ad-Da’wat ul-Haadiyat ul-‘Alaviyah [56] houses several hundred manuscripts which is managed, preserved, conserved, and enriched by the 45th Da’i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna saheb. This personal library contains some of the rare Islamic and Isma’ili titles and with every passing day newer titles are added.

This collection is under the direct access, supervision, and control of the Da’i al-Mutlaq and therefore the nature and process of addition to the collection is also noteworthy and the fact is that the Da’i being the sole authority of Isma’ili-Taiyebi learning is cognizant of the contents of each and every manuscript, old as well as recent ones. It has been observed that due to the maintenance of secrecy of Isma’ili Literature, the private family collections in Yemen, Sindh, and Hind [57] are never in direct access to the public domain nor are the manuscripts lent or shared to any aspirant of the study. But, regarding the ad-Da’wat ul-Haadiyat ul-‘Alaviyah collection, despite its original and unique source, the Da’i is lenient in sharing the manuscripts after thoroughly assessing the just and critical way of translating, editing and publishing. Though the centre of ‘Alavi Da’wat does not directly invite scholars or researchers from foreign universities, time and again many interested foreign scholars have come straightforwardly and studied Isma’ili titles with the Da’i himself from Iran, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Europe.

At times, when the scholars who worked for the critical study and edition of any Isma’ili title might be having only two to three manuscripts from different origins, i.e. where the writer, place and period differ, there arose the demand for the consultation of more manuscripts. For this purpose, the manuscripts of the ‘Alavi Da’wat collection, because of its Indian origin, proved more fruitful for better text reading and editing. The other salient feature of the ‘Alavi Library is that it is housed at the Da’i's residence and most of the manuscripts are copied by the Du’aat from those which were brought to Vadodara when the Da’wat headquarters were shifted from Ahmedabad.

It has been well-preserved and well-maintained by the Da’i's great efforts. Like many other places where such manuscripts were bundled for centuries and remained under lock-and-key and were never referred to or studied, the case is entirely different here. At the ‘Alavi Library, the Da’i consults and refers to these manuscripts and accordingly copies its texts in individual papers for lecturing purposes and hands over certain old manuscripts to his close aides to make a fresh copy by penning the entire text. With age-old methods the preservation of the manuscripts is carried out. As the Da’i personally handles all library affairs, the question of precaution, curing, or fumigation never arises. But the Du’aat felt it compulsory to make a copy of every manuscript as there was a constant fear of a single copy being damaged by any unexpected accident or worm attack. Every year more and more manuscripts are added to the collection and also they are copied as and when required.

The manuscripts copied by the 45th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Haatim Zakiyuddin saheb since 1405 AH/1985 AD:

Sr. No.Name – اسم الکتابSaiyedna (Author) – اسم سیدنا المؤلف
1.Asaas ut-Ta'weel – اساس التأویلQaadi an-No'maan bin Mohammad
2.Munirat ul-Basaa'ir – منیرۃ البصائرas-Sultaan al-Khattaab
3.al-Ibtidaa wal Intihaa – الإبتداء و الإنتھاءHebatullaah al-Mo'ayyad ash-Shiraazi
4.Nahj ul-'Ibaadah – نھج العبادۃHebatullaah al-Mo'ayyad ash-Shiraazi
5.Risaalat un-Naqd – رسالۃ النقدHaatim bin Ibraahim al-Haamedi
6.Risaalat ul-Muqezah – رسالۃ الموقظۃSharafuddin bin Hamzah
7.Ziyaa ul-Basaa'ir – ضیاء البصائرIdrees 'Imaaduddin bin Hasan
8.Asraar ul-Imaam il-Mahdi – أسرار الإمام المھديImam 'Abdullaah al-Mahdi
9.Risaalat ul-Amn min al-Hayrat – رسالۃ الأمن من الحیرۃYa'qub as-Sijistaani

Islamic calendar: occasions and commemoration as per the calculation of Fatimid imams

Months – شھورDate – تأریخEvents – واقعات
  1. Moharram ul-Haraam [58] – محرم الحرام
1
  • New Year
  • Urs Mubaarak [42] of Da'i al-Balaagh [17] Maulaai 'Abdullaah – Khambhat
2–9Daily Majlis [59] conducted in the presence of Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna saheb where detailed account of Shohadaa-e-Karbalaa – شھداء کربلاء is presented coupled with the Admonition and Explanation of Shari'ah laws and Tenets
10
13Birth of 20th Fatimid Imam Maulaana Aamir – 490 AH/1097 AD, Cairo
15Birth of 15th Fatimid Imam Maulaana Nazaar al-Azeez – 344 AH/955 AD, Cairo
16Urs Mubaarak of 3rd Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Haatim Mohiyuddin bin Saiyedna Ibraahim saheb – d. 596 AH/1199 AD – Hutayb Mubaarak – Yemen
18Urs Mubaarak of 3rd Fatimid Imam Saiyed ur-Raake'een was Saajedeen Maulaana Ali Zayn ul-Aabedeen – d. 94 AH/712 AD – Jannat ul-Baqee' – Madinat ul Munawwarah
20
  • Urs Mubaarak of 35th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Nuruddin Noorbhai bin Shaikh Ali saheb – d. 1178 AH/1764 – Surat
  • Birth of 19th Fatimid Imam Maulaana Ahmad al-Musta'ali – 467 AH/1074 AD, Cairo
22Birth of Ra's ul-Hudood Dr. Hakeemuddin Bhaisaheb Zulqarnain saheb – 1400 AH/1979 AD – Vadodara, Gujarat
23
  • Urs Mubaarak of Saiyedi Hasan Feer saheb Shaheed – d. 795 AH/1392 AD – Denmaal, Gujarat
  • Urs Mubaarak of Noor Bibi (Mother of 24th Da'i al-Mutlaq al-Yemeni Saiyedna Yusuf Najmuddin bin Sulaymaan) and Faatimah Bibi (Sister of the said Saiyedna saheb) – Dandi gaam (Maai saheb, Navsari)
27Urs Mubaarak of Da'i al-Balaagh Saiyedi Fakhruddin saheb Shaheed – Galiyakot, Rajasthan
28Urs Mubaarak of Saiyedi Musanji bin Taaj saheb Shaheed – Vadodara, Gujarat
2. Safar ul-Muzaffar – صفر المظفر2
  • Urs Mubaarak of 18th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Ali Shamsuddin bin Saiyedna Abdullaah – d. 832 AH/1428 AD – Shaareqah, Yemen
  • Urs Mubaarak of Saiyedna as-Sultaan al-Khattaab bin Hasan – d. 533 AH/1138 – Yemen
14
  • Urs Mubaarak of 34th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Jalaal Shehaabuddin bin Saiyedi Nuhji saheb – d. 1158 AH/1745 AD – Jannat ul-Mumineen (Pratapnagar, Vadodara)
  • Urs Mubaarak of Kaka Akela – Kaki Akela saheb – Khambhat
17Urs Mubaarak of 19th Fatimid Imam Maulaana Ahmad al-Musta'ali – d. 495 AH/1101 AD – al-Qaaherah al-Mo'izziyah – Cairo
18Urs Mubaarak of Maulaatona Sakinah, the daughter of Imam Husain
20 Arba'een – Chehlum of Saiyed ush-Shohadaa Maulaana Imam Husain
22Urs Mubaarak of 8th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Husain bin Saiyedna Ali saheb – d. 667 AH/1268 AD – San'aa (Yemen)
25Urs Mubaarak of Khateebat-o-Karbalaa Maulaatona Zainab
27Urs Mubaarak of 23rd Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Mohammad Ezzuddin bin Saiyedna Hasan saheb – d. 946 AH/1539 – Zabeed (Yemen)
29Urs Mubaarak of Maulaana Imam Hasan al-Mujtabaa – d. 49 AH/669 AD – Jannat ul-Baqee' – Madinat ul Munawwarah
3. Rabi' ul-Awwal – ربیع الأول2Urs Mubaarak of Khaatim ul-Ambiyaa Saiyed ul-Awliyaa Muhammad – d. 11 AH/632 AD – Madinat ul Munawwarah and his Birth in Makkat ul Mukarramah in 1 'Aam ul-Feel [60] /570 AD
3Birth of 16th Fatimid Imam Maulaana Husain al-Haakim – 375 AH/985 AD – al-Qaaherah al-Mo'izziyah, Cairo
8Birth of 45th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Haatim Zakiyuddin saheb (the incumbent missionary of Alavi Bohras) – 1379 AH/1959 AD – Vadodara, Gujarat
12Urs Mubaarak of 6th Da'i al-Mutlaq Ali bin Hanzalah saheb – d. 626 AH/1229 AD – Hamdaan (Yemen)
14Urs Mubaarak of Saiyedi Miyaji bin Taaj saheb – Umreth, Gujarat
15Urs Mubaarak of 11th Fatimid Imam Maulaana Abdullaah al-Mahdi – d. 322 AH/934 AD – Mahdiyah, North Africa
17Birth of 5th Fatimid Imam, Maulaana Imam Abu Abdillaah Ja'far us-Saadiq – 83 AH/702 AH – Madinat ul Munawwarah
22Urs Mubaarak of Mukaasir ud-Da'wat Saiyedi Nazarali Bhaisaheb Najmuddin – d. 1397 AH/1977 AD – Jannat ul-Mumineen (Pratapnagar, Vadodara)
4. Rabi' ul-Aakhar – ربیع الآخر4Milaadayn Kareemayn – میلادین کریمین : Two Birthdays – Birth of Maulaana Imam uz-Zamaan [61] Abul Qaasim Taiyeb ul-'Asre wal Heen – 524 AH/1130 AD – al-Qaaherah al-Mo'izziyah and Birth of 44th Da'i al-Mutlaq al-Alavi al-Faatemi Saiyedna Abu Haatim Taiyeb Ziyauddin saheb [62] – 1351 AH/1932 AD – Badri Mohalla, Wadi, Vadodara (Gujarat, India)
11Urs Mubaarak of 14th Fatimid Imam Maulaana Ma'ad al-Mo'iz – d. 365 AH/975 AD – al-Qaaherah al-Mo'izziyah, Cairo
16Urs Mubaarak of 25th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Fakhruddin Jalaal bin Hasan saheb – d. 975 AH/1567 AD – Ahmedabad
19Urs Mubaarak of 31st Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Badruddin Hasan bin Wali saheb – d. 1090 AH/1679 AD – Ahmedabad
27Urs Mubaarak of 26th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Burhaanuddin Dawood bin Ajabshah saheb – d. 997 AH/1589 AD – Ahmedabad
5. Jumaadi ul-Ulaa – جمادي الأولی1Urs Mubaarak of 7th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Ahmad bin Mubaarak saheb – d. 627 AH/1230 AD – Hamdaan (Yemen)
11Urs Mubaarak of Saiyedi Nuruddin saheb – Dongaam (Aurangabad)
12Urs Mubaarak of Saiyedato Nisaa il-Aalameen, Umm ul-A'immat il-Mayaameen, Maulaatona Faatimah az-Zahraa bint Mohammad ul-Mustafaa – d. 11 AH/632 AD – Madinat ul Munawwarah
6. Jumaadi ul-Ukhraa – جمادي الأخری14Urs Mubaarak of Gunj Shohadaa – Ahmedabad
15Urs Mubaarak of 27th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Burhaanuddin Dawoodji bin Qutubshah saheb – d. 1021 AH/1612 AD – Ahmedabad
20Birth of Umm ul-A'immah Ziyaa ul-Madeenah Maulaatona Faatimah az-Zahraa – 5 Year of Nubuwat/614 AD – Makkat ul-Mukarramah
2544th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Taiyeb Ziyauddin saheb (d. 1436 AH/2015 AD) became the first Indian Da'i who along with his Mazoon and Mukaasir took the longest pilgrimage tour-زیارات مقدسات covering all the holy places for 45 days
27Urs Mubaarak of Da'i al-Balaagh Saiyedna Lamak bin Maalik saheb – d. 510 AH/1116 AD – Hamadaan, Yemen
28
  • Urs Mubaarak of Da'i al-Balaagh Saiyedna Yahyaa bin Lamak saheb – d. 520 AH/1126 – Hamadaan, Yemen
  • Urs Mubaarak of 7th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Ahmad bin Mubaarak saheb – d. 627 AH/1230 AD – Hamadaan, Yemen
29Urs Mubaarak of Da'i ad-Du'aat Qaazi al-Quzaat [63] Saiyedna Qaazi No'maan bin Mohammad at-Tameemi al-Maghrebi – d. 363 AH/974 AD, Cairo
7. Rajab ul-Murajjab – رجب المرجب6Urs Mubaarak of 39th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Mufeeduddin Najmuddin bin S Shaikhali saheb – d. 1282 AH/1865 AD – Jannat ul-Mumineen (Pratapnagar, Vadodara)
7Urs Mubaarak of 28th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Shaikh Aadam Safiyuddin bin Taiyeb shah saheb – d. 1030 AH/1621 AD – Saraspur, Ahmedabad
13-14-15Ayyaam ul-Beez – أیام البیض : Wilaadat (birth) of Ameer ul-Mumineen Maulaana 'Ali bin Abi Taalib in Ka'batullaah – 30 'Aam ul-Feel and Fasting of Umm-e-Daawood
14
  • Urs Mubaarak of Da'i al-Balaagh Saiyedi Ya'qoob saheb – Patan
  • Urs Mubaarak of 14th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Abdul Muttalib Najmuddin bin S. Mohammad saheb – d. 755 AH/1354 AD – Hisn-e-Zimarmar, Yemen
158 Rak'aat [64] Prayer of afternoon – صلوۃ الزوال : The day when Maulaatona Faatimah bint Asad came out from Ka'batullaah holding Maulaana 'Ali in her hands
17
  • Urs Mubaarak of 43rd Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Yusuf Nooruddin bin S. Badruddin saheb – d. 1394 AH/1974 AD – Mazaar-e-Yusufi, Badri Mohalla, Vadodara
  • Urs Mubaarak of 33rd Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Mo'ayyaduddin Hebatullaah bin S. Ziyauddin saheb – d. 1151 AH/1738 AD – Bustaan-e-Badri, Wadi, Vadodara
18Urs Mubaarak of 13th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Ali Shamsuddin bin S. Ibraaheem saheb – d. 746 AH/1345 AD – Hisn-e-Zimarmar, Yemen
21
  • Urs Mubaarak of Saiyedi Shaikh Aadam bin S. Nooruddin saheb – Surat
  • Urs Mubaarak of Mazoon ud-Da'wat Saiyedi Bhaisaheb Sharafuddin bin S. Najmuddin saheb – Jannat ul-Mumineen (Pratapnagar, Vadodara)
  • Mohtaramah Maa-sahebah [65] Keebu bint Sharafuddin, Zawjat-e-Saiyedna Badruddin saheb – Jannat ul-Mumineen (Pratapnagar, Vadodara)
25Urs Mubaarak of 37th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Shamsuddin Shaikhali bin S. Shamsuddin saheb – d. 1248 AH/1832 AD – Bustaan-e-Badri, Wadi, Vadodara
26Laylat ul-Mab'as or Laylat ul-Israa wal Me'raaj – لیلۃ المبعث، لیلۃ الإسراء و المعراج – Great night of the Ascention of Mohammad to the 8 Heavens
27Yaum ul-Mab'as – یوم المبعث and Fasting : First Aayat of Qur'an i.e. the beginning of سورۃ العلق was revealed on Ghaar-e-Hiraa, Mohammad was honoured as Nabi and Master of all Ambiyaa – 40 'Aam ul-Feel/610 AD – Makkat ul Mukarramah
8. Sha'baan ul-Kareem – شعبان الکریم5
7Inauguration of the mausoleum of 42nd Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Badruddin Fidaali located at Bustaan-e-Badri, Wadi, Vadodara in 1435 AH/2014 AD on the hands of 44th Da'i Saiyedna Taiyeb Ziyauddin saheb – d. 1436 AH/2015 AD
8Urs Mubaarak of 42nd Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Badruddin Fidaali bin S Fakhruddin saheb – d. 1377 AH/1958 AD – Bustaan-e-Badri, Wadi, Vadodara
10Inauguration of Masjid e Badri, Worli, Mumbai in 1435 AH/2014 AD on the hands of 44th Da'i Saiyedna Taiyeb Ziyauddin saheb – d. 1436 AH/2015 AD
14Laylat un-Nisf {Shab-e-Baraat} – لیلۃ النصف. A special prayer of 14 Rak'aat called Washsheq [66]
15
  • Yaum-e-Tahweel ul-Qiblah – یوم تحویل القبلۃ: Ka'batullaah became the Qiblah of Islam in 2 AH/624 AD – Madinah
  • Marriage of Maulaana 'Ali Ameer ul-Mumineen with Daughter of Muhammad, Maulaatona Faatimah az-Zahraa – 2 AH/624 AD – Madinah
  • Urs Mubaarak of 17th Faatemi Imam Maulaana 'Ali az-Zaahir – d. 427 AH/1036 AD – al-Qaaherah al-Mo'izziyah, Cairo
  • Urs Mubaarak of 20th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Hasan Badruddin bin S. Idrees saheb – d. 918 AH/1512 AD – Masaar, Yemen
16Urs Mubaarak of 2nd Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Ibraaheem bin Husain al-Haamedi saheb – d. 557 AH/1162 AD – Ghail-e-Bani Haamid, Yemen
20Saiyedna Haatim Zakiyuddin saheb took the reign of Da'wat e 'Alaviyah as a 45th Da'i al-Mutlaq by taking Oath of Allegiance of the community in Masjid e Nooraani, Wadi, Vadodara in 1436 AH/2015 AD
22Urs Mubaarak of Saiyedatona Hurrat ul-Malekah Arwa binte Ahmad saheba. Hujjat of 20th Faatemi Imam Maulaana Mansoor al-Aamir – d. 532 AH/1138 AD – Zi-Jablah, Yemen. Beginning of Da'wat e Itlaaqiyah. [37]
26Urs Mubaarak of 36th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Hameeduddin Shamsuddin bin S Hebatullaah saheb – d. 1189 AH/1775 AD – Bustaan-e-Badri, Wadi, Vadodara
27Urs Mubaarak of 5th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Ali bin Mohammad bin al-Waleed saheb – d. 612 AH/1215 AD – Haraaz, Yemen
9. Ramazaan ul-Mo'azzam [67] – رمضان المعظم514th Fatemi Imam Maulaana Ma'ad al-Mo’iz entered the city of Cairo and offered prayers in his Palace. The city of Cairo got its name from him as al-Qaaherah al- Mo’izziyah
7By the order of Imam al-Mo’iz, Jaame’-e-Azhar was inaugurated by Maulaana al-Qaa’id Jawhar in Cairo that became the Capital of Fatemi Sultanate. Usage of Misri Calendar was officiated in the entire Hukumat. Azaan was said publicly with the recitation of "Mohammadun wa 'Aliyun Khayr ul-Bashar wa ‘Itratohoma Khayr ul-‘Itar". Fatemi law and jurisprudence was practiced.
8This was the memorable day in the history of Fatemi Imamat. Under the guidance of Imam al-Mo’iz, his commander Maulaana al-Qaa’id al-Jawhar as-Saqali conquered Egypt. The foundation of Cairo was laid along with Jaame’-e-Azhar and Palaces.
9Urs Mubaarak of 16th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Abdullaah Fakhruddin bin Ali saheb – d. 809 AH/1407 AD – Hisn-e-Zimarmar, Yemen
10
  • Birth of 17th Fatemi Imam Maulaana 'Ali az-Zaahir in Cairo – 395 AH/1005 AD
  • 41st Da’i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Fakhruddin Jivabhai bin Saiyedna Ameeruddin saheb began composing the ash'aar for the beginning (إبتداء) and ending (وداع) of Shahrullaah. Till 1332 AH/1914 AD, he completed composing 19 abyaat which is based on the 19 huroof-حروف of 'Bismillaah'. Many of these abyaat are recited in Shahrullaah
12Urs Mubaarak of 15th Fatemi Imam Maulaana Nazaar al-'Azeez – d. 386 AH/996 AD – al-Qaaherah al-Mo'izziyah, Cairo
15Birth of the 1st Fatemi Imam, Maulaana Hasan al-Mujtabaa – 3 AH/631 AD – Madinah
16Birth of 18th Fatemi Imam Maulaana Ma'ad al-Mustansir in Cairo – 420 AH/1029 AD – al-Qaaherah al-Mo'izziyah
17First battle of Islam, Battle of Badr fought in which Abul Qaasim Mohammad became victorious and the arch-enemy Abu Jahal was killed
18Night to offer 24 Rak'at Naafelat namaaz [68] when Ameer ul-Mumineen Maulaana 'Ali bin Abi Taalib was severely injured in the mehrab of Masjid e Kufa
2024 Rak'at Naafelat namaaz, Night of the Martyrdom of Ameer ul-Mumineen Maulaana 'Ali bin Abi Taalib in Kufa in 40 AH/661 AD
21
  • Martyrdom of Ameer ul-Mumineen Maulaana 'Ali bin Abi Taalib
  • Birth of 14th Fatemi Imam Maulaana Ma'ad al-Mo'iz in Cairo – 319 AH/931 AD
22Laylat ul-Qadr – لیلۃ القدر : Washsheq [66] of 24 salaams, 20 rak'ats and Waseelah Mubaarakah [69]
28Birth of Mukaasir ud-Da'wat Saiyedi Mohammad Bhaisaheb Nuruddin saheb – 1394 AH/1974 AD – Vadodara, Gujarat
29Urs Mubaarak of 38th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Hameeduddin Shamsuddin bin Saiyedna Shaikhali saheb – d. 1252 AH/1837 AD – Bustaan-e-Badri, Wadi, Vadodara
30Night of Eid ul-Fitr – عید الفطر. Washsheq Raat of 24 rak'ats
The night of the last Jumo'ah of Shahrullaah is the Night of Aakhri Jumo'ah: Washsheq of Wadaa'-e-Ramazaan – وداع شھر اللہ & Waseelah [69] of Ambiyaa and the day of Jumo'ah is Aakhri Yaum ul-Jumo'ah: Waseelah of Ambiyaa
10. Shawwaal ul-Mukarram – شوال المکرم1 'Eid ul-Fitr – عید الفطر also known as Ramazaan 'Idd (The Celebration after the 30 days of Ramazaan Fasting)
6Urs Mubaarak of 17th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Hasan Badruddin bin S. Abdullaah – d. 821 AH/1418 AD – Hisn-e-Zimarmar, Yemen
7Urs Mubaarak of Saiyedna Mohammad bin Taaher al-Haarisi – Ma'zoon-e-Mutlaq of 3rd Da'i Saiyedna Haatim and author of the Du'aa of al-Aql al-Awwal
8Urs Mubaarak of 15th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Abbaas bin S. Mohammad saheb – d. 779 AH/1378 AD – Hisn-e-Zimarmar, Yemen
10
  • Urs Mubaarak of Saiyedna Hebatullaah al-Mo'ayyad ash-Shiraazi – Baab ul-Abwaab [70] of 18th Fatimid Imam Maulaana Mustansir Billaah – d. 470 AH/1078 AD
  • Urs Mubaarak of 21st Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Husain Husaamuddin bin S. Idrees – d. 933 AH/1527 AD – Masaar, Yemen
  • Urs Mubaarak of 11th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Ibraaheem bin S. Husain – d. 728 AH/1328 AD – Hisn-e-Af'edah, Yemen
12Birthday of 11th Fatimid Imam Maulaana 'Abdullaah al-Mahdi – 260 AH/874 AD
13
  • Urs Mubaarak of 12th Fatimid Imam Maulaana Mohammad al-Qaa'im – d. 334 AH/946 AD – Mahdiyah, North Africa
  • Urs Mubaarak of 30th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Zakiyuddin Taiyeb bin S Shaikh Aadam – d. 1047 AH/1638 AD – Saraspur, Ahmedabad
  • Saiyedi Ameenji bin Jalaal – Witness of the Nass-e-Jali [71] of Saiyedna Ali saheb – d. 1031 AH/1622 AD – Saraspur, Ahmedabad
  • Urs Mubaarak of Mukaasir ud-Da'wat during the 44th Da'i, Saiyedi Husain Mo'eenuddin saheb – d. 1429 AH/2008 AD – Jannat ul-Mumineen, Pratapnagar, Vadodara
20Urs Mubaarak of 41st Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Fakhruddin bin Saiyedna Ameeruddin saheb – d. 1347 AH/1929 AD – Bustaan-e-Badri, Wadi, Vadodara. He is the Da'i who did Wa'az [72] in Arabic-Persian simultaneously. He composed an Anthology of Poetry in Arabic, Persian, Urdu and Lisaan ud-Da’wat il-‘Alaviyah comprising many topics such as prayers, holy months, obedience, Da’wat, Da’i, Ahl ul-Bayt, misaaq, pillars of Islam, salutation, love and respect etc.
27Urs Mubaarak of 16th Fatimid Imam Maulaana Husain al-Haakim – d. 411 AH/1021 (Ascention towards the Heavens)
28Urs Mubaarak of 13th Fatimid Imam Maulaana Isma'il al-Mansoor – d. 341 AH/953 AD – Mahdiyah
11. Zulqa'adat il-Haraam – ذو القعدۃ الحرام4Urs Mubaarak of 20th Fatimid Imam Maulaana Mansoor al-Aamir – d. 526 AH/1132 AD – al-Qaaherah al-Mo'izziyah – Cairo
10
  • Birth of Umm ul-Mumineen Mohtaramah Mokarramah Maa Saahebah Azimahbu binte Mukaasir ud-Da'wat Saiyedi Bhaisaheb Nazarali saheb – 1360 AH/1941 AD – Vadodara
12Urs Mubaarak of Yemeni Da'i Saiyedna Ali bin Mohammad as-Sulayhi saheb, Yemen
13Urs Mubaarak 9th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Ali bin S Husain saheb – d. 682 AH/1284 AD – San'aa, Yemen
19Urs Mubaarak of 19th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Idrees Imaaduddin bin S Hasan saheb – d. 872 AH/1468 AD – Shibaam, Yemen
21
  • Urs Mubaarak of 22nd Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Ali Shamsuddin bin S Husain saheb – d. 933 AH/1527 AD – Masaar, Yemen
  • Inauguration of Masjid e Nooraani, Wadi, Vadodara in 1393 AH/1973 AD on the hands of 43rd Da'i Saiyedna Yusuf Nooruddin saheb – d. 1394 AH/1974 AD
23Urs Mubaarak of Da'i al-Mutlaq Shaheed-e-Aazam Saiyedna Ali Shamsuddin bin S. Ibraheem [73] 29th saheb – d. 1046 AH/1637 AD – Ahmedabad
25Urs Mubaarak of 4th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Ali Shamsuddin bin S. Haatim saheb – d. 605 AH/1209 AD – San'aa – Yemen
29Fasting (Roza) of Nuzool-e-Ka'batullaah (Baytullaah descended on the earth)
12. Zul Hijjat il-Haraam – ذو الحجۃ الحرام1
  • Urs Mubaarak of Maa-sahebah Mohtaramah Khadeejah al-Kubraa Meethibu binte Rajabali, wife (زوجۃ طاھرۃ) of 43rd Da'i Saiyedna Yusuf Nooruddin saheb – d. 1405 AH/1985 AD – Jannat ul-Mumineen, Pratapnagar, Vadodara
  • Urs Mubaarak of 12th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Mohammad bin Saiyedi Haatim – d. 729 AH/1329 AD – Hisn-e-Af'edah, Yemen
4Urs Mubaarak of Maa-sahebah Mohtaramah Ne'matbu binte Mukaasir ud-Da'wat Saiyedi Sharafuddin saheb, wife (زوجۃ طاھرۃ) of 41st Da'i Saiyedna Jivabhai Fakhruddin saheb – 1336 AH/1918 AD – Jannat ul-Mumineen, Patapnagar, Vadodara
6Urs Mubaarak of Saiyedi Khawj bin Malak saheb – 1009 AH/1601 AD – Kapadwanj, Gujarat
9 Yaum-e-Arafah – یوم عرفۃ and Night of 'Eid ul-Azhaa – عید الاضحی. Takbeerah of the ritual slaughter (بھیمۃ الانعام) begins from the farz of Fajr prayer
10Yaum-e-'Eid ul-Azhaa (عید قرباني). The day of the Ritual Sacrifice of a Halaal Animal – Zabeehat (ذبیحۃ)
13
  • Takbeerah ends on the farz of 'Asr prayer
  • Urs Mubaarak of Maulaai Firoz saheb – Ahmedabad
16
  • Urs Mubaarak of Maa-sahebah Mohtaramah Raanibu binte Ghulaam Husain, wife (زوجۃ طاھرۃ) of 42nd Saiyedna Fida'ali Badruddin saheb – d. 1381 AH/1962 AD – Jannat ul-Mumineen, Patapnagar, Vadodara
  • Urs Mubaarak of 24th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Yusuf Najmuddin bin Saiyedi Sulaymaan saheb – d. 974 AH/1567 AD – Taybah, Yemen. The last Taiyebi Da'i who did Da'wat in Yemen and is buried there but was born in Sidhpur, Gujarat
  • Dhaaro – Death Anniversary of Khaadim-e-Da'wat Naiknaam Shaikhali bin Alibhai, Jannat ul-Mumineen, Patapnagar, Vadodara
18
20Urs Mubaarak of 40th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Ameenuddin Ameeruddin bin Saiyedna Najmuddin saheb – 1296 AH/1879 AD – Jannat ul-Mumineen, Pratapnagar, Vadodara
29First night of the first month Muharram ul-Haraam of the New Year. The most important tradition to arrange Maa'edto Aal-e-Mohammad – مائدۃ آل محمد – Thaal [74] (big plate) of different items and dishes is kept and all the members of the family sit together on the floor and take the grace – برکات and pray for the blessings, progress, health and peace in the New Year

Salient features

The City of Vadodara

The Peaceful City of Vadodara (Gujarat, India) [75] is the Centre of Da'wah Haadiyah 'Alaviyah الدعوۃ الھادیۃ العلویۃ (Alavi Bohras, Alavi Da'wat) since 1110 AH/1698 AD when 32nd Da'i e Mutlaq الداعي المطلق Saiyedna Jivabhai Ziyauddin migrated along with community members to Vadodara due to persecution and tyranny of other Muslim and Bohra communities. Saiyedna helped each and every Alavi Bohra migrant to get settled in Wadi area gifted by the Shi'a benevolent person Miya Mahmood. He constructed a Mosque, named Ziyaai Masjid at the entrance of the Mohalla (locality) called Badri Mohalla.

Du'aat (missionaries) after migration

Alavi Bohras have all the Du'aat دعاۃ from 32nd till the 44th Da'i e Mutlaq Saiyedna Taiyeb Ziyauddin buried in Vadodara except 35th Da'i whose grave is in Surat. So during these 3 centuries 12 Du'aat have their mausoleum at a single place i.e. Vadodara.

Da'i knows everyone

8000 believers of Well-Knit, Educated and Organized Alavi Bohra Worldwide Community has a distinction that their Saiyedna saheb known popularly as Aqaa Maulaa knows each and every of the community by his Name, Family, Social Status, Education and Occupation. He directly meets everyone and resolves issues with his own capacity be it Spiritual, Social, Financial, Marital or Personal. He is surrounded by his Ashaab اصحاب or believers wherever he goes and doesn't need any security.

Asbaaq

Aqaa Maulaa in the Mausoleum of 6 Du'aat in Bustaan e Badri (Vadodara) during the 'Urs Mubaarak of 32nd Da'i Saiyedna Jivabhai Ziyauddin bin Saiyedi Nuhji - 9-11-1436 AH Alavi bohras hatim zakiyuddin muqaddas maula 32 1436 (2).jpg
Aqaa Maulaa in the Mausoleum of 6 Du'aat in Bustaan e Badri (Vadodara) during the 'Urs Mubaarak of 32nd Da'i Saiyedna Jivabhai Ziyauddin bin Saiyedi Nuhji – 9-11-1436 AH

Asbaaq [76] of Faith: For years together, Da'i, Mazoon, Mukaasir and Ra's ul-Hudood impart Religious Knowledge centred on Isma'ili Taiyebi Literature, [77] dealing with Aqaa'id-عقائد (dogmas, beliefs), Sunan-سنن (traditions), Rusoomaat-رسومات (customs), Aa'maal-اعمال (deeds), Zamaan-e-Haal-زمانۂ حال (current affairs) by conducting Special as well as General Daras-درس [78] (learning classes) weekly. Alaviyeen-علویین i.e. Believers from all walks of life come to acquire knowledge directly from Da'wah Central Authority to enhance their Intelligence and Wisdom.

‘Urs Mubaarak

‘Urs Mubaarak-عرس مبارک is the auspicious and historic day commemorating the Death Anniversary of the holy personalities of Ahl ul-Bayt, Missionaries (Du’aat-دعاۃ) or the Deputies (Walis) of the missionaries in India during the period of Da’wat when it was in either Misr or Yemen. After the prayer of sunset (maghrib-مغرب) people gather in a mosque or in a mausoleum in the presence of Da’i al-Mutlaq to pay respect in the form of sweets, chaadar (flowery sheet), ghilaaf (decorative drape). It is a unique socio-religious festival in which Da’i al-Mutlaq (Saiyedna saheb) addresses people and makes them aware about the simple and pious life of Du’aat-دعاۃ, their works and sacrifices, their prayers and admonitions. Tenets of Isma’ili-Taiyebi faith are dealt with in detail in such gatherings such as salvation, life after this world, accounts and answers to be given to angels, paradise and hell, good and bad deeds and its reward or punishment, the day of qeyaamah (یوم القیامۃ), the proceedings of the deceased in his grave, supplication and prayer for the pardon of evil actions etc. In the gathering eulogy of the deceased holy personality (Da’i) is recited by the Zaakireen. [79] A feast is arranged for all of them present in the majlis and Supplication of Purity (Faatihah-فاتحۃ) is recited before taking the food. In the morning, the next day after offering prayer of dawn (fajr-فجر) the same type of majlis is held but a special supplication called “Sadaqallaah-صدق اللہ” [80] is recited for the deceased and then after paying respects a special dish called Malida is arranged for all the participants. This is the unique way to offer tribute to the deceased who had laid their lives for the Truth and Justice and to commemorate their true stories of piety and strive to get the best in the Hereafter.

Ten days of Moharram

Sabeel (water-outlet with earthen pots) made up of Silver erected on the corner of Badri Mohalla every year 2 days before the day of 'Aashuraa Sabeel e husaini.jpg
Sabeel (water-outlet with earthen pots) made up of Silver erected on the corner of Badri Mohalla every year 2 days before the day of 'Aashuraa

Moharram ul-Haraam-محرم الحرام is the first month of Islamic Lunar Year and its first ten days have a great significance in Shi’i world. When New Year is celebrated with merriment and joy, Alavi Bohras have a total different course of traditions to greet the gracefulness of the New Year. The first ten days are called ‘Asharah Mubaarakah-عشرۃ مبارکۃ as it is marked with weeping and mourning on the Martyrdom of the 2nd Imaam Abu ‘Abdillaah Husain, grandson of Muhammad in Karbalaa. 72 martyrs laid their lives for Truth against the demand of Bay’at-Oath of Allegiance [55] by Yazeed. Till the tenth day known as Yaum e ‘Aashuraa, Da'i al-Mutlaq recites sermons and delivers lectures everyday in the morning in Jaame’ Masjid, Vadodara. Lectures encompass guidance and admonitions relating to all aspects of life and it is the golden opportunity for the community members to meet each other. All these days are packed with the religious and social activities revolving around the life and sacrifices of Ahl ul Bayt. A beautiful Sabeel-water outlet made of silver is erected every year at the entrance of Badri Mohalla conceptualized by Neknaam Shaikhali Alibhai acting on the orders od 42nd da’i Saiyedna Fidaali Badruddin in 1366 AH/1946 AD. It was first erected publicly only for a year in Mumbai at Mohammad Ali road and then it was taken to Vadodara. Alavi Bohras cook a special sweet dish "Lachko" [81] [82] on the first night and first day of a New Year and it is kept in a big platter-Thaal [74] adorned with many types of dishes and fruits. On the tenth day of Moharram i.e. ‘Aashuraa a dish called "Khichdo" [83] is cooked for the whole community at different places to commemorate the martyrdom of Maulaana Imaam Husain.

Community at a glance

Status

29th Da'i al-Mutlaq, the great martyr Saiyedna Ali Shamsuddin and the Court of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir Old rawzah of syedna ali shamsuddin saheb.jpg
29th Da'i al-Mutlaq, the great martyr Saiyedna Ali Shamsuddin and the Court of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir

This is the Nano-Minority Community [85] of Gujarat- In the world Muslims are in Minority. Among Muslims Shi'a are a Minority. Among Shi'as Isma'ilis are a minority. Among Isma'ilis, Bohras are a minority. Among Bohras Alavi Bohras are a minority. Meaning Alavi Bohras are a minority (Bohras) within a minority (Isma'ilis) within a Minority (Shi'a) within a Minority (Muslims).

Language

Devdi Mubaarak: Residence of Da'i al-Mutalq of Alavi Bohras since 300 yrs. This is the centre of Alavi Heritage and Culture The Devdi Mubaarak - The residence of His Holiness 01.jpg
Devdi Mubaarak: Residence of Da'i al-Mutalq of Alavi Bohras since 300 yrs. This is the centre of Alavi Heritage and Culture

Lisaan ud-Da'wat il-'Alaviyah [87] (LDA) لسان الدعوۃ العلویۃ is the Unique language spoken by Worldwide Alavi Bohras. It is basically Gujarati Language but it is embellished, supported and structured by Arabic, Persian and Urdu words, idioms, phrases, adverbs, proverbs or sometimes the whole sentence. [10] It is very sweetly spoken among community members in homes, daily routine and socio-religious gatherings. Da'i al-Mutlaq is doing lot many efforts in keeping this language alive. He prefers to speak in LDA and advocates others too to follow him. It has been evolved since centuries in Gujarat during the time of 18th Faatemi Imaam Maulaana Mustansir billaah who sent his missionaries for the propagation of Isma'ili faith around the end of 5th century AH.

Culture

Alavi Bohras have a culture that is unique in terms of dressing style, eating habits and working for livelihood. Majority of the Alavi Bohras stay in Vadodara, Gujarat and are engaged in their own business be it their shops or factories. Learning and Education is given a lot of importance but the preference of carrying on their family business always remains on top. There is no restriction for females as far as education, job and business is concerned, as the same is not the case in other societies and cultures. Females are given the same status and freedom as the males of the communities, but the things should be done under the Islamic practices and social framework. There are many initiatives carried out for the overall progress and development of the skills pertaining to ladies. In terms of eating habits, Alavi Bohras like each and every type of food and being a Gujarati say, "yes" to everything lawful and healthy. They are very peaceful people with no interests in behavior that is termed as unlawful in the society. They believe in "The Love for All", gives the reward as, "The Love from All".

Website

In 1425 AH/2004 AD during the time of 44th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Abu Haatim Taiyeb Ziyauddin saheb, the website [88] was conceptualized and launched with the sole aim of making the community and World aware of the History, Practices, Customs, Events, News, Principles, Calendar, Literature, Prayers, Business, Family and Social life, Education, Occupation etc. of Alavi Bohras. It has been controlled, edited and promoted by the office of Saiyedna saheb. Hence there remains no need to confirm any information and news of the community. It can be said that, the World gets the first-hand information directly from the Da'i himself. Since its launch it caters to each and every aspect of the community. If any layman who doesn't know the ABC of Alavi Bohras, then by visiting the website no question of his will remain unanswered. Every scholar or a researcher who is doing work on Alavi Bohras will dedfinitely have to go through this community website.

Mobile app

Exclusive Mobile Application "Ahl uz Zikr" [89] was launched in June 2016 on Android as well as on iOS platform. This application has now become the main medium of connectivity between Da’wat e Haadiyah-Chief Religious Authority and the community members. Office of Da'i saheb is gradually updating and adding all required features for community learning and development. Ahl uz Zikr has become the prime source of all Divine Knowledge apart from the community website. Looking at the wide acceptance of mobile phones among the youngsters, it is time to have an acceptable platform for the propagation of Right Ideas. It includes News, Events, Farmaan, Conversation, Audio, Video, Classifieds, Calendar, Date Conversation, Namaaz Timings, History, Qiblah Direction, Supplication, Hadees, Tasbeeh counter, etc.

Bank

Alavi Bohras have a leading co-operative bank in the city of Vadodara named as 'Alavi Bohra Co-operative Bank'. It is a very popular bank among the city residents and serve as good employer for the Alavi Bohra community and its people.

History of the Imāmī-Alāvī Bohras

The historical emergence of the Shī‘ah Imāmī Tāyyībī-Mustā‘lī Alāvī-Ismā'īlīs

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isma'ilism</span> Branch of Shia Islam

Isma'ilism is a branch or sect of Shia Islam. The Isma'ili get their name from their acceptance of Imam Isma'il ibn Jafar as the appointed spiritual successor (imām) to Ja'far al-Sadiq, wherein they differ from the Twelver Shia, who accept Musa al-Kadhim, the younger brother of Isma'il, as the true Imām.

Musta'li Isma'ilism is a branch of Isma'ilism named for their acceptance of al-Musta'li as the legitimate ninth Fatimid caliph and legitimate successor to his father, al-Mustansir Billah. In contrast, the Nizari—the other living branch of Ismailism, presently led by Aga Khan IV—believe the ninth caliph was al-Musta'li's elder brother, Nizar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abu Haatim Tayyib Ziyauddin</span>

Abu Hatim Ṭayyib Ziyā'u d-Dīn, full name Saiyedna Abu Haatim Taiyeb Ziyauddin Saheb and personal name Taiyyeb, Ayyubali with kunya (agnomen) "Abu Haatim", was the 44th Dā‘ī al-Muṭlaq, "the absolute or unrestricted missionary", of the Alavi Bohra, a minority group of Ismā‘īlī Shī‘ah Muslims. Since he assumed the position in 1974, the Alavi Bohra community has progressed both locally and internationally in education, economic prosperity, religion, and in the awareness among its youth of the group's identity and religious roots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Da'i al-Mutlaq</span> Islamic religious leader

Da'i al-Mutlaq literally meaning 'the absolute, or unrestricted, missionary', is the most senior spiritual rank and office in Tayyibi Isma'ilism. The Da'i al-Mutlaq has headed the Tayyibi community since the seclusion of the 21st Tayyibi Imam, at-Tayyib Abu'l-Qasim, traditionally placed in 528 AH/1134 AD.

Tayyibi Isma'ilism is the only surviving sect of the Musta'li branch of Isma'ilism, the other being the extinct Hafizi branch. Followers of Tayyibi Isma'ilism are found in various Bohra communities: Dawoodi, Sulaymani, and Alavi.

The Sulaymani branch of Tayyibi Isma'ilism is an Islamic community, of which around 70,000 members reside in Yemen, while a few thousand Sulaymani Bohras can be found in India. The Sulaymanis are sometimes headed by a Da'i al-Mutlaq from the Makrami family.

The Atba-e-Malak community are a branch of Musta'ali Isma'ili Shi'a Islam that broke off from the mainstream Dawoodi Bohra after the death of the 46th Da'i al-Mutlaq, under the leadership of Moulana Abdul Hussain Jivaji Saheb in 1890. They are based in Nagpur in India. There are several hundred followers of this branch of Musta'ali Isma'ili Shi'a Islam. They have further split into two more branches:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hatim ibn Ibrahim</span> 3rd Dāʿī al-Muṭlaq

Hatim ibn Ibrahim al-Hamidi, Al-Hutaib, Yemen) was the third Tayyibi Isma'ili Dāʿī al-Muṭlaq. He was of the Banu Hamdan tribe of Yemen and succeeded his father, the second Dai Syedna Ibrahim, to the religious post.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Idris Imad al-Din</span> Dai al-Mutlaq of Tayyibi Ismailis from 1428 to 1468

Idris Imad al-Din ibn al-Hasan al-Qurashi was the 19th Da'i al-Mutlaq of Tayyibi Isma'ilis from 1428 to 1468. A major religious and political leader in 15th-century Yemen, as well as a notable theologian, Idris was also an important medieval Isma'ili historian whose work is fundamental for the history of the Fatimid Caliphate and the Isma'ili communities in Yemen.

Syedna Dawood Bin Maulai Ajab Shah Burhanuddin in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India was the 26th Da'i al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohra branch of Musta‘lī Islam. He succeeded the 25th Dai Syedna Jalal Shamshuddin bin Hasan to the religious post.

Syedna Ismail Badruddin (II) Bin Syedi Sheikh Adam was the 38th Dā'ī of the Dawoodi Bohras. He succeeded the 37th Da'i Syedna Noor Mohammad Nooruddin to the religious post.

Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Ja'far ibn Ibrahim ibn Abi Salama ibn al-Walid al-Abshami al-Qurashi was the 5th Tayyibi Isma'ili Da'i al-Mutlaq in Yemen from 1209 to his death in 1215. Descended from a noble lineage of the Quraysh, he was a noted scholar and Tayyibi theologian, and an author of several influential works on Tayyibi doctrine. Before becoming himself Da'i al-Mutlaq, he served as senior deputy to the third and fourth holders of the office. His rise to the office inaugurated a period of two and a half centuries where it would be almost monopolized by members of his own family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muhammad Izz al-Din I</span>

Syedna Mohammad Ezzuddin was the 23rd Da'i of the Dawoodi Bohra, a sub-sect of Isma'ili Shi'i Islam. The Dawoodi Bohra trace their belief system back to Yemen, where it evolved from the Fatimid Caliphate and where they were persecuted due to their differences from mainstream Sunni Islam and Zaydi Islam. Around 1567 CE, the Da'wat was relocated to Gujarat, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haatim Zakiyuddin</span> Indian Islamic leader (born 1959)

Syedna Haatim Zakiyuddin, is the 45th Saiyedna and Da'i al-Mutlaq of Alavi Bohras and Naa'ib (نائب) representative, vicar, legatee and deputy of the progeny of 21st Fatimid Isma'ili Imam Abul Qaasim at-Taiyeb during the time of his Concealment from Cairo in 528 AH/1132 AD which is called Daur us Satr. He is of the noble rank of Da'i al-Mutlaq or ad-Da'i ul-Mutlaq or Da'i-e-Mutlaq enjoying absolute spiritual and temporal authority under the secreted guidance (تأئید) of the Imam of Time. Anyone who gives him Oath of Allegiance and Covenant on the name of Imam at-Taiyeb, then only he is regarded the member of Alavi Bohra Community. The chief jurist an-No'maan of the Fatimid court of Imam Mo'iz says in his work that, As for the true followers, the members of the Ismaili community, they faithfully take the pledge of allegiance to the Imam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lisan ud-Dawat</span> Indo-European language of Gujarat, India

Lisaan ud-Da'wat or Lisaan o Da'wat il Bohra or Lisan ud-Dawat is the language of the Dawoodi Bohras and Alavi Bohras, two Isma'ili Shi'a Muslim communities primarily in Gujarat, following the Taiyebi doctrines and theology. The language is based on a Neo-Indo-Aryan language, Gujarati, but incorporates a heavy amount of Arabic, Urdu, and Persian vocabulary and is written in the Arabic script naskh style. Originally a ritual language, since the period of the missionaries (دعاۃ) in Ahmedabad around 1005 AH/1597 AD it has also been propagated as the vernacular language for members of the Bohra communities, but the version used by their religious leader-Saiyedna and his assembly members or clergy still differs slightly from the Gujarati spoken by their community members. The reason is that the religious sermons is highly loaded and peppered with the inputs and sentences of Arabic language having direct references with ancient sectarian Bohra literature linked with Egyptian and Yemeni phase of Da'wah. The earliest Bohras were Indian, and they spoke Gujarati. With the continuous effort of the Taiyebi leadership to promote Qur'anic and Islamic learning within the community, the language of these texts has, over time, percolated Lisaan ul-Da'wat, with Arabic words replacing part of the Gujarati lexicon.

Syedna Ismail Badruddin (I) Bin Maulaya Raj was the 34th Da'i al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohras. He succeeded the 33rd Da'i Feer Khan Shujauddin to the religious post. Syedna Ismail became Da'i al-Mutlaq in 1085AH/1657AD. His period of Dawat was 1065–1085 AH/1657–1676 AD. He is the first Da'i descendant of Moulaya Bharmal.

Syedna Abduttayyeb Zakiuddin II was the 35th Da'i al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohras. He succeeded the 34th Dai Syedna Ismail Badruddin I to the religious post. Syedna Zakiuddin became Da'i al-Mutlaq in 1085 AH/1676 AD. His period of Dawat was 1085–1110 AH/1676–1692 AD. He is a descendant of Moulaya Bharmal.

Lamak ibn Mālik al-Ḥammādī was a qadi who was a prominent political and religious figure in 11th-century Yemen, under the Sulayhid dynasty. An Isma'ili Muslim, Lamak was sent to the court of the Isma'ili Fatimid Caliphate for several years from 1062 to 1067 and served as an embassy representing Sulayhid interests. He was instrumental in making Yemen the center of the Isma'ili da‘wah and also for re-establishing the da‘wah in India after its original extinction there. His visit also helped define the relationship between the Fatimids and the Sulayhids and bring their interests into mutual alignment. When he returned to Yemen, he brought some of the Fatimids' Isma'ili literature with him, which indirectly led to its survival of the Ayyubid destruction of Isma'ili manuscripts after they conquered Egypt.

References

  1. Daftary, Farhad (2011). A Modern History of the Ismailis: Continuity and Change in a Muslim Community. London: I.B.Tauris and The Institute of Ismaili Studies. p. 355. ISBN   978-1-84511-7177.
  2. 1 2 Halm, Heinz (2001). The Fatimids and their Traditions of Learning. New York: I B Tauris. pp. 17, 18, 19, 82. ISBN   1-86064-313-2.
  3. Abul Qaasim, Taiyeb (14 March 2008). "Imam".
  4. "Welcome to the Official Website of Shi'a Isma'ili Musta'alavi Taiyebi Alavi Bohras - Home page". alavibohra.org. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  5. "Alavi Bohras - History - FAATIMI A'IMMAT-E- MA'SUMEEN (A.S. )". alavibohra.org. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  6. The succession of the Fatimd Imam al-Amir; by: S M Stern;p.195-230
  7. The last hujjat of the Manifest Imam (Imam e Zaahir) 21st Fatimid Imam Abu'l-Qasim At-Tayyib in Yemen organizing Da'wah activities after the seclusion of Imam in 528 AH from Cairo
  8. 1 2 3 4 Delia, Cortese (2003). Arabic Ismaili Manuscripts - Zahid Ali's Collection. London: I.B. Tauris & Co. Ltd. & IIS. pp. 7, 9. ISBN   186064-860-6.
  9. Shaheed Aazam, 29th Alavi Da'i (25 August 2014). "Saiyedna Ali".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Poonawala, Ismail K (1977). Biobibliography of Isma'ili Literature. California: Undena Publications. pp. 10, 12, 13, 19, 375. ISBN   0890030057.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Daftary, Farhad (2007). The Isma'ilis: Their History and Doctrines. UK: Cambridge University Press & Institute of Isma'ili Studies. pp. 218, 238–239, 261–264, 276, 277, 515, 522. ISBN   978-0-521-61636-2.
  12. Misra, Satish C (1985). Muslim Communities in Gujarat. New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt Ltd. p. 73.
  13. Hollister, John Norman (1979). The Shi'a of India. New Delhi: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation. p. 277.
  14. Badruddin, Hasan bin Wali (1669). Diwaan e Hasan. Ahmedabad. p. 99.
  15. Diwaan-e-Shams: 37th Da’i-e-Mutlaq Shaikhali Shamsuddin bin Hameeduddin (d. 1248 AH/1833 AD)
  16. 1 2 3 Zakiyuddin, Haatim (2016). al-Qaraatees ul-Haatemiyah. Vadodara: Da'wat e Haadiyah 'Alaviyah.
  17. 1 2 3 Da'i or missionary in India following the command of Manifest Fatimid Imam (Imaam e Zaahir) of Cairo acting as bridge between Imam and his faithful subjects
  18. W, Ivanow (1936). A Creed of the Fatimids. Bombay. pp. 13–17.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  19. 1 2 Blois, Francois de (2011). Arabic, Persian and Gujarati Manuscripts. London: I.B. Tauris & IIS. pp. xvi. ISBN   978-1-84885-764-3.
  20. "Alavi Bohras - History - Wulaat ul-Hind - Mawaali-e-Taahereen of India". alavibohra.org. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  21. Daftary, Farhad (2007). The Isma'ilis: Their History and Doctrines. UK: Cambridge University Press & Institute of Isma'ili Studies. p. 276. ISBN   978-0-521-61636-2.
  22. 1 2 Daftary, Farhad (2011). A Modern History of the Isma'ilis. New York: I B Tauris Publishers & IIS. p. 360. ISBN   978-1-84511-7177.
  23. 1 2 3 Hudood: 24 Spiritual Ranks governed by the head-Ra's under the supervision of Mukaasir e Mutlaq
  24. Daftary, Farhad (2007). The Isma'ilis: Their History and Doctrines. New York: Cambridge University Press & IIS. pp. 217, 515. ISBN   9780521616362.
  25. A high rank in Isma'ili Tayyibi Da'wah working as a representative of an Imam in different Jazirah (island, specific type of territory)
  26. A branch of Isma'ilism who believe in the seclusion of Imam At-Tayyib, the son of Fatimid caliph Imam Al-Amir from Cairo in 528/1134 and then began the succession of his representatives from Yemen in 532/1138 known as du'aat e mutlaqeen and majority of them are today known as Bohras
  27. 1 2 3 al-Qadi, al-Qudai (2016). Light in the Heavens: Sayings of the Prophet Mohammad. New York: New York University Press. pp. 4, 7, 11, 16, 31, 77, 83, 125, 131, 141, 157. ISBN   9781479867851.
  28. This book "Light in the Heavens" has been edited and translated by Tahera Qutbuddin
  29. 1 2 3 Daftary, Farhad (2012). Historical Dictionary of the Ismailis. UK: The Scarecrow Press, Inc. pp. 15, 31, 111, 133, 151, 155, 166, 202, 205. ISBN   9780810861640.
  30. Hasan bin Nooh, al-Bharuchi (1958). Kitaab ul Azhaar wa Majma' ul Anwaar. Damascus: Matba't ul-Jaame'at us-Suriyah. p. 221.
  31. A doctrinal term of Shi'i Isma'ili Faith denoting the Obedience and Submission to the Rightful person, be it vicegerent-wasi of Prophet, Imam in the progeny of wasi or Da'i in the place of Imam during his seclusion
  32. The spiritual authority from the progeny of Wasi who is present all the time for the guidance of people
  33. Mohammad, Nuruddin (2011). Ashaab ul Yameen. Vadodara, Gujarat: Da'wat e Haadiyah 'Alaviyah. p. 76.
  34. Haqq na Du'aato ni Tawaareekh. Surat: Progressive Publications. 1974. p. 93.
  35. Maulaai: Spiritual representative of Da'i al-Mutlaq enjoying the respectable position and protecting Isma'ili faith in every aspects under the direct instructions of Da'i
  36. 1 2 Diwanji, Hayderali (1944). Hadaa'iq Sirat e Fozalaa e Ahmedabad. Mumbai: Matba e Mohammadi. pp. 33, 61.
  37. 1 2 3 4 The Taiyebi spiritual mission led by the 1st Da'i Saiyedna Zo'eb in Yemen under the hidden guidance of Imam us Satr, the Imam under Occultation 21st Imam at-Taiyeb and his progeny.
  38. "Alavi Bohras - History - Wulaat of India - Saiyedi Musanji bin Taaj Shaheed (RA)". www.alavibohra.org. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  39. "Alavi Bohras – Exclusive Feature – Masjid-e-Ziyaaii". www.alavibohra.org.
  40. Blank, Jonah (2001). Mullahs on the Mainframe: Islam and Modernity among the Daudi Bohras. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. pp. 43, 60. ISBN   0226056767.
  41. Oath, Allegiance (7 June 2015). "Misaaq".
  42. 1 2 Death Anniversary and social gathering or Majlis to commemorate the life and works of a high esteemed person in Da'wah Hierarchy
  43. A speaking or divine law-announcing prophet who brings a new set of religious law based on the Oneness of God.
  44. Ismail K, Poonawala (2002). The Pillars of Islam. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. pp. 367, 496, 502. ISBN   0195655354.
  45. "Tanzil – Quran Navigator | القرآن الكريم". tanzil.net. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  46. "Tanzil – Quran Navigator | القرآن الكريم". tanzil.net. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  47. A high rank person in the spiritual hierarchy of divine mission-da’wah of Fatimid Imams and they were twelve in number each in charge of a separate da’wah region called jazeerah (pl. jazaa’ir)
  48. Velji, Jamel A. (2016). An Apocalyptic History of the Early Fatimid Empire. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. p. 62. ISBN   9780748690886.
  49. Daftary, Farhad (2007). The Isma'ilis: Their History and Doctrines. UK: Cambridge University Press and IIS. p. 241. ISBN   978-0-521-61636-2.
  50. He is the Supreme Authority as a Da'i ul Mutlaq of Alavi Bohras during the seclusion of 21st Fatemi Imam Maulaana Abul Qasim at-Taiyeb
  51. Actions, Sayings and Traditions of Mohammad al-Mustafaa, the last Prophet of Islam described in various pieces of Islamic Literature
  52. Supplications, Wise Sayings and Traditions of Maulaana Ali al-Murtazaa, the Vicegerent of Mohammad
  53. Quotes, Events, Miraculous Descriptions, Sayings, Esoteric Meanings explained by the Imam or Da'i, from the progeny of Mohammad
  54. Books based on beliefs, customs, traditions, jurisprudence, justice, dialogue, history etc.
  55. 1 2 Bay'at-Pact of Promise taken from a reader that he will read, understand, copy and convey the text written by the author with its true spirit and pure meaning and will only study this book by the authority appointed by the Imam or Da'i
  56. The Spiritual Seat, Divine Mission and Heavenly Call of Da'i of Alavi Bohras linked to the first Prophet of Islam and the First Creation of Allaah
  57. The three Jazirah-Islands controlled by Da'i al-Mutlaq after the Satr-concealment of the Imam of Progeny of Mohammad Rasoolullaah, the last messenger of Islam
  58. "Alavi Bohras - MOHARRAM ul-Haraam - Excerpts from the Bayaanat of Asharah Mubaarakah" . Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  59. A private or public gathering of Alavi Bohras in presence of Saiyedna saheb where Ash'aar e Husainiyah, Marsiyah, Lecture and Rusoomaat e Da'wah are performed
  60. The year of the Attack of the army with While Elephants on Makkah which was led by Yemeni Commander Abrahah who came to destroy Ka'bah
  61. The Imam of the time from the progeny of Mohammad who is present on the back of this earth at all times appointed by his father through Nass
  62. "Alavi Bohras – 44th Ad-Da'i al-Faatemi HUZOOR-E-'AALI SAIYEDNA TAIYEB ZIYAUDDIN SAHEB". alavibohra.org.
  63. It is the supreme authoritative position during Fatimid Caliphate where he enjoyed the status of Chief Missionary and Chief Justice under the direct commands of an Imam
  64. A unit of prayer-namaaz which consists of standing, one time bowing and two times prostrating
  65. The wife of the Da'i who presides every assembly or majlis meant for only ladies in houses or in masjids and she takes care of their complains and daily affairs
  66. 1 2 It is Naafelat (Voluntary) prayer offered after Maghrib and 'Ishaa il-Aakherat Namaaz. It has multiple Rak'aat and one who prays it is supposed to have prayed for the whole night. Technically, during such meritorious nights, a faithful must pray for the whole night, but this designated Naafelat prayer amounts to the Reward of the prayer of Whole Night.
  67. "Alavi Bohras - Ramazaan ul-Mu'azzam - Riwaayaat of its Merits, Articles and Akhbaar pur-Anwaar" . Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  68. After farz and sunnat namaaz, this type of prayer is offered voluntarily and it is up to the believer how many rak'at he intends to offer
  69. 1 2 Intercession and Intermediary person from Da'wah Shareefah with special status who is granted permission and has spiritual powers to pardon mistakes of Believers and invites reward for good deeds from Allaah Ta'aala
  70. Baab is the Shi'a-Isma'ili term used for the immediate person who is of high spiritual status after Muhammad or the Imam from his progeny. Baab ul Abwaab means the Door of the Doors, that leads to the Zenith of Spiritual Hierarchy i.e. Imam. Maulaa 'Ali is the Baab of Mohammad
  71. Nass-e-jali is the explicit appointment or public declaration of a Spiritual Authority as a successor by a predecessor
  72. Wa'az-Lectures delivered by a Da'i among his subjects citing references from Qur'an and the traditions of the Prophets. It is done privately or publicly during various social events.
  73. "Alavi Bohras - 'URS-E-MAYMOON - Saiyedna Ali Shamsuddin bin Ibraheem Ash-Shaheed (QR) - Ahmedabad" . Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  74. 1 2 Maa'edah is a term used specially in Alavi & Dawoodi Bohras customary social events when followers get together and sit around a big platter in a group of 7 on the floor and eat from a single plate. Each item they eat or drink together with strict discipline and in the last the food left in the plate is equally distributed among a group
  75. Centre, Da'wat e Haadiyah (23 July 2007). "Vadodara".
  76. Asbaaq means the religious assemblies and private gathering in which Authorities impart knowledge on faith and practices among trustworthy subjects
  77. Literature, Faatemi Imaam (13 March 2007). "Isma'ili". Team Alavi.
  78. "Alavi Bohras - Akhbaar & Video - Dars-e-Haatemi 4-1435". alavibohra.org. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  79. Zaakireen are the assembly members of a Da'i who sit directly in the row opposite to him and they are assigned special task to recite the poetic composition in rhythmic or non-rhythmic way in various social gatherings
  80. It is the unique supplication composed by the orders of Imam which contains the merits of Ahl e Bayt, Qur'anic verses, Hadees of Mohammad and holy words of Imam pertaining to the realities of this life and the Hereafter. It begins with Sadaqallaah, means the truth prevails only through the Almighty and His Messenger
  81. Alavi Bohra Recipes at-Taiyebaat (15 September 2017). "Alavi Bohras: Traditional Recipe of New Year – Lachko". Archived from the original on 15 December 2021 via YouTube.
  82. "Lachko" is a traditional sweet dish of Alavi Bohra community which is made by all, only once in a year. People of the community make it on New Year's Eve and have it with all family members after offering Namaaz of Magrib-Ishaa, and also in the Breakfast on New Year Day.
  83. "Khichdo" is prepared from different cereals and mutton. It is the age-old tradition to cook it on the 10th and 21st day of every month. It was first made by the Banu Asad clan on the plains of Karbalaa at the time when the caravan of Ahl ul Bayt was about to depart towards Kufaa after the martyrdom of Imaam Husain
  84. "Alavi Bohras - History - Haqeeqat of 'Alavi Tareekh from Kutub ud-Da'wat ish-Shareefah" . Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  85. Alavi, Bohras (14 February 2003). "Minority".
  86. "Alavi Bohras - Akhbaar - Alavi Heritage and Culture" . Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  87. Lisaan e Da'wat, Arabicized Gujarati Language (15 November 2011). "Lisaan al-Da'wah al-'Alaviyah".
  88. "Welcome to the Official Website of Shi'a Isma'ili Musta'alavi Taiyebi Alavi Bohras – Home page". www.alavibohra.org. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  89. Bohras, Da'wat-e-Haadiyah, Alavi (16 September 2017). "Ahl uz Zikr" via Google Play.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

Further reading