Dawoodi Bohra
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Dawoodi Bohra community
Dawoodi Bohras: A closely-knit community of entrepreneurs
Mohammed Wajihuddin, Madhavi Rajadhyaksha: TNN
Mumbai: Dawoodi Bohras are a sub-sect of Ismaili Shias based mostly in India, scattered across the western states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. The word ‘Bohra’ itself is derived from Gujarati ‘vehwhar’, meaning trade. Little wonder then that most Bohras speak Gujarati and are successful traders and entrepreneurs.
While it is difficult to put an exact estimate to the size of the Dawoodi Bohra community in the country, Raghib Qureshi, a spokesperson for the community, estimates there are roughly five lakh Dawoodi Bohras across India, nearly 1.25 lakh of whom are based in Mumbai. “They were traditionally businessmen who dealt in glass and hardware. But the community has diversified significantly in recent times. Many Dawoodi Bohra members are now into IT, chemicals and electronics too,” he told TOI.
Dawoodi Bohra men wear a traditional white threepiece outfit and a white gold cap, while the women wear the rida, a distinctive form of the burkha. It’s different from the common veil in that it can be coloured and with patterns. The spiritual head of the Dawoodi Bohra community is called Al-Dai-al-Mutlaq (summoner with comprehensive authority). A closely-knit community, Dawoodi Bohras seek advice from the Al-Daial-Mutlaq in all matters spiritual and temporal.
Historically, the community goes back a long way. After Prophet Muhammad’s death in 632, a dispute arose over his succession. While the Prophet’s close companion Abu Bakr was declared the first caliph, a section of Muslims felt the Prophet’s successor should have been Hazrat Ali as he was from Ahl-ul-bait (Prophet’s bloodline). Ali, the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, was eventually made the fourth caliph, but the Shiat-e- Ali (followers of Ali later called Shias) felt the Caliphate was not the right order of succession and followed the Imamate, Hazrat Ali being their first imam. Those who believed in the Caliphate were called Sunnis. The Shias further split after the death of the sixth imam, Imam Jaffer Sadiq. One group followed Imam Muse Kazim till Imam Mahdi who, they believe is in occultation (ghaibat). For this group of Shias, the imamate stopped at the 12th imam.
The other group of Shias followed Hazrat Ismail as their seventh Imam and were called Ismaili Shias. The Dawoodi Bohras believe that the 20th Imam, Mansur Al-Amir, instructed his grand emissary Syeda Arwa Binte Ahmad to establish the office of the Al-Dai-al-Mutlaq. The Al-Dai-al-Mutlaq who is the representative of the Imam enjoys full authority to govern the Dawoodi Bohra community and choose his successor. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin was the 52nd Al-Dai-al-Mutlaq. He anointed his second son Syedna Muffadal Saifuddin as his heir-apparent, making him the 53rd Al-Dai-al Mutlaq.
2014 onwards: The dispute
Omkar Gokhale, March 29, 2023: The Indian Express
What is the dispute?
The Dawoodi Bohras are a religious denomination among Shia Muslims. Traditionally a community of traders and entrepreneurs, it has over 5 lakh members in India and over 10 lakh members across the world. The top religious leader of the community is known as the Dai-al-Mutlaq.
In 2014, the 52nd Dai-al-Mutlaq, Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin, passed away, and his son, Mufaddal Saifuddin, succeeded him. This was challenged by the late Syedna’s half-brother, Khuzaima Qutbuddin, in the Bombay HC. Justice Gautam S Patel has been hearing the suit for its final disposal since November last year.
How is the leader picked?
As per faith and Dawoodi Bohra doctrine, a successor is appointed through “divine inspiration”. A “nass” (conferment of succession) can be conferred upon any deserving member of the community and not necessarily a family member of the current Dai, although the latter is often the practice.
What are Syedna Qutbuddin’s claims?
Qutbuddin had in April 2014 filed a suit asking the High Court to restrain the late Syedna’s son from acting as the Dai-al-Mutlaq. He also sought entry to Saifi Manzil, the house of the Syedna in Mumbai, alleging that Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin had taken over the leadership role in a “fraudulent manner”.
Qutbuddin claimed that after Burhanuddin became the new Dai-al-Mutlaq, taking over from his father Syedna Taher Saifuddin in 1965, he had publicly appointed his half-brother as the mazoon (second in command) and privately anointed him as his successor through a secret nass, prior to the mazoon announcement on December 10, 1965.
Syedna Qutbuddin stated that in the public appointment, the persons of “higher spiritual learning present” understood that along with the title of maazoon, he was also given the title of mansoos (successor), though the latter was not conveyed in as many words. Burhanuddin asked him to keep the private nass a secret, Qutbuddin claimed. He maintained that he had abided by the oath of secrecy given to him by the 52nd Dai till his death.
Senior advocate Anand Desai argued that as the Dai is “infallible” and as the Dai appoints a successor based on “divine inspiration of the Imam in seclusion”, the ‘nass’ or appointment of successor cannot be changed and revoked.
Qutbuddin died in 2016 in the USA. Since then, his son, Syedna Taher Fakhruddin is the plaintiff and is now seeking declaration as the leader by the High Court. Fakhruddin has claimed his father conferred the nass upon him and thus he should be declared the Dai.
What has Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin claimed?
Defendant Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin made submissions through senior advocates Iqbal Chagla, Janak Dwarkadas and Fredun Devitre.
The lawyers argued that the nass of 1965 lacked witnesses and could not be accepted. They argued that as per established and prevalent doctrines of the Dawoodi Bohra faith, nass could be changed and revoked.
The senior advocates told the bench that on June 4, 2011, the 52nd Dai had conferred nass on Syedna Saifuddin in the presence of witnesses at the Bupa Cromwell hospital in London, where he was admitted after suffering a stroke.
Thirteen witnesses deposed on behalf of the defendant, which included the doctors who treated the 52nd Dai, son and grandson of the deceased Dai, and others with expertise in the Dawoodi Bohra doctrine, along with the rector of the community library.
The witnesses presented documents to show that the 52nd Dai, in the year 1969, had made his intention of appointing his son (defendant) as his successor and had informed close and senior members of the community about the same and the conferment was reiterated in 2005 in secret and reaffirmed publicly in June 2011.
The senior lawyers representing the defendant questioned the silence maintained by Syedna Qutbuddin about his claim to the post of Dai between 2011 and 2014, and said he only made the claim after the Dai’s demise as an “afterthought.”
The defendant also contended that even if nass had been conferred on the original plaintiff in 1965, as per the doctrinal belief of the community, only the last nass would be valid.
Female genital mutilation
The Times of India, May 08 2016
Rival Syedna denounces female genital mutilation, kindles hope
Mohua Das
At a time when women from the Dawoodi Bohra community have been rallying support against female genital mutilation (FGM), hoping to get authorities to ban this centuries-old practice that young girls of the Shia Muslim sect are still made to undergo, they may have found an ear. Rival Syedna Taher Fakhruddin on Saturday issued a statement exclusively to TOI condemning FGM and calling it “an un-Islamic and horrific practice.“
The rival Syedna's office stated that he was forced to take a public stand after several women from the community brought their plight to his notice, and the trauma young girls undergo when circumcision is carried out in an “irregular and im proper fashion“. Taher Fakhruddin is a claimant to the position of 54th Da'i al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohras.
Recently an audio clip of the 53rd Da'i al-Mutlaq or the current Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin's sermon at the Saifee Masjid where he made indirect references to the act of khatna and urged people to continue with the act was heavily circulated and discussed within the community . But Syedna Saifuddin's office remained unavailable for comment. In his statement, the rival Sy edna says, “In view of the trauma that many girls undergo when this procedure is carried out, and in keeping with the law of the land, khafz (khatna) of girls should only be allowed after they attain legal adulthood, after which they are free to make their individual decision whether to do the medically , legally and religiously sanctioned CDH or CHR procedures (analogous to khafz).“
He also claims that CDH (clitoral de-hooding) or CHR (clitoral hood reduction) are procedures that are “in line with the faith tradition which says that if the procedure is done, it should not be done when the girl is a minor.“
Clinically , clitoral de-hooding, is a minor genital surgical procedure to remove excess prepuce tissue or reduce the skin overhanging the clitoris to heighten sexual experience. This theory contradicts the rationale offered by those in favour of FGM who describe it as a means to curb sexual desire .
“The Syedna was concerned because this issue is affecting the community , the children and people's faith in tradition. He wanted to put things in perspective in order to protect the girl child and maintain the sanctity of the faith, both while keeping in mind the law of the land,“ explained Abdeali Qutbuddin, brother of Syedna Taher Fakhruddin.
Succession
Mahdi Bagh leadership dispute settled in 2025
Nov 16, 2025: The Times of India
Nagpur : In a landmark reconciliation between two breakaway Shia Dawoodi jamaats (groups of worshippers), the Maharashtra State Minorities Commission has successfully mediated a peaceful resolution to the 125-year-old Chimthanawala versus Mahdi Bagh sectarian dispute — one of India’s longest-running religious and property conflicts, reports Sarfaraz Ahmed.
The breakthrough was achieved under the chairmanship of minority commission chief Pyare Khan in just two hearings, according to a press statement released by the state minorities commission.
Historic settlement brings closure to Mahdi Bagh leadership dispute
The commission’s order ended a bitter conflict that had persisted since late 19th century over leadership and property succession within Mahdi Bagh Institution. On Jan 21 this year, both groups signed a settlement, and the final order was issued on Nov 11, as per the settlement deed accessed by TOI.
“This is not merely the end of a legal battle but the beginning of social harmony. After 125 years, the bitterness has finally ended,” said Khan, calling the settlement “a triumph of dialogue and mutual understanding”.
The issue dates back to 1840, after the passing away of the 46th Dai of Dawoodi Bohra community, Syedna Badruddin Saheb, in Bombay, which triggered a succession conflict, as per the press statement. Some refused to recog nise Najmuddin as the 47th Dai. By 1891, Maulana Malak Saheb and his followers established the Atba-e-Malak Jamaat and Mahdi Bagh Institution in Nagpur. Following Malak Saheb’s death in 1899, the sect split into two factions — Mahdi Bagh and Chimthanawala — over leadership claims. The Mahdi Bagh community recognised Maulana Badruddin Ghulam Hussain Malak Saheb as its religious head, while the Chimthanawala group followed Maulana Abdul Qadir Chimthanawala Saheb. Abdul Qadir Saheb and 13 followers left Mahdi Bagh and settled near Itwari Railway Station in Nagpur, as per the press statement. The split led to decades of acrimony involving properties worth over Rs 4,000 crore, allegations of religious misconduct and misuse of funds. Despite years of legal proceedings in the Bombay HC and SC, no resolution had been reached. Some of India’s most prominent legal figures represented the parties.
After decades of stalemate, the commission intervened earlier this year when 73 members of Mahdi Bagh Institution filed a complaint, alleging religious and property rights violations by Chimthanawala group. The first hearing took place on Jan 7, 2025, in Mumbai, attended by representatives of both sides and counsel RS Singh and Abdullah Khan. Following persuasive mediation by Khan, both parties agreed on Jan 21 to an amicable settlement.
Under the agreement, properties listed under Special Civil Suit No. 143/1967 were recognized as belonging to the Mahdi Bagh Waqf, to be managed by Maulana Amiruddin Malak Saheb, while Maulana Abde Ali Chimthanawala would administer three trusts — Dawoodi Atbae-Malak Wakeel, Atba-e-Humayun, and Baitul Aman. Both sides pledged not to interfere in each other’s religious activities and to withdraw all pending cases nationwide.
Sadque Razzak Chimthanawala, son of Maulana Abde Ali Saheb Chimthanawala, said, “We are content with the settlement deed.” Afzal Mehdi, a member of legal team from Mahdi Bagh, said both communities are happy & satisfied the dispute has been amicably resolved.
See also
Dawoodi Bohra
Syedna, the Dawoodi Bohras’ spiritual leader
