
(; pl. , ) is the most senior spiritual rank and office in
Tayyibi Isma'ilism
Tayyibi Isma'ilism () is the only surviving sect of the Musta'li Ismailism, Musta'li branch of Isma'ilism, the other being the extinct Hafizi Isma'ilism, Hafizi branch. Followers of Tayyibi Isma'ilism are found in various Bohra communities: Dawoo ...
. The Da'i al-Mutlaq has headed the Tayyibi community since the
seclusion of the 21st Tayyibi
Imam
Imam (; , '; : , ') is an Islamic leadership position. For Sunni Islam, Sunni Muslims, Imam is most commonly used as the title of a prayer leader of a mosque. In this context, imams may lead Salah, Islamic prayers, serve as community leaders, ...
,
at-Tayyib Abu'l-Qasim, traditionally placed in 528
AH/1134 AD.
According to Tayyibi Isma'ili tradition, in the Imam's absence, the Da'i al-Mutlaq is the faith's highest authority; i.e., the Da'i al-Mutlaq holds the same authority as the Imam. Before the seclusion of al-Tayyib, the Da'i al-Mutlaq operated under the direct orders of the Imam and his trusted associates in regions where Isma'ili faithful were present, either living openly propounding their faith, or secretly due to fear of persecution.
In
Yemen
Yemen, officially the Republic of Yemen, is a country in West Asia. Located in South Arabia, southern Arabia, it borders Saudi Arabia to Saudi Arabia–Yemen border, the north, Oman to Oman–Yemen border, the northeast, the south-eastern part ...
, after the 21st Tayyibi Imam went into seclusion, the Da'i was given the authority of Itlaaq (إطلاق), or free conduct, and absolute religious and social authority, under the governing principles of the Tayyibi Isma'ili faith. His command is regarded as a final decree and his conduct infallible due to the divine support (Ta’yeed) he receives from the Imam. Unlike the Imam, who appoints a successor only from his lineal biological sons, the Da'i can appoint any believer as his successor when he is commanded to do so by Ta’yeed of the Imam.
History
According to
Ismā'īlī usta'ali Tayyabī tradition, before the 21st Fatimid
usta'aliImam
Imam (; , '; : , ') is an Islamic leadership position. For Sunni Islam, Sunni Muslims, Imam is most commonly used as the title of a prayer leader of a mosque. In this context, imams may lead Salah, Islamic prayers, serve as community leaders, ...
,
Taiyab abi al-Qasim went into state of
occultation
An occultation is an event that occurs when one object is hidden from the observer by another object that passes between them. The term is often used in astronomy, but can also refer to any situation in which an object in the foreground blocks f ...
from Cairo in 528 AH/1134 AD, his father, the 20th Imām
al-Amīr had instructed Queen
Arwa al-Sulayhi
Arwa al-Sulayhi (), () was a long-reigning ruler of Yemen, firstly as the co-ruler of her first two husbands and then as sole ruler, from 1067 until her death in 1138. She was the last of the rulers of the Sulayhid dynasty, Sulayhid Dynasty and ...
/
Al-Hurra Al-Malika in
Yemen
Yemen, officially the Republic of Yemen, is a country in West Asia. Located in South Arabia, southern Arabia, it borders Saudi Arabia to Saudi Arabia–Yemen border, the north, Oman to Oman–Yemen border, the northeast, the south-eastern part ...
to anoint a vicegerent after the occultation of his son
al-Tayyib Abu'l-Qasim. Queen Arwa trained and appointed Syedna
Zoeb bin Moosa as the first Da'i al-Mutlaq.
Tradition of ''Nass'' governing the Appointment of Saheb-i-Amar
Nass-نص is the basis of Shia beliefs, it ensures the succession (Silsila). It is a declaration and designation through divine indication and Allah’s spiritual intervention-تأئید إلھي for the appointment of a successor-منصوص, be it an Imam or (during the Imam’s concealment) a Dai-داعي by his incumbent appointer-ناص among the faithful, publicly-نص جلي or privately نص خفي and at times supported by written documentary orders-سجل شریف. The one who appoints is called Naas and the one appointed is called Mansoos.
The tradition stems from the events of
Ghadir Khum where Mohammad appointed his son-in-law, cousin and his heir 'Ali bin Abi Taalib as his Vicegerent, legatee and Wali
[''Taaj ul-‘Aqaa’id wa Ma’dan ul-Fawaa’id'': 5th Da’i-e-Mutlaq Saiyedna Ali bin Mohammad al-Waleed (d. 612 AH/1215 AD)] of the Faithful. This tradition continued through all the Tayyibi-Ismaili Imams and Du'aat; according to Tayyibi-Ismaili belief, neither Imam nor Da'i al-Mutlaq can pass away without appointing his successor.
Deputies
The Da'i al-Mutlaq has the authority (but not obligation) to appoint an individual to each of two ranks: Mazoon al-Da'wat and Mukasir al-Da'wat.
Mazoon al-Da'wat
* مأذون الدعوة - Mazoon al-Da'wat, Mazoon e Dawat: The Licentiate, Authoritative Rank, the most trusted associate in Da’wah ranks whose traditional role includes taking
Bay'at from his subjects by the orders of Da’i al-Mutlaq. He is on a Spiritual Rank in the Isma’ili Taiyebi Da’wah hierarchy immediately below the authority of Da’i and sits to his right, and who carries out the religious activities as per the regulations of Da’wah organization. The religious doctrine specifies that he invariably and always assists and obeys his superior and his Master,
the Da’i al-Mutlaq. In the absence of the Da’i he acts as his legatee. The Da'i al-Mutlaq's successor is often appointed to the rank of Mazoon; however, this is not the rule and the Da'i's successor has often been someone other than the Mazoon. Upon the death of the Mazoon, the Da'i selects a new trusted associate to fill the position.
Mukaasir al-Da'wat
* مکاسر الدعوة - Mukaasir al-Da'wat, Mukaasir e Dawat - The second deputy rank to the Da'i proscribed in Isma’ili Taiyebism. He sits to the right of the Mazoon during religious gatherings (Majalis). In the absence of both the Da'i and Mazoon, the Mukaasir acts as their legatee. Upon the death of the Mukaasir, the Da'i selects a new trusted associate to fill the position.
Incumbents
Since the establishment of the office of Da'i al-Mutlaq following the death of the Fatimid Caliph-Imam
Mansur al-Amir Bi-Ahkamillah, there have been several disputes over the succession to the office, leading to a number of extant sects, each with their own incumbent to the office.
Dawoodi Bohras

The
Dawoodi Bohras are the largest community of
Tayyibi Ismailis, who followed
Dawood Bin Qutubshah Burhan al-Din II as the successor to
Da'ud Burhan al-Din I, thus deriving their name from him.
Within the Dawoodi Bohras, the current Da'i al-Mutlaq is
Mufaddal Saifuddin. The previous Da'i was Syedna
Mohammed Burhanuddin, who passed away in January 2014. The vast majority of Dawoodi Bohras recognize Saifuddin as the 53rd incumbent.
The current seat of the Dawoodi Bohra Da'i is at Saify Mahal on
Malabar Hill
Malabar Hill is amongst the most affluent residential areas in Mumbai. It is home to several business tycoons and film personalities. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, had built and lived in a bungalow, called South Court, in Malab ...
in Mumbai, India.
Alavi Bohras

The
Alavi Bohras
The Alavi Bohras are a Tayyibi Musta'lavi Isma'ili Shi'i Muslim community from Gujarat, India. In India, during the time of the 18th Fatimid Imam Al-Mustansir Billah around 1093 AD in Egypt, the designated learned people (''wulaat'') who wer ...
are a smaller group of
Tayyibi Ismailis, who followed Ali Shams al-Din V as the successor to
Sheikh Adam Safiuddin, thus deriving their name from him.
The Alavi Bohras use the title of Dai al-Mutlaq in its Persian form "Da'i-e-Mutlaq". The current incumbent is
Haatim Zakiyuddin, who succeeded his father
Abu Hatim Tayyib Ziyauddin in 2015.
The current seat of the Alavi Bohra Da'i is in Vadodara, India.
Sulaymanis
The
Sulaymanis are a smaller group of
Tayyibi Ismailis, who followed
Sulayman bin Hassan as the successor to
Da'ud Burhan al-Din, thus deriving their name from him.
Starting from 1677, Sulayman's successors almost always came from the Makrami family. The Sulaymani Du'at made
Najran
Najran ( '), is a city in southwestern Saudi Arabia. It is the capital of Najran Province. Today, the city of Najran is one of the fastest-growing cities in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As of the 2022 census, the city population was 381,431, wi ...
their headquarters and ruled the area, supported by the
Banu Yam
Banu Yam (, ') is an Arabian tribe that belongs to the Qahtanite branch of Arabian tribes, specifically the group known as Banu Hamdan, and are, therefore, native to southwestern Arabia.
Their traditional way of life was well suited to life in ...
, until their power waned under the successive rules of the Ottomans and Saudis.
The current seat of the Sulaymani Da'i is in Najran, Saudi Arabia, the current incumbent is Sayyidna Ali bin Hāsin al-Makrami.
Atba-e-Malak Badar
The Atba-i-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 Abdul Hussain Jivaji in 1840. They have further split into two more branches. The
Atba-e-Malak Badar is a branch of
Atba-e-Malak Mustaali Ismaili Shi'a Islam. They follow the preachings of both
Abdul Hussein Jivaji and
Badruddin Ghulam Hussain Miya Khan Saheb who was appointed as Hijab (Veil) of Moulana Malak (Abdul Hussein Jivaji) Saheb. The current leader or Dai al Mutlaq is Maulana Muhammad Amiruddin Malak Saheb. The Atba-i-Malak Badar community was founded in 1899AD and is based in Mahdibagh,
Nagpur
Nagpur (; ISO 15919, ISO: ''Nāgapura'') is the second capital and third-largest city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is called the heart of India because of its central geographical location. It is the largest and most populated city i ...
in India.
Atba-e-Malak Vakil (Muslim-Shia-Ismaili-Tayyebi-Dawoodi-Malak-Vakil Bohra)
The
Atba-e-Malak Vakil continues the tradition of Nass after the untimely demise of the 46th Da'i al-Mutlaq Syedna Mohammad Badruddin saheb. The Amar passes on to four Mumalikin saheb (hidden successors - the seclusion was necessary to guard the Amar in then difficult times), last one being Moulana Adamji Tayyebji saheb in Mumbai followed by Moulana Malak (Abdul Hussein Jivaji) saheb who appointed
Moulana Abdul Qadir Ebrahimji saheb as his Mansoos (successor) or
Vakil (the one who advocates his succession or roots / acts for his principal) that identifies his followers as
Atba-e-Malak Vakil. Their current spiritual lord / Imam is
Moulana Tayyeb saheb bin Moulana Razzak saheb. This is a very small and peaceful community with high moral and ethical values, the majority of its population is in Nagpur in India with the second largest population is in Mumbai. Qur'an and Nasihat (Scriptures written by Syedi Sadiqali during the period of 42nd Da'i al-Mutlaq Syedna Yusuf Najmuddin saheb and 44th Da'i al-Mutlaq Syedna Mohammed Ezzuddin saheb) are main religious scriptures of Atba-e-Malak Vakil sect.
Dawoodi Qutbi Bohra
Taher Fakhruddin is the 54th Da'i al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Qutbi Bohras, a sect within
Shia Islam
Shia Islam is the second-largest Islamic schools and branches, branch of Islam. It holds that Muhammad in Islam, Muhammad designated Ali ibn Abi Talib () as both his political Succession to Muhammad, successor (caliph) and as the spiritual le ...
. The current seat of the Dawoodi Qutbi Bohras is in Thane, Maharashtra.
See also
*
List of Dai of Dawoodi Bohra
This is a list of Dai of the Dawoodi Bohra. The Dawoodi Bohra are a sect of Shia Islam, whose leader is the Dai.
According to Fatimid (Taiyabi, Mustali, Ismaili) tradition, after the death of Imām Al-Amir, Arwa al-Sulayhi, al-Malika al-Sayyida ...
*
Alavi Bohras
The Alavi Bohras are a Tayyibi Musta'lavi Isma'ili Shi'i Muslim community from Gujarat, India. In India, during the time of the 18th Fatimid Imam Al-Mustansir Billah around 1093 AD in Egypt, the designated learned people (''wulaat'') who wer ...
References
External links
Community Website of the Dawoodi BohrasCommunity Website of Alavi BohrasCommunity Website of the Dawoodi Qutbi Bohras{{Dā'ī al-Mutlaq
Bohra
Tayyibi Isma'ilism
Alavi Bohras
Islamic honorifics