Abdullah (Ismaili Mustaali Missionary)


Moulai Abdullah was the first Ismaili, Fatimid, mustaali saint who came to Cambay, Gujarat in India in about 1067 AD from Haraz Mountains, Yemen. Syedi Nuruddin was his companion who also visited Imam Al-Mustansir Billah, Egypt. He joined the Ismaili faith under Fatimid Dai Mu'ayyad fi'l-Din al-Shirazi, and came back to Khambat, India to propagate the Taiyabi faith. His earlier name was Balam Nath.
He is said to have stayed some years at Cambay studying the people. He died on August 12, 1141 in Khambhat, Gujarat, India and his mausoleum is located there.
Two stories are told of his first missionary success. According to one story, he gained a cultivator's heart by filling his dry well with water. As per second he travelled to Ahlinvada, Patan. King Sidhraj Jaisingh sent a force of armed men to fetch him, found surrounded with wall of fire. King himself went there to meet him. Later on two of his minister Tarmal and Bharmal became his follower.
Syedi Hasan Feer, 14th century famous saint at Sultan of Patan was also from the lineage of Maulaya Abdullah.