Mohammed Burhanuddin


Mohammed Burhanuddin was the 52nd Dā'ī al-Mutlaq of Dawoodi Bohras. He led the community for 49 years in a period of social, economic, and educational prosperity. He was presented the highest national civic honors of Egypt and Jordan; conferred doctorate in Islamic Sciences by Al Azhar University, doctorate in Theology by Aligarh Muslim University, and doctorate in Literature by University of Karachi. He is known in Arab countries as Azamat us-Sultan. He was the first Dā'ī al-Mutlaq to visit Europe, Australia and America. Compared to those of his predecessor, Burhanuddin's policies were aimed at Islamization of his sect.

Early life

Burhanuddin was born to Taher Saifuddin and Husaina Aaisaheba in Surat in the Indian state of Gujarat. He was educated by his father, Taher Saifuddin.
At age 12, Burhanuddin survived a car accident in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where his vehicle got hung on one wheel. Burhanuddin completed his religious education at the tender age of 13. At 15, he was appointed Amir al-Hajj, was conferred the title of Shaykh, and bestowed the laqab of Burhan al-Din by his father, Taher Saifuddin.
, 1934.
In 1934, Saifuddin designated him as his successor to the office of the Dai al-Mutlaq, and subsequently elevated him to the station of Mazoon al-Da'wat, making him his second-in-command. By 1935 Burhanuddin had committed entire Qur'an to memory.
Burhanuddin married Amatullah Aaisaheba in 1937.

Literary works

Rasāʾil Ramaḍāniyya (Epistles)

The following are a list of Rasāʾil Ramaḍāniyya composed by Mohammed Burhanuddin. Each Risalah is given a title according to Abjad numerals equivalent to the Hijri year of its publication:
IDTitleTitle HijriPub.Year-
SMB 00حكمة الغيبة الحقيقيةHikmat al-Ghaybah al-Haqiqiyyah1385H
SMB 01استفتاح زبد المعارفIsteftah Zubad al-Ma'arif1385H1386H
SMB 02فيوضات الجنةFuyoodhaat al-Jannah1386H
--
SMB 03سلام نضرة النعيمSalaam Nadrah al-Na'eem1387H
SMB 04ذات النورZaat al-Noor1388H
SMB 05ظهور مجد الفاطميينZuhoor Majd al-Fatimiyeen1389H
SMB 06بركة صبغة اللهBarakah Sibghah Allah1390H
SMB 07نشر الخير Nashr al-Khayr1391H1437H2017
---
SMB 08ندى الفيوضات Nadā al-Fūyūdāt1392H1438H2018----
SMB 09سلسبيل روض القدسSalsabīl Rawd al-Quds1392H1439H2019

Activities

Burhanuddin issued a dress code, calling for male Bohras to grow a beard and wear a white topi and kurta, and for women to wear a colorful two piece abaya, known formally as a Rida. This Islamization countered a trend toward assimilation into the larger culture of their ancestors that was also prevalent under his predecessor, Taher Saifuddin and the previous Du'at before them. The history of this culture can be traced back to the medieval Fatimid dynasty in Egypt.
In 1980 ACE/1401 AH, the Al-Hakim mosque was extensively refurbished in white marble and gold trim by Mohammed Burhanuddin. Remnants of the original decorations, including stucco carvings, timber tie-beams, and Quranic inscriptions were restored as part of the renovations. His intent to restore the ancient Al-Hakim Mosque as a place of worship in contemporary times necessitated a lighting solution that provided this important functionality to the mosque and did so in a manner that paid tribute to the Fatimid tradition of illumination and its aesthetics. The miraculous emergence of the mishkat or small lantern from the niche of the richly decorated façade of Al Jami al Aqmar provided that solution. The niche in which the lantern motif was found has also been compared to the mihrab niche of Al Azhar mosque, the same also now found in Al-Hakim mosque, which has a central motif that resembles a large lamp or lantern.

Educational Contributions

In October 1999, Burhanuddin was elected Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University, a position that his father also held. He is credited with expanding the two century old Arabic university Al Jamea tus Saifiyah. In 1983, a new campus of "Al Jamea tus Saifiyah" was built by him in Karachi. He built the "Burhaniyah Business Counseling Center" in Mumbai to provide modern business solutions. He also built the Raudat Tahera, a mausoleum of his father Taher Saifuddin in Mumbai, India. It is one of a kind, having the entire Quran inscribed on its inner white walls in letters decorated with of gold leaves and with precious stones. It was inaugurated in 1975 by the erstwhile President of India Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed.
In 1976, he established a facility exclusively dedicated to the study of arts and sciences of the Quran.

Community Kitchens

Burhanuddin is credited with the establishment of community kitchens to provide meals everyday to the Dawoodi Bohra families, thus providing free time for women to pursue economic, educational or religious activities. The community kitchens don't discriminate between the privileged and the underprivileged sections, both getting the same "good quality and hygienically-prepared" food, while the community members have the provision of paying for their own family, and for sponsoring those who cannot afford it.

Saifee Hospital

Burhanuddin is also credited with conceptualizing and establishing Saifee Hospital in Mumbai. The hospital is a state-of-the-art, multi-specialty, 250-bed hospital dedicated to providing modern medical care. It was inaugurated in 2005 by Dr. Manmohan Singh, the erstwhile prime minister of India.

Teachings

Ashara Mubaraka

Ashara Mubaraka is an annual mourning of Husayn ibn Ali's martyrdom at Battle of Karbala. In the tradition of the Fatimids, the Da'i al-Mutlaq delivers ten wa'az on Islamic philosophy,, liturgy, expository, horatory over 9 days: One wa'az each day for 8 days starting 2nd Muharram and two on the final day of Ashura, the 10th of Muharram. Every year the Da'i al-Mutlaq selects a city to host the Ashara at which, at times, attract 100,000 to 200,000 azadar-e Husayn. The ashara wa'az from the host city is, on occasion, broadcast to various venues around the world. Arrangements are made to provide the travelling pilgrims with free accommodation, transportation, and meals. The elaborate Tazyeen of the host venue is undertaken by faculty and members of Funun al-Quran, a department of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah.

Awards and honors

Burhanuddin died of cardiac attack at his home Saifee Mahal in Mumbai on 17 January 2014. The Bohra community announced a 40-day mourning period in respect of the departed leader. He was buried at Raudat Tahera Mausoleum in Bhendi Bazar, Mumbai beside his father Taher Saifuddin. His second son and his successor, Mufaddal Saifuddin led the Salat al-Janazah of his father at the Saifee Masjid. Half mast of Flag and state honor was given by Indian Government during his funeral.
The day after his demise, a crowd of supporters peacefully assembled outside his residence to pay their respects; Unfortunately, when the gates were opened to let them in, a human stampede ensued, killing eighteen people.
A commemoration service held one year after Burhanuddin's death drew an estimated three hundred thousand bohras to Mumbai; two dedicated townships were built specially to accommodate them.

Succession

Mohammed Burhanuddin, died in January 2014. As per the tenets of the sect each predecessor is required to nominate his successor during his lifetime. His death sparked a succession crisis where two rival claimants emerged for the title of 53rd Dā'ī al-Mutlaq: his son, Mufaddal Saifuddin, and his half-brother, Khuzaima Qutbuddin, who was previously Mazoon of the Dawoodi Bohra.
The challenge created a divide in the community with the vast majority aligning with Mufaddal Saifuddin whilst a small number aligned with Khuzaima Qutbuddin. Mufaddal Saifuddin assumed control of the Dawoodi Bohra administration and infrastructure. He is largely accepted as the Bohras' leader by governments and other public bodies. The UK Charity Commission has stated in writing, that "our view is that His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin is the current incumbent of the office of Dai al-Mutlaq."

Genealogy

His Holiness Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin belongs to family of Moulai Fakhruddin and Moulai Hakimuddin.