Feb 14
17
Dawoodi Bohra Exceptionalism
The takht nashini occasion of the illustrious leader and spiritual father of our entire community consisting of more than a million individuals captures the essence of the legacy of the ‘Burhani era’ and its brilliance. It is a historic turning point. It is not merely important because it is setting up for another era of growth, but more so as it will be a moment to reaffirm our fervent resolutions in remaining steadfast to the ideals of Maulana al Muqaddas Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin AQ.
The brilliance of Mumineen in their choice of every little bit of things in life, like food, the way they clothe themselves, the choice of schools, and preference of education they decide for their children, even the destinations they choose for vacations all these are based and founded upon the exceptional tarbiyat and taaleem of our Maula, al Muqaddas Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin AQ. which have been perfectly passed on today and taken over by the most versatile, charismatic and alert Dai al Mutlaq, the 53rd Dai al Fatemi Aali qadr Maulana Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS.
He is not an ordinary leader. The following words reflect the lofty status of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS. The honorable Mr Farooq Abdullah, ex-chief minister and veteran political leader from Kashmir, said in his message of condolence in Gurratul Masajid, Mumbai; “Religious Leadership is not an easy task, it is very challenging and demanding. The world is facing formidable challenges we pray may this community continue to grow at an unprecedented pace, we pray may Allah give strength to Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS to guide and inspire you all and give His support also to the welfare of Muslims and their manifold interests and provide you, his staunch followers, courage and taufeeq to diligently follow his leadership”.
Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS is a phenomenon. His precision and sagacity, his vision and farsightedness, as well as his magnetism are quite remarkable. His leadership has broadened their perspective and the progress of this community is certainly worth celebrating. The takht nashini has prompted a global outpouring and thoughtful words of encouragement from world leaders.
This historic event is a continuation of the golden legacy of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin AQ. His golden era produced so many commemorative happenings and experiences. His wise leadership took difficult decisions and perfect executions which will go down in history as great exceptional accomplishments. Today his followers, the Dawoodi Bohras who are symbols of collective sacrifice and a common bond, the community that finds itself sublimely exalted has an elemental desire for the marvelous service to deen and humanity at large which is its ultimate goal.
The community avows how these ideals will remain in our attitudes, manners, mores and everything, beginning from purging our business from the despicable vile and evils of riba, encouraging the practice of Qarzan Hasanah, inevitably tendering to Faiz al Mawaid al Burhaniyah, striving towards the goal of greener and unpolluted earth by growing more trees, and cleanliness, nazaafat.
Needless to say that the devotion and constant efforts of al muqaddas Maulana Mohammed Burhanuddin AQ, to take care of the Dawoodi Bohra Mulism community and make it blossom into what it is today are legendary. To commemorate the takht nashini is to re affirm to these noble desires. This is the true spirit and goal of the takht nashini celebrations embedded in the three volumes of the book Raudat al Hidayat which Maulana Mohammed Burahanuddin AQ himself gifted to each individual family with his own personal signature.
The word “brilliant” is often tossed around haphazardly, and is used to describe people who, while extremely talented, fall somewhat short of the word’s true definition.
Mumineen are by no means one of those people. They are very bright with inspirations from Maula TUS and always very impressive or successful in every walk of life. They are extremely intelligent in imbibing those values which are inherently productive here and in the hereafter. They are much more intelligent than most people. Without any doubt, they affirm and maintain that the pure love and muhabbat of Awliyaullah and the deep muhabbat and devotion to our Maula Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin AQ has indeed bestowed them this brilliance.
The first time I remember when I saw Maulana Mohammed Burhanuddin AQ on the bridge across Raudat Tahera, how amazingly he was looking with compassion to the gathering. I couldn’t believe what was happening in front of me. He had an incredibly charismatic personality and mumineen were immersed in Him, He would just wave his hand and you could hear mumineen bellowing in ecstasy, Maula ! Maula!. Every once in a while he raised his hands to give his iconic salaami to the mumineen who had flocked to him from across India and from across the globe.
That’s how he gave us strength. He loved, cherished and propagated the idealism of a community founded strongly on the principles of deen. He spread that idea wherever he went. He had a special way of talking and making men and women understand clearly the real meaning of commitment to deen, Islam was for him, a way of life. He showed them how interest and other prohibitions had an impact on the whole society and consequently on the world at large. It affected every one and not just the one involved. That’s why Islam has made a big deal of these things.
The period of Maulana Mohammed Burhanuddin AQ can well be summarized in the line ‘BURHANI GOLDEN ERA’. We can’t stop reliving each moment of that golden era. The golden era started magnificently so well with the auspicious opening of Qubba Mubarakah of Syedna Qutbuddin Shaeed in Ahmedabad and Zareeh Mubarak of Imam Husain A.S. in al Qahera al Moezziyah, the two last accomplished projects of Maulana Taher Saifuddin AQ. culminating in his doctorate degree by the renowned al Azhar university.
Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin AQ set out to make a community what he envisioned it could be. It was not just the Dawoodi Bohras he was leading but Islam, in its true meaning. He was illuminating the path of a noble living.
The elements of this golden era were eradication and purification of Dawat and society from hatred, enmity, jealousy and also from muharramaat and riba.
He restored Jame Anwar, built Raudat Tahera which is embellished with inscription of the entire Quran Majid in gold and precious stones, he restored the Masjid azam in kufa, and the list goes on. His life is required a curriculum for anyone aspiring to study even a tenth of the success that he did. Maulana Mohammed Burhanuddin AQ left an indelible impression even on a simple human being.
He took care of us, cultivated and nurtured each one in a true spirit of deen and Shariat. He has given courage to the people. The most urgent thing today is to know and calculate how much his guidance and principles have benefitted us.
It was as if he had some extra elixir that catalyzed such kind of response from his followers. There is no one else, who has that radiance in any country on any continent and this is true, we have never seen one like him, it’s a fact. He was an angel, When ever a mumin wanted information on issues pertaining to worldly or religious aspects Maula was the first he would ask. What ever was going on he was there because he had the sense of empathy.
He knew the names of those he had met long time back. He was fascinated by any thing small. He was accessible, they touched his hands, that was what moved everyone, they were indeed touched by his gestures.
His collective body of work is absolute of high perfection. He had presence and range that even the most pious had to envy.
Throughout the years, Maula strived for the well being of all human beings. If someone in a family was wrestling a deteriorating condition, if he knew someone battling their own financial war, He did his best to help them wage the war.
If someone in life was struggling with a fatal disease he, helped him by any means. His almost unfathomable compassion knew no boundaries or walls. This is genuinely acknowledged because, Saifee Hospital, Burhani Foundation, numerous upliftment projects in India and abroad, housing schemes and other institutions are a testimony to his benevolence and magnanimity, though I’m assuming I won’t be asked to write about it, there is a story in many families that’s likely to have a similarity about it. .
Maula, you were one of the absolute best in the world at what you did. You strived in doing what you were put on this Earth to do. YOU administered your kindheartedness and thoughtfulness to the point of impeccability and purity, always bringing integrity to the people. All humanity will remember you, simply, for your guidance time and time again.
But, sadly, as we all know by now, at just 102 years old, our Maula, one of the greatest personalities, world’s most charismatic and popular religious leader of this or any other generation, departed for His aakhri dunya ni safar. This is heartbreaking because I truly believe that every single one of us inherently was shocked by that news. Each time we remember Maula it makes us sad it’s so sad, of course, as is the case when any man, woman or child leaves this planet too soon. That wasn’t the case yesterday afternoon. It was as if the whole humanity had disappeared from the face of the earth. I was, and while writing this, still am, deeply saddened by Maula’s nuuqlat muqleqa, muulimaa, mufje’aa and His deeply agonizing wafaat. The poignancy of that hour benumbed me.
This one is a great loss to the world which he transformed into an eternal haven of peace and tranquility, it was unbearable. We are all personally affected by the passing away of our most beloved Maulana Mohammed Burhanuddin AQ. Maula You’ll forever be both in our memory and admired by everyone till eternity. It has changed the world that we perceived in his shelter. We are shattered, appalled and grief-struck. I couldn’t believe I would be writing that sentence any more than I just did. We see Maula’s radiance in all places we used to flock to see him.
The takht nashini of Maulana Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS is setting itself up for another era of rapid growth and development in his spiritual guidance and illustrious directives. He is the parent of the whole Dawoodi Bohra community and his affection and compassion is an elixir for them. It will rekindle the spirit of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin AQ.
The takht e nashini is a moment of devoted appreciation and brilliant perception. Though it’s impossible to write a word about Maula I’m particularly proud and elevated spiritually to bring forth His Mubarak name on my lips again and yet again, May his grace and spiritual guidance continue to live in his mansuus and illustrious successor Maulana Aali qadr Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS.
Written by MFZakir
