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Taher Fakhruddin is the 54th Da'i al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Qutbi Bohras, a sect within Shia Islam distinguished as the Shia Fatimi Ismaili Tayyibi Dawoodi Qutbi Bohras. He is the son of Khuzaima Qutbuddin, the 53rd Da'i al-Mutlaq of the group. After the death of the 52nd Da'i al-Mutlaq, Mohammed Burhanuddin, two persons asserted their right to succeed him, Khuzaima Qutbuddin and Mufaddal Saifuddin. Followers of Khuzaima Qutbuddin regard Taher Fakhruddin as his successor.

Religious Leadership and Nass

Fakhruddin leads the Dawoodi Qutbi Bohra community from his headquarters in Thane, near Mumbai, India. He is recognized by his followers as the spiritual and temporal leader of their community, with authority derived from the Shia concept of "Nass" (spiritual designation) by his predecessor.

1. Historical Context

Nass refers to the appointment of a successor, who is integral to the faith's continuity. Community history shows that there is no fixed prescribed method for conferring Nass. It can be done privately or publicly, can involve one or multiple persons being present, or it can be documented in written form by the appointer. The method of Nass for appointing the next Dai al-Mutlaq mirrors that of the Imams; however, in the case of a Da'i al-Mutlaq, the successor is not required to be the son of the appointer.

2. Public or Private Communication

Nass is a manifestation of Allah's will. It can be declared openly and publicly or communicated privately. External validators (such as witnesses) are not required for Nass because the Imam's authority and decision-making power is not dependent on external validation. The Imam's infallibility precludes the need for fallible witnesses to confirm or validate his choice: it would be contradictory for the appointment of an infallible Imam to be subject to the testimony or approval of fallible witnesses.

Examples: Nass by private communication include the 12th Imam privately conferring Nass on the 13th Imam, and the 20th Imam conferring Nass in written form via a letter (Sijill ul-Bisharah) to Hurrat al-Malika, a single woman, declaring her the witness to the appointment of the 21st Imam.

3. Irrevocability of Nass

Once conferred, Nass is final and irrevocable. This aligns with the Fatemid belief system which asserts that the Nass signifies divine will of Allah, communicated to the Imam, and cannot be altered or revoked. The appointment is guided by the Imam’s inspiration (ta'yeed), ensuring the appointee aligns with divine preordination, and therefore, it is considered perfect and beyond human interference or improvement.

Beliefs and Teachings

Fakhruddin's teachings emphasize living life in accordance with the teachings of Ahl al-Bayt including:

1. Seeking knowledge and practicing good deeds
2. Striving for spiritual and material progress in one's own life
3. Living a life of gratitude and the importance of intellectual pursuits
4. Preservation of Fatimid philosophy, heritage and traditions
5. Gender equality, interfaith harmony and coexistence

Fakhruddin advocates for a progressive interpretation of Islam that balances traditional values with modern education and scientific advancement. He teaches that the essence of being a Muslim is to follow the middle path which is in effect, the 'straight path' towards Allah almighty.

Mazar-E-Qutbi

The Mazaar-e-Qutbi is a religious complex built by Fakhruddin and located in Thane, India, situated near the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The centerpiece of the complex is Raudat-un-Noor, a mausoleum built in honour of the 53rd Dai Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin Saheb RA, in which the entire Quran is engraved in gold on its inside marble walls, creating a stunning visual representation of Islamic scripture.

The complex also includes a Community Hall and serves multiple purposes beyond being a place of reverence and prayer. The adjoining Social Welfare Center is open to all, regardless of caste or creed, providing three free meals a day, services such as women's vocational training classes and children's tuition classes.

Controversy

The succession to the position of Dā'ī al-Muṭlaq has been disputed since 2014, leading to a split in the Dawoodi Bohra community. Fakhruddin's claim is challenged by Mufaddal Saifuddin, who is recognized as the leader by a larger portion of the community. The Bombay High Court on 23rd April 2024 dismissed Taher Fakhruddin's lawsuit, directing that Mufaddal Saifuddin is the leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community. Taher Fakhruddin has appealed the judgement..

The Appeal is being heard by a Division Bench of the Bombay High Court comprising Justices B.P. Colabawalla and Somasekhar Sundaresan. At the time of admitting and expediting the appeal on December 17, 2024, objections were raised by the Respondent that members of the Dawoodi Bohra community might be confused by the Appellant’s claims. In response to these objections, the court directed that during the pendency of the appeal, the Appellant must refrain from publicly stating that he is the 54th Dai al-Mutlaq, that his late father was the 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq or that either are the leaders of the Dawoodi Bohra community, respectively. The court also directed that certain qualifying wording be added to the website and social media platforms of the Appellant and clarified that the Appelant’s followers remain free to express their own views.

Public Engagement

Fakhruddin regularly delivers sermons and publishes religious texts for his followers. In his regular Majalis al-Hikma (Sessions of Wisdom) series, he addresses topical questions and provides contemporary guidance to his community in three languages: English, Lisaan ud-Da'wat and Arabic.

Fakhruddin has also engaged in interfaith dialogue and participated in academic discussions on Islamic history and theology.

References

1. "Taher Fakhruddin reveals how fear is used to control Dawoodi Bohras' lives". 7 February 2017.
2. "Obituary for Khuzaima Qutbuddin: Farewell, Mr People". Mumbai Mirror. 2 April 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
3. "Dispute over succession: HC allows Syedna Taher as legal heir to Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin". The Indian Express. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
4. Fatemi Dawat (7 May 2020). 10th Majalis al Hikma | "Nass - How Do You Recognize the Ordained Leader? And Who is He?" | Syedna. Retrieved 3 January 2025 – via YouTube.
5. Fatemi Dawat (24 December 2024). Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin RA Urus Mubarak 1446H Waaz - Naseemu Barakaatil-Ursil-Mubarak. Retrieved 3 January 2025 – via YouTube.
6. "'Conferment of succession is irrevocable'". The Times of India. 9 December 2017. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
7. Ghosh, Labonita (8 December 2019). "A difficult and tricky test: Ismaili scholar Devin Stewart describes his five day testimony in the Bombay High Court". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
8. Fatemi Dawat (9 July 2020). 19th Majalis al Hikma | "Why is Virtue Compulsory?" | Syedna Taher Fakhruddin TUS. Retrieved 26 December 2024 – via YouTube.
9. Fatemi Dawat (12 March 2020). 2nd Majalis al Hikma | "Do We Have Free Will?" | Syedna Taher Fakhruddin TUS. Retrieved 26 December 2024 – via YouTube.
10. Fatemi Dawat (8 October 2020). 30th Majalis al Hikma | "How Do You Earn a Living?" | Syedna Taher Fakhruddin TUS. Retrieved 26 December 2024 – via YouTube.
11. Fatemi Dawat (15 April 2022). Shukr ni Zindagi | A Life of Gratitude - Syedna Taher Fakhruddin TUS - Anwaar-ul-Qur’an Sabaq 1443H. Retrieved 28 November 2024 – via YouTube.
12. Fatemi Dawat (26 March 2020). 4th Majalis al Hikma | "What is the Origin of the Intellect?" | Syedna Taher Fakhruddin TUS. Retrieved 29 November 2024 – via YouTube.
13. Fatemi Dawat (2 April 2020). 5th Majalis al Hikma | "What is the Philosophy of Dawatul Haqq?" | Syedna Taher Fakhruddin TUS. Retrieved 26 December 2024 – via YouTube.
14. Fatemi Dawat (23 November 2024). Does the Qur’an say men are better than women? | Ashara Mubaraka 1446H Excerpt. Retrieved 26 November 2024 – via YouTube.
15. ^ Fatemi Dawat (7 January 2018). Glimpses from the Taqreeb Conference 2017 - Ideas of Harmonious Coexistence. Retrieved 26 November 2024 – via YouTube.
16. Fatemi Dawat (24 September 2020). 28th Majalis al Hikma | "What is the Wisdom in Walking the Middle Road?" | Syedna Fakhruddin TUS. Retrieved 26 November 2024 – via YouTube.
17. "Thane mausoleum opens doors to visitors of all faiths". The Times of India. 2 September 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
18. "About Raudat-un-Noor - Mazaar-e-Qutbi". 7 April 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
19. "No change in Dawoodi Bohra leadership, High Court settles succession dispute | India Today". India Today. 23 April 2024.
20. "'Will continue legal battle over Syedna succession'". The Times of India. 26 April 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
21. Fatemi Dawat (23 April 2024). Syedna TUS’ message of Himmat after the Bombay High Court Judgement. Retrieved 26 November 2024 – via YouTube.
22. Taher Fakhruddin Saheb v. Mufaddal Burhanuddin Saifuddin, Appeal No. 139 of 2024, High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Ordinary Original Civil Jurisdiction, order delivered December 17, 2024. Bombay High Court CNR No. HCBM020217942024.
23. "HC restrains Bohra leader Taher Fakhruddin from presenting himself as 54th Syedna". The Hindustan Times. 28 December 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
24. "Words of Wisdom - A selection of 56 quotes of Syedna Taher Fakhruddin on the occasion of 56th Milad by Fatemi Dawat - Issuu". issuu.com. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
25. "Words of Wisdom Vol II by Fatemi Dawat - Issuu". issuu.com. 29 October 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
26. "Wisdom of the Prophet Muhammed SA | Lessons for the Twenty-First Century by Fatemi Dawat - Issuu". issuu.com. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
27. "Today in history: A majlis al-hikma was delivered at the Fatimid palace". Ismailimail. 12 July 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
28. "Majalis al Hikma Series - English - Syedna Taher Fakhruddin TUS". YouTube. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
29. "Majalis al Hikma - Dawat ni Zabaan - Syedna Taher Fakhruddin TUS". YouTube. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
30. "مجالس الحكمة لسيدنا طاهر فخر الدين ط ع". YouTube. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
31. Fatemi Dawat (18 November 2018). Syedna Taher Fakhruddin TUS Address: World Peace Through Non Violence. Retrieved 26 November 2024 – via YouTube.
32. Fatemi Dawat (25 July 2018). Syedna Taher Fakhruddin TUS: Visit to Indore - June 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2024 – via YouTube.
33. "Taqreeb - Propagation of Harmonious Relations in Mughal, British and Independent India - two day seminar at the University of Calcutta, Department of Arabic and Persian". Retrieved 27 November 2024.
34. "Ideas of Harmonious Coexistence: Religions and Philosophies of India, 27-28 December, 2017 at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India". Retrieved 27 November 2024.

• Living people
• 1968 births
• Dawoodi Bohra da'is
• 20th-century Ismailis
• 21st-century Ismailis