Dawoodi Bohras are the main branch of the Bohras (a Musta'li subsect of Ismaili Shi'a Muslims) based in India. Their spiritual leader is Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin. He is known as the Da'i al-Mutlaq and is the 52nd Da'i in an unbroken chain of Da'is. The Bohras believe that the 21st Imam, Imam Taiyab abi al-Qasim (a direct descendant of Muhammad via his daughter Fatima_Zahra) went into seclusion and established the offices of the Da'i al-Mutlaq (داعي المطلفق), Ma'zoon (مأذون) and Mukasir (مكاسر). The Da'i al-Mutlaq is the Imam's vicegerent, with full authority to govern the Dawoodi Bohra community in all matters both spiritual and temporal. During the Imam's seclusion, the Da'i al-Mutlaq is appointed by his predecessor in office. The Madhun and Mukasir are in turn appointed by the Da'i al-Mutlaq. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin has appointed Syedi Khuzaima Qutbuddin as his Ma'zoon", and Syedi Husain Husamuddin as his Mukasir. A fundamental belief of the Dawoodi Bohras is that the presence of the secluded Imam is guaranteed by the presence of the Dai-al-Mutlaq.

Fatimid Origins

After the seclusion of the 21st Fatimid Imam in Egypt, Queen al-Hurra al-Maleka of Yemen, by the instructions of the secluded Imam, appointed the first Da'i in Yemen in the mid-twelfth century A.D. The Fatimid Dawat (state) was to remain headquartered in Yemen, India and Pakistan (Sindh) under the leadership of the Da'i al Mutlaq.

After acute persecution from the Sunni majority in Yemen, the Dawat shifted to India and some followers also relocated. However, a large population of Dawoodi Bohras remained in Yemen and do so today.

Some Bohras' ancestors were converts from Hinduism to Islam in Gujarat, India. Their conversion was the result of the work of some Fatimid missionaries from Egypt and Yemen which took place before the seclusion of the 21st Fatimid Imam, some time during the caliphate of Imam Mustansir. The converted were largely from the Hindu middle and upper castes, many of whom were engaged in trade and commerce. Later, indigenous converts undertook the missionary activities in other regions such as the areas that today constitute Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The word Bohra itself is derived from the Gujarati word Vehwahar which is interpreted as trading. Thus, the community even today indulges mostly in business and trade.

Contemporary Dawoodi Bohras

The Dawoodi Bohras are a very closely-knit community who seek advice from the da'i in both spiritual and temporal matters.

While the majority of Dawoodi Bohras have traditionally been traders, it is becoming increasingly common for them to become professionals. Within South Asia many choose to become Doctors, and in the Far East

Today there are approximately one million Dawoodi Bohras. The majority of these reside in India and Pakistan, but there is also a significant diaspora resident in the Middle East, East Africa, Europe, North America and the Far East.

The ordinary Bohra is highly conscious of his identity and this is especially demonstrated at religious and traditional occasions by the appearance and attire of the participants. Dawoodi Bohra men wear a traditional white three piece outfit, plus a white and gold cap (called a topi), and women wear the rida, a distinctive form of the commonly known burka which is distinguished from other forms of the veil due to it often being in colour and decorated with patterns and lace.

Besides speaking the local languages, the Bohras have their own language called Lisan al-Dawat. This is written in Arabic script but is derived from Urdu, Gujarati and Arabic.

Remembrance of Hadrat Imam Husain AS (Grandson of Prophet Mohammed)'s martyrdom is an essential part of every Bohra community activity. Every year the head of the community Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin delivers religious discourses for 9 days during the days of Aashurah and these are attended by a large number of community members.

Contributions to the Community At-Large

The Bohras originated from Fatimid Egypt and thus their cultural mores are based on the practices of the Fatimid Imams. This is further found in the myriad constructions that the Bohras have carried out around the world all of which feature Fatimid influences from the mosques and buildings of Cairo. Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin undertook the complete renovation and restoration of the Mosque of the Imam Al-Hakim|Jame' Anwar in Cairo, a project UNESCO had considered but did not undertake.

Some of the most important Mosques of the Fatimi era were also renovated by Syedna Moahmmed Burhanuddin in Cairo as a tribute to the vast and beautiful legacy of the Fatimid Imams. and are a few to name.

Currently, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin has taken up the task of renovation of the Masjid al-Aazam in Kufa, Iraq. This place is of historical significance to both the Islamic and the Pre-Islamic era. The mosque is also primarily significant to the Shiates as it is the place of Martydom of Amirul Mumineen Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS). Another significant contribution in Iraq at the moment is the renovation

In June 2005, the Dawoodi Bohra community built Saifee Hospital in Mumbai, India. The hospital is one of the most technologically advanced hospitals in the entire country, and was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh on June 4, 2005. At the inauguration, the Dawoodi Bohra community was commended by the Prime Minister during a delivered by him.

Current Notable Official Events

In August 2005, His Holiness inaugurated another new mosque in the United States - in Fremont, California (metropolitan San Francisco) and was congratulated by various officials and dignitaries from local, state and the United States governments. President George W. Bush also congratulated His Holiness in a letter from the White House .

Bohra "Zakat"

Zakat, a repayment to god of what you have been blessed with, is one of the seven pillars the religion is based on. Dawoodi Bohras pay many different Zakats as part of the religion. The Dawoodi Bohra religious establisment has seven taxes, for lack of a better English word, some of which are encouraged and others required of its members during their life-span, before birth and after death. They are as follows:

(1) Silat-ul-Imam : Sila literally means keeping contact. This is supposed to be collected as an offering for a hidden Imam who will appear one day & the amount would supposedly be passed on to him. This is unique to the Bohras and is not found in any other Muslim community.

(2) Zakat-ul-Fitrah : Dawoodi Bohra tradition outlines this as a payment for the soul(see Zakat below). Dowoodi Bohras believe that this payment is one means of cleansing the soul. It is required to be payed along with Zakat-ul-Maal, both of which Dawoodi Bohras usually pay in the month of Sherullah-ul-Moazzam (Ramadan). Dawoodi Bohra's are strictly required to pay this Zakat for every family member as it is compulsary for every Dawoodi Bohra muslim. Even beggars are to beg to be able to pay this Zakat. The amount is fixed, and is based by the annual worth of gold.

(3) Zakat-ul-Maal : This obligatory payment enjoined by the Holy Qu'ran and the Prophet Mohammad fixed it at 2.5% of ones wealth and income at the end of an year. Literally, as outlined by the Quran, the amount is 1 for every 40. If a Muslim does not have more than 40 (of any currency), Zakat-ul-Mall isn't required. The majority of Musilims (non- Dawoodi Bohra) give this Zakat directly to the needy and poor. Dawoodi Bohra culture and tradition outlines that the Zakat be payed from each family to the da'i, who decides how the money is split and distributed. This is often a subject of controversy, and faith in the Bohra religion is often the deciding factor on one's view on the matter.

(4) Khums : It literally means one fifth. As per the Qu'ran the one fifth of the war booty was to be taken by the Prophet for his family's maintenance and also for performing functions of a head of community. However, it remained prevalent among the Shia communities. The Shia used to pay one fifth of sudden gain to their Imam from the progeny of the Fatima the Prophet's daughter. The Bohras of course now pay to the high priest who is not Imam ( but a dai i.e. his deputy)

(5) Haqqun Nafs : It literally means right of the soul. This is a payment given by Dawoodi Bohras to the da'i at will at many times in a Bohra's life. The payment is based on multiples of 119 (of whatever currency your area uses) At death, a Bohra's family members usually pay a Haqqun Nafs for the deceased, as an offering of gratefulness for the life the person had lived.

(6) Nazar Muqam : The Nazar Muqam for a Dawoodi Bohra is a symbol for the sight and help of Imam and his da'i. Bohras believe that putting aside money or things of value as Nazar Muqam can help them in times of hardship and need. This money is then presented to the head of the community, the da'i.

(7) Salam and payment for titles : In addition to all these compulsory levy a Bohra also has to give a personal offering to the high priest which may vary from a few dollars to a million depending on the occasion and financial capacity of the Bohra. The amount is voluntary and decided by the Bohra giving the Salam. Moreso, a Bohra man or woman can be given the title of Mulla, a prestigious title given to a dedicated Bohra. Men can also become Sheikhs, a higher title than that of Mulla. Being given these titles, a Bohra gives an offering of thanks to the da'i, usually a set amount.

As pointed out above, the collection of these taxes is done very efficiently and systematically. Many of the payments such as Zakat and others are considered vital to being a Dawoodi Bohra, and not paying them is looked down upon and highly discouraged. These payments, being a matter of money, are often disputed by those who are more open minded in matters of faith. A Dawoodi Bohra's faith in his religion and leader is vital and often the deciding factor in his willingness to give these taxes.

See also

• Ismaili
• Shi'a
• Islam
• Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin
• Ashura Locations
• Asghar Ali Engineer

External links and references

• - The most comprehensive online source of information related to Dawoodi Bohras
• - A Dawoodi Bohra news website most frequented by Bohras on the South Asia.
• - The Most Comprehensive Collection of Bohra Links on the Internet
• - Short History of the Dawoodi Bohras.
• - Official administrative organ of the Dawoodi Bohra community.
• - Official online magazine published by the Dawat.
• Islam and Modernity among Daudi Bohras, A Myth shattering book by Jonah Blank.
• bohrowie