Da'i al-Mutlaq

The term Dā'ī al-Mutlaq (Arabic: الداعي المطلق‎) literally means "the absolute or unrestricted missionary". In the Fatimid era Ismā'īlī faith, the term dā'ī has been used to refer to important religious leaders other than the hereditary Imāms, and the Da'wa or "Mission" is a clerical-style organisation. "The Da'wa" was a term for the Ismā'īlī faith itself from early on. They are also called Dā'ī Syednas.

History

According to Tayyabī Musta'lī Ismā'īlī tradition, before the last Mustaali Imam, Taiyab abi al-Qasim went into state of occultation, his father, the 20th Imām al-Amīr had instructed Queen Arwa al-Sulayhi/Al-Hurra Al-Malika in Yemen to anoint a vicegerent after the occultation - the Dāʻī al-Mutlaq, who as the Imām's vicegerent, has full authority to govern the community in all matters both spiritual and temporal. During the Imam's occultation, the Dā'ī al-Mutlaq is appointed by his predecessor in office. The Madhun (also spelt Mazoon) and Mukasir are in turn appointed by the Dā'ī al-Mutlaq.

The Dā'ī al-Mutlaq is recognised in English law as a corporation sole, by a private act of Parliament passed in 1993.[1]

Among the Dawoodi Bohra branch of Musta'lī Ismā'īlī, the 53rd Dā'ī al-Mutlaq is under dispute. One claimant is Mufaddal Saifuddin. The other claimant was Khuzaima Qutbuddin who died on 30 March 2016. On 31 March 2016 the family of Khuzaima Qutbuddin released a statment that "Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin has conferred nass (announcement of successor) on his son Syedna Taher Fakhruddin".[2] Following the death of claimant Khuzaima Qutbuddin in the US on the 30th of March 2016, the Bombay High Court cancelled the further court dates and the case will be abated if no further action is taken. However, Fakhruddin's legal team indicates that they intend to pursue the matter further.[3]

This title is also used in the Alavi Bohra community to refer to their leader (in the Persian form "Da'i-ye Motlæq") for similar reasons.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Dawat-e-Hadiyah Act 1993 (c. x) at Legislation.gov.uk
  2. ↑ http://www.asianage.com/mumbai/syedna-s-death-won-t-affect-succession-row-high-court-717
  3. ↑ With death of Syedna's uncle, his succession suit abates: HC

External links


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