Grandparents Taher Saifuddin Parents Mohammed Burhanuddin | Name Mufaddal Saifuddin Relatives Khuzaima (half-uncle) | |
Children Jafar us Sadiq Mufaddal Saifuddin Great-grandparents Abdullah Badruddin, Mohammad Burhanuddin Similar People | ||
Cricketer Sarfraz Ahmad and Shia Alim Meet With Maulana Tariq Jameel Sb on 17-09-2017
Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin is 53rd Da'i al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohras, The Dawoodi Bohra are a sub group within the Mustaali, Ismaili Shia branch of Islam. He is the 2nd eldest son of the 52nd Dai Mohammed Burhanuddin. He succeeded to the office after his father, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, who died in 2014 and is the spiritual leader of 2.5 million people living in 100 countries. Saifuddin has contributed substantially to the restoration of medieval Fatimid architecture, notably Al-Hakim Mosque and other Fatimid-era mosques located in Old Cairo.
Contents
- Cricketer Sarfraz Ahmad and Shia Alim Meet With Maulana Tariq Jameel Sb on 17 09 2017
- Early life
- Marriages
- Leadership
- Philanthropy
- Recognition Awards
- Risalah Epistle
- Arabic
- Urdu
- Lisan al Dawat
- Succession
- References
Early life
Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin was born on 20 August 1946/23 Ramadan 1365 A.H. in Surat, India, and was given the name Aali Qadr Mufaddal (Arabic:عالي قدر مفضل) by his grandfather Taher Saifuddin. He received much of his spiritual guidance from his father, Mohammed Burhanuddin and devoted most of his time to strictly religious pursuits. He graduated from The Institute of Islamic Studies at Al-Azhar University. Mufaddal Saifuddin often accompanied his father Mohammed Burhanuddin during the latter's travels across the globe, meeting heads of states and other notable personalities during such trips. Mufaddal Saifuddin was appointed Amirul Hajj by his father Burhanuddin in 1390 AH (1970 CE). After Hajj, he travelled to Karbala, Syria, Misr and Yemen. During his trip to Yemen, he laid the foundations for the construction of the 3rd Da'i al-Mutlaq's Hatim's mausoleum. After that journey Burhanuddin bestowed upon him the honorific title Aqeeq-ul-Yemen in 1391 AH/1971 AD.
Marriages
Mufaddal Saifuddin married Jawharatusharaf Najmuddin, daughter of Yusuf Najmuddin, the erstwhile rector of Al Jamea tus Saifiyah on 1 January 1970.
Leadership
Following the death of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, on his posthumous 103rd Birthday, Mufaddal Saifuddin (TUS) donated INR 103.50 crore ($15.5 Million) to the Qardan Hasana Scheme (interest free loan fund) for the Dawoodi Bohra community.
His father, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin initiated the Bhendi Bazaar Redevelopment Project under the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT). The first phase, covering subclusters 1 & 3 was kicked off by Mufaddal Saifuddin (TUS) on 18 May 2016. "About 250 dilapidated buildings in Bhendi Bazaar will be replaced with 17 new towers with wide roads, modern infrastructure, more open spaces and highly visible commercial areas." This ambitious philanthropic enterprise "aims to rehabilitate 3200 families and 1250 business which are currently living in poor conditions." It is expected to reach completion by 2019.
Through the Burhani Foundation Mufaddal Saifuddin (TUS) has launched environmental awareness campaigns such as the tree-planting and bird feeding campaigns such the "Save our Sparrows" initiative.
In battle to reduce global food wastage especially within community feasts, Mufaddal Saifuddin (TUS) introduced regulation on the quantity of dishes served per meal. This was launched under the moto of "ek kharaas, ek mithaas, no israaf" (one savoury, one desert and no wastage).
According to one of Mufaddal Saifuddin's (TUS) followers in Ontario, California who gave a press interview during a March 2015 visit of Mufaddal Saifuddin (TUS), the main message that Saifuddin (TUS) hopes to instill on the community is that of loyalty to wherever people live, to follow the rules and be a good citizen, live in peace and make an honest living.
He has undertaken numerous projects under Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin’s(TUS) directions in the restoration of medieval Fatimid masjids in Egypt and other edifices in the Arab world. Notable projects include the restoration and revival of Al-Hakim Mosque (al-Jamea al-Anwar), the restoration of the masjid of Syedna Zoeb bin Moosa in 1406H, the restoration of Aqmar Mosque in 1408H, construction of the mosque in Salamiyah in 1414H, restoration of the Lulua Mosque & Juyushi Mosque in 1416H, the construction of the Zarih of Zaynab bint Ali in Cairo in 1416H, construction of the mosque in Ashkelon in 1421H, the construction of the Mazar and Mosque of Syedna Hatim in 1425H, and the discovery of the graves of a few Da'i al-Mutlaq in Zimarmar, Yemen on 1st Rabi al-Akhar 1431H.
On 19 July 2016, Mufaddal Saifuddin(TUS) met Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and expressed interests for investment in Egypt. Mufaddal Saifuddin (TUS) also donated 10 Million Pounds to the Long Live Egypt Fund.
In 2011, during his centennial celebrations, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin(TUS) established Al Jamea tus Saifiyah in Nairobi, Kenya. The construction of this 14 acre campus commenced in 2013, and was completed and inaugurated by Mufaddal Saifuddin (TUS) inaugurated by on 20 April 2017.
Philanthropy
To ensure that not a single Dawoodi Bohra community member goes hungry, Mufaddal Saifuddin initiated a "community kitchen" scheme named Faiz al-Mawaid al-Burhaniyah (Arabic:فيض الموائد البرهانية). Everyday, Tiffin & Thali of home-cooked meals are delivered community homes.
In December 2016, Mufaddal Saifuddin initiated an 'Upliftment Program' to improve the living standards of community members. Over 4,100 volunteers from India, East Asia, UK, USA and the Middle East were spread out over 200 towns and cities. The 5-day upliftment drive consisted of renovation of houses in a dire state, work or reorganization, planting of trees and plants around community properties and private homes, clearing and cleaning of community properties and grounds, erection of playground and sports facilities, dental hygiene and vaccination for children and a sports day and breakfast on the Sunday morning of New Year's Day.
Recognition & Awards
Mufaddal Saifuddin has been presented the following resolutions and certificates of appreciation in The United States:
On 28 Rabi' al-thani 1435 AH (28 February 2014 CE), the Indian foreign minister Salman Khurshid accompanied Saifuddin to Mumbai airport to see him off for his first visit abroad after the death of his father Burhanuddin in January of that year. Khurshid presented Mufaddal with a letter of good wishes from Sonia Gandhi, the president of the Indian Congress, before departed to Najaf and Karbala in Iraq for a pilgrimage to the shrines of Imam Ali and Imam Husain.
Later on, in Pakistan, he was received with state protocol and was welcomed at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.
Risalah (Epistle)
Arabic
Munajaat (Supplication)
Urdu
Lisan al-Dawat
Succession
The 52nd Da'i al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohras, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, died in January 2014. As per the tenets of the sect each predecessor is required to nominate his successor prior to his death. 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 Khuzaima Qutbuddin 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 government 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."
Mufaddal belongs to family of Moulai Fakhruddin and Moulai Hakimuddin. Family tree is shown below.