Mustaali
Encyclopedia
The Musta‘lī Ismā'īlī
Muslims are so named because they accept Al-Musta'li
as the nineteenth Fatimid
caliph
and legitimate successor to his father, al-Mustansir
. In contrast, the Nizāriyya
Muslims – presently headed by the Aga Khan
– believe the rightful nineteenth caliph was Musta‘lī's elder brother, Nizār
.
The Musta‘liyyah are also referred to as the Taiyabi
or Ṭayyibī after the last Imām they recognized, Ṭayyib Abī l-Qāṣim
. Originally, there was a distinction between Ṭayyibiyyah and the Ḥāfiziyyah, who recognized the Fatimid rulers of Egypt between 1130–1169 as legitimate Imāms, not Ṭayyib Abī l-Qāṣim. The Hafizi
view lost all support after the downfall of the Fatimid dynasty; current-day Musta‘liyya are all Ṭayyibiyyah.
The largest Mustaali group is the Bohra, of whom the Dawoodi Bohra
, primarily found in India, are the largest. The name is a reinterpretation of a Gujarati word, vahaurau, meaning “to trade.” The Bohrās include, in addition to this Shīʿī majority, often of the merchant class, a Sunnī minority who are usually peasant farmers. The Mustaʿlī sect (see Ismāʿīlīte), which originated in Egypt and later moved its religious centre to Yemen, gained a foothold in India through missionaries of the 11th century.
, wife of Fatimid Dai of Yemen. She had been promoted to the post of hujja long before by Imam al-Mustansir
at the death of her husband and ran the dawat
from Yemen in the name of Imaam Tayyib. She was instructed and prepared by Imām Mustansir and following Imāms for the second period of Satr. It was due to her that Imām Tayyib would go into seclusion, and she instituted the office of Dāʻī al- Mutlaq. Zueb-bin-Musa
was first to be instituted to this office and the line of Tayyib Dais that began in 1132 have passed from one Dai to another up to the present day.
– named after their 27th Da‘ī l-Muṭlaq, Sulayman ibn Hassan – are mainly concentrated in Yemen
and Saudi Arabia
, while Dawoodi Bohras are strongest in Pakistan
and India
. There is also a community of Sunni Bohra
in India.
There was a later split from the Dawoodis and a new subsect formed, the Alavi Bohra
(not to be confused with Alawi
s or Alevi
s).
Imams one through five are well-known historical figures in the early history of Islam who are also revered by Twelver Shi'ites. The Imam (from 11 to 21) are the same imam which are narrated in the history of Fatimid
s.
Seventh imam from Mohammad ibn Ismail onward, the name of eigtth, ninth and tenth imam were hidden, Dawoodi Bohra religious book declares their names as listed above..
Followers of the Mustaali-Tayyebi imams also recite the names of these imams in Dua-e-Taqarrub after the Fard Salah ever yday. This tradition is reported to have come from the imams of the ahl ul bayt according to Daim ul Islam. The Dua is as follows in english:
The above Fatimid era are based on the direct descendants of the Prophet and to reconcile Islamic religion, based on divine revelation.
The Mustaali also feel themselves on same line and consider their imam and Dais as infallible and sinless, and divinely chosen perpetuators of the true form of Islam. Their Dais are keeping the tradition which was instituted by al‐Malika al‐Sayyida, wife of the Fatimid Dai of Yemen, who was instructed and prepared by Imām Mustansir and following imāms for the second period of Satr.
(nomination by predecessor) as done by earlier imams. It is believed that the god representative cannot die before appointing his true successor. This is being followed from the time of 3rd Imam Ali ibn Husain, the strong army of Yezid also could not think of killing him, although they did not spare even a child of six months Ali Asgar.
On the similar belief, the Mustaali think and their Dai claim, that one day their Imam Tayyab’s heir will again reappear as Imam(as happened with 11th imam ABDILLAH
who appeared after period of 150 years since 6th imam Ismail).
Under 15th Imam Aziz
(5th Fatimid
Egypt calipha) religious tolerance was given lot of importance. As a small shia group ruling over major sunni population with Christian minority also. The fatemid caliph were careful to sentiments of people. One of the Vazir of Imam Aziz was Christian ,and high office were held by both shia and sunnis. Fatimid
advancement in state offices was based more on merit than on heredity.
Imam Aziz
rebuild church of Mercurius near Fustat and encouraged public theological debate between Chief Qazi and Bishops in order that the ideas of their religions could merge. Hence the members of this Islamic sect were inclined to be tolerant.
Mustaalis recite the kalema as below, there is some exception, the last phrase about Ali is not common, the details are as follows:
“Ash-hadu -an-la-ilaha illal-laha, wa ash-hadu anna Mohammad-an Abdo-hu wa Rasulo-uhu wa ash-hadu anna moulana Ali
-un –vasi-un wa vazir-ah.”
Means:
I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, and I bear witness that Mohammad is Allahs servant and His Messenger and Ali is his successor ’vasi’ and minister ‘vazir’.
First part of this Kalema up to ‘--rasul-al-lah’ is common amongst all Muslims. The addition of last phrase’ Ali –un- Wali
-ul –lah’ is tradition of shia/Fatemid/ismaili/bohra.
This is right from Fatemi Imam’s era.In one of the Qiblah of Imam Mustansir of Fatemi era masjid of Qahira (Mosque of Ahmed-ibn-tulun) engraved his name and “kalema‐tut‐sahadat"(photo as above) as ‘La ‐ilah‐ ilal‐lah, Mohamad‐un‐ rasul‐al‐lah Ali –un‐ vali ‐ ul –lah’. The same Kalema exist at Gate ' Bab-al-Nasr" built by minister Badr-al-Jamali at northern wall of Fatimid
Cairo(Photo as above). Dawoodi bohra also have same tradition and read 'kalema' in same fashion.
Fundamental first phrase "La- ilaha-ill-al-lah” is foundation stone of Islaam the belief that “there is no god but Allah”. This is confession of “Tauhid”.
The second phrase "Mohammad-un –rasul-al-lah” fulfill the requirement that there should be some one to guide in the name of Allah, which tells ”Mohammad is Allah’s "Rasul", "Nabi", the Messenger ,Apostle”. This is acceptance of “Nabuvat” of Mohammad.
Nabi Mohammad declared Ali bin Abu Talib as his successor at a place called “Ghadir -al-Khumm” ( Ref: Hadith of the pond of Khumm
), which was required for the continuation of His guidance, that’s why he told that "for whoever I am a 'Moula’ of them Ali is his ‘Moula’”. Hence, the kalma required further confession the third phrase “Ali-un- vali-ul-lah” ,means “Ali
is his(Mohammad’s) “Wali
" ,"vasi" , the real care taker, stressing the need that for continuation of faith there is requirement of “Wali
” , which is one and only “Imam after Imam ” ,which are really taking care of Islam, hence this is also known as the confession of "Imamat".
Kalema –tut-Shahadat make three Islamic teaching "Tauhid", "Nabuwat" and "Imamate" together. In this devotion to god, his Nabi Mohammad and Imam are so linked together that these can not be viewed separately. One leads to other and finally to God the "Allah" almighty.
Shia/Fatimid
/Ismaili
/Dawoodi bohra's thinking is exactly on same line. Their further downward delegation system explained above from down the Dai fulfill 'Imamate' principle.
/Ismaili
/Dawoodi Bohra Ashhadu ana Moulana Aliyan waliullah ("I testify that Ali
is the vicegerent of God ") is part of Azaan (but not of iqamah) and they recite it twice after third part of the Azaan.
namely 'Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan-rasūlu llāh'
They also recite"Muhammad
un -va- Ali
-un khayr-ul- bashar va itrat-o- homa khayr-ul-itar " (Mohammad and Ali are the greatest of all men and their descendants are the greatest of all progenies ) twice after 7th part "Hayya 'ala-khayril-amal". This is continued from the time of the Aimmat Fatimiyyeen (In the Iqama(h)t they recite 'Qad qamatis Salat" in place of this).
Also, Hayya ala khairil amal, which had been dropped from the Azaan since after Rasulullah, is prayed, loud and clear, according to Nabi's sunnat.
The complete Azaan they recite is as follows:
Ismaili
' is a branch of Shia Islam. It is the second largest branch of Shia Islam, after the Twelvers...
Muslims are so named because they accept Al-Musta'li
Al-Musta'li
Aḥmad al-Musta‘lī was the ninth Fatimid Caliph, and believed by the Mustaali Ismaili sect to be the 19th imam. Al-Musta‘lī was made caliph by Regent al-Afdal Shahanshah as the successor to al-Mustansir...
as the nineteenth Fatimid
Fatimid
The Fatimid Islamic Caliphate or al-Fāṭimiyyūn was a Berber Shia Muslim caliphate first centered in Tunisia and later in Egypt that ruled over varying areas of the Maghreb, Sudan, Sicily, the Levant, and Hijaz from 5 January 909 to 1171.The caliphate was ruled by the Fatimids, who established the...
caliph
Caliph
The Caliph is the head of state in a Caliphate, and the title for the ruler of the Islamic Ummah, an Islamic community ruled by the Shari'ah. It is a transcribed version of the Arabic word which means "successor" or "representative"...
and legitimate successor to his father, al-Mustansir
Al-Mustansir of Cairo
' , was born in Cairo on 16th Jumada II, 420 AH and eight months afterwards was declared to succeed his father. His name was Ma'd Abu Tamim, surnamed al-Mustansir bil-Lah "The Asker Of Victory From God". He ascended on 15th Shaban, 427/June 13, 1036 at the age of . During the early years, the...
. In contrast, the Nizāriyya
Nizari
'The Shī‘a Imami Ismā‘īlī Tariqah also referred to as the Ismā‘īlī or Nizārī , is a path of Shī‘a Islām, emphasizing social justice, pluralism, and human reason within the framework of the mystical tradition of Islam. The Nizari are the second largest branch of Shia Islam and form the majority...
Muslims – presently headed by the Aga Khan
Aga Khan
Aga Khan is the hereditary title of the Imam of the largest branch of the Ismā'īlī followers of the Shī‘a faith. They affirm the Imamat of the descendants of Ismail ibn Jafar, eldest son of Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq, while the larger Twelver branch of Shi`ism follows Ismail's younger brother Musa...
– believe the rightful nineteenth caliph was Musta‘lī's elder brother, Nizār
Nizar
Abū Manṣūr Nizār al-Muṣṭafá liDīnillāh was a Fatimid Caliph and a Nizāri Ismā‘ilī Imām. He was deposed by his brother, Aḥmad al-Musta‘lī but his son, al-Hādī ibn Nizār, escaped to Alamūt and took refuge with believers there, thereby continuing the Imāmate.The followers of Nizār's descendants...
.
The Musta‘liyyah are also referred to as the Taiyabi
Taiyabi
Tayyibi is a branch of Mustaali Ismailism that split with the Fatimid supporting Hafizi branch by believing Taiyab abi al-Qasim was the rightful Imam. They are the surviving branch of the Mustaali and have split into Dawoodi Bohra, Sulaimani Bohra, and Alavi Bohra.Upon the death of the 20th Imam...
or Ṭayyibī after the last Imām they recognized, Ṭayyib Abī l-Qāṣim
Taiyab abi al-Qasim
aṭ-Ṭayyib Abī l-Qāṣim was, according to Ṭayyibī Musta‘lid Isma‘ili Muslims, the 21st and the last Fatimid Imām, the hereditary leader of the Muslim community in the direct line of ‘Ali). Abī l-Qāṣim was the son of the 20th Fatimid Imām, Mansur al-Amir Bi-Ahkamillah, was the ruler of Egypt from...
. Originally, there was a distinction between Ṭayyibiyyah and the Ḥāfiziyyah, who recognized the Fatimid rulers of Egypt between 1130–1169 as legitimate Imāms, not Ṭayyib Abī l-Qāṣim. The Hafizi
Hafizi
The Hafizi were a branch of Mustaali Ismailism that believed the current ruler of the Fatimid Empire after the reign of Al-Amir Bi-Ahkamillah, Al-Hafiz was also the Imam of the Time.-See also:*List of extinct Shia sects...
view lost all support after the downfall of the Fatimid dynasty; current-day Musta‘liyya are all Ṭayyibiyyah.
The largest Mustaali group is the Bohra, of whom the Dawoodi Bohra
Dawoodi Bohra
Dawoodi Bohra is a subsect of Ismāʿīlī Shīʿa Islām. While the Dawoodi Bohra is based in India, their belief system originates in Yemen, where it evolved from the Fatimid Caliphate and where they were persecuted due to their differences from mainstream Sunni Islam...
, primarily found in India, are the largest. The name is a reinterpretation of a Gujarati word, vahaurau, meaning “to trade.” The Bohrās include, in addition to this Shīʿī majority, often of the merchant class, a Sunnī minority who are usually peasant farmers. The Mustaʿlī sect (see Ismāʿīlīte), which originated in Egypt and later moved its religious centre to Yemen, gained a foothold in India through missionaries of the 11th century.
History
According to Mustaʻlī tradition, after the death of Imām al-Amīr, his infant son, AtTaiyab abi-l-Qasim, about two years old, was protected by al-Malika al-Sayyida (Hurratul-Malika)Arwa al-Sulayhi
Arwa al-Sulayhi c. 1048–1138,death:22nd Shabaan,532 AH) was the long-reigning ruler of Yemen, firstly through her first two husbands and then as sole ruler, from 1067 until her death in 1138...
, wife of Fatimid Dai of Yemen. She had been promoted to the post of hujja long before by Imam al-Mustansir
Al-Mustansir of Cairo
' , was born in Cairo on 16th Jumada II, 420 AH and eight months afterwards was declared to succeed his father. His name was Ma'd Abu Tamim, surnamed al-Mustansir bil-Lah "The Asker Of Victory From God". He ascended on 15th Shaban, 427/June 13, 1036 at the age of . During the early years, the...
at the death of her husband and ran the dawat
Dawah
Da‘wah or Dawah usually denotes the preaching of Islam. Da‘wah literally means "issuing a summons" or "making an invitation", being the active participle of a verb meaning variously "to summon" or "to invite"...
from Yemen in the name of Imaam Tayyib. She was instructed and prepared by Imām Mustansir and following Imāms for the second period of Satr. It was due to her that Imām Tayyib would go into seclusion, and she instituted the office of Dāʻī al- Mutlaq. Zueb-bin-Musa
Zoeb bin musa
Zoeb bin Musa al-Wadei was the first Dai al-Mutlaq, a position of spiritual authority in Musta‘lī Ismaili Islam. He was appointed to the position by Queen Arwa al-Sulayhi of Yemen in 532 AH....
was first to be instituted to this office and the line of Tayyib Dais that began in 1132 have passed from one Dai to another up to the present day.
Factions
In 1592, a leadership struggle caused the Ṭayyibī to split into Sulaymanīs (formerly Makramis) and Dawūdīs. The Sulaimani BohraSulaimani Bohra
Sulaymanis are a Musta‘lī Ismaili community that predominantly reside in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Pakistan and India. They are also called Makrami. They number between several hundred thousand and one million in Saudi Arabia alone...
– named after their 27th Da‘ī l-Muṭlaq, Sulayman ibn Hassan – are mainly concentrated in Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
and Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
, while Dawoodi Bohras are strongest in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. There is also a community of Sunni Bohra
Sunni Bohra
Sunni Bohras or Sunni Vohras, are a Sunni Muslim community found in the province of Sindh in Pakistan and the state of Gujarat in India. Sharing a large number of cultural similarities with the Dawoodi Bohras, they are often confused with that community. However, they are different in the fact...
in India.
There was a later split from the Dawoodis and a new subsect formed, the Alavi Bohra
Alavi Bohra
The Alavi Bohras are a Taiyabi Mustaali Ismaili Shi'i Muslim community from Gujarat, India.In India, during the time of the 18th Fatimid Imam Ma'ad al-Mustansir Billah around 1093 AD, the designated learned people who were sent from Yemen by the celebrated missionaries under the guidance of the...
(not to be confused with Alawi
Alawi
The Alawis, also known as Alawites, Nusayris and Ansaris are a prominent mystical and syncretic religious group centred in Syria who are a branch of Shia Islam.-Etymology:...
s or Alevi
Alevi
The Alevi are a religious and cultural community, primarily in Turkey, constituting probably more than 15 million people....
s).
Mustaali Imams
According to Mustali belief, the line of Imams (descendents of Ali ibn Abi Talib and hereditary successors to Muhammad in his role of legitimate leader of the community of Muslim believers) is as follows:- Hasan ibn AliHasan ibn AliAl-Hasan ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib is an important figure in Islam, the son of Fatimah the daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and of the fourth Caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib. Hasan is a member of the Ahl al-Bayt and Ahl al-Kisa...
625–670 (Imam- 660–670) - Husayn ibn AliHusayn ibn AliHussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
626–680 (imam-670-680 ) - Ali ibn Husayn (Zayn al-‘Ābidīn) 659–712 (imam-680-712)
- Muhammad al-BaqirMuhammad al-BaqirMuḥammad ibn ‘Alī al-Bāqir was the Fifth Imām to the Twelver Shi‘a and Fourth Imām to the Ismā‘īlī Shī‘a. His father was the previous Imām, ‘Alī ibn Ḥusayn, and his mother was Fatimah bint al-Hasan...
ibn ali 676–743 (imam 712–743) - Jafar al-Sadiq ibn mohd ul bakir 702–765 (imam- 743–765)
- Ismail bin JafarIsmail bin JafarIsma‘il ibn Ja‘far was the eldest son of Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq and the full-brother of Abdullah al-Aftah. Following Ja'far's death, the Shia community split between the element that would become the Twelver Shia, and those who believed the imamate passed through to Ismail's son; the Ismaili branch...
719/722-775 (imam 765–775) - Muhammad ibn IsmailMuhammad ibn IsmailMuhammad ibn Ismail was the son of Ismail ibn Jafar and an Ismaili Imam. The majority of Ismaili follow his descendants through his son Wafi Ahmad / Abdullah ibn Mohammad who founded the Fatimid Empire, including the Nizari and Mustaali.- Biography :...
740–813 (imam 775–813) - Abdullah ibn Mohammad/Wafi AhmadWafi AhmadAhmad al- Wafi is the eighth Ismaili Imam . He was surnamed al-Wafi. As the Imam, he was the supreme spiritual leader of the Ismaili community from his appointment till his death...
766–829 (imam 813–829) - Ahmed ibn Abdullah/Taqi MuhammadTaqi MuhammadMuhammad at-Taqi is the ninth Ismaili Imam . As the Imam, he was the supreme spiritual leader of the Ismaili community from his appointment until his death. The Nizari and Mustaali trace their Imamate lines from him and his descendants who founded the Fatimid Empire...
790‐840 (imam 829‐840) - Husain ibn Ahmed/Rabi AbdullahRabi AbdullahRabi Abdullah / Husain ibn Ahmed is the tenth Ismaili Imam, surnamed az-Zaki. Tenth imam as per Ismaili/Mustali/Dawoodi Bohra is Imam Husain ibn Ahmed...
(Imam 840‐909) - Abdullah Al Mehdi ibn HusainUbayd Allah al-Mahdi BillahAbdullah al-Mahdi Billah , often referred to as Ubayd Allah, is the founder of the Fatimid dynasty, the only major Shi'a caliphate in Islam, and established Fatimid rule throughout much of North Africa.- History :...
(909–934) - Muhammad al-Qa'im Bi-AmrillahMuhammad al-Qa'im Bi-AmrillahMuhammad al-Qaim Bi-Amrillah was the second Caliph of the Fatimids in Ifriqiya and ruled from 934 to 946. He is the 12th Imam according to Isma'ili Fatemi faith.- History :...
(934–946) - Ismail al-MansurIsmail al-MansurIsmāʿīl al-Manṣūr was the third Caliph of the Fatimids in Ifriqiya .- History :Ismāʿīl was born in 913 in Raqqada near Kairouan and succeeded his father Abū l-Qāṣim al-Qā'im in 946. The Fatimid realm found itself deep in crisis due to the revolt of Abū Yazīd...
ibn Mohammed al Qaim(946–953) - Maad‐nil Muiz ibn Ismail Al Mansoor/al-Muizz Lideenillah(953–975)
- Nizare nil Aziz ibn Moad‐al Moiz/Abu Mansoor Nizar al-Aziz BillahAbu Mansoor Nizar al-Aziz BillahAl-Aziz was the fifth Caliph of the Fatimids .- History :Since Abdallah, the heir to the throne, had died before his father Ma'ad al-Muizz Li-Deenillah , his brother Abu Mansur Nizar al-Azizbillah acceded to the Caliphate with the help of Jawhar as-Siqilli...
(975–996) - Al-Hakim bi-Amr AllahAl-Hakim bi-Amr AllahAbu ‘Ali Mansur Tāriqu l-Ḥākim, called Al-Hakim bi Amr al-Lāh , was the sixth Fatimid caliph and 16th Ismaili imam .- History :...
(996–1021) - Ali az-ZahirAli az-ZahirʻAlī az-Zāhir was the Seventh Caliph of the Fātimids . Az-Zāhir assumed the Caliphate after the disappearance of his father Tāriqu l-Ḥakīm bi Amr al-Lāh...
ibn husain‐al Hakim (1021–1036) - Ma'ad al Mustansir Billah ibn Ali ai Zahir(1036‐1094)
- Ahmed Al-Musta'liAl-Musta'liAḥmad al-Musta‘lī was the ninth Fatimid Caliph, and believed by the Mustaali Ismaili sect to be the 19th imam. Al-Musta‘lī was made caliph by Regent al-Afdal Shahanshah as the successor to al-Mustansir...
ibn Maadenil Mustansir (1094‐1101) - Mansuril Amir ibn Ahmed Al mustaiAl-AmirAl-AmirAl-Āmir bi'Aḥkāmi l-Lah was the tenth Fatimid Caliph , and recognised as the 20th imam by the Mustaali Ismaili Shi'a sect....
(1101–1130) - Tayyeb ibn AamirTaiyab abi al-QasimTaiyab abi al-Qasimaṭ-Ṭayyib Abī l-Qāṣim was, according to Ṭayyibī Musta‘lid Isma‘ili Muslims, the 21st and the last Fatimid Imām, the hereditary leader of the Muslim community in the direct line of ‘Ali). Abī l-Qāṣim was the son of the 20th Fatimid Imām, Mansur al-Amir Bi-Ahkamillah, was the ruler of Egypt from...
Imams one through five are well-known historical figures in the early history of Islam who are also revered by Twelver Shi'ites. The Imam (from 11 to 21) are the same imam which are narrated in the history of Fatimid
Fatimid
The Fatimid Islamic Caliphate or al-Fāṭimiyyūn was a Berber Shia Muslim caliphate first centered in Tunisia and later in Egypt that ruled over varying areas of the Maghreb, Sudan, Sicily, the Levant, and Hijaz from 5 January 909 to 1171.The caliphate was ruled by the Fatimids, who established the...
s.
Seventh imam from Mohammad ibn Ismail onward, the name of eigtth, ninth and tenth imam were hidden, Dawoodi Bohra religious book declares their names as listed above..
Followers of the Mustaali-Tayyebi imams also recite the names of these imams in Dua-e-Taqarrub after the Fard Salah ever yday. This tradition is reported to have come from the imams of the ahl ul bayt according to Daim ul Islam. The Dua is as follows in english:
- O Allah send blessings upon Muhammad and his progeny. O Allah I seek nearness to you not only with your help but also with the good wishes of Prophet Muhammad (saww), the chosen one, Ali al Murtadha, the source of Imamah and the successor of the prophet, and lady Fatimah az-Zahra, the daughter of the prophet, and Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain, the grandsons the Prophet and the masters of the youth of paradise, and the descendants Imam Hussain from Imam Ali Zayn al-Abidin To Imam At-Tayyib Abi l-Qasim.
- O Allah indeed I seek nearness to you by my reference to all of them since I love them and keep away from their enemies. O Allah make me steadfast in following their examples and include me in their company on the day of judgement. Bestown honour upon me and success in this world and the hereafter since I am their follower.
- I bear witness and sincerely believe that they will undoubtedly lead me unto you. May your blessings be upon them all.
The above Fatimid era are based on the direct descendants of the Prophet and to reconcile Islamic religion, based on divine revelation.
The Mustaali also feel themselves on same line and consider their imam and Dais as infallible and sinless, and divinely chosen perpetuators of the true form of Islam. Their Dais are keeping the tradition which was instituted by al‐Malika al‐Sayyida, wife of the Fatimid Dai of Yemen, who was instructed and prepared by Imām Mustansir and following imāms for the second period of Satr.
Dais (earthly leaders)
According to Fatimid tradition, after the death of Imām Al-Amir, al-Malika al-Sayyida (Hurratul-Malika) instituted Dai-al-Mutlaq to run the dawat from Yemen in the name of Imaam Taiyab abi al-Qasim. The Dais are appointed one after other in the same philosophy of nassNass (Islam)
Nass is an arabic word meaning "a known, or clear, legal injunction". In Twelver Shi`ah Islam, nass is used to reference the nomination of an Imam by a previous Imam....
(nomination by predecessor) as done by earlier imams. It is believed that the god representative cannot die before appointing his true successor. This is being followed from the time of 3rd Imam Ali ibn Husain, the strong army of Yezid also could not think of killing him, although they did not spare even a child of six months Ali Asgar.
On the similar belief, the Mustaali think and their Dai claim, that one day their Imam Tayyab’s heir will again reappear as Imam(as happened with 11th imam ABDILLAH
Ubayd Allah al-Mahdi Billah
Abdullah al-Mahdi Billah , often referred to as Ubayd Allah, is the founder of the Fatimid dynasty, the only major Shi'a caliphate in Islam, and established Fatimid rule throughout much of North Africa.- History :...
who appeared after period of 150 years since 6th imam Ismail).
Under 15th Imam Aziz
Abu Mansoor Nizar al-Aziz Billah
Al-Aziz was the fifth Caliph of the Fatimids .- History :Since Abdallah, the heir to the throne, had died before his father Ma'ad al-Muizz Li-Deenillah , his brother Abu Mansur Nizar al-Azizbillah acceded to the Caliphate with the help of Jawhar as-Siqilli...
(5th Fatimid
Fatimid
The Fatimid Islamic Caliphate or al-Fāṭimiyyūn was a Berber Shia Muslim caliphate first centered in Tunisia and later in Egypt that ruled over varying areas of the Maghreb, Sudan, Sicily, the Levant, and Hijaz from 5 January 909 to 1171.The caliphate was ruled by the Fatimids, who established the...
Egypt calipha) religious tolerance was given lot of importance. As a small shia group ruling over major sunni population with Christian minority also. The fatemid caliph were careful to sentiments of people. One of the Vazir of Imam Aziz was Christian ,and high office were held by both shia and sunnis. Fatimid
Fatimid
The Fatimid Islamic Caliphate or al-Fāṭimiyyūn was a Berber Shia Muslim caliphate first centered in Tunisia and later in Egypt that ruled over varying areas of the Maghreb, Sudan, Sicily, the Levant, and Hijaz from 5 January 909 to 1171.The caliphate was ruled by the Fatimids, who established the...
advancement in state offices was based more on merit than on heredity.
Imam Aziz
Abu Mansoor Nizar al-Aziz Billah
Al-Aziz was the fifth Caliph of the Fatimids .- History :Since Abdallah, the heir to the throne, had died before his father Ma'ad al-Muizz Li-Deenillah , his brother Abu Mansur Nizar al-Azizbillah acceded to the Caliphate with the help of Jawhar as-Siqilli...
rebuild church of Mercurius near Fustat and encouraged public theological debate between Chief Qazi and Bishops in order that the ideas of their religions could merge. Hence the members of this Islamic sect were inclined to be tolerant.
Profession of Faith('Kalema-tut-Shahadat')
As is the case with the majority of Shi'a muslims, the followers of the Fatimid school append Aliyun waliallah (Ali is the friend of Allah) to their Profession of Faith (kalema‐tut‐ sahadat). This modified phrase has been attested as far back as the Fatimid period.Mustaalis recite the kalema as below, there is some exception, the last phrase about Ali is not common, the details are as follows:
“Ash-hadu -an-la-ilaha illal-laha, wa ash-hadu anna Mohammad-an Abdo-hu wa Rasulo-uhu wa ash-hadu anna moulana Ali
Ali
' |Ramaḍān]], 40 AH; approximately October 23, 598 or 600 or March 17, 599 – January 27, 661).His father's name was Abu Talib. Ali was also the cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and ruled over the Islamic Caliphate from 656 to 661, and was the first male convert to Islam...
-un –vasi-un wa vazir-ah.”
Means:
I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, and I bear witness that Mohammad is Allahs servant and His Messenger and Ali is his successor ’vasi’ and minister ‘vazir’.
First part of this Kalema up to ‘--rasul-al-lah’ is common amongst all Muslims. The addition of last phrase’ Ali –un- Wali
Wali
Walī , is an Arabic word meaning "custodian", "protector", "sponsor", or authority as denoted by its definition "crown". "Wali" is someone who has "Walayah" over somebody else. For example, in Fiqh the father is wali of his children. In Islam, the phrase ولي الله walīyu 'llāh...
-ul –lah’ is tradition of shia/Fatemid/ismaili/bohra.
This is right from Fatemi Imam’s era.In one of the Qiblah of Imam Mustansir of Fatemi era masjid of Qahira (Mosque of Ahmed-ibn-tulun) engraved his name and “kalema‐tut‐sahadat"(photo as above) as ‘La ‐ilah‐ ilal‐lah, Mohamad‐un‐ rasul‐al‐lah Ali –un‐ vali ‐ ul –lah’. The same Kalema exist at Gate ' Bab-al-Nasr" built by minister Badr-al-Jamali at northern wall of Fatimid
Fatimid
The Fatimid Islamic Caliphate or al-Fāṭimiyyūn was a Berber Shia Muslim caliphate first centered in Tunisia and later in Egypt that ruled over varying areas of the Maghreb, Sudan, Sicily, the Levant, and Hijaz from 5 January 909 to 1171.The caliphate was ruled by the Fatimids, who established the...
Cairo(Photo as above). Dawoodi bohra also have same tradition and read 'kalema' in same fashion.
Fundamental first phrase "La- ilaha-ill-al-lah” is foundation stone of Islaam the belief that “there is no god but Allah”. This is confession of “Tauhid”.
The second phrase "Mohammad-un –rasul-al-lah” fulfill the requirement that there should be some one to guide in the name of Allah, which tells ”Mohammad is Allah’s "Rasul", "Nabi", the Messenger ,Apostle”. This is acceptance of “Nabuvat” of Mohammad.
Nabi Mohammad declared Ali bin Abu Talib as his successor at a place called “Ghadir -al-Khumm” ( Ref: Hadith of the pond of Khumm
Hadith of the pond of Khumm
The Hadith of the pond of Khumm refers to the saying about a historical event crucial to Islamic history. This event took place on 18th of Dhu al-Hijjah of 10 AH in the Islamic calendar at a place called Ghadir Khumm, which is located near the city of al-Juhfah, Saudi Arabia and was a place...
), which was required for the continuation of His guidance, that’s why he told that "for whoever I am a 'Moula’ of them Ali is his ‘Moula’”. Hence, the kalma required further confession the third phrase “Ali-un- vali-ul-lah” ,means “Ali
Ali
' |Ramaḍān]], 40 AH; approximately October 23, 598 or 600 or March 17, 599 – January 27, 661).His father's name was Abu Talib. Ali was also the cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and ruled over the Islamic Caliphate from 656 to 661, and was the first male convert to Islam...
is his(Mohammad’s) “Wali
Wali
Walī , is an Arabic word meaning "custodian", "protector", "sponsor", or authority as denoted by its definition "crown". "Wali" is someone who has "Walayah" over somebody else. For example, in Fiqh the father is wali of his children. In Islam, the phrase ولي الله walīyu 'llāh...
" ,"vasi" , the real care taker, stressing the need that for continuation of faith there is requirement of “Wali
Wali
Walī , is an Arabic word meaning "custodian", "protector", "sponsor", or authority as denoted by its definition "crown". "Wali" is someone who has "Walayah" over somebody else. For example, in Fiqh the father is wali of his children. In Islam, the phrase ولي الله walīyu 'llāh...
” , which is one and only “Imam after Imam ” ,which are really taking care of Islam, hence this is also known as the confession of "Imamat".
Kalema –tut-Shahadat make three Islamic teaching "Tauhid", "Nabuwat" and "Imamate" together. In this devotion to god, his Nabi Mohammad and Imam are so linked together that these can not be viewed separately. One leads to other and finally to God the "Allah" almighty.
Shia/Fatimid
Fatimid
The Fatimid Islamic Caliphate or al-Fāṭimiyyūn was a Berber Shia Muslim caliphate first centered in Tunisia and later in Egypt that ruled over varying areas of the Maghreb, Sudan, Sicily, the Levant, and Hijaz from 5 January 909 to 1171.The caliphate was ruled by the Fatimids, who established the...
/Ismaili
Ismaili
' is a branch of Shia Islam. It is the second largest branch of Shia Islam, after the Twelvers...
/Dawoodi bohra's thinking is exactly on same line. Their further downward delegation system explained above from down the Dai fulfill 'Imamate' principle.
Azaan
According to FatimidFatimid
The Fatimid Islamic Caliphate or al-Fāṭimiyyūn was a Berber Shia Muslim caliphate first centered in Tunisia and later in Egypt that ruled over varying areas of the Maghreb, Sudan, Sicily, the Levant, and Hijaz from 5 January 909 to 1171.The caliphate was ruled by the Fatimids, who established the...
/Ismaili
Ismaili
' is a branch of Shia Islam. It is the second largest branch of Shia Islam, after the Twelvers...
/Dawoodi Bohra Ashhadu ana Moulana Aliyan waliullah ("I testify that Ali
Ali
' |Ramaḍān]], 40 AH; approximately October 23, 598 or 600 or March 17, 599 – January 27, 661).His father's name was Abu Talib. Ali was also the cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and ruled over the Islamic Caliphate from 656 to 661, and was the first male convert to Islam...
is the vicegerent of God ") is part of Azaan (but not of iqamah) and they recite it twice after third part of the Azaan.
namely 'Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan-rasūlu llāh'
They also recite"Muhammad
Muhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
un -va- Ali
Ali
' |Ramaḍān]], 40 AH; approximately October 23, 598 or 600 or March 17, 599 – January 27, 661).His father's name was Abu Talib. Ali was also the cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and ruled over the Islamic Caliphate from 656 to 661, and was the first male convert to Islam...
-un khayr-ul- bashar va itrat-o- homa khayr-ul-itar " (Mohammad and Ali are the greatest of all men and their descendants are the greatest of all progenies ) twice after 7th part "Hayya 'ala-khayril-amal". This is continued from the time of the Aimmat Fatimiyyeen (In the Iqama(h)t they recite 'Qad qamatis Salat" in place of this).
Also, Hayya ala khairil amal, which had been dropped from the Azaan since after Rasulullah, is prayed, loud and clear, according to Nabi's sunnat.
The complete Azaan they recite is as follows:
| Recital | Arabic | Transliteration | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4x | الله اكبر | Allahu Akbar | God (Allah) is the Greatest |
| 2x | اشهد ان لا اله الا الله | Ash-hadu allā ilāha Ilah is an Arabic term meaning "deity" or "god". The feminine is ; with the article, it appears as . It appears in the name of the monotheistic god of Islam as , translated, that is, "the god"... illaha illa llāh |
I testify that there is no god but Allah |
| 2x | اشهد ان محمدا رسول الله | Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan-rasūlu llāh | I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God |
| 2x | اشهد ان مولانا عليا ولي الله | Ash-hadu anna Aliya wali-ul-lah | I testify that Ali is the viceregent of God |
| 2x | حي على الصلاة | Hayya 'alas-salāt | Make haste towards Salat- (the prayer) |
| 2x | حي على الفلاح | Hayya 'alal-falāh | Make haste towards victory |
| 2x | حي على خير العمل | Hayya- al Khair al amal | Make haste towards the greatest of all things |
| 2x | محمد و علي خير البشر و عطرة هما خير عطر | Mohammadun -va- Ali-un khayr-ul- basar va itrat-o- homa khayr-ul-itar | Mohammad and Ali are the greatest of all men and their descendants are the greatest of all progenies |
| 2x | الله اكبر | Allah-u Akbar | God is the greatest |
| 2x | لا اله الا الله | Lā ilāha illallāh | There is no god except for God |
Branches
- Alavi BohraAlavi BohraThe Alavi Bohras are a Taiyabi Mustaali Ismaili Shi'i Muslim community from Gujarat, India.In India, during the time of the 18th Fatimid Imam Ma'ad al-Mustansir Billah around 1093 AD, the designated learned people who were sent from Yemen by the celebrated missionaries under the guidance of the...
- Dawoodi BohraDawoodi BohraDawoodi Bohra is a subsect of Ismāʿīlī Shīʿa Islām. While the Dawoodi Bohra is based in India, their belief system originates in Yemen, where it evolved from the Fatimid Caliphate and where they were persecuted due to their differences from mainstream Sunni Islam...
- Hebtiahs BohraHebtiahs BohraThe Hebtiahs Bohra are a branch of Mustaali Ismaili Shi'a Islam that broke off from the mainstream Dawoodi Bohra after the death of the 39th Da'i al-Mutlaq in 1754.-Tree of the Ismāʿīlī Shia Islam:...
- Patani BohrasPatani BohrasPatani Bohras are Bohras that follow Sunni Hanafi fiqh. Most other factions of the Bohras community follow Mustaali Ismaili Shia fiqh.- History :...
- Sulaymani
- Sunni BohraSunni BohraSunni Bohras or Sunni Vohras, are a Sunni Muslim community found in the province of Sindh in Pakistan and the state of Gujarat in India. Sharing a large number of cultural similarities with the Dawoodi Bohras, they are often confused with that community. However, they are different in the fact...
External links and references
Further reading
- The Dawoodi Bohras: an anthropological perspective, by Shibani Roy. Published by B.R. Publishing, 1984.
- Mullahs on the mainframe: Islam and modernity among the Daudi Bohras, by Jonah Blank. University of Chicago Press, 2001. ISBN 022605676.Excerpts
- A Short History of the Ismailis, By Farhad Daftary
- The Ismaili,their history & Doctrine, By Farhad Daftary
- Medieval Islamic Civilisation,By Joseph W. Meri, Jere l.Bacharach
- Sayyida Hurra: The Isma‘ili Sulayhid Queen of Yemen,By Dr Farhad Daftary
- Cosmology and authority in medieval Ismailism,By Simonetta Calderini
- Religion, learning, and science in the ʻAbbasid period,By M. J. L. Young, John Derek Latham, Robert Bertram Serjeant