THE FAITH OF THE DAWOODI BOHRAS

The Dawoodi Bohras profess Islam and belong to the Shia Ismailia Taiyebi Sect of Muslims. They are called Taiyebi after Imam Taiyeb, the 21st Imam who went into seclusion and was followed by a chain of Dai-el-Mutlaqs. After the death of the 26th Dai-el-Mutlaq in 1588 A.D. there was a schism in the community and as a result the Dawoodi Bohra sub-sect arose which followed Syedna Dawoodbin Qutub Shah, and it was since then that the community came to be called Dawoodi Bohras, the term Bohras reflecting their hereditary calling of trade. 
The Dawoodi Bohras believe that there is one God; that Moulana Mohammed Rasullallah is His Prophet to whom He revealed the Qur’an & that Moulana Ali Amirul Momineen is the Vasi of Prophet Mohammed and succeeded him. A line of Imams each of whom was appointed by his immediate predecessor succeeded Moulana Ali; son after father. That an Imam always exists though at times one from amongst the unbroken line of successive Imams may decide to keep away from public. The 21st Imam, Moulana Tyeb, went into what is known as the 'Satr' (Seclusion) and his descendants, one after the other, continued to function in that manner. That, today there is an Imam on earth, the direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed whose mission is conducted through his vicegerent who is known as the Dai-el-Mutlaq. 
The Imam is the fount of law and the ultimate in authority. His supreme position and law giving authority is fundamental to and inherent in the faith and beliefs of the Dawoodi Bohras. All property, dedicated to God and for the use and benefit of the community vests in the Imams. As supreme religious leaders, they lay down a code of ethical rules, prescribe rituals and observances, modes and manner of worship and evolve traditions and practices that are integral parts of the faith, creed and religion. 
The Dawoodi Bohras further believe, that so long as the Imam should remain in seclusion, his appointed representative the vicegerent, known as Dai-el-Mutlaq, conducts on behalf of the Imam, his Dawat and administers and receives from the faithful an oath of allegiance. That, as an Imam cannot die without leaving a successor Imam, his direct descendant, so too the Dai-el-Mutlaq cannot die without appointing a successor. The first Dai el-Mutlaq was Syedna Zoeb and the 5ist Dai-el-Mutlaq in the unbroken line of succession stretching over a span of eight hundred and fifty years is His Holiness Dr. Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb. 
The Dawoodi Bohras further believe that the Dai-el-Mutlaq, as the representative and the vicegerent of the Imam on earth in seclusion enjoys and exercises all the powers and authority of the Imam. The position of the Dai-el-Mutlaq is an essential part of the creed of the Dawoodi Bohras. Faith in his spiritual mission and in the efficacy of his administration is one of the bonds that hold the community together as a unit. He enforces discipline and keeps the denomination together as one entity. He ensures the purity of the fellowship and preservation of the brotherhood. 

52^nd Dai al- Mutlaq Dr. Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin (TUS)

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