Syedna Dawood Bin Qutubshah (born 23 Rabi-Ul-Awwal 946 AH/8 August 1539; died 15 Jumadil Akhir 1021 AH/1612 AD,

Ahmedabad Ahmedabad ( ), also spelled Amdavad (), is the most populous city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is the administrative headquarters of the Ahmedabad district and the seat of the Gujarat High Court. Ahmedabad's population of 5,570,585 ...

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

) was the 27th ''

Da'i al-Mutlaq (; pl. , ) is the most senior spiritual rank and office in Tayyibi Isma'ilism. The Da'i al-Mutlaq has headed the Tayyibi community since the occultation (Islam), seclusion of the 21st Tayyibi Imamate in Ismaili doctrine, Imam, at-Tayyib Abu'l-Q ...

'' (Absolute Missionary) of the

Dawoodi Bohra The Dawoodi Bohras are a religious denomination within the Ismā'īlī branch of Shia Islam. They number approximately one million worldwide and have settled in over 40 countries around the world. The majority of the Dawoodi Bohra community re ...

sect of Musta‘lī

Islam Islam is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, and the teachings of Muhammad. Adherents of Islam are called Muslims, who are estimated to number Islam by country, 2 billion worldwide and are the world ...

. He succeeded the 26th, Dai Syedna

Dawood Bin Ajabshah Syedna Dawood Bin Maulai Ajab Shah Burhanuddin (died on 27 Rabi ul Aakhir 999 AH Islamic calendar, AH/1591 AD) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India was the 26th ''Da'i al-Mutlaq'' (Absolute Missionary) of the Dawoodi Bohra branch of Mustaali, Musta‘lī ...

, to the religious post.

Family

Syedna Dawood was born in 1539. His father was QutubShah bin Khwaja bin Ali, while his mother was Eijal Ghori baisaheba binte Ali Johari. His mother had memorized the entire Quran. Syedna Dawood married Hawwa Aai Saheba binte Mohammed bin Ali but she died after a short period. After her, Syedna Dawood married Raani Aai Saheba binte Ali bhai bin Jiva bhai. With her, he had three sons: Syedna Abduttayyeb Zakiuddin I, Syedna Qutub Khan Qutubuddin, Miya Khan-ji and a daughter Habiba. After her death, Syedna Dawood married Vazira Aai Saheba binte Miya Adam but she died after a short period. After her, Syedna Dawood married Shaha Aai Saheba binte Miya Khan. With her, he had a daughter Amatullah baisaheba and a son Miya Mohammad.

Early life

Syedna Dawood's early education was under Shah-ji bin Miya Sham'oon bin Jaafar. By age 10, he had memorized the Quran. At 21 years of age, Syedna performed

Hajj Hajj (; ; also spelled Hadj, Haj or Haji) is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims. Hajj is a mandatory religious duty for capable Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetim ...

and then went to Yemen to study under Syedna Yusuf Najmuddin I for four years. He then returned to India.

Life

Syedna Dawood Bin Qutubshah became Da'i al-Mutlaq in 999 AH (1591 AD). His period of Dawat was from 999 to 1021 AH (1591–1612 AD). Sulayman bin Hassan was in Yemen when the 26th Dai Syedna Dawood Bin Ajabshah died; he sent a condolence message to Qutubshah, which was proof of his acknowledgment of Syedna Dawood as the rightful Dai and successor. In 1005 AH Syedna Dawood Bin Qutubshah, was called by emperor

Akbar Akbar (Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar, – ), popularly known as Akbar the Great, was the third Mughal emperor, who reigned from 1556 to 1605. Akbar succeeded his father, Humayun, under a regent, Bairam Khan, who helped the young emperor expa ...

to appear at the court. Syedna was in seclusion for four years but the bounties of emperor and his message was conveyed to him. When Syedna reached

Lahore Lahore ( ; ; ) is the capital and largest city of the Administrative units of Pakistan, Pakistani province of Punjab, Pakistan, Punjab. It is the List of cities in Pakistan by population, second-largest city in Pakistan, after Karachi, and ...

, the emperor was in

Kashmir Kashmir ( or ) is the Northwestern Indian subcontinent, northernmost geographical region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term ''Kashmir'' denoted only the Kashmir Valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir P ...

. He was escorted to the court of Kashmir. The emperor received him and was influenced by the spirituality of Syedna. He returned to Ahmedabad under the protection of the emperor with Royal Farman, ordering the officials at

to show him every attention and to receive him wherever he went with respect on account of his great learning, virtue and piety. Emperor

's farman: "Allaho-akbar. This glorious farman is issued graciously to satisfy the wishes of sardar of Dawoodi Bohras after considering and calling him to our darbar so that the deputies of Gujarat especially authorities of Ahmedabad and Sidhpur and areas in connection to them, not obstruct them in their ways and let them come to us according to their will. And (the authorities) should not object them and his followers especially in their religious traditions, systems and taxes and about prohibited things and they should return their properties which are sealed, after removing the seals giving them back. Not to restrict them from any business or occupation they are willing. They should give facilities to them and authorities should not be covetous for anything. They should return all the properties which are seized because in the near future their case is to be taken under consideration. Karories, Jagirdars and all responsible Mutasaddirs of Gujarat are required to extend all facilities to the mentioned pious persons while passing through their territories. If he wants any guide then provide him with it for safety against robbery and all dangers of the way so that they may reach to their safe place. To respect them must be considered a duty. 1st Rabiul-Awwal 1005 A.D. Capitol Lahore."

Succession

Syedna Dawood Bin Qutubshah appointed or gave nass to Sheikh Aadam Safiuddin as the next Dai al Mutlaq.

Mausoleum

Syedna

Mohammed Burhanuddin Mohammed Burhanuddin (6 March 1915 – 17 January 2014) was the 52nd Da'i al-Mutlaq of Dawoodi Bohras from 1965 to 2014. He led the community for 49 years in a period of social, economic, and educational prosperity; strengthened and re-institu ...

dedicated a new mausoleum in 1996. Many features from Fatemi monuments are replicated. The front door facade and corner designs are derived from

Aqmar Mosque The Aqmar Mosque (), was built in Cairo, Egypt, as a neighborhood mosque by the Fatimid Caliphate, Fatimid vizier al-Ma'mun al-Bata'ihi in 1125-6 Common Era, CE (519 Islamic calendar, Hijri). The mosque is situated on what was once the main avenue ...

and Raudat Tahera. Al_Aqmar_Gate

Gallery

File:Kbr 27 th dai Syedna Dawood bin kutub shah.jpg, Grave 27th dai Syedna Dawood bin Kutub shah