Syedna Abdullah Badruddin (RA)
10th Rabi’ul Awwal, 1333 H. Surat

The urs of Syedna Abdullah Baruddin (RA), the 50th Dai al Mutlaq, falls on the 10th of Rabi-ul- Awwal. As signified by his laqab, “Badruddin”, he was the badr, the full moon that illuminated the path of hidayat for mumineen in the night of satar. He was a erudite scholar and a voracious reader. He had committed the entire Daaim al Islam to memory, and could find any reference in the treatise with awesome accuracy.

Syedna Abdullah Badruddin (RA) played an invaluable role in the Dawat during the reign of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin(RA). the Dawat, in those days was in great debt. It had been so since The time of Syedna Abulqadir Najmuddin (RA) 47th Dai-al-Mutlaq. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (RA), the 49th Dai-al-Mutlaq founded the Dawoodi Fund to have the debt repaid and Syedna Abdullah Badruddin (RA) served the cause alone, devoted and determined.

He would leave early in the morning, while everybody was still asleep, hire a carriage and visit shops for the collection of funds. He would return home , and, finding everyone already resting after having lunch, ask for his meal to be served. At that time, one of his uncles remarked that the one he served day and night did not even wait for his return. After Syedna Abdullah Badruddin (RA) ascended to the office of Dai, the same uncle admitted, “ He who serves is served in turn”.

He passed on his legacy of hard work and determination to his successor Syedna Taher Saifuddin (RA), saying, “Yesternight, I have placed the crown of the Dawat on your head. I known that dark clouds of conspiracy and discord surround the Dawat. And you are alone. But fear not, because the hand of Imam-uz-zaman is on your shoulder the Dawat. And I pray that he may grant you the honour of his zuhoor”.

Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin (RA)
12th Zilqa’datil Haram 1232 H. Surat

Syedna Abde Ali Saifuddin (RA) was the 43rd Dai-l-Mutlaq. He was the youngest of four brothers, the seconds of whom was the 42nd Dai-I-Mutlaq, Syedna Yusuf Najumuddin (RA), Syedna Abde Ali Saifuddin’s (RA) predecessor and mentor.

The era of Syedna Abde Ali Saifuddin (RA) as Dai-I-Mutlaq from 1213 H to 1232 H is written in gold letters in the annals of dawat. It witnessed spiritual, intellectual and architectural growth.

The era of Sydna Abde Ali Saifuddin (RA) was witness to intense intellectual activity.

Many scholers were actively involved in the spread of ‘ilm throughout this period. They were the disciples of Syedna Abde Ali Saifuddin (RA):

• Syedi Sadiq Ali Saheb used poetry to explain articles of faith;
• Syedi Abde Ali Imaduddin (QS) penned down haqiqut in his eloquent verses;
• Syedi Shaikh Ibrahim Saifee (QS) composed a book about the laws of nikah;
• Syedi Shaikh Qutubuddin (QS) specialized in writing the history of Aimmat Tahereen (SA) and Duat Mutlaqeen (RA).

Syedna Abde Ali Saifuddin’s (RA) efforts towards promoting two types of ‘ibadaat:’ibadat’ilmiyah (worship through learning ) and ‘ibadat’amaliyah (worship through religious acts) were manifested in the form of two great architectural accomplishments . First, an enormous masjid was built during these difficult times such that people of great courage and determination would fail to build even during times of wealth and prosperity. This masjid Is known as “Al-Masjid-ul-Moazzam”.

Syedna Abde Ali Saifuddin (RA) prayed in this masjid for the first time on the 14th of jumad il ula in the year 1220 H. it was Friday and thousands of mumineen had gatherd for this event. After namaaz, majlis was held and mumineen offered felicitations to Syedna (RA), That day was celebrated like the day of Eid.

The second architectural landmark of his era was ‘ Ad dars us Saifee’ , a madrasa which was built to house the seekers of knowledge. The cost of the madrash was 65,000 rupees, and Syedna Abde Ali Saifuddin (RA) built it from his personal funds. Later, Syedna Taher Saifuddin (RA) granted it the status of a university and today it is famously known as “Al-jamea-tus-Saifiya.”

Syedna Abde Ali Saifuddin (RA) organized the activities of dawat. He was very particular about the system of raza in teaching. Moreover, he emphasized nobility of character.

Once, he had earmarked a mumin for the title of haddiyat. Later , when he saw the same person walking with arrogance, Syedna (RA) dismissed the thought of conferring haddiyat on him because a raise in status would make him even more arrogant.

Syedna Abde Ali Saifuddin (RA) protected mumineen during two disastrous calamities: The floods and the great drought. Syedna Abde Ali Saifuddin (RA) shelterd 12,000 mumineen who had fled Kutch towards his hazrat in Surat. He sustained them for eleven months. Not only did he take care of their food and shelter but provided them with tools so that they could practice their craft and earn money. The earnings were deposited with a committee formed by Syedna (RA). After 11 months, muminees returned to their hometowns and the deposited amount was handed over to them.

Syedna Abdul Qadir Hakimuddin(QS) whom Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin(RA) had selected as successor and on whom he had great faith, died unexpectedly. Syedna (RA) , with the ; noor of Allah’ chose Syedna Mohammed Ezzuddin (RA) as his successor and prepared him to shoulder the enormous responsibilty of dawat. The grooming was so perfect that when people saw Syedna Mohammed Ezzuddin (RA) walking behind the janaza of Syedna Abde Ali Saifuddin (RA), they thought that it was in fact Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin(RA).

Syedna Abde Ali Saifuddin (RA) troubled by ill health passed away on Monday, the 12th of Zilqada, in 1232 H at a young age of 43 years.

Syedna Mohammed Ezzuddin (RA)
19th Shere Ramazan la Moazzam 1236 H.Surat

I have been Surat numerous times on numerous occasions. I have seen the crowd that meshes into one body outside the Qasr-e-Mutahhar for one glimpse of Maula (TUS). I have watched the queses outside the qubba waiting for hours for their turn to perform ziyarat . I know why.
I know the tranquil stillness inside the qubba that stands in sharp contrast to the bustling masses outside. Ten thousand mumineen may enter and exit the qubba per day with prayer and salaam on their lips; the ambience inside remains undisturbed -- always welcoming, eternal. When you enter with right foot forward the first thing that greets you is the cool white marble and the fragrance of bukhur. Your salaam shell be returned and prayers answered.

The qabr mubarak of Syedna Mohamma Ezzuddin (RA), the 44th Dai at Mutlaq, is in the larger of two qubbas In Surat (Qubba Ezziyah) beside five Duat Mutlaqeen. Syedna Ezzuddin (RA) was born in the year 1203 H and attended the dars of Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin (RA) -- now known as Jamea tus Saifiyah -- with his brother Syedna Tayyeb Zainuddin (RA). Syedna Ezzuddin (RA) and Syedna Zainuddin (RA) were born to Syedi jiwanji who served the dawat faithfully and in whose lineage eight Duat Mutlaqueen were to follow.

Syedna Ezzuddin (RA) was personally trained for the position of Dai al Mutlaq by Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin(RA) and continuously subjected to trials. On one occasion Syedna Ezzuddin (RA) was ordered by Syedna Saifuddin (RA) to journey to Mumbai immediately and in secrecy. His family was not informed of his travels. The anxious family members came to Syedna’s (RA) residence but did not receive any information. They, then went to Syedi Abdeali Imaduddin who consoled them saying: It must be an amr-e-aali (command) of the Dai. Do not worry , he is safe. Only after Syedna Mohammed Ezzuddin (RA) had reached Mumbai did he inform his family. He also journeyed in severe rain condition upon the command of the Dai Such was the proof of fortitude.

Syedna Ezzuddin (RA) was appointed Dai when he was 29 years of age. Syedna Tayyeb Zainuddin (RA), His brother, was appointed Mukasir-ud-dawat as per the direction of Syedna Saifuddin (RA). Syedna Ezzuddin (RA) reigned for three years and was laid to rest in the area which he had bought in front of Qubba Najmiya. Syedna(RA) passed away in the year 1236 H. on the 19th of Ramadan. He was 34 years of age.

Syedi Dawood Bhaisaheb Shehabuddin(AQ)
17th Jumadal Ula 1336 H. Surat

He was the Mazoon of Syedna Abdullah Badruddin (RA), the 50th Dai al Mutlaq. A few examples suffice to illustrate his unparalleled ikhlass for dawat and Dai.

He was one of the shaahids who witnessed the naa performed by Syedna Abdulqadir Najmuddin(RA) on Syedna Abdul Husain Husamuddin (RA).

In the era of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (RA), a man came up to him and said that it was only until syedna Mohanned Burhanuddin(RA) was alive, after dawat would shut down, Syedi Dawood Bhaisaheb (QR) replied: May Allah grant Syedna a long life, but in case something should happen to him he shall do such as to leave you astounded. When Syedna Abdullah Badruddin (RA) ascended to the position of Dai al Mutlaq, Syedi Dawood Bhasisaheb (QR) reminded this person of what he had told him.

When Syedna Abdullah Babruddin (RA) passed away, Syedi Shehabuddin (QR) was very old. In spite of his condition, he came to the sadaqallah majlis, and after performing tesleem and sajda, he said to Syedna Taher Saifuddin (RA) : You are my Maula - and that is my faith. Just as Imam Moiz (SA) stated to Syedna Qadin Noman (RA) when the previous Imam passed away : “Your Maula has passed away, but your Maula is living !”