Da'i al-Mutlaq

Tradition of Nass governing the Appointment of Saheb-i-Amar

Nass-نص is the basis of Shia beliefs, it ensures the succession (Silsila). It is a declaration and designation through divine indication and Allah’s spiritual intervention-تأئید إلھي for the appointment of a successor-منصوص, be it an Imam or (during the Imam’s concealment) a Dai-داعي by his incumbent appointer-ناص among the faithful, publicly-نص جلي or privately نص خفي and at times supported by written documentary orders-سجل شریف. The one who appoints is called Naas and the one appointed is called Mansoos.

The tradition stems from the events of Ghadir Khum where Mohammad appointed his son-in-law, cousin and his heir 'Ali bin Abi Taalib as his Vicegerent, legatee and Wali^[3] of the Faithful. This tradition continued through all the Tayyibi-Ismaili Imams and Du'aat; according to Tayyibi-Ismaili belief, neither Imam nor Da'i al-Mutlaq can pass away without appointing his successor.

Mazoon al-Da'wat

• مأذون الدعوة - Mazoon al-Da'wat, Mazoon e Dawat: The Licentiate, Authoritative Rank, the most trusted associate in Da’wah ranks whose traditional role includes taking Bay'at from his subjects by the orders of Da’i al-Mutlaq. He is on a Spiritual Rank in the Isma’ili Taiyebi Da’wah hierarchy immediately below the authority of Da’i and sits to his right, and who carries out the religious activities as per the regulations of Da’wah organization. The religious doctrine specifies that he invariably and always assists and obeys his superior and his Master,^[3] the Da’i al-Mutlaq. In the absence of the Da’i he acts as his legatee. The Da'i al-Mutlaq's successor is often appointed to the rank of Mazoon; however, this is not the rule and the Da'i's successor has often been someone other than the Mazoon. Upon the death of the Mazoon, the Da'i selects a new trusted associate to fill the position.

Mukaasir al-Da'wat

• مکاسر الدعوة - Mukaasir al-Da'wat, Mukaasir e Dawat - The second deputy rank to the Da'i proscribed in Isma’ili Taiyebism. He sits to the right of the Mazoon during religious gatherings (Majalis). In the absence of both the Da'i and Mazoon, the Mukaasir acts as their legatee. Upon the death of the Mukaasir, the Da'i selects a new trusted associate to fill the position.

Dawoodi Bohras

The Dawoodi Bohras are the largest community of Tayyibi Ismailis, who followed Dawood Bin Qutubshah Burhan al-Din II as the successor to Da'ud Burhan al-Din I, thus deriving their name from him.

Within the Dawoodi Bohras, the current Da'i al-Mutlaq is Mufaddal Saifuddin. The previous Da'i was Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, who passed away in January 2014. The vast majority of Dawoodi Bohras recognize Saifuddin as the 53rd incumbent.

The current seat of the Dawoodi Bohra Da'i is at Saify Mahal on Malabar Hill in Mumbai, India.

Alavi Bohras

The Alavi Bohras are a smaller group of Tayyibi Ismailis, who followed Ali Shams al-Din V as the successor to Sheikh Adam Safiuddin, thus deriving their name from him.

The Alavi Bohras use the title of Dai al-Mutlaq in its Persian form "Da'i-e-Mutlaq". The current incumbent is Haatim Zakiyuddin, who succeeded his father Abu Hatim Tayyib Ziyauddin in 2015.

The current seat of the Alavi Bohra Da'i is in Vadodara, India.

Sulaymanis

The Sulaymanis are a smaller group of Tayyibi Ismailis, who followed Sulayman bin Hassan as the successor to Da'ud Burhan al-Din, thus deriving their name from him.

Starting from 1677, Sulayman's successors almost always came from the Makrami family. The Sulaymani Du'at made Najran their headquarters and ruled the area, supported by the Banu Yam, until their power waned under the successive rules of the Ottomans and Saudis.

The current seat of the Sulaymani Da'i is in Najran, Saudi Arabia, the current incumbent is Sayyidna Ali bin Hāsin al-Makrami.

Atba-e-Malak Badar

The Atba-i-Malak community are a branch of Musta'ali Isma'ili Shi'a Islam that broke off from the mainstream Dawoodi Bohra after the death of the 46th Da'i al-Mutlaq, under the leadership of Abdul Hussain Jivaji in 1840. They have further split into two more branches. The Atba-e-Malak Badar is a branch of Atba-e-Malak Mustaali Ismaili Shi'a Islam. They follow the preachings of both Abdul Hussein Jivaji and Badruddin Ghulam Hussain Miya Khan Saheb who was appointed as Hijab (Veil) of Moulana Malak (Abdul Hussein Jivaji) Saheb. The current leader or Dai al Mutlaq is Maulana Muhammad Amiruddin Malak Saheb. The Atba-i-Malak Badar community was founded in 1899AD and is based in Mahdibagh, Nagpur in India.

Atba-e-Malak Vakil (Muslim-Shia-Ismaili-Tayyebi-Dawoodi-Malak-Vakil Bohra)

The Atba-e-Malak Vakil continues the tradition of Nass after the untimely demise of the 46th Da'i al-Mutlaq Syedna Mohammad Badruddin saheb. The Amar passes on to four Mumalikin saheb (hidden successors - the seclusion was necessary to guard the Amar in then difficult times), last one being Moulana Adamji Tayyebji saheb in Mumbai followed by Moulana Malak (Abdul Hussein Jivaji) saheb who appointed Moulana Abdul Qadir Ebrahimji saheb as his Mansoos (successor) or Vakil (the one who advocates his succession or roots / acts for his principal) that identifies his followers as Atba-e-Malak Vakil. Their current spiritual lord / Imam is Moulana Tayyeb saheb bin Moulana Razzak saheb. This is a very small and peaceful community with high moral and ethical values, the majority of its population is in Nagpur in India with the second largest population is in Mumbai. Qur'an and Nasihat (Scriptures written by Syedi Sadiqali during the period of 42nd Da'i al-Mutlaq Syedna Yusuf Najmuddin saheb and 44th Da'i al-Mutlaq Syedna Mohammed Ezzuddin saheb) are main religious scriptures of Atba-e-Malak Vakil sect.

Dawoodi Qutbi Bohra

Taher Fakhruddin is the 54th Da'i al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Qutbi Bohras, a sect within Shia Islam. The current seat of the Dawoodi Qutbi Bohras is in Thane, Maharashtra.