The Evolution Of the Dawoodi Bohra Community Through Migration
Tasneem Akbari-Kutubuddin
Image: Sebastian Goldberg
Emigration, travel, or hijra is an important part of the Islamic Faith. Prophet Mohammed’s landmark hijra or migration from Mecca to Yathrib (Medina) upon invitation in order to escape persecution has been an example for Muslims all over the world to travel to new places in search of livelihood, and entrepreneurial opportunities, and to allow them to practice their faith in peace. We Dawoodi Bohra Muslims have a rich trans-national, socio-religious migratory history.
Who are the Dawoodi Bohras?
The Dawoodi Bohra community is said to belong to the Shia Fatimi Ismaili Tayyibi branch of Islam which traces to the Fatimi imams or Caliphs. Fatimi Imams are the direct descendants of the Prophet Mohammed through Imam Ali bin Abi Talib, son-in-law of the Prophet, and Fatima, daughter of the Prophet and wife of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib.
The community functioned first from Madina, spreading over to North Africa and Egypt in later centuries and finally to Yemen. The religious administration of the imams was based in Yemen for many years. This caliphate was then transferred to establish the office of al-dai al-Mutlaq by Sayyida Arwa bint Ahmed, the queen of Yemen on instruction by the 20th imam after the 21st imam went into seclusion.
These dais then went on to represent the caliphs and lead the faithful. Today, the Dawoodi Bohras throughout the world are guided by their leader known as the al-dai al-Mutlaq (unrestricted missionary).
Today, around a million Dawoodi Bohras live in over 40 countries with large congregations in Pakistan, Yemen, East Africa, and the Middle East as well as growing populations in Europe, North America, South East Asia, and Australia. The present leader is the 53rd al-dai al-Mutlaq, His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin.
How the community came to India
In India, a sizable community of followers had existed since the 5th century. Until the 23rd dai, the center of the dawat was in Yemen. Syedna Yusuf Najmuddin ibn Sulaiman in Sidhpur, Gujarat, the 24th dai, stayed in India for a few years before going to Yemen. He died and was buried there. But due to the persecutions against the dawat by the Zaydi rulers of Yemen, from the 25th dai Syedna Jalal Shamshuddin, the center of the dawat was moved permanently to India from Yemen. The devotion of the followers in India and the friendly ties of trade and culture that existed between the two countries was reason for this, and now since 450 years, the dais have been functioning on Indian soil and guiding their followers to peace, and harmony.
The origin of the name ‘Dawoodi Bohras’ is derived from the 27th dai Syedna Dawood bin Qutubshah. There was a dispute for the contestant of the post of the 27th dai by a certain Suleman and this issue was escalated to Emperor Akbar. After necessary investigations, Emperor Akbar upheld the claim of Syedna Dawood and recognized him as the rightful 27th dai. Akbar’s royal decree giving this decision is still in the possession of the present Syedna. Since then the followers of Syedna Dawood are called Dawoodi Bohras. The word Bohra is a Gujarati word used for traders and businessmen.
Culture and heritage
Over the years the community has preserved its own distinctive culture, tradition, and cuisine. Our language, Lisan al-Dawat, is mostly Gujarati syntax but combines elements of Arabic, Persian, and Urdu.
The community attire consists of a white three-piece kurta outfit with a knitted cap with golden designs called a topi for men and a two-piece dress called the rida distinguishable from other forms of the hijab by its bright colours, and designs. The community’s cuisine is a blend of Arabian, Persian, Mughlai, and Gujarati cuisine. Each course of the meal is served for the people around the thaal to share. Maintaining brotherhood and harmony are crucial to our way of life.
Bohras remain a trading and business community renowned for their honesty, fairness, and trustworthiness. In olden times, in the days of the nawabs, Bohras would be invited to take up residence in the towns under their rule. The rulers were of the view that prosperity would follow due to their industrious nature and entrepreneurial spirit and true to this, the people have always added to the economy and progress of their towns and are known to be a peace-loving community. Women are known to be equally well-read, career driven, and enterprising.
As the community grew in Gujarat and surrounding states, the Bohras gradually started relocating to other cities and towns in search of better income and livelihood, inviting others to join them. Today the community has grown in different parts of India and the world with each place having its own unique story.
Pilgrimage
The Bohras regularly perform the obligatory pilgrimage of Hajj to the holy city of Mecca and the shrine of the Prophet in Madina. Besides, they pay their respects to the Prophet’s descendants by visiting their shrines and those of revered leaders, which is also a part of the Bohra religious tradition.
Tombs and sepulchers have been built at such sites as a mark of respect and love for them. Mausoleums have been constructed in various parts of central and western India in devotion to the various dais and spiritual sages. Yemen, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra are some of the states where Bohra shrines are present.
The first Bohra to settle in Chennai
In the late 1790s, Mulla Jafferji ibn Mulla Ismailji came to Arcot from Surat, in search of work. Mulla Jafferji was a direct descendent of 32nd dai Syedna Qutub Khan Qutubuddin Shaheed’s (AQ) daughter Ajabboo Saheba of Ahmedabad. She was married to Mahabat Khan, who was known to be a direct descendant of Prophet Mohammed.
Jafferji first came to Arcot in Tamil Nadu via the Malabar Coast and joined his maternal uncle there, Sheik Ahmed Ali, who helped him set up a bangle business. It was during the tenure of the 42nd dai, Syedna Yusuf Najmuddin RA. Eventually, he moved from Arcot to Chennai (then Madras) in 1796 and set up a garment business. He was married to his uncle’s daughter Halimabi.
Soon, he tasted success and his garments were being imported to other countries. He came to be known as a successful trader and was also given the title of Malik-ut-Tajjar by the Arcot Nawab. After a couple of years, his uncle joined him in Madras but soon after passed away in 1803. Sheikh Ahmed Ali’s grave — built in 1803 — lies in the cemetery behind the Mohammedi Masjid in Angappa Naicken Street, George Town, and is also the oldest grave there.
History of Chennai’s first mosque
When Bohras migrate to a new township, it is customary for them to buy a piece of land and build a mosque there. In 1809, Mulla Jafferji bought a piece of land on Moore Street and established the Saifee Masjid. This is the first and oldest Bohra Masjid in the city. Dai in the rule was 43rd Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin RA. This was later expanded by Motabhai Seth, a trader from Surat. Jafferji died in 1815 and was also buried in the same cemetery.
The masjid was used as such till the time of the 50th dai, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA, and was made in its current state during the tenure of the 52nd dai, Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin when he visited Chennai in the late 1960s. This mosque was later renovated and inaugurated by him in around 1973.
Later on, immigrants from other cities settled in Madras. Today, the city of Chennai is home to more than 8000 Dawoodi Bohras who have become an integral part of the city’s economic and social fabric.
(Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin is a journalist and digital content creator from Chennai. She is the Founder of the blogs Bohras of Madras and Bohra Women Entrepreneurs. She has been researching and documenting the history of Dawoodi Bohra Muslims in Chennai.)
