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Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin rarely left his father’s side; whether at home or abroad, each day was replete with formal instruction and firsthand experience. It was at the young age of 19 that Syedna Taher Saifuddin publicly appointed him as his successor; he indicated time and again that Syedna Burhanuddin would carry forward his legacy.
Rooted in the Islamic tradition of seeking knowledge, his educational philosophy was in keeping with that of the Fatimi imams who bequeathed to posterity their rich epistemology and legacy of knowledge. It is fitting, then, that an early hallmark among His Holiness’ scholarly contributions was his extensive visit to North Africa in 1969, where he retraced the steps of these imams to authenticate and revive their history.
Drawing from the spirit of Quranic revelation and Fatimi epistemology, His Holiness redefined the community’s educational philosophy and fostered a renewed zeal in the pursuit of knowledge. To this end, he established educational institutes that blended traditional approaches to education with the best of contemporary methods and sciences. Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah, a prestigious university with branches in Surat, Karachi, Nairobi and Marol, epitomises this philosophy, as do many schools throughout the worldwide Bohra community. Besides establishing centres for basic spiritual education in nearly every Bohra locality, in 1984 His Holiness founded the first of a chain of schools, known as MSB Educational Institute, that provide holistic primary and secondary education. Today, MSB operates over twenty schools worldwide; its students are enabled to creatively meet the challenges of higher education, career and society with their Islamic values strengthened.
He received multiple honours and degrees from governments and reputed centres of learning for his scholarly achievements, such as from the universities of al-Azhar and Aligarh. Like his father before him, he was the chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University in India from 1999 to 2002.
The Fatimi era, spanning the 10th through 12th centuries, was a golden age in the history of Islam. testimony to the rich culture and prosperity of the period is its resplendent architecture; a manifestation of Fatimi philosophy that uniquely blended grandeur with humility. These architectural masterpieces were neglected and misused for centuries. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin took upon himself the enormous task of their restoration.
One of the world’s largest masjids, its complete restoration was a colossal undertaking requiring painstaking research, planning and execution. Bearing testimony to Syedna’s firm resolve, al-Anwar was rebuilt to its original grandeur in a short span of twenty seven months. Syedna Burhanuddin’s son and successor, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, was instrumental in the realisation of his father’s vision.
The history, culture and spirituality encapsulated in the stone edifices of the Fatimi era remain extant in the extensive use of its architectural features in contemporary Dawoodi Bohra masjids and structures throughout the world.
Inaugurated in 1975, it is unparalleled in that the entire Holy Quran is engraved on its walls. Each verse is overlaid with gold leaf, with some adorned with precious stones. Raudat Tahera is a testament to Syedna Taher Saifuddin and Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin’s devotion to the cause of Islam and the Quran; it is befitting that His Holiness has been laid to rest beside his revered father within those walls.
The historic conference of al-Multaqa al-Fatimi al-ʿIlmi, was held in Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah, Surat, in which His Holiness guided delegates in reassessing the community’s identity and defining the direction it would take in contemporary times.
The conference aimed to find a way to embrace modernity without compromising on the community’s core ethos and values. By reasserting its Islamic identity, the conference successfully charted a programme to reorient the community towards its Islamic roots in all aspects of life, in line with Syedna’s conviction that the comprehensive guidance of Islam was eternal and provided all the answers to the needs of the age. A sense of identity was nurtured by committing to Islamic ethical principles, including appearance, dress and business ethics.
He encouraged students of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah to memorise the Quran in its entirety. In Aljamea, this memorisation is coupled with a thorough education in Quranic arts and sciences, along with comprehending its meanings and values. The establishment of Mahad al-Zahra, a department of Aljamea devoted to the memorisation and study of the Holy Quran, in 1976, is the result of His Holiness’s dedication to Islamic education in the modern era. Over the years, Mahad al-Zahra has expanded exponentially and today it facilitates Quranic education and memorisation for community members across the world.
This encouragement was coupled with a persistent emphasis on adhering to Islamic tenets, especially the prohibition of interest-bearing financial dealings and upholding business ethics and principles. His Holiness’ counsel instilled courage in the community to adhere to such principles; a key reason for their continued prosperity and growth.
His Holiness institutionalised the Quranic economic concept of qardan hasana (lit. good loan), or interest-free loans, establishing the Burhani Qardan Hasana Trust in 1991. Today, there are similar trusts across the globe that disburse interest-free loans to community members, fulfilling their small and large-scale financial needs.
To further enhance the community’s business skills and acumen, he established the department of Tijarat Rabehah. Besides providing technical support to aspiring entrepreneurs, it offers worldwide business seminars and workshops to facilitate a better understanding of the modern business environment.
Difficult circumstances and challenging geographical logistics prevented the daʿis of India from revisiting Yemen; until, in 1961, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin was sent by his father to reconnect with the faithful there and visit the burial places of the Yemeni daʿis. He returned having won the hearts of the Yemeni community.
He subsequently visited Yemen many times over the next fifty years and today the peace-loving Bohra community of the region is spiritually and materially prosperous and devoted to its faith and heritage.
Remembering this sacrifice, the Dawoodi Bohras, like millions of other Muslims, have an age-old tradition to dedicate the initial days of Muharram to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husain. For the Dawoodi Bohra community, these days are known as Ashara Mubaraka and are a means for spiritual purification and growth.
In His Holiness’ era, Ashara Mubaraka congregations reached an unprecedented level. His love and reverence for Imam Husain brought the entire community together; crowds numbering up to the hundred thousands flocked to listen to his sermons during these gatherings. Besides recounting the sacrifice of Imam Husain and the events of the battle of Karbala, Syedna’s discourses expounded upon themes in Islamic history and philosophy while providing guidance and counsel, serving as a means for community members to reinvigorate their faith and navigate the complexities of modern life. These traditions have been continued by his successor, Syedna Saifuddin.
Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin’s warmth, vision and determination revitalised the Dawoodi Bohra community over a tenure that spanned half a century. In 2014, the year that marked his Golden Jubilee, Syedna Burhanuddin passed away in Mumbai.
Today, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin’s legacy is perpetuated by his son and successor, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, who was invariably by his father’s side and instrumental in his numerous initiatives. He continues to guide the community with the same vision, virtues and vigour as his revered father.
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