‘As I have spent most of my life in the pursuit of knowledge and its dissemination amongst those of understanding – strengthening its foundations, and beautifying its gatherings – I have found nothing more important, pleasant or agreeable than the hours and days that have passed in this noble and exalted endeavour.’

A major portion of his day’s routine was devoted to teaching and expounding the tenets of the faith. Added to his duties pertaining to the community, His Holiness also served as the Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University for four consecutive terms. His extraordinary command over the Arabic language and excellence in its literature is evident by the 49 epistles he authored and more than 10,000 verses that he composed throughout his tenure. He is credited with the establishment of 350 co-educational institutes in various parts of the world where his community resided and the renovation of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah, the community’s premier seat of learning in Surat.

In accordance with the Prophetic tradition which makes the pursuit of knowledge obligatory upon every Muslim man and woman, he encouraged members of his community to pursue a well-rounded education and even to go abroad for higher educational pursuits.

The Dawoodi Bohras are a community devoted to trade and business and for generations have diversified themselves in both scope and geography. His Holiness being the spiritual head of his community was also a Bohra; and thus possessed all those qualities which were inherent in his community. Merchants, traders and industrialists sought his counsel because they recognised in him a native genius, enriched by long years of varied experiences from around the world. Being a spiritual man, His Holiness never neglected the material and mundane aspect of human life. He was very solicitous about his followers being happy and prosperous whilst also upholding the tenets of their faith.

Personalities like Mahatma Gandhiji and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Muslim leaders such as Mohammed Ali Jinnah and Dr Zakir Husain as well as scientists like the late Sir J.C. Bose visited him more than once and discussed with His Holiness the difficult problems that confronted India at the time.

His Holiness did not directly participate in active politics of any kind but this does not mean that he did not take a keen interest in the affairs of the country and the world at large.

He was respected as a scholar of exceptional ability even by members of other communities and was often invited to visit several educational institutions.

Syedna was also honoured by Karachi University who conferred him with a Doctor of Laws degree in 1955. He was also voted among 100 Greatest Indian Muslims of the Twentieth Century in an opinion poll run by Milli Gazette.

Shortly after his demise on March 18th, 1966, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, his son and successor, established His Holiness Dr Syedna Taher Saifuddin Memorial Trust with the aim of providing scholarships and grants for education as well as financial aid for medical purposes to both individuals and institutions alike.