Spanning both continents and centuries, the various mausolea and masjids of the Islamic world complement each other in significance, grandeur and design. Yet even among these varied and magnificently constructed monuments, Raudat Tahera, the resting place of the 51st and 52nd leaders of the Dawoodi Bohra community, stands unique and unparalleled.
The 51st al-Daʿi al-Mutlaq Dr Syedna Taher Saifuddin, Raudat Tahera is a testament to various facets of Fatimi philosophy, the late Syedna’s personality and his unprecedented 53 years of service to Islam and to the betterment of the Muslim ummah.
his heir and successor Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin chose to lay him to rest in the very Raudat he had built for his esteemed father. Together, the two serene graves speak of a century of tireless dedication to the betterment of the community; a manifestation of the eternal meaning comprised in this statement by Dr Syedna Taher Saifuddin referring to his son, Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin wherein he speaks of them being one in spirit despite being twain in form.
Each day, thousands of community members throng to Raudat Tahera from far and wide to pay their respects and perform ziyarat. Amid bowed heads and resolute faith, many a heart finds comfort in the presence of the two revered daʿis.
Nearly every member of the Dawoodi Bohra community at the time contributed to the construction process and feels a sense of pride in having been part of this great undertaking. It is now also at the centre of an unprecedented urban redevelopment project, the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Project, which aims to turn this congested area into an ultra-modern ‘smart-city’ enclave.
With the aim of enriching and strengthening the following aspects of their lives: faith, education, honest trade and industry, striving for the benefit of all mankind, and a balanced approach to the betterment of both the spiritual as well as temporal spheres of life. These guidelines formed the basis of the continued rejuvenation and progress of the community that has been witnessed in the last few decades.
Most importantly, it is the venue chosen by Syedna Burhanuddin to publicly confer nass (investiture to the rank of al-daʿi al-mutlaq) upon his heir and successor Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin in the presence of thousands.
Conceived as a physical manifestation of philosophy, Fatimi art and architecture speaks volumes even as it remains silent. One of the hallmarks of Fatimi architecture, apart from its apparent simplicity, is the predominance of symmetry and balance in all its aspects.
Raudat Tahera is the very embodiment of Fatimi design and architecture, as it strikes a balance between simplicity and grandeur, tradition and modernity, while at the same time manifesting a profound symmetry between its dimensions and the life and times of Syedna Taher Saifuddin. The inner height of the mausoleum rises to 80 ft above the plinth, which signifies the age of Syedna at the time of his de- mise.
The inner dimensions of 51 ft by 51 ft are equally symbolic, as they denote his position as the 51st al-Daʿi al-Mutlaq.
What gives the monument a unique place of honour among other Islamic monuments is the inscription of the entire Holy Quran in gold-filled letters, on 772 marble slabs, each 3 ft by 2 ft in size, constituting the inner wall to a height of 32 ft.
What gives the monument a unique place of honour among other Islamic monuments is the inscription of the entire Holy Quran in gold-filled letters, on 772 marble slabs, each 3 ft by 2 ft in size, constituting the inner wall to a height of 32 ft.
113 bismillahs (in the name of Allah, an invocation used by Muslims in the beginning of any undertaking) are inlaid with precious stones.
Excerpts from the philosophical writings of the late His Holiness which expound on the meanings of Quranic verses are also inscribed on the walls.
The exterior rises to a total height of 108 ft, of which a 52 ft high dome is the crowning feature. From the base of the mausoleum to the base of the dome is an elevation of 92 ft in memory of the Prophet Mohammed ﵆ whose name bears the numeric value of 92.
The dome and the cornice are inspired by al-Jamiʿ al-Juyushi, whereas the four entrances match the entrance of al-Jamiʿ al-Aqmar. These are masjids in Cairo from the Fatimi era, and the inclusion of their elements in Raudat Tahera represents the continuity of Fatimi faith and culture in the Dawoodi Bohra community.
The pristine white marble used in Raudat Tahera is sourced from the Chosira and Ulodi quarries in Makrana, Rajasthan. It is the same marble used in the Taj Mahal which is arguably the most iconic expression of Indian architecture.
Follow us
