Qadr Night Among the Shia Muslims Shia Muslims observe Qadr Night, also known as ‘Laylat al Qadr,’ the ‘Night of Destiny’ or the ‘Night of Power,’ every year in Ramadan (the 9th Islamic month) and it is considered to be the holiest night of the year for Muslims. The exact date of Laylat al-Qadr is […]
In the previous article we talked about the three first ranks in the organization of Dawoodi Bohras, as the da’i mutlaq, ma’dhun and mashayikh. Next rank in the da’wa hierarchy comes the ‘amil or agent, who is the head of any local Da’udi congregation or jama’at. Addressed as Bha’i Sahib or Miyan Sahib, the ‘amils […]
The Dawoodi (Da’udi) Bohras are a religious sect of the Isma’ilis who are the second biggest branch of Shia Islam. The organization of the Dawoodi Bohras is affected by the fact that they are typically self-reliant traders, businesspersons, and entrepreneurs who have their specific hierarchy for managing their community. The organization of the Da’udi Bohras is based on the pattern […]
The Iftar traditions among Dawoodi Bohras is unique and different from many other customs during the month of Ramadan. While most Muslims break their fast with dates and water, the Bohra community starts all edibles – even sweets – with a little salt which they believe gives protection from numerous illnesses. Each year and every […]
In the previous articles, we mentioned some of the special characteristics that made Imam Ali unique. In this article we will discuss a few more of his unique virtues: - Ali’s generosity: Ali (AS) would do manual labor while fasting and provide his wages to the needy. He would give his own Iftaar (food […]
Continuing to talk about the unique features of Imam Ali (AS), we come to the following items: - The first male Muslim: All historians agree that after the Prophet of Mercy was given the Divine Mission to guide the people, Ali (AS) was the first man to believe in him and support him at the […]
Within the history of Islam, no other individual after the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had the unique characteristics of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS). If the people, rather than God, were to settle on the best and most qualified person as the successor to the Prophet, nobody would have been more suitable than Ali. A […]
The Nizari Ismailis are the largest segment of the Ismaili Muslims, who are the second-largest branch of Shia Islam after the Twelvers. Nizaris, along with Twelvers, adhere to the Jaʽfari school of jurisprudence. The Aga Khan, is the spiritual leader and Imam of the Nizaris. The global seat of the Ismaili Imamate is in Lisbon, Portugal. The Nizari Ismailis have had their own complex history and separate doctrinal development. The circumstances of […]
Yawm‐e Ali – literally the “Day of Ali” – is the birthday anniversary of Hazrat Imam Ali (a.s.) which is commemorated on the 13th Rajab. According to tradition, Hazrat Ali’s birthday is on 13 Rajab in the year 599 CE. He was Prophet Muhammad’s companion, son-in-law, and cousin who married his daughter Bibi Fatimah Al Zahra […]
History and Demographics of Sulaymani Tayyibis The Sulaymani branch of Tayyibi Isma’ilism is an Islamic community, of which around 70 thousand members reside in Yemen, while a few thousands of Sulaymani Bohras can be found in India. The Sulaymanis are headed by a Da’i al-Mutlaq from the Makrami family. “Da’I Mutlaq” is the absolute, or unrestricted, missionary who is the most senior spiritual rank and office in Tayyibi Isma’ilism. A […]