What Did Syedna Burhanuddin Want? 17 Shabaan 1385H – First Misaaq Bayaan by the 52nd Dai al-Mutlaq

'Verily those who plight their fealty to thee do no less than plight their fealty to Allah: the Hand of Allah is over their hands: then any one who violates his oath, does so to the harm of his own soul, and any one who fulfils what he has covenanted with Allah,- Allah will soon grant him a great Reward.'

(Surat ul-Fath: 10)

This article was written by Ra'sul Hududil Mayameen Janab Syedi Aziz Bhaisaheb Qutbuddin in 2014.

50 years ago on the 17th of Shabaan 1385H (10 December 1965), Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA took the first Misaaq as Dai-l-Mutlaq in Saifee Masjid, Mumbai. In the bayaan before the Misaaq, Syedna Burhanuddin appointed his brother, Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin, as his Mazoon, and gave clear indication that he had appointed him Mansoos, which people of learning recognised. Earlier Syedna Burhanuddin appointed Syedna Qutbuddin as his Mansoos in private and gave him the ruby ring that Syedna Taher Saifuddin had given him when he appointed him as his Mansoos. After the sermon and misaaq were over, Syedna took the personal oath of allegiance ‘safaqat’ of all those present. For this he moved from his high seat, takht, at the center of the masjid, to the mihrab at the front of the masjid. He sat on the gaadi on one side of the mihrab and took ‘safaqat’. He instructed his newly appointed Mazoon, to sit on the other side of the mihrab, and he further instructed all the people to offer qadambosi to Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin. On the return to Saifee Mahal from this first Misaaq majlis, Syedna Burhanuddin asked Syedna Qutbuddin to accompany him in his car. When the car turned at Teen- Batti toward Saifee Mahal, Syedna Burhanuddin said to Syedna Qutbuddin, “Now I will be able to sleep soundly," indicating that he had fulfilled a Dai's primary duty of appointing a Mansoos.

At Saifee Mahal, Syedna Burhanuddin asked Syedna Qutbuddin to accompany him to his private apartments. Just Syedna Burhanuddin and Syedna Qutbuddin were present, and Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin did sajda of shukur and shukur araz to Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin. Syedna responded, “ja’alanallaho min-ash-shaakireena li- aala’ihi” (May Allah taala place us among those who give thanks for his benefactions – جعلنا الله لآلائِهِ من الشّاكرين). Syedna used the collective “us”, recounting the benefaction that Allah and his Dai Syedna Taher Saifuddin had bestowed on both brothers, Syedna Burhanuddin and Syedna Qutbuddin. Earlier in the day, Syedna gifted Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin a ruby ring which he placed on Syedna Qutbuddin’s finger, saying : “Syedna Taher Saifuddin used to wear this ring and he gifted it to me when he appointed me, and I used to wear it and now I gift it to you as I appoint you.” As Syedna Taher Saifuddin has stated in his risalat recounting the Nass by the 35th Dai on his successor the 36th Dai, the gifting of the Dai’s ring in such a manner is a clear indication that he is assigning the rutba of Dai al-Mutlaq.