Imaan, Belief & Truthfulness - Who Should You Believe, and Why?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

وَالَّذِي جَاءَ بِالصِّدْقِ وَصَدَّقَ بِهِ ۙ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ*

'And he who brings the Truth and he who confirms (and supports) it - such are the men who do right.'

(Surat al-zumar:33)

This article was written by Ra'sul Hududil Mayameen Janab Syedi Aziz Bhaisaheb Qutbuddin in 2015.

The definition of Imaan is tasdeeq, to believe in the veracity or truthfulness of an individual. So, a mumin is one who has imaan, one who believes in Truthfulness of Allah Ta’ala’s promise of reward in the Hereafter; and the veracity and truthfulness of Allah’s Nabi and his successors. We believe Mohammed Rasulullah’s SA statements about the unknown (ghayb) such as Heaven, Hell, the Day of Judgement. That belief is validated by the application of our rational mind to the message and philosophies brought forth by Rasulullah SA. Therefore, it follows that both belief and the rationality of that belief are the cornerstones of our faith.

During Rasulullah’s SA time there were many who claimed the Prophethood. Only Rasulullah SA was Truthful. But how do we tell who is true and who is not? The two basic criteria to assess these claims are: 1) the credibility of the individual and 2) whether the statements and messages of the individual is validated by the application of our rational mind. 

First, Rasulullah ^SA was known, even before his Mab’as (before he declared his Prophethood), as the Sadiq and Amin (the Truthful and the one worthy of entrustment). When Ja’farut-Tayyar RA made his representation to the King of Abyssinia when he migrated there with some of the early Muslims escaping the persecution of the Meccan Quraysh, he told the king that, “Mohammed brought to us a message of God’s Unity and we know him to be one who is Sadiq and Amin.” 

Second, Rasulullah’s Message was addressed to the ulil-albaab (ones with intellect and minds). The Qur’an continually addresses those with intellect (ya ulil-albaab) and asks, “do you not understand (afala ta’qilun).” For those who genuinely seek reason and answers, the tenets of Islam can withstand all philosophical and rational arguments. Islam is a rational faith and it is up to us to seek the answers.

Similarly after Rasulullah SA there were others who claimed to be Rasulullah’s successor, but only Ali AS was Truthful. There were others who claimed to be the rightful successors to Maulana Ali AS but only the Fatemi Imams are truthful. In the time of the Imam’s seclusion only the Du’aat Mutlaqeen are the true representatives of the Imams.

Over the years there have been numerous competing claims to veracity and Truthfulness of Allah’s Nabi, his Imam, and his Dai. Who should you believe, and why?

The 5^th Dai in his Kitab Tajul-‘Aqa’id states that the Mazoon speaks the truth whether it be for him or against him; only such a person is raised to this rutba. The 41st Dai Syedna Abdut-Tayyib Zakiuddin RA also describes the Mazoon as the truthful and sincere friend of the Dai (Sadiqan Saadiqan) and a brother to him who follows (comes after) him as the one who bears witness [over his followers as to their faith] (akhan yatluhu shaahida).

The 15^th of this month, Jumadal Ukhra, is the Urus of the 27^th Dai, Syedna Dawood bin Qutubshah RA. Syedna Dawood bin Qutubshah RA was the true successor of the 26^th Dai Syedna Dawood bin Ajabshah RA and during Syedna Dawood bin Ajabshah’s RA lifetime was also his mazoon.

Syedna Dawood bin Qutubshah RA was his predecessor’s Mazoon and he was truthful. Confident in his truthfulness he confronted the false claimant in the Court of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Sulayman produced a forged letter of appointment, purporting that it was written by Syedna Dawood bin Ajabsahah RA. Syedna Dawood Qutubshah RA denied the allegations of the Sulaymanis that he was going against the wishes of Syedna Dawood bin Ajabshah RA. His statements and legacy were the continuation of his predecessors. Initially Sulayman held sway because of his ties with influential and powerful people and Syedna Dawood RA himself had to remain in hiding. Eventually, the false statements that Sulayman made, including the forged letter that he produced, were exposed. Sulayman claimed that this letter was written by Syedna Dawood bin Ajabsahah RA and had his seal. As is manifest in this historical event, the Truth always prevails.

Syedna Qutbuddin TUS was the Mazoon of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA for fifty years. He speaks the truth, as the statement of the 5^th Dai quoted above makes clear, whether it be for him or against him. In other words he would never state anything contrary to the wishes of his Dai, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA. Syedna Qutbuddin TUS affirmed in his Eid Qasida this year that his tongue speaks the Truth. Our belief in him and his Truthfulness is cemented by the appeal of his message to our intellect. His teachings follow the legacy of the 51^st and 52^nd Dais.

Yet there are many who disbelieved Rasulullah SA and accused him of lying. The nature of these accusations against veracity and truthfulness are not new - these accusations are the ill-legacy of Sulayman and so many others. We are forever grateful that we are Dawoodi Bohra today because we believed in the Truthfulness of Rasulullah SA, of Amirul Mumineen AS, the Imams, their Du’aat, the Mazoon of the 26^thDai Syedna Dawood bin Qutubshah RA (hence Dawoodi), and the Mazoon of the 52^nd Da'i, Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin TUS.