i need info on bhoris. my friend is bhori and considers himself a muslim.
can i get a background info on this.
this is not an argument if they are right oe wrong. i just want to know what are their beliefs.
i dont know much about their faith but i know most of them live in nearby lanes of bohri bazar.
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/wink.gif
shair-e-karachi.
chalo chalo
bohri bazar chalo!
man, you’re everwhere. every thread i goto..
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif
but i really wanna know about bhoris..and wahabis as well.. like i know about sunni and shias, but i’ve been hearing about wahabis as well…
whats the deal with them?
and plz.. no straying off topic here. (and no shairs)
Dear shair,
Please realize that not all messages are light-hearted. It is not polite of you to enter into a discussion and derail it.
Learn some manners please.
[This message has been edited by Admin (edited October 24, 2000).]
guess i missed what shair30 wrote. looks like it wasn't appropiate.
anyways.. i was serious about wanting to know more about wahabis and bhoris. can someone plz point to a link atleast...
thanks,,
Nomaan,
Have you tried doing a search in this forum?
Try it. Surely the subject has come up before now.
thanks..admin..
dont know why i didnt think of that
Bohris Basically originated from Yemen and Egypt..and migrated to India…
here is some info that i found
Introduction
The Dawoodi Bohra community of Muslims led by His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin , is a million
strong, but scattered over five continents all over the world. Truly international in outlook, profession, skills and
expertise, they bring their varied qualities to the community’s pool of resources and achieve significant success in their
community ventures, no matter how large their scale. They traditionally practice trade and commerce, an occupational
identity that they are known by. Syedna’s leadership provides them with guidance in the Islamic way of life as they
endeavor to practice the faith with spirituality and conviction in an era of rapid change. They practice their religion
according to a specific code of beliefs, doctrines and tenets founded on al-Quran and Islamic Shariat as taught and
interpreted by the Dai al-Mutlaq. This ensures the unity of faith among the Dawoodi Bohras all over the world and
binds the Community together as one entity preserving its identity.
Beliefs
The Shia Fatimi Ismaili Tayyibi Dawoodi Bohras are a denomination of Islam with a distinct identity, culture and ethos.
In common with all Muslims, they affirm the oneness of Allah, believe that the Prophet Muhammad al-Mustafa (s.a.w.)
was the last prophet in a chain of prophets from Allah and revere the holy Qur’an, as the final revelation of Allah.
The Dawoodi Bohras in common with other Shia Muslims, believe that the Prophet chose his son-in-law Ali ibn Abi
Talib (s.a.) as his successor and that an Imam descended from them both through the Prophet’s daughter Fatima (s.a.)
will always exists on earth as the final interpreter of religion and as a perfect guide to the faithful. The Imams
functioned initially from Medina and then later from Egypt, where they led vast areas of the Muslim World as the
Fatimid Caliphs. This era produced a unique tradition which is now called Fatimid. From the 21st Imam onwards, all
Imams to date have chosen to remain in seclusion. It is an article of faith for the Bohras, that whilst the Imam chooses
to remain in seclusion his mission is headed by his representative called al-Dai al-Mutlaq, meaning absolute caller to
the faith. This office, first instituted in Yemen in the 12th century, moved to India in the 16th century and has
remained there ever since. Since 1965, the office is held by His Holiness Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, its 52nd
incumbent.
Roots
The Muslim community of Dawoodi Bohras traces its ancestry to early conversions to Ismaili Shiism during the reign of
the Fatimid caliph-imam, al-Mustansir (AS) (AH 427-487/1036-1094 AD). When schisms occurred in the Ismaili dawah
(mission) in the eleventh and twelfth centuries in Egypt, the Ismailis in India followed the Fatimid Tayyibi dawah of
Yemen. Subsequently, this
community split a number of times to form the Jafari Bohras, Dawoodi Bohras, Sulaymani Bohras, Aliyah Bohras and
other lesser known groups.
The meaning
The word Bohra (also spelled Bohora or Vohra ) is derived from the Gujrati vohorvu or vyavahar, meaning “to trade”.
This has sometimes caused Hindus, Jains and Muslims of trading communities other than those related to the Tayyibi
Ismailis to list themselves on census forms as Bohras. The early Hindu converts of the eleventh century comprised a
single group of Ismaili
Bohras owing allegiance to the dai mutlaq in Yemen. The dai mutlaq operates as the sole representative of the secluded
Ismaili imam and as such has had a great influence on the history, faith, and practices of the Dawoodi Bohras.
Dawoodi Bohras are named after their twenty seventh dai Dawood ibn Qutubshah (d. 1612).
Organization
The Dawoodi Bohra community has largely been molded into its present form by the two dais who have led the
community in the twentieth century. The fifty first dai, the celebrated Dr. Sayyidna Tahir Saifuddin (1915-1965), was
an accomplished scholar, a prolific writer and poet, a capable organizer and a man of vision. During his period of fifty
years he re-vitalized the community, fostered strong faith, modernized the mission’s organization, promoted welfare
and education in the community, and guided it through the tumultuous period of world wars and independence of
nations.The present dai, H.H. Dr. Sayyidna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS) has continued his predecessor’s endeavors
with particular emphasis on strengthening the community’s Islamic practices and on the promotion of its Fatimid
heritage.
The religious hierarchy of the Dawoodi Bohras is essentially Fatimid and is headed by the dai mutlaq who is appointed
by his predecessor in office. The dai appoints two others to the subsidiary ranks of madhun (licentiate) and mukasir
(executor). These positions are followed by the rank of shaykh and mullah, both of which are held by hundreds of
Bohras. An Aamil (usually a graduate of the order’s institution of higher learning, al-Jamiah al-Sayfiyah) who leads the
local congregation in religious, social and communal affairs is sent to each town where a sizable population exists.
Such towns normally have a mosque and an adjoining jamaat-khanah (assembly hall) where socio-religious functions
are held. The local organizations which manage these properties and administer the social and religious activities of
the local Bohras report directly to the central administration of the dai based in Bombay, called al-Dawah al-Hadiyah.
The Dai al-Mutlaq
Dawat-e-Hadiyah, Allah’s sovereignty over Heavens and Earth, is entrusted to the Imam and during a period of Imam’s
seclusion, with the Imam’s amr (command) and izn (sanction), is headed and governed by the Dai al-Mutlaq, the
Imam’s representative and vicegerent, the supreme head of Dawat-e-Hadiyah and the Dawoodi Bohra Community.
Today, al-Dai al-Fatimi, His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS) is the 52nd Dai al-Mutlaq in an
uninterrupted chain of succession that commenced in the year 532 AH (1138 AD). He succeeded to the throne of
Dawat in the year 1385 AH (1965 AD) by an-nass of his illustrious father and predecessor. His Holiness Dr. Syedna
Taher Saifuddin (AQ) the 51st Dai al-Mutlaq.
Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin has often said that the restoration of al-Anwar has engendered an era of
unprecedented progress for the body of the community as if attracting a celestial blessing for a humble act of devotion.
His focus has always been and still remains on the rebuilding of spirits of men along with the sacred mosques.
Customs and rituals
At the age of puberty every Bohra, or mumin (believer) as sectarians call each other, pronounces the traditional oath of
allegiance which requires the initiate to adhere to the shariah and accept the leadership of the imam and the dai. This
oath is renewed each year on the 18th of Dhu al-Hijjah (Id Gadir al-Khumm). The Bohras follow Fatimid school of
jurisprudence which recognizes seven pillars of Islam. Walayah (love and devotion) for Allah, the Prophets, the imam
and the dai is the first and most important of the seven pillars. The others are tahrah (purity & cleanliness), salah
(prayers), zakah (purifying religious dues), sawm (fasting), hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) and jihad (holy war). Pilgrimages
to the shrines of the saints is an important part of the devotional life of Bohras, for the facilitation of which rest houses
and assisting organizations have been set up.
Once a year, the community commemorates Ashura, the day the Prophet’s grandson Imam Husayn (s.a.) was martyred
in Kerbala. All over the world community members meet to recount the narrative that moves hearts fourteen centuries
after the event. Thousands other choose to gather around Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, wherever he may be and
listen to his discourses which are often relayed live to community centres all over the world.
Some distinctive features
Dawoodi Bohras use an arabicized form of Gujrati, called lisan al-dawah, which is permeated with Arabic words and
written in Arabic script. Another distinctive feature is their use of a Fatimid lunar calendar which fixes the number of
days in each month. There is a strong religious learning tradition amongst the Dawoodi Bohras, their dais usually
being prolific writers and orators. The Dawoodi Bohras number about a million and reside in India, Pakistan, the
Middle East, East Africa (since the 18th century) and the West (since the 1950s).
They are also recognized by their adherence to Islamic Shariat in the appearance and daily lives. They live in closely
bonded social groups which meet regularly for prayers and periodically to mark religious dates. Beautiful verses from
the community’s literary treasury are recited and meals are shared, to break bread together in the universal way.
Traditionally a business community, the Dawoodi Bohras have continued to foster enterprise wherever they live. In
recent times, the community has taken a conscious and measured decision to develop a business ethic based upon
prohibition in Islam of borrowing or lending on interest. Concurrently, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin has
institutionalised the Islamic concept of qardan hasana, which means offering loans on an interest-free basis and
individuals have also been mobilised to offer each other help by means of such loans.
The pivotal role of the Duaat Mutlaqeen (plural of Dai al-Mutlaq), their serenity, inspiring leadership and practical
guidance throughout the vicissitudes of history have greatly influenced and motivated the lives of the Dawoodi Bohras
along the Fatimi ideals. This has strengthened their bond of loyalty and dedication to the Dawat.
Institutes
Al-Jameatus Saifiyah, the Arabic academy established in 1814, with branches in India and Pakistan, is the
community’s principal institution for religious education and training. It teaches a curriculum that blends
contemporary subjects to traditional Islamic lore. Part of its curriculum is taught to younger children in community
schools in nine countries.
In the United States
In the United States of America, the affairs of Dawat-e-Hadiyah are carried out in accordance with the wishes and
direction of the Dai al-Mutlaq through a legal entity, being a corporation sole, functioning under the name and style of
Dawat-e-Hadiyah (America), a corporation sole (hereinafter referred to as “Dawat-e-Hadiyah (America)” ).
With the encouragement, permission and blessings of the Dai al-Mutlaq, members of the Dawoodi Bohra Community
migrated to the United States of America and settled down in this country, and others have been born here. Such
members have become citizens of the United States of America, and/or acquired a resident status here.
(Note: To maintain the integrity of this article, the spellings of Islamic names and terms in the original article are retained)
Extracts from…
The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World, 1995.
“A momento”, published by Anjuman-e-Burhani, London, 1996.
New York Dawoodi Bohra Jamaat website
BAD BOYS HAVE ALL DA FUN!!
Why drink N drive when U can smoke N FLY:)
http://ammars.4t.com
I can provide you people more information but i think that this answers most of your questions..
BAD BOYS HAVE ALL DA FUN!!
Why drink N drive when U can smoke N FLY:)
http://ammars.4t.com
[quote]
Originally posted by AMMARS:
*I can provide you people more information but i think that this answers most of your questions..
*
[/quote]
Ammar ,r u in someway close to a bohri friend or associate.?What is Suleimani bohra b/c i have heard of a bifurcated sect called that.
It is somewhat similar in Hindus ,the marwaris are predilected to business,dispropotionately& as you mentioned trade & commerce as hall mark of this group.
I know in the aligarh muslim university ,large donation of the then head of bohra,tayyabji or so recognized by making him chancellor of the univ,a honorary post compared to vice chancellor who is he working head.Although contrary to there ability ,most of them rarely pursue higher education beyondv few yrs of commerce college,despite having better grades inschool than most of the others who persue to post graduate & professional schools.
If u need more info about the bohras, u can go to www.bohra.net..
Sulemani Bohras is a differnt sect of bohras, there are about only 4 thousand of them in India and around 70 000 in Yemen…I read in an article in Dawn karachi that there is a 99 percent literacy rate in the Dawoodi bohra community and there are many Bohra professionals scattered all around the world but as trade seems to be more rewarding, hence you see the majority of the Bohra community affiliated with Trade and commerce.
BAD BOYS HAVE ALL DA FUN!!
Why drink N drive when U can smoke N FLY:)
http://ammars.4t.com