Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin was credited with guiding the 12-lakh-strong Dawoodi Bohra community out of the shadows and leading them on to the stage of modernity and prosperity.
Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin was credited with guiding the 12-lakh-strong Dawoodi Bohra community out of the shadows and leading them on to the stage of modernity and prosperity.
Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, the spiritual head of the Dawoodi Bohra Muslims, who died in Mumbai on Friday aged 102, provided dynamic leadership to the largely business-oriented community which claims 100% literacy. He was known for insightful teachings.
Revered as the 52nd Dai-al-Mutlaq (direct in the line of Prophet Mohammed) by the Bohras, the Syedna’s love for environment, flora and fauna was legendary. He was also an Arabic scholar.
Born in Surat, the Syedna was educated by his illustrious father, the late Syedna Taher Saifuddin.
dna spoke to some Dawoodi Bohra Muslims from across India and World about the fate of the community post the revered leader's death and his teachings.
The most important lesson that Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin taught was that no one is born rich or equal. "All are equal and creations of god. He brought the wayward community on the right path on all aspects — from education, religion to appraoch towards life", says Murtaza Merchant, a media professional from Mumbai, who has been lucky to attend many majlis in presence of the leader.
"Terrific growth in the society, when it came down to being self-employed, by running a business, no matter if it were a small scale business, or a large-scale one. To be self-sustained was his motto," says Mustafa Kantawala, said a musician from the community when asked about how the leader's teachings impacted them.
"Another, concept that he believed in was, 'Green Banking' that emphasizes on 'Interest-Free Loans'." says Kantawala about some of the pioneering works done by the leader.
Adding credence to the point, Murtaza says, "The 'interest-free loans' concept changed people's perception and the community started prospering. The leader knew that loans would only make rich richer and the poor more vulnerable."
"We are the ones who should take care of the underprivileged. This concept is not restricted to the Dawoodi Bohra community only, but, on a global scale. Maintain peace & harmony with everyone around. Religion, caste, colour, doesn't matter," says Mrs Shere Bano Merchant from Mumbai.
He had followers all across the globe and followers thronged to listen to his sermons which were filled with positive lessons.
His teachings are not only limited to religion, but also cover all aspects of life.
"His most important teaching, according to me, is to never forget your roots and always do good for the country you are from and the country you live in. I do remember him saying these exact words in almost all of his sermons and being born & brought up in Dubai (UAE) makes me understand his teaching more", says Mustafa Fatehi, a businessman from Dubai.
People from all walks of life took to Twitter to mourn the spiritual leader's death:
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