Incumbent Syedna, his brothers were my pupils for spiritual learning: Khuzaima Qutbuddin

Khuzaima Qutbuddin, uncle of the incumbent 53rd Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, on Monday informed the Bombay High Court that the defendant (Saifuddin) and his brothers used to be his (Qutbuddin's) pupils in matters of spiritual guidance and learning.

Qutbuddin is being cross-examined in the HC in a suit filed by him, saying that he be declared as the rightful 53rd Syedna.

However, he did not give out the exact period when Saifuddin and his brothers were his pupils, but added that they would come to him from the time when the 51st dai was there.

When asked whether sajda (physical prostration) could be offered to a person other than a dai, Qutbuddin said, "Sajda is offered only to a dai or the mansoos or to a person known as one who will succeed the dai."

"I remember my sisters would sometimes do so (offer him sajda). I do not remember if my brothers did it," he added, saying that many people of higher spiritual learning who knew that he was made the mansoos offered him the sajda.

Qutbuddin had, in an earlier hearing, said the 52nd Syedna had appointed him as the mazoon and given a sermon, calling him a beloved son. This, Qutbuddin added, carried the meaning that he was his successor.

In June 2011, Saifuddin was nominated successor, according to a press statement from the community. Qutbuddin had publicly challenged the succession first time after the death of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin on January 17, 2014.

Qutbuddin claimed that he did not challenge the "false claims" made by Saifuddin until now because he (Qutbuddin) had been asked to maintain his appointment in confidence by Syedna Burhanuddin and was waiting for the late leader to get well to take up the issue with him.

The cross-examination will continue on Tuesday.