Mufaddal Saifuddin
The 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohras
Mufaddal Saifuddin (Arabic: مُفضّل سيفُ ٱلدّين; born 20 August 1946) is the 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq and leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community, a Tayyibi, Musta'li, Ismaili, Shia Muslim denomination. He succeeded his father, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, upon the latter’s death in January 2014.
Born in Surat, India, Saifuddin was educated at Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah and pursued further studies in Cairo. During his father’s tenure, he held senior educational and administrative roles within the community. As leader, he has conceived community welfare initiatives such as Faiz al-Mawaid al-Burhaniyah and Project Rise, as well as restoration projects of Fatimid-era monuments in Egypt and the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Project, an urban redevelopment project in Mumbai's Bhendi Bazaar.
Saifuddin serves as Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia, and has received state honours including Kenya’s Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart, Egypt’s Grand Cordon of the Order of the Nile, and Pakistan’s Nishan-e-Pakistan.
The Bohra community traces their history to the Fatimid Imams, who are direct descendants of the Prophet Mohammed through his daughter Fatima al-Zahra. After the 21st Imam went into spiritual seclusion, the office of al-Dai al-Mutlaq was established and Mufaddal Saifuddin is the current D’ai al-Mutlaq.[1]
Early life
Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin was born on 20 August 1946 (23 Ramadan 1365 AH) in Surat, India, He is the filius secundus (Latin for "second son") of the 52nd Dai al-Mutlaq, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, who was himself the son of the 51st al-Dai al-Mutlaq, Syedna Taher Saifuddin. He was named Aliqader Mufaddal by his grandfather, to correspond with the Abjad value of the his birth year 1365 AH.
From an early age, Saifuddin received personal spiritual and scholarly tutelage from both his grandfather and father, familiarising him with the values, customs, and traditions associated with the office of the al-Dai al-Mutlaq. His early education, following Fatimi tradition, emphasised Quranic principles, forming the foundation of his later scholarly and community engagements.
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