Al-Doat Al-Kiram are the vice-garents of Fatimi Imams, the noble progeny of Rasulullah

103 Pages·2010·0.54 MB·English

by  Murtaza Badri

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Al-Doat Al-Kiram are the vice-garents of Fatimi Imams, the noble progeny
of Rasulullah (S. A W). They are appointed by them during their seclusion
to spread the teachings of Islam, to protect the Dawat of Iman, and to guide
their followers to the enlightened path of Darus-Salam. They fulfilled these
great tasks throughout the long period of Imams' Satr with Taeed and
Ilhaam of Imams and through their ceaseless endeavour. Syedna
Mohammed Burhanuddin (T. U. S) refers to this virtue of Doat Kiram and
says:
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Al-Doat Al-Kiram rendered Tafady of their lives and fortune, endeavoured
in every way, employed every means, utilised every resource they possessed
to fulfil the great tasks endowed upon them by their Imams. An important
aspect of their ceaseless endeavour in this way is the maintainance of good
and cordial relation with their comtemporary rulers. Through this relation
they sought well-being of Dawat and welfare of their followers. Doat
Kiram are the vice-garent of the Imams in whose praise Syedna Al-
Moayyed Al-Shirazi said:
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Syedna Tahir Saifuddin (R. A) said in the praise of Doat Kiram:
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Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, the vice-garent of Imams and the noble
successor these Doat Kiram refers to this aspect of their endeavour and says:
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Study of Doat Kiram's relation with their contemporary rulers is very
important to us for number of reasons:

1. it reveals for us the different aspects of Doat Kiram's glory and virtues as
the rulers of different times respected them and sought their blessing for the
bettermet

2. it enlightens for us the glorious Akhbar of Doat Kirams' endeavour and
different aspects of their Siyasah with their contemporary rulers.

3. it leads us to know that Doat Kiram maintained good and cordial relations
with þtheir contemporary rulers for the protection of Islam and it's Dawat,
and for the well-being of Moomineen, Muslimeen, and Ibadullah.

4. it illustrates for us that Doat Kiram used this relation for the economic
and social development of their followers, the Moomineen. Consequently,
with the passage of time, they emerged as a well-known business
community and contributed significantly in the development of the realms
they resided.

5. it leads us to know that many rulers offered them jagirs and other material
benefits, but, they either politely declined their offers or if obliged to accept
such offers for some good reason, they utilised them for the well-being of
Moomineen.

6. It reveals for us that whenever the Doat Kiram faced any hostile and
bigoted rulers, they faced them with patience and endurance aand protected
the Dawat and it's followers with valour and vigilance.
Syedna Tahir Saifuddin (R. A) referred to such virtues of Doat Kiram and
said:
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Akhbar of Doat Kirams' relation with their contemporary rulers can be
divided into two parts:
1. Al-Doat Al-Kiram in Al-Yemen and their Siyasah with the contemporary
rulers of Yemen in it's peculiar geopolitical conditions.
2. Al-Doat Al-Kiram in Al-Hind and their relation with emperors, nawabs,
Rajas, and other types of rulers.
Second part can be sub-divided into five parts:
i. Al-Doat Al-Kiram in Ahmedabad and their relation with Moghal
emperors and their deputies in Gujarat.
ii. Al-Doat Al-Kiram in Nagar and their relation with the Jams of Nagar.
iii. Al-Doat Al-Kiram in Malwa and their relation with different Rajas.
iv. Al-Doat Al-Kiram in Surat and their relation with Rajas, Peshwas, and
British governors and officials.
v. Golden era of Syedna Tahir Saifuddin (A. Q) and Syedna Mohammed
Burhanuddin (T. U. S) and their relation with the leaders of India, Muslim
Ummah, and other part of the world.

I offer Hamd of Allah and Shukr to his Awliya Kiram and their successor
Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin on the completation of this work.
Moreover, I offer my thanks to all those who helped in different ways. May
Allah grant a long and prosperous life to Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin
and give us Tawfiq to study this important aspect of Doat Kiram's Akhbar
and their endeavour for the well-being of Dawat and it's followers.
RELATION OF AL-DOAT AL-KIRAM WITH
THEIR CONTEMPORARY RULERS IN
YEMEN
AL-DOAT AL-KIRAM (R. A) IN YEMEN

Yemen has a great significance in the history of Dawat and it is referred Al-
Jazirat ul Yumn was Sa'adah (the land of blessing and prosperity). Tenth
Imam, Maulana Hussain (S. A)explained the importance of it and said:
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Syedna Hatim (R. A) explained it's significance as 'Akhassul Jazaeer to
Mawali Tahireen (S. A). Syedna Abdul Tayyib Zakiuddin (R. A) termed it
as 'Khair ul Jazaeer Al-Arzhiyah'.
Maulana Ali (S. A) was sent twice to Yemen by Rasulullah (S. A. W) to
spread the guidance of Islam there. Affairs of Yemen was handled by him
and the people entered into the fold of Islam due to the endeavour of him.
Prior to the Zuhur of Imam Mehdi (S. A), Dai Abul Qasaim (R. A) was sent
by Imam Hussain (S. A) to Yemen to establish Fatimi Dawat there. Dai
Abul Qasim guided people, established Dawat, and captured numerous forts
to strenghten Fatimi Dawat. Fatimi rule was established in Yemen, during
the period of Imam Mustansir (S. A) under the leadership of Syedna Ali ibn
Mohammed Al-Sulaihi (R. A) and Yemen became united, strong, and
prosperous.
Geographically too, Yemen has very distinct from other parts of Arabian
peninsula. Except Hjaz, where Haramain Sharifain are situated, Yemen is
almost separated by other parts of Arabian peninsula by it's mountains and
the desert of Al-Rab ul Khali. It is situated at the juncture of Indian ocean
and Red sea, a passage for most of the vessels that are the life line of global
trade. As against of the barren land of other parts of Arabia, Yemen has
fertile valleys and highland that produce different types of agricultural
products. As agaist of vey hot and dry climate of other parts of Arabia, it has
pleasant climate with moderate temperature and abundant rainfall. Hilly
regions of Yemen are like natural castles that protect their inhabitants from
any external aggression. Because of these and many other peculiarities,
Yemen has been a cradle of civilization from ancient period.
Due to it's Yoomn and and Sa'adat and because of it's many distinctions,
Yemen remained 'Akhassul Jazaeer to Mawali Tahireen since ancient
periods, and the Seat of Fatimi Dawat was transferred to it after the Satr of
Imam Maulana Tayyib (S. A) in the year of 526/1132. The great task of the
transfer of Dawat and appointment of Doat Mutlaqeen was carried out by
Imam Maulana Aamir (S. A) through Maulatona Hurratul Malika Arwa
binte Ahmed, the Hujjat of Imam and the queen of Yemen.
Fatimi Doat abstained from the physical control of the territories and
remained engaged in the protection of Dawat. They endeavoured
ceaselessly to spread Fatimi lore and to guide their followers, the
Moomineen. Though, for some time, due to the particular geographical
condition of Yemen and because of it's particular political condition
prevailing at that time, it became necessary for Doat Kiram to conquer
fortresses. They did so, to protect Dawat and Moomineen from the
hostilities of bigoted rulers.
Syedna Tahir Saifuddin (A. Q) referred to this virtue of Doat Kiram and
said:
1. SYEDNA ZOEB (R. A) (532-546/1138-1151)

The first Dai, Syedna Zoeb (R. A) and the second Dai, Syedna Ibrahim (R.
A) (546-557/1151-1162) eschewed the physical control of the territories.
The time was very difficult as Fatimi Imams had gone into seclusion and
enemies of Dawat had become much more hostile to it and wanted to vanish
it. So these two Dai guarded the Dawat of Satar with valour and remained
busy with the affairs of Dawat, spread of knowledge, and guidance of
Moomineen.
Syedna Zoeb remained in Hoos, the town in the north of Sana'a. There he
built a masjid that is enriched with Fatimi style of art found in Misr. Syedna
Mohammed Burhanuddin (T. U. S) renovated his masjid. Syedna Zoeb was
Known as Furras ul Kutub as he was fond of the study of books. Syedi
Abdul Qadir Hakimuddin (Q. A) said in his praise:
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Syedna Ibrahim remained at Ghail Bani Hamid at the outskirt of Sana'a,
there he built a masjid. He compiled number of Rasaeel including Kanzul
Walad. Syedi Abdul Qadir Hakimuddin (Q. A) said in his praise:
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By the time, the Dawat of Satar was established in Yemen, the Dawat had
been established in Al-Hind by Maulaya Abdullah. Due to his endeavour,
Raja Sidrajaisingh of Gujrat and thousand of Hindus entered into the fold of
Islam and Iman.
At the advent of Satar (seclusion), salatin of Hamdan, under the leadership
of Sultan Hatim ibne Ahmed ibne Imran Al-Yaami were the rulers of Sana.
Syedna Al-Mukarram had appointed Al-Imran ibne Fazal Al-Yaami his
deputy on Sana when he shifed his capital from Sana to Zi-Jibla and
deposed him after some time, but his son Sultan Hatim dominated over
Sana'a in 533 AH after the sad demise of Maulatona Al-Hurrat Al-Malikah
(R. A). Banu Zari were the rulers of Aden. Syedna Mukarram had
appointed the two brothers Abbas and Masud as his deputies over Aden.
Banu Zari annexed Taiz, Janad, and Zi-Jibla to their rule after the sad
demise of Maulatona Arwa. Banu Mahdi were in Zabid who captured Taiz,
Janad, and Zi-jibla after some period removing Banu-Zari. These clans
remained as the rulers of the these regions till the domination of Banu Ayub
over Yemen in 569 AH.
Study of history reveals that Satar is not only an important juncture in the
history of Dawat, but, in the history of world also as far reaching changes
took place in political, economic and intellectual fields around the that
period At the advent of 'Satar' Islamic world was facing many serious
challenges due to different internal and external adverse forces. Crusaders
of Europe with the help of Byzantine empire of Asia Minor were attacking
on Islamic world. They had captured Bait ul Maqdis and established four
christian states on the eastern coast of Mediterranean sea. Not only this,
they were trying to convert Muslim world into christian world.. Abbasids,
due to their insincerity to the cause of Islam, incompetency of their so-called
caliphs and their internal problems, were unable to defend Islamic world.
Abdul-Majid, the usurper of the seat of Fatimi Khilafa in Egypt was also
unable to face this challenge. Nooruddin Zanji, the ruler of Syria tried to
contain the advancement of crusaders and he defeated them in second
crusade (1147-1149 AD). Crusade wars provided Europeans an opportunity
to unit, to strenghten their military power, to observe the cultural
development of Muslim world. These wars became a pretext to European
renaissance in intellectual field, merchantilism in economic field, and
colonisation in political field.
Genghis Khan, the terrible Mongol chief who destroyed much of the eastern
part of Muslim world and slaughtered lakhs of people was born after only a
few years from 'Satar' of Imam. þ
During this period of turmoil, Yemen, because of it's geographical isolation
and it's hilly regions, was relatively a safer abode for Doat Kiram and their
followers and a better place for the spread of guidance and knowledge.
3.SYEDNA HATIM IBNE SYEDNA IBRAHIM (R. A) (557-596/1162-
1199)

Syedna Hatim, the Dai of great virtues endeavoured ceaselessly for the
culmination of Dawat and guidance of Moomineen. Observing his great
virtues, a large number of people from Hamdam and Himyar tribes became
his followers. They voluntarily handed over to Syedna the fortress of
Kaokaban.
Sultan Ali bin Hatim became jealous of Syedna when he observed the
culmination of Dawat and inclination of Hamdan to Syedna. He attempted
to turn away the people from Syedna by bribing them with huge sum of
money. He attacked with his army on the fortress of Kaokaban and laid
seige of it. He remained unable to capture the fortress and prepared to
retreat, but just at that time, he was informed by a hypocrate about the
shortage of provision inside the fortress. Syedna came out of the fortress
secretly and went to Hiraz.
In Hiraz, a hilly region at the north west of Sana'a, Syedna began to
reorganize the affairs of Dawat, guide Moomineen and spread of Fatimi
lore. Observing his piety and virtues, many of those diverted from Fatim
Dawat to that of Abdul Majid, re-entered into the fold of Fatimi Dawat.
Fortresses like Hajar and Hutaib were handed over voluntarily to Syedna by
Moomineen who lived in them while numerous other fortresses like Shibam,
Lihab, and Himzah were conquered by Syedi Saba ibne Yusouf Al-Ya'aburi.
Syedna Hatim adopted Al-Hutaib Al-Mubarak as a center of Dawat and a
large number of Moomineen gathered there to seek guidance and knowledge
from him. Syedna Hatim compiled numerous books in Fatimi lore and
delivered Sabaq to Moomineen. He built a masjid in Zahra and three
masjids in Al-Hutaib Al-Mubarak. As a result, Dawat attained it's acme
and Moomineen their strength. Syedna Tahir Saifuddin (R A) praised
Syedna Hatim and said in his Qaseedah Mubarakah:
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During the period of Syedna Hatim, Tauran Shah Ayubi came from Eygpt to
capture Yemen. He established his rule over major part of it in 569 AH.
Sultan Ali bin Hatim of Sana'a, Banu Mahdi of Zabid, and Banu Zarie of
Aden lost the rule. As a result of this, a large number of Moomineen did
Hijrat to Hazrat of Syedna. After the return of Tauran shah to Syria, a
struggle for power started among his deputies that created anarchy in
different parts of Yemen. It remained continue till the arrival of Taghtakin,
the brother of Tauran Shah, in 577 AH.
During the period of Syedna Hatim, Al-Aazid died in Egypt in 567/1171,
and his minister Saladdin Ayubi became the ruler of Egypt. Al-Nasir was
Abbasid caliph, Manual, Alexius Comnenus, and Isaac Angalus were
Byzantine rulers, Louis VII and his son Philip II Agustus were the Kings of
France, Frederick Barbarossa and his son Henry IV were Holy Roman
Emperors. During this period Mohammed Ghori defeated Ghaznavids and
established his rule in Panjab.
During this period Al-Azhar, the great Masjid and learning center was
closed by Saladdin, Darul Hikmat, the largest library cum research center
was destroyed and it's books were looted. Not only this men of learning
were harassed and killed and their works were burnt. Due to these and some
other factors, Islamic civilization began to decline. As against this, Roman
world began to rise as it was translating the works of Muslims and trying to
absorsb the fruits of Islamic civilization. Oxford university was founded in
562/1167 AD and Cambridge university in 597/1200.