27th Dai Al-Mutlaq Syedna Dawood Bin Qutub Shah Burhanuddin (R.A)

Birth : 23rd Rabi-Ul-Awwal 946 AH 
Wafat : 15th Jamad-Al-Ukhra 1021 AH 
Duration of Dawat : 24 years, 1 Month and 17 Days

Syedna Dawood bin Qutub Shah (R.A.) ascended Arsh-ud-Dawat after Dai Al-Mutlaq Syedna Dawood bin Ajab Shah (R.A.). 
Aijal Gori bin Ali Johari, Syedna Dawood bin Qutubshah's (R.A) Mother was Hafezat-ul-Quran. Syedna Dawood (R.A) too committed the entire Quran-e-Majid to memory at the young age of 10. He was also educated in Arabic literature and acquired the Ilm of Al-e-Mohammed (S.A). At the age of fifteen, Syedna(RA) had the sharaf of "Mafsuhiyat". On seeing Syedna(RA), a number of mumineen gave Bishaarat that Syedna shall be the Sultan of 'Deen' (Spiritual knowledge) and 'Duniya '(world). Syedna Dawood (R.A) performed Hajj and Ziyarat of Rasulullah(SAW), at the age of 21.He then proceeded to Yemen in Hazrat of Syedna Yusuf Najmuddin (R.A.) and stayed there for four years. Syedna Yusuf Najmuddin (R.A) personally educated him and then sent him to India. 

Syedna Dawood bin Qutubshah (R.A) gave witness to the testimony that Syedna Yusuf Najmuddin (R.A) has bestowed 'Nass'(the accession as Dai) upon Syedna Jalal Shamsuddin (R.A), on recieving the information of 'wafat'(Death) of Syedna Yusuf Najmuddin (R.A). On hearing of the sad demise, Syedna Jalal (R.A.) proclaimed in the presence of all the Hudud, that "Syedna Dawood bin Ajab Shah Burhanuddin (R.A.) was his successor Dai Al-Mutlaq and Qaim-Maqam. "I declare this Nass by Ilhaam('spiritual advice') of Imam-uz-Zamaan (S.A)." declared Syedna Jalaal(RA). 

Syedna Dawood bin AjabShah (R.A.) never issued an order regarding the administration of the affairs of Dawat, without taking 'Mashvara'(advice) of Syedna Dawood bin Qutubshah (R.A). Syedna Dawood Bin AjabShah (R.A) repeatedly conferred Nass upon Syedna Dawood bin QutubShah (R.A) during Majlis in presence of all the Hudud and Mumineen. Syedna Dawood bin QutubShah (R.A) become Dai-al-Mutlaq on Arsh-Ud-Dawat. 

Syedna wrote 'Misaal Sharif'(message) to All 'Ummal'(territorial representatives of Syedna)in India and Yemen to take 'Meesaq'(oath of allegiance) of Mumineen. Mumineen from Hind and Yemen wrote a letter to Syedna(RA) to offer condolences on the death of Syedna Dawood Bin Ajabshah (R.A) and perform Tehniyat in Hazrat of Syedna Dawood bin Qutubshah (R.A). The same letter was also written by Laeen Suleman bin Hasan. Laeen Suleman, indulged in 'fitnat' after remaining faithful to Syedna Dawood (R.A) for three years. Syedna Dawood bin AjabShah (R.A.) possessed Wadiyat (Amaanat) of Dawat to two Habashiya (female servants) named Rummana and Nur-us-Sabah. When Syedna Dawood bin QutubShah (R.A.) ordered them to hand over the Wadiyat (Amaanat) of Dawat, they both turned out to be dishonest and refused to abide by the order. Syedna(RA) reprimanded both of them.

Similarly there was a Munafiq called Mohammed Katib who too embezzled the Amanat of Dawat. They came to the conclusion that Suleman bin Hasan in Yemen can be misled because Laeen Suleman in their opinion was obstinate and foolish, and desired worldly pomp. Thus he would easily give up Deen in favour of the mundane gains. A false letter of Nass in favour of Laeen Suleman asking Laeen to proclaim himself Dai, was concocted, and the trio stood witness to this false claim. Ibrahim and Mohammed, the two sons of the two female slaves joined this conspiracy. Laeen Suleman sent his servant Jabir to Ibrahim and Mohammed to collect the concocted letter from the conspirators at Gujarat. Syedna came to know of this devious development, and called all Hudud and they performed Hujjat against Jabir and said Laanat on laeen Suleman. Syedna excommunicated Suleman from Dawat.

Jabir proceeded to Yemen with the false Nas letter. When Laeen Suleman openly started espousing his claim to be a Dai, a tribe called Yaam fell victim to his false claims. But rest of the faithfuls took the stand that Maula Chand Ali was a witness to the will of Syedna Dawood bin AjabShah (R.A.) and thus they would abide by his decision. Laeen Suleman intimidated Maula Chand Ali and tried to pressurize him into submission. But Maula Chand Ali refused to comply. Suleman imprisoned him in Sanaa and plundered his wealth. Laeen Suleman started Fitnat in Yemen in 1000 A.H. After laying a claim to be a Dai, he claimed to be the "Hujjat of Qaim". Finally, Hasan Pasha imprisoned Laeen Suleman at the fort of Zamarmar for three years. Laeen Suleman managed to escape from the fort and wandered in jungles and plundered the caravans of Hujjaj. He then returned to India and established contacts with Mohammed Mukrami, and they both started fitnat(subterfuge) and fasaad(loot and destruction) in Gujarat. Mumineen were unergoing through a difficult phase. The two sons of the slaves, met the 'Hakim'(Judge) and claimed 9 lac rupees from Syedna. Houses of Mumineen were plundered, shops sealed, and they were prohibited from gathering together. Looking at the intensity of the Fitnat, Syedna went into seclusion and appointed Syedna Shaikh Adam Safiyuddin (R.A) to defend Dawat from the fitnat of Munafeqin.

It was due to the streneous efforts of Syedna Shaikh Adam Safiyuddin (R.A) that Dawat survived in Gujarat. Syedna Shaikh Adam (R.A) suffered torture and harassment . Similarly Syedi Aminji bin Jalal (Q.S), Amin of the Deen was persecuted. Maula Ali Mohammad bin Firoz (Q.S) started a crusade to safeguard momineen with extra ordinary patience.
Hudud collectively declared themselves Baraat from Laeen Suleman and remained faithful to Syedna Dawood bin QutubShah (R.A), the true Dai of Allah. The drunkards, the sinners and those who were notorious for their hypocrisy right from the beginning turned out to be disloyal. The wife of Syedna Dawood bin QutubShah (R.A) called laeena Zahra supported laeen Suleman. Laeen Suleman instigated all 'Hukkaam's' (Minister's of State) in his favour and tortured Mumineen. Syedna wrote two Risaala in favor of Nass and those present at the time of Nass attached their signatures as witnesses. Laeen Suleman proceeded to Lahore along with his hypocrites to instigate the Mughal King Jalaluddin Akbar. He contacted Nawab Khan Khanaa and disclosed to him secrets of Dawat, bribed and ignited a fire of animosity in Nawab's heart. Khan Khanaa sent Ahdi Kamaal Khan to Ahmedabad to arrest Syedna(RA) and Hudud. Syedna(RA) went into seclusion.

Syedna Safiyuddin (R.A) was arrested and taken to Lahore with Maula Ali Mohammad bin Firoz (Q.S) and other Fozalaa Kiraam. Hudud Fozalaa were tortured by Laeen to the extent of making them wear heavy chains right from Ahmedabad to Lahore and were severely beaten throughout the journey. Kamaal Khan and his brother-in-law Usman arrested Syedna Safiyuddin (R.A), Syedi Ali Mohammad bin Firoz (Q.S) and other Hudud. Maula Ali Mohammad (Q.S) was beaten so severely that he often fell unconscious; Syedna Safiyuddin (R.A) was suspended upside down, whipped and deprived of food and water. Mumineen were also not spared. Properties of Mumineen were looted, and some had to flee from Ahmedabad. Others wept on seeing these inhuman persecution. Syedna(RA) gave Farmaan to all the Mumineen to recite Dua of Daf-el-Aafaat and perform two Rakaat Namaaz and pray for the prisoners. 

On reaching Lahore, King Akbar came to know of this persecution. He got enraged and dismissed Ahdi Kamaal Khan. King Akbar entrusted this case to four Vozaraa (ministers). Debate and Hujjat ensued between Mumineen and the supporters of Laeen Suleman, where Mumineen always succeeded in 'Hujjat'(arguments) . One of Vozaraa's was Shia known as Hakim Ali. He reassured Syedna Shaikh Adam Safiuddin (R.A) that Mumineen were true Shias of Ali (S.A), and hoped to earn Fateyabi of Amirelmumin Ali (S.A) by supporting Mumineen. In all the letter's that laeen Suleman had written , Syedna Dawood bin Qutubshah (R.A) was addressed as Dai-Al-Mutlaq. These letters were produced before the Vozaraa's. Laeen Suleman admitted that the letters were his. Laeen Suleman's accusations were clearly lies. Similarly, the claim of those two sons of the Habashi women was also found to be baseless. All unanimously agreed that the Mumineen of Syedna Dawood (R.A) were right and Laeen Suleman was a liar. The supporters of Laeen Suleman tried to mislead King Akbar by saying that "Syedna Dawood (R.A) had no faith in King Akbar's justice and campaigned that Syedna Dawood (R.A) was too proud to appear personally before the King. Akbar told Hakim Ali that "He was eager to meet Shaikh Dawood" and ordered Hakim Ali to ask his men to bring Syedna to King Akbar and assured Hakim Ali that Akber would honour Syedna. Hakim Ali persistently impressed upon Syedna Safiyuddin (R.A) the importance of Syedna Dawood's (R.A) visit with the King. Ultimately Syedna Safiyuddin (R.A) confided in Hakim Ali that the whereabouts of Syedna Dawood (R.A) were unknown to him, but he promised to try his best. Syedna Safiyuddin (R.A) left Lahore for Ahmedabad. King Akbar gave 'Amaan Namaa'(Promise of protection) for Syedna Dawood (R.A). When Syedna Safiyuddin (R.A) and Maulai Ali Mohammed (Q.S) reached Ahmedabad they conveyed the message to Syedna Dawood(RA) and with the spiritual guidance from Imam-uz-Zamaan(AS), Syedna(RA) decided to proceed to Lahore. On the way, miracles emanated wherever Syedna(RA) went. The barren land from where Syedna Dawood (R.A) passed turned into a garden. All the people gathered everywhere to have a 'Deedar'(glimpse) of Syedna. The King's, the celebrities, the Muslims all vied with each other in Hazrat of Syedna Dawood (R.A). The army came to receive Syedna Dawood (R.A) with exceptional honor. The people of Lahore were amazed at Syedna's enlightened countenance.

Hakim Ali politely requested Syedna to kindly stay with him and Syedna(RA) accepted the invitation. On seeing this, laeen Suleman was dumbfounded. He started suffering from fever. On the third day, insects were found on his tongue, which spread gradually to cover his entire body. He perished after three days. Laeen's companions brought laeen Suleman's dead-body to Ahmedabad and buried him. 

King Akbar used to say to His Vozaraa's that he could observe on the face of the Syedna(RA) a particular 'Noor'(radiance). Syedna(RA) used to go the Darbar of Akbar daily and stay there till the time of Zawaal. Being a Hafeezul Quran, Syedna(RA) used to recite 10 chapters a day of the Quran-e-Majeed daily, completing it in every three days. King Akbar never looked at any one else in the Darbaar and used to gaze transfixed at Syedna Dawood's(R.A) radiant face. Occasionally, Akber asked for some advice on a topic concerning Darbar matters and the former was always astonished by Syedna's wisdom and vast knowledge. 

It was clear now to King Akbar that the supporters of laeen Suleman were liars and envious persecutors. King Akbar favored Syedna(RA) with a 'Khaqaani'(scroll) written in Golden-Ink dated 1004 AH, which was dispatched to each and every village to ensure honorable and respectful treatment. Another Farmaan was written in golden-ink as was previously issued in 945 AH, by Humayun Akbar's father and one by Jahangir, his son, in 1019 AH, which are preserved even today in the collection of Dawat. 

Syedna Dawood bin Qutubshah (R.A) returned to Sidhpur where he visited the Mazar of Syedi Hasan Feer shaheed (R.A) and came back to Ahmedabad on the 4th of Moharram 1007 AH. Truth prevailed and the enemies of Dawat were humiliated. At the entrance of the city of Ahmedabad, a perfume dealer on seeing Syedna(RA) fell at his feet and converted to a Mumin. He himself narrates 'I saw in the dream that the Rasulullah (S.A) has come in a cart, people gathered around him. Rasullulah's face in the dream exactly resembled the face of Syedna Dawood bin Qutubshah (R.A). " Such was the 'shanaat'(glory) of Syedna(RA). 

In 1008 AH Syedna(RA) laid the foundation of a grand Masjid, the minarets of which were so magnificent that the rulers of the surrounding territories were attracted to have a glimpse of it. According to historians these minarets still stand near Ahmedabad railway station which belong to the Masjid of Syedna Dawood (R.A). Though it is not inhabited by Mumineen now. In those days, these areas were better known as Rasulpur, Rajpur, and Sarangpur. 

After returning from Lahore Syedna(RA) stayed in Ahmedabad for 15 years. During this period Nawab Shaadmaan Khan tortured Syedna(RA) and even imprisoned him. Syedna(RA) left Ahmedabad for the villages of Mumineen, till King Jahangir again invited Syedna to settle in Ahmedabad. 

In 1021 AH, illness and old age overcame Syedna(RA) and he called all the Hudud and performed Nass in their presence on his Successor, 28th Dai-Ul-Mutlaq, Syedna Shaikh Adam Safiyuddin (R.A). Syedna Dawood bin Qutubshah's(R.A) 'wafat'(death) took place on Sunday night, the 15th of Jamad-al-Akhar 1021 AH.