Haatim Zakiyuddin


Syedna Haatim Zakiyuddin-حاتم زکي الدین, is the 45th Saiyedna of Alavi Bohras and Naa'ib-نائب representative, vicar, legatee and deputy of the progeny of 21st Fatimid Isma'ili Imam Abul Qaasim at-Taiyeb during the time of his Concealment from Cairo in 528 AH/1132 AD which is called Daur us Satr. He is on the noble rank of Da'i al-Mutlaq or ad-Da'i ul-Mutlaq or Da'i-e-Mutlaq enjoying the absolute spiritual and temporal authority under the secreted guidance of the Imam of Time. Anyone who gives him Oath of Allegiance and Covenant on the name of Imam at-Taiyeb then only he is regarded the member of Alavi Bohra Community. The chief jurist an-No'maan of the Fatimid court of Imam Mo'iz says in his work that, As for the true followers, the members of the Ismaili community, they faithfully take the pledge of allegiance to the Imam. Saiyedna's words, commands and guidance is regarded that of Imam and likewise of Muhammad and Allah. Believers hold him in high esteem as his life is based on the holy life of Imam, Wasi and Nabi.
Saiyedi Noohji bin Mohammadji was a very close associate and assembly member of Da'wat e Haadiyah during the time of 31st Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Hasan Badruddin in Ahmedabad. He was a pious and learned man and pure-heartedly served the mission-دعوۃ. Looking to his sincere service and nobility Saiyedna Hasan Badruddin said to him that, "Allah will bless you with the bounty of noble children who will become the stars of my Da'wat." This wise words of Saiyedna came with the glad-tidings as he was blessed with the son named "Jivabhai".
Saiyedna Hasan Badruddin himself gave the primary religious and other necessary education and learning to Jivabhai and due to his cleverness and wisdom at a very tender age he memorized the Qur'an. Saiyedna saheb gave him special sessions and imparted him deep understanding of Islamic Principles and Isma'ili Tenets. To reward Saiyedi Noohji for his service and to establish the right rank of Jivabhai among other Ashaab due to his sincerity and knowledge, Saiyedna saheb bestowed Jivabhai with the honorific title of "Ziyauddin" -ضیاء الدین and ascended him on the high rank of Da'i ul-Mutlaq.
Saiyedna Jivabhai Ziyauddin became the 32nd Da'i al-Mutlaq and he migrated from Ahmedabad to Vadodara in 1110 AH/1699 AH and established his Da'wat in the area called Miya Mahmood Wadi on the outskirts of the Walled city of Vadodara. Saiyedna Hasan Badruddin's grace was so much on Saiyedna Jivabhai Ziyauddin that not only he but in his progeny 12 saheb reached on the holy throne of Da'i al-Mutlaq during the period. The present Da'i or Saiyedna is the 12th Saheb of Aal-e-Jivabhai.

Introduction, mission (Da'wat) and community

The present 45th Da’i-e-Mutlaq or Da'i uz-Zamaan i.e. the representative of Imaam uz-Zamaan, Haatim ul-Khayraat, Rabi' ul-Barakaat Saiyedna Abu Sa'eed il-Khayr Haatim Zakiyuddin Saheb has continued his predecessor's endeavors with particular emphasis on strengthening the community's relationship with other community leadership and by following Islamic practices by promoting and spreading awareness about the Fatimid identity and Isma'ili legacy.
His birthplace is Badri Mohalla, Vadodara, his birth date falls on 8th Rabi' ul-Awwal 1379 AH/10 September 1959 AD, Thursday. Under the graceful hands of his grandfather, the 43rd Da'i ul Mutlaq Saiyedna Yusuf Nuruddin saheb and Mukaasir ud Da'wat Bhaisaheb Nazarali, he completed his formal religious education and then took special sessions of 'Uloom e Da'wat. For graduation and post-graduation he stayed in Mumbai for 5 years studying Arabic Language and Literature with Islamic Studies in Mumbai University. During his stay in Mumbai, he did all things possible to enrich the library of Da'wah Shareefah by acquiring Isma'ili-Taiyebi MSS and rare Islamic books.
During the Da’iship of his father, the 44th Da'i, Saiyedna Taiyeb Ziyauddin saheb, he being Ma’zoon from 1984 AD, he shouldered the responsibility of educating people for the betterment of the community. Now that he is on a status of Da’i al-Mutlaq from 2015 AD, he sees to it that the 'Ilmi, Commerce and Social relations with other community members are maintained. He took very strong step and robust decision in 1423 AH/2011 AD by sending his eldest son Bhaisaheb Sa’eed ul-Khayr, who would be elevated to the status of Mazoon e Mutlaq, to Qumm, Iran for graduation in Arabic Language and Literature. It is for the time that anyone from Qasr-e-‘Aali has travelled to the land of Iran for higher studies. It is the holy land of Du'aat who migrated to Egypt in the service of Fatimid Imaam during 4th and 5th century AH. Knowing the importance of Education and this being the foundation of Da’wat e Haqq, Saiyedna saheb took personal interest in educating and specializing the Abnaa of Da’wat in various fields.
At present Saiyedna saheb's younger brother, Mohammad Nuruddin is on the status of Mukaasir-e-Mutlaq since 7th Rajab 1430 AH/29 June 2009 AD after the demise of Mukaasir-e-Mutlaq Dr. Husain Mo’eenuddin on 13th Shawwaal 1429 AH/12 October 2008 AD. The status of Ra's ul-Hudood is headed by his youngest brother Dr. Zulqarnain Hakeemuddin.
He played a pivotal role in revamping the syllabus of Madrasah Taiyebiyah by making the learning of Lisaan ud-da’wat compulsory for all pupils. He is always there to guide and give special inserts in publishing a number of books highlighting Alavi faith and practices. The time when the website was conceptualized in 1425 AH/2004 AD along with bi-monthly deeni newsletter "Mishkaat ul-Haadi", he took a forefront in vitalizing and providing subject matter as per the demand of time. Keeping pace with changing times and the World of Mobile Information, he envisioned the way to reach to the farest and smallest member of the community, by developing the Mobile App "Ahl uz Zikr". He eased the matrimonial related complications by making al-Vezaarat ul-'Alaviyah the centre of all these activities, promoted youth activities, women welfare, medical centers and camps, educational skills for teachers, higher education, literacy, trade and business etc.
He offered Hajj e Tamatto’-Pilgrimage to Makkah-Madinah along with his beloved father 44th Da’i in 1412 AH/1992 AD with the group of 82 believers. It is after this Hajj, he compiled the book consisting of the Hajj arkaan and its manaasik. He himself took special sessions and prepared mumineen for how to perform proper and perfect Hajj. In 1420 AH/1999 AD, Saiyedna saheb with 44th Da’i, undertook long journey of 42 days for Ziyaaraat e Mubaarakah in Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Israel, Syria and Yemen. It is due to his efforts and encouragement, many more people are opting to go for the Ziyaarat in Karbalaa and Najaf instead of wasting money at some other tourists destinations. Extensive Sabaq with literature has been arranged for the people going for ‘Umrah Mufradah that has increased manifold by every passing year.
For every small or big spiritual or social occasion, printed literature is furnished by Saiyedna saheb’s office giving appropriate instructions to the applicants. 24 Hudood are there to perform the religious ceremonies as per guidelines defined since centuries and on Taiyebi Tenets. Be it at Devdi Mubaarak – Residence of Saiyedna saheb, masjid, community hall, private majlis, graveyard for the occasions pertaining to Inauguration, Sehra, Birthday, Marriage, Misaaq, Roza-iftaari, Ziyaafat, Khatnah or Deceased person’s Sadaqallaah. Saiyedna saheb and his close associates manages all these affairs. This is the reason that Devdi Mubaarak is abuzz every time with the spiritual proceeding of believers.
He has retained the amount of mehr of Rs. 1000/- fixed by his father al-Maulaa al-Muqaddas, which was previously Rs. 200/- during the time of 41st Da'i, for the marriage proposal given to the bride and it is on a discretionary power of an individual to give or not to give anything apart from mehr. There is no concept of dowry and one is free to arrange anything for the marriage of her daughter as per his financial condition, but under the pre-defined religious laws. His tenure as a Mazoon and now as a Da'i is marked by the constructions of new mosques, guest houses, mausoleums and community halls. His acumen in Fatimid architecture could be seen in the building constructed under his supervision. This has earned him an able designer and future planner as far as the space utility is concerned. Masjid-e-Faatemi, Masjid-e-Haatemi, Masjid-e-Shehaabi, Masjid-e-Bardi, Mazaar of Saiyedna Ameeruddin saheb in Pratapnagar, Saiyedna Nuruddin saheb in Wadi, Saiyedna Badruddin saheb in Bustaan e Badri are the master-pieces of his expertise.
The concept of pre-wedding religious counselling and personal consultation was initiated some years back and now, one can find positive results out of it as the instances of marital discord and divorces has considerably decreased. In the majlis known as Dhaaru-Fixing of the date of marriage and the day when wedding cards are distributed in the community, the to be-couple sits in front of Saiyedna saheb and he himself explains the realities of married life, its responsibilities and sacrifices. Likewise by the Razaa-permission of Saiyedna saheb, the training sessions of the Baaligh children-the children who has attained the age of puberty and has to give to Saiyedna saheb the Oath of Loyalty which is meant for the Imaam of the time from the progeny of Mohammad known as "Imaam uz Zamaan ", is regularly conducted before the majlis of Misaaq. The children are educated with the pillars of Islam and faith, their responsibilities of being an Alavi Bohra, their obligatory deeds as per the Canonical Law of Islam from dawn to dusk, their relationship with their family members, relatives, neighbours, employees and community members. One who gives misaaq enjoys all the spiritual attachments and absolute guidance from Saiyedna saheb. This gives him the identity of being an Alavi.
Publications meant for religious knowledge and awareness is his prime objective. Knowing that the books are the mother of development and discipline, he always emphasized in reading good things for fruitful results. Several books highlighting Isma’ili-Taiyebi faith and facts were published to make his followers make aware of their religious and social duties. Books such as: