Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
Why is the practice of giving Misaq (oath of allegiance) to Dai made so fundamental in Dawoodi Bohra Community? It is claimed that "No one is born a Dawoodi Bohra. On reaching puberty every person who so desires can voluntarily give the Misaq which one is enjoined to do by tenets of the faith and so becomes a member of the Dawoodi Bohra sect." Why there is so much emphasis on Misaq?
Now-a-days Syedna Saheb and his administration clearly say: "There is no need for a written apology, just give Misaq and come in our fold."This change in their strategy and this sudden leniency is welcome. But why this insistence on Misaq to Dai?
Let us examine word by word this latest claim that: "No one is born a Dawoodi Bohra. On reaching puberty every person who so desires can voluntarily give the Misaq which one is enjoined to do by tenets of the faith and so becomes a member of the Dawoodi Bohra sect."
It said "No one is born a Dawoodi Bohra." This is ridiculous claim. Can any Dawoodi Bohra parents accept that their newly born child is not a Dawoodi Bohra? If the child is not Dawoodi Bohra why should they perform the child's Aqiqa? Why were they asked to pay tax on "hamal" when the child in mother's womb was not a Dawoodi Bohra? Why is a child of Dawoodi Bohra parents when admitted in Madresas or Schools (even run under Syedna's control) is mentioned as "Dawoodi Bohra"?
Further it is claimed that: "On reaching puberty every person who so desires can voluntarily give the Misaq..."
Is 13 or 15 year the age of puberty? Is giving Misaq to Dai is left to individual's choice? How can Misaq be voluntary when one can become a member of the Dawoodi Bohra Community only after giving Misaq to Dai?
The Orthodox Dawoodi Bohras and Reformist Dawoodi Bohras both believe in the office of Dai-ul-Mutlaq and Fatemi Dawat. Both believe in the custom of Misaq. The only difference between them is that the orthodox Dawoodi Bohras give Misaq to Dai and the Reformist Dawoodi Bohras give Misaq to Imam. Even for the present day Misaq Reformists have been demanding its text but Syedna Saheb's administration has not made the text of Misaq public. Why?
The text of Misaq is in Arabic language. And the text of Misaq is read out paragraph by paragraph by the Amil and at the end of each paragraph the Misaq taker is asked to say "Na'am" (Yes, agreed). The Misaq is intentionally kept in Arabic language so that the normal Bohra who gives Misaq does not know what he is committing. He remains unaware of the implications of this Misaq for rest of his/her life. The Misaq taker does not know that he/she becomes a slave of Dai's commands in all religious, secular, worldly and personal matters. He does not know that he/she is making the Dai an absolute dictator controlling all aspects of his/her life. If ever he/she disobeys any dictate of the Dai his Misaq is considered "broken".
The Misaq taker does not know the inhuman punishments and insult he/she is likely to undergo if he ever in any matter fails to obey the Dai's dictates. The Misaq breaker is not aware of the condition of Misaq which he has accepted that: "all his possessions, i.e. movable, cash, house, utensils, jewels, ornaments, car ...all worldly materials is liable to be looted..."
Say Yes."
"........if the breaker of Misaq has a wife that wife becomes forbidden to him...... Say Yes."
"....if the breaker of Misaq performs Hajj 30 times with naked feet even than God shall not forgive him his sin (of breaking Misaq given to Dai), nor God shall accept his Hajj. But if takes Misaq again then alone God shall accept his Hajj, his prayers, fasts and other good deeds.
Say Yes."
Through Misaq the takers of Misaq is made to accept absolute authority of the Dai in advance in all religious, secular, social and personal matters. The Misaq taker is made to give an advance commitment to disown his close relations like father, mother, brother, sister, wife, husband, children, friends etc. when asked to do so by the Dai.
This is absolutely inhuman and thus un-Islamic and against Shari'ah. Such a Misaq is atrocious and monstrous. No person with slight amount of self-respect and Islamic sense can accept such conditions. How can a true Muslim or human being accept the status of Dawoodi Bohra Dai above Allah, who claims that even Allah can not accept the Hajj, prayers, fasts and other good deeds of a Misaq breaker unless he pardons him or her. This is a Sin much more serious than Kufr and Shirk that Dawoodi Bohras are made to commit unknowingly. The altered Misaq in the form in which it is taken since the time of 51st Bohra Dai, Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb makes every Dawoodi Bohra only a slave, not of Allah but of the Dai.
After taking such a Misaq a true Dawoodi Bohra becomes an offender of not only the laws of his country but also against the laws of Allah. He can not tell the truth in the court of law when he or she has to appear as witness against the Dai. He can not criticize Syedna, his Shahzadas or Amils in private or in public and continues being exploited and tortured by them. In short he has to mortgage his entire life to the Dai.
That is why Syedna Saheb keeps on repeating "Be loyal to the laws of your country". This is to hide the fact that the Dawoodi Bohras who are loyal to Syedna Saheb can not be loyal to their country in case they have to report any illegal activities being carried out in his name by his agents.
Therefore this Misaq has made the Dai, his family members, his Amils and other staff members most arrogant, ruthless and fearless on one hand and Bohras their helpless slaves on the other hand.
Again according to the condition of Misaq "And you shall accept the orders of the Dai in all things. And you shall not do a thing which the Dai shall forbid you". In order to implement this condition of Misaq "Raza", for all religious and social matters and customs, was introduced and made compulsory. Nikah in Islam is a civil contract between would-be-bride and would-be-bride groom. Burial of dead is a civil activity and graveyards are civil properties. Establishing school, colleges, hospital, libraries, banks, musfarkhanas, kabrastans etc are all social welfare activities. Religion has nothing to do with them. But because of the condition of 'Raza' a Dawoodi Bohra is refused the use of community's properties such as school, colleges, hospitals, libraries, banks, musfarkhana, kabrastans etc. That is why when Syedna Saheb demolished the Sanatorium built by the reformists and built 'Saifee Hospital" on its land, the Supreme Court of India needed to define 'Dawoodi Bohras' who would use the hospital. The judgment delivered on 3rd February 2000 in the Case No. 826 by it has specified that:
"30 (Thirty) beds in the proposed Saifee Hospital shall be reserved for treatment of members of the Dawoodi Bohra Community free of charge. Such beds and treatment to be provided to economically needy Dawoodi Bohras, regardless of whether they have taken the Misaq or not and regardless of whether they are ex-communicated or not.
It is to be noted that the Syedna Saheb's Shahzadas, solicitors and advocates present in the Court, quietly accepted this definition of Dawoodi Bohras and condition imposed by the Hon. Supreme Court of India without raising any objection.
This definition of Dawoodi Bohras and the acceptance of the fact by the highest court in the country that the members of Dawoodi Bohras are subjected to "excommunication" will greatly effect the case against 'Baraat' (excommunication) now pending in the same Hon. Supreme Court of India.
Therefore the claim that "No one is born a Dawoodi Bohra but becomes Dawoodi Bohra only after giving Misaq to the Dai" hold no ground and the reformist Bohras are also Dawoodi Bohras and they are entitle to make use of the community's properties like dargahs, graveyards, Musfarkhana without restriction. Syedna Saheb and his Amils have no right or authority to stop their Nikahs and burial and their entry in any community property.
Even when late Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb tried to consolidate his superior power over the community by altering the text of Misaq and enforcing 'Raza' for every thing he very well knew that he can be challenged in the court of law. So he, for the first time in the Bohra history, introduced another deadly weapon 'Slaambandh and Jamatkharij'. He initially made a mistake of issuing farman of Jamatkharij in writing. But when he was challenged and got defeated in the court of law he in 1965 coined another word "Baraat" for Jamatkharij and started its oral pronouncement.
Immediately after the independence of India in 1947 an act known as "Prevention of Excommunication Act, 1949" was passed in Bombay legislative assembly which prohibited ex-communication altogether thus curtailing Syedna Saheb's power to excommunicate his dissidents. Late Syedna therefore challenged it in the law court, thus accepting the fact that he is not above the laws of the land. Having lost in Bombay High Court he carried the matter to the Supreme Court. In 1962 the Supreme Court while striking down the Act gave power to excommunicate purely on Religious ground as the Court's attention was not drawn on the actual contents of Misaq and the manner in which it is enforced by the Syedna Saheb and his administration. And the fact that Syedna Saheb makes no distinction between the Religious and the Secular matters. The Supreme Court was also kept unaware that Baraat is much more than a mere expulsion from the Masjid. It involves breaking of marriages and the families, closing down of the welfare institutions.
The procedure for ex-communicating a person by Syedna Saheb purely on religious ground was set out by the Supreme Court in 1962 as follows:
1. The Syedna Saheb will send a show-cause notice to the acused clearly specifying his/her fault in the religious matter giving him/her time to explain his case and reply in writing.
2. The reply letter to be read out in the concerned Jamat meeting.
3. Based on the explanation received, the Jamat will finally decide whether the alleged person be ex-communicated or not.
From this it looks like that the power to ex-communicate is vested in the hands of Jamat and not in the hands of Syedna Saheb. But this is just eyewash as for as Dawoodi Bohra Community is concerned. Because here because of conditions of Misaq given to Dai by each and every Jamat member is bound to obey the command of Dai and he dare not go against the Dai. Thus Jamat may feel otherwise but each member will vote in favour of the Dai's proposal. Hence consent of the Jamat is no consent at all. Therefore the position taken by the Supreme Court in 1962 is open to criticism and needs to be corrected. That is why the Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court.
With the above facts it is clear that the Misaq introduced and enforced by late Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb is the root of all the evils in the community.
Now-a-days Syedna Saheb and his administration clearly say: "There is no need for a written apology, just give Misaq and come in our fold."This change in their strategy and this sudden leniency is welcome. But why this insistence on Misaq to Dai?
Let us examine word by word this latest claim that: "No one is born a Dawoodi Bohra. On reaching puberty every person who so desires can voluntarily give the Misaq which one is enjoined to do by tenets of the faith and so becomes a member of the Dawoodi Bohra sect."
It said "No one is born a Dawoodi Bohra." This is ridiculous claim. Can any Dawoodi Bohra parents accept that their newly born child is not a Dawoodi Bohra? If the child is not Dawoodi Bohra why should they perform the child's Aqiqa? Why were they asked to pay tax on "hamal" when the child in mother's womb was not a Dawoodi Bohra? Why is a child of Dawoodi Bohra parents when admitted in Madresas or Schools (even run under Syedna's control) is mentioned as "Dawoodi Bohra"?
Further it is claimed that: "On reaching puberty every person who so desires can voluntarily give the Misaq..."
Is 13 or 15 year the age of puberty? Is giving Misaq to Dai is left to individual's choice? How can Misaq be voluntary when one can become a member of the Dawoodi Bohra Community only after giving Misaq to Dai?
The Orthodox Dawoodi Bohras and Reformist Dawoodi Bohras both believe in the office of Dai-ul-Mutlaq and Fatemi Dawat. Both believe in the custom of Misaq. The only difference between them is that the orthodox Dawoodi Bohras give Misaq to Dai and the Reformist Dawoodi Bohras give Misaq to Imam. Even for the present day Misaq Reformists have been demanding its text but Syedna Saheb's administration has not made the text of Misaq public. Why?
The text of Misaq is in Arabic language. And the text of Misaq is read out paragraph by paragraph by the Amil and at the end of each paragraph the Misaq taker is asked to say "Na'am" (Yes, agreed). The Misaq is intentionally kept in Arabic language so that the normal Bohra who gives Misaq does not know what he is committing. He remains unaware of the implications of this Misaq for rest of his/her life. The Misaq taker does not know that he/she becomes a slave of Dai's commands in all religious, secular, worldly and personal matters. He does not know that he/she is making the Dai an absolute dictator controlling all aspects of his/her life. If ever he/she disobeys any dictate of the Dai his Misaq is considered "broken".
The Misaq taker does not know the inhuman punishments and insult he/she is likely to undergo if he ever in any matter fails to obey the Dai's dictates. The Misaq breaker is not aware of the condition of Misaq which he has accepted that: "all his possessions, i.e. movable, cash, house, utensils, jewels, ornaments, car ...all worldly materials is liable to be looted..."
Say Yes."
"........if the breaker of Misaq has a wife that wife becomes forbidden to him...... Say Yes."
"....if the breaker of Misaq performs Hajj 30 times with naked feet even than God shall not forgive him his sin (of breaking Misaq given to Dai), nor God shall accept his Hajj. But if takes Misaq again then alone God shall accept his Hajj, his prayers, fasts and other good deeds.
Say Yes."
Through Misaq the takers of Misaq is made to accept absolute authority of the Dai in advance in all religious, secular, social and personal matters. The Misaq taker is made to give an advance commitment to disown his close relations like father, mother, brother, sister, wife, husband, children, friends etc. when asked to do so by the Dai.
This is absolutely inhuman and thus un-Islamic and against Shari'ah. Such a Misaq is atrocious and monstrous. No person with slight amount of self-respect and Islamic sense can accept such conditions. How can a true Muslim or human being accept the status of Dawoodi Bohra Dai above Allah, who claims that even Allah can not accept the Hajj, prayers, fasts and other good deeds of a Misaq breaker unless he pardons him or her. This is a Sin much more serious than Kufr and Shirk that Dawoodi Bohras are made to commit unknowingly. The altered Misaq in the form in which it is taken since the time of 51st Bohra Dai, Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb makes every Dawoodi Bohra only a slave, not of Allah but of the Dai.
After taking such a Misaq a true Dawoodi Bohra becomes an offender of not only the laws of his country but also against the laws of Allah. He can not tell the truth in the court of law when he or she has to appear as witness against the Dai. He can not criticize Syedna, his Shahzadas or Amils in private or in public and continues being exploited and tortured by them. In short he has to mortgage his entire life to the Dai.
That is why Syedna Saheb keeps on repeating "Be loyal to the laws of your country". This is to hide the fact that the Dawoodi Bohras who are loyal to Syedna Saheb can not be loyal to their country in case they have to report any illegal activities being carried out in his name by his agents.
Therefore this Misaq has made the Dai, his family members, his Amils and other staff members most arrogant, ruthless and fearless on one hand and Bohras their helpless slaves on the other hand.
Again according to the condition of Misaq "And you shall accept the orders of the Dai in all things. And you shall not do a thing which the Dai shall forbid you". In order to implement this condition of Misaq "Raza", for all religious and social matters and customs, was introduced and made compulsory. Nikah in Islam is a civil contract between would-be-bride and would-be-bride groom. Burial of dead is a civil activity and graveyards are civil properties. Establishing school, colleges, hospital, libraries, banks, musfarkhanas, kabrastans etc are all social welfare activities. Religion has nothing to do with them. But because of the condition of 'Raza' a Dawoodi Bohra is refused the use of community's properties such as school, colleges, hospitals, libraries, banks, musfarkhana, kabrastans etc. That is why when Syedna Saheb demolished the Sanatorium built by the reformists and built 'Saifee Hospital" on its land, the Supreme Court of India needed to define 'Dawoodi Bohras' who would use the hospital. The judgment delivered on 3rd February 2000 in the Case No. 826 by it has specified that:
"30 (Thirty) beds in the proposed Saifee Hospital shall be reserved for treatment of members of the Dawoodi Bohra Community free of charge. Such beds and treatment to be provided to economically needy Dawoodi Bohras, regardless of whether they have taken the Misaq or not and regardless of whether they are ex-communicated or not.
It is to be noted that the Syedna Saheb's Shahzadas, solicitors and advocates present in the Court, quietly accepted this definition of Dawoodi Bohras and condition imposed by the Hon. Supreme Court of India without raising any objection.
This definition of Dawoodi Bohras and the acceptance of the fact by the highest court in the country that the members of Dawoodi Bohras are subjected to "excommunication" will greatly effect the case against 'Baraat' (excommunication) now pending in the same Hon. Supreme Court of India.
Therefore the claim that "No one is born a Dawoodi Bohra but becomes Dawoodi Bohra only after giving Misaq to the Dai" hold no ground and the reformist Bohras are also Dawoodi Bohras and they are entitle to make use of the community's properties like dargahs, graveyards, Musfarkhana without restriction. Syedna Saheb and his Amils have no right or authority to stop their Nikahs and burial and their entry in any community property.
Even when late Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb tried to consolidate his superior power over the community by altering the text of Misaq and enforcing 'Raza' for every thing he very well knew that he can be challenged in the court of law. So he, for the first time in the Bohra history, introduced another deadly weapon 'Slaambandh and Jamatkharij'. He initially made a mistake of issuing farman of Jamatkharij in writing. But when he was challenged and got defeated in the court of law he in 1965 coined another word "Baraat" for Jamatkharij and started its oral pronouncement.
Immediately after the independence of India in 1947 an act known as "Prevention of Excommunication Act, 1949" was passed in Bombay legislative assembly which prohibited ex-communication altogether thus curtailing Syedna Saheb's power to excommunicate his dissidents. Late Syedna therefore challenged it in the law court, thus accepting the fact that he is not above the laws of the land. Having lost in Bombay High Court he carried the matter to the Supreme Court. In 1962 the Supreme Court while striking down the Act gave power to excommunicate purely on Religious ground as the Court's attention was not drawn on the actual contents of Misaq and the manner in which it is enforced by the Syedna Saheb and his administration. And the fact that Syedna Saheb makes no distinction between the Religious and the Secular matters. The Supreme Court was also kept unaware that Baraat is much more than a mere expulsion from the Masjid. It involves breaking of marriages and the families, closing down of the welfare institutions.
The procedure for ex-communicating a person by Syedna Saheb purely on religious ground was set out by the Supreme Court in 1962 as follows:
1. The Syedna Saheb will send a show-cause notice to the acused clearly specifying his/her fault in the religious matter giving him/her time to explain his case and reply in writing.
2. The reply letter to be read out in the concerned Jamat meeting.
3. Based on the explanation received, the Jamat will finally decide whether the alleged person be ex-communicated or not.
From this it looks like that the power to ex-communicate is vested in the hands of Jamat and not in the hands of Syedna Saheb. But this is just eyewash as for as Dawoodi Bohra Community is concerned. Because here because of conditions of Misaq given to Dai by each and every Jamat member is bound to obey the command of Dai and he dare not go against the Dai. Thus Jamat may feel otherwise but each member will vote in favour of the Dai's proposal. Hence consent of the Jamat is no consent at all. Therefore the position taken by the Supreme Court in 1962 is open to criticism and needs to be corrected. That is why the Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court.
With the above facts it is clear that the Misaq introduced and enforced by late Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb is the root of all the evils in the community.
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Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
Mr.Insafbhai,
Why is this matter not taken up with the Human Rights organisation vigorously other then the courts because I believe that Human Rights Organisation is a quasi judicial body which can decide independently and give its findings to the court of law ?
Why is this matter not taken up with the Human Rights organisation vigorously other then the courts because I believe that Human Rights Organisation is a quasi judicial body which can decide independently and give its findings to the court of law ?
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Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
I have never given misaq in arabic? so what are u talking about?
Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
Dear incredible,
I must admit that my knowledge of text of Misaq is based on the books where they are quoted or from court records where they were produced.
You are the first person that I have come across who knows the text of Misaq in the language other than Arabic. I therefore, for the benefit of all, request your good self to please let us know the truth of the text of Misaq. I am one who would accept the truth without any hesitation.
I must admit that my knowledge of text of Misaq is based on the books where they are quoted or from court records where they were produced.
You are the first person that I have come across who knows the text of Misaq in the language other than Arabic. I therefore, for the benefit of all, request your good self to please let us know the truth of the text of Misaq. I am one who would accept the truth without any hesitation.
Last edited by S. Insaf on Mon Oct 25, 2010 12:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
incredible wrote:I have never given misaq in arabic? so what are u talking about?
then maybe you are a pseudo bohra.
Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
Late Shree Morarji Desai was the one who witnessed the dead body of Sir Adamji Peerbhoy's daughter-in-law, Amtullah bai, naked on the footpath opposite to Charni Road Rly Station. Therefore he called Sardar Taher Saifuddin's power 'Monstrous' in the open court. He and Mr. B.G. Kher quoted extensively the harsh conditions of Misaq introduced by Sardar Taher Saifuddin while presenting the Bill. Bill then became an act known as “Prevention of Ex-communication Act 1949” making ex-communication a Criminal Offence. It was applicable to all communities but only Bohra Head Priest challenged the act in the Bombay High Court in 1953. The High Court Judges, Chief Justice Chhagla and Justice Bhagwati were well aware of the text of Misaq and the way it was enforced by the Bohra High Priest, dismissed the appeal. One Bohra Reformist, Tayebbhai Moosaji Koicha had placed the text of Misaq before them and had argued against the Bohra High Priest.
Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb waited for almost 10 years till no voice against him was likely to be heard and the challenged it in the Supreme Court of India in 1962, keeping the Hon. Court in the dark about the text of Misaq and it’s inhuman implementation. Advocate Husaini Sanchawala entered in the last phase of hearing and could not affect the decision of the Court.
So it is an irony that the Prevention of Ex-communication Act which was mainly inspired by the inhuman treatment caused by the conditions of Misaq was challenged in the Supreme Court hiding the facts of the Misaq.
Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb waited for almost 10 years till no voice against him was likely to be heard and the challenged it in the Supreme Court of India in 1962, keeping the Hon. Court in the dark about the text of Misaq and it’s inhuman implementation. Advocate Husaini Sanchawala entered in the last phase of hearing and could not affect the decision of the Court.
So it is an irony that the Prevention of Ex-communication Act which was mainly inspired by the inhuman treatment caused by the conditions of Misaq was challenged in the Supreme Court hiding the facts of the Misaq.
Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
Brother S. Insaf,
The text of the misaq as administered these days is not in Arabic. It is in Gujrati and hence everyone can understand what they are getting into. It is another matter if anyone really thinks about it: to most bohras it is just a ritual which they go through a few times a year to get it over with. The text of the misaq is called Ahad-al-awliya and could possibly obtained from some orthodox mullah who has permission to take misaq.
However, I do not understand your point. You claim that the progressive bohra's give misaq to Imam. In which way is that text different? Or is there no text at all? The misaq text is actually quite old. Sometimes you claim it was introduced by S. Taher Saifudin but then go on to quote S. Hatim, the third da'i that the misaq should be towards the Imam and not the da'i. These two statements can not be simultaneously true, unless you claim that the text was modified recently. If so, can you produce the original text to know what was different? Can you prove that the previous text was not so coercive? What standards do you use to judge what is coercive?
It appears that you really want something that leaves both profane and sacred to an individual conscience. Please show where, in the Islamic context, this is considered to be okay. Once you enter the fold of Islam there is no choice in the belief: it is all determined for you. Even in Dai'm al-Islam the punishment for apostasy is very severe.
Now, I agree that people should be free to exercise their right to choose, both in religious and secular matters. However, I do not think you can make a case for that from an Islamic perspective. In fact, that could be a flaw in the the progressive approach: they try and use religion to suggest a liberalization that can not really be religiously justified. Not that such a liberalization is not needed. It is, but claiming that the misaq is the root cause of evil and that bohras do not understand what is says is completely untrue.
The text of the misaq as administered these days is not in Arabic. It is in Gujrati and hence everyone can understand what they are getting into. It is another matter if anyone really thinks about it: to most bohras it is just a ritual which they go through a few times a year to get it over with. The text of the misaq is called Ahad-al-awliya and could possibly obtained from some orthodox mullah who has permission to take misaq.
However, I do not understand your point. You claim that the progressive bohra's give misaq to Imam. In which way is that text different? Or is there no text at all? The misaq text is actually quite old. Sometimes you claim it was introduced by S. Taher Saifudin but then go on to quote S. Hatim, the third da'i that the misaq should be towards the Imam and not the da'i. These two statements can not be simultaneously true, unless you claim that the text was modified recently. If so, can you produce the original text to know what was different? Can you prove that the previous text was not so coercive? What standards do you use to judge what is coercive?
It appears that you really want something that leaves both profane and sacred to an individual conscience. Please show where, in the Islamic context, this is considered to be okay. Once you enter the fold of Islam there is no choice in the belief: it is all determined for you. Even in Dai'm al-Islam the punishment for apostasy is very severe.
Now, I agree that people should be free to exercise their right to choose, both in religious and secular matters. However, I do not think you can make a case for that from an Islamic perspective. In fact, that could be a flaw in the the progressive approach: they try and use religion to suggest a liberalization that can not really be religiously justified. Not that such a liberalization is not needed. It is, but claiming that the misaq is the root cause of evil and that bohras do not understand what is says is completely untrue.
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Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
The misaq may be read out in gujrati. But, is the kid who is taking it knowledgeable enough to really understand its conditions. Does he realize what he is actually committing. He probably/mostly is just going through the motions - forced in to this ceremony by parents & society. At their age and levels of understanding, this is just something that has to be gone through.
It is much later in life do we realize what we have committed ourselves to.
It is much later in life do we realize what we have committed ourselves to.
Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
Dear Biradar,
I have already discussed at length the first part of the Misaq which had religious significance and the second part that had the political significance in ‘Understanding Dawoodi Bohra faith’. I request you to please go through it on this board.
Also please go through “Misaq or the oath of allegiance” which will give you an idea how the text of Misaq was altered by late Syedna Saheb.
I have already discussed at length the first part of the Misaq which had religious significance and the second part that had the political significance in ‘Understanding Dawoodi Bohra faith’. I request you to please go through it on this board.
Also please go through “Misaq or the oath of allegiance” which will give you an idea how the text of Misaq was altered by late Syedna Saheb.
Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
Dear Biradar,
Let’s understand the ritual of ‘Misaq’ in simple words:-
1) Misaq and Raza are not found in any other Islamic sect except Dawoodi Bohras.
2) There is no mention of either Misaq or Raza in the most authentic and most referred Shari’ah book “Daimul-Islam.
3) Misaq and Raza are not prescribed by the holy Qur’an, and hence they are not as per the Islamic tradition or the traditions of holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (A.S.) or Hazrat Ali (S.A.).
4) Misaq and Raza are also not as per Shia tradition, as it is not prevalent in any other Shia sect except Dawoodi Bohras.
5) Misaq was a political necessity for Ismaili Imams for acquiring political power till the time they could establish Fatemi Sultanate. But that Sultanate remained for about 250 years and 21st Imam went in to seclusion.
6) When chain of Dawat started by Hurra Makeka the 3rd. Dai Syedna Hatim Hamidi (546-557 Hijri) thought it fit to warn the coming Dais not misuse the Misaq for their self-interest as Imam was not their to check their activities.
7) Dawoodi Bohras believe in the existence of Imam in hiding. So even among Dawoodi Bohras, from the start of Dawat Misaq for Imam was merely a custom or ritual to be taken once in a life time at the age of puberty. Misaq was customary not compulsory.
Late Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb, who as a child and youngster had witnessed the miserable life of poverty and debt of his father, 49th Dai Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin and the insult and humiliation that his father had to undergo when one of his ordinary Amils tried to put him in the Jail, had determined to become a most powerful man by force or fraud. He succeeded on Dawat’s gaddi in 1915. He was intelligent and knowledgeable. The circumstances made him cunning, over-ambitious, manipulator, fearless, vindictive and ruthless. He knew that the Dawoodi Bohras in general are timid and submissive. So the first thing he did was to alter the text of Misaq to suit his interests as a Dai. Just in two years in 1917 he without any hesitation admitted in the Bombay High Court that he had altered the text of Misaq and had introduced the word Dai along with Imam and also added some paragraphs in Misaqnama making it punitive.
Under the pretext of ‘vicegerent of Imam’ and accountable to Imam only he soon assumed superior powers (Shamshud-Duatul-Mutlaqueen) and made the entire community his slaves. He even insisted that all his followers should submit to him as ‘Slave of Syedna’ (Abde-Syedna) and do nothing even in secular, social and personal matters, without his Raza. Thus he exercised his absolute control over the Bohras, Amils and the local Jamats reducing them to helpless slaves just by manipulation of text of Misaq. He even went to the extent of terrorising the innocent Bohras through most inhuman violence, while maintaining his pious and holy image calling his era the Golden Era of Dawat-e-Hadiya. The terror inflicted by him is still evident in the community. He thoroughly misused Misaq for his personal gains overlooking the warning of Syedna Hatim. The present Syedna Saheb further intensified his efforts.
The reformist Dawoodi Bohras are those who were born as Dawoodi Bohras and have remained as Dawoodi Bohras. They are treated differently due to “Jamatkharij” or “Baraat”. The words like “Jamatkharij” or “Baraat” were never heard even in this community before Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb. “Jamatkharij” is the creation of Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb the “Baraat” is the creation of present Syedna Saheb.
Misaq only for Imam was taken from all Dawoodi Bohras as religious ritual before Syedna Taher Saifuddin and therefore those who insist that the Misaq should remain in its original form are declared as Reformist Bohras and are called Dai’s enemies, as it will curtail the monstrous power of the Dai and make community independent as before.
Let’s understand the ritual of ‘Misaq’ in simple words:-
1) Misaq and Raza are not found in any other Islamic sect except Dawoodi Bohras.
2) There is no mention of either Misaq or Raza in the most authentic and most referred Shari’ah book “Daimul-Islam.
3) Misaq and Raza are not prescribed by the holy Qur’an, and hence they are not as per the Islamic tradition or the traditions of holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (A.S.) or Hazrat Ali (S.A.).
4) Misaq and Raza are also not as per Shia tradition, as it is not prevalent in any other Shia sect except Dawoodi Bohras.
5) Misaq was a political necessity for Ismaili Imams for acquiring political power till the time they could establish Fatemi Sultanate. But that Sultanate remained for about 250 years and 21st Imam went in to seclusion.
6) When chain of Dawat started by Hurra Makeka the 3rd. Dai Syedna Hatim Hamidi (546-557 Hijri) thought it fit to warn the coming Dais not misuse the Misaq for their self-interest as Imam was not their to check their activities.
7) Dawoodi Bohras believe in the existence of Imam in hiding. So even among Dawoodi Bohras, from the start of Dawat Misaq for Imam was merely a custom or ritual to be taken once in a life time at the age of puberty. Misaq was customary not compulsory.

Under the pretext of ‘vicegerent of Imam’ and accountable to Imam only he soon assumed superior powers (Shamshud-Duatul-Mutlaqueen) and made the entire community his slaves. He even insisted that all his followers should submit to him as ‘Slave of Syedna’ (Abde-Syedna) and do nothing even in secular, social and personal matters, without his Raza. Thus he exercised his absolute control over the Bohras, Amils and the local Jamats reducing them to helpless slaves just by manipulation of text of Misaq. He even went to the extent of terrorising the innocent Bohras through most inhuman violence, while maintaining his pious and holy image calling his era the Golden Era of Dawat-e-Hadiya. The terror inflicted by him is still evident in the community. He thoroughly misused Misaq for his personal gains overlooking the warning of Syedna Hatim. The present Syedna Saheb further intensified his efforts.
The reformist Dawoodi Bohras are those who were born as Dawoodi Bohras and have remained as Dawoodi Bohras. They are treated differently due to “Jamatkharij” or “Baraat”. The words like “Jamatkharij” or “Baraat” were never heard even in this community before Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb. “Jamatkharij” is the creation of Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb the “Baraat” is the creation of present Syedna Saheb.
Misaq only for Imam was taken from all Dawoodi Bohras as religious ritual before Syedna Taher Saifuddin and therefore those who insist that the Misaq should remain in its original form are declared as Reformist Bohras and are called Dai’s enemies, as it will curtail the monstrous power of the Dai and make community independent as before.
Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
After empowering himself and enslaving the community absolutely Wajebat and Sabil and various other taxes were imposed which have not been found in any Islamic sect other then Dawoodi Bohras. And community's properties were ruthlessly taken over by the Syedna. That was the ultimate aim of altered "Misaq".
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Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
Dear Bhai Insaf,
Your posts on this forum are always filled with sterling information and delve into the history of our community and provide references and links to the sorry state of affairs prevailing today.
alas, u are one of the only reformists remaining who has that knowledge and moreover actually bothers to come and post here to enlighten all those who do not have any idea of our history over the last century. my father was another one, sadly he is no more. he would have been 92 now, and knew of all the shenanigans committed by the ex syedna whom he knew and had debated with personally.
whereas its all fine knowing the dark history and evil acts of the last 2 syednas, change will not come unless our cowardly bohras rise up and raise their voices. They must generate enough courage to break off the chains that bind them and challenge the draconian system of rules and regulations which make them weak and fearful.
you have mentioned in one of yr above posts, "He knew that the Dawoodi Bohras in general are timid and submissive."
that is exactly the crux of the problem. we bohras being a merchant community are too mild and suppliant. entangled in a web of tyranny, cleverly disguised in pseudo-religious polish, our bohras have succumbed to the kothar's wiles. each one looks to the other for leadership and support and all their false bravado evaporates when bullied by the kothari mafia. then they reason like crestfallen fools with others and even themselves for their cowardice. i have personally experienced this many times.
Your posts on this forum are always filled with sterling information and delve into the history of our community and provide references and links to the sorry state of affairs prevailing today.
alas, u are one of the only reformists remaining who has that knowledge and moreover actually bothers to come and post here to enlighten all those who do not have any idea of our history over the last century. my father was another one, sadly he is no more. he would have been 92 now, and knew of all the shenanigans committed by the ex syedna whom he knew and had debated with personally.
whereas its all fine knowing the dark history and evil acts of the last 2 syednas, change will not come unless our cowardly bohras rise up and raise their voices. They must generate enough courage to break off the chains that bind them and challenge the draconian system of rules and regulations which make them weak and fearful.
you have mentioned in one of yr above posts, "He knew that the Dawoodi Bohras in general are timid and submissive."
that is exactly the crux of the problem. we bohras being a merchant community are too mild and suppliant. entangled in a web of tyranny, cleverly disguised in pseudo-religious polish, our bohras have succumbed to the kothar's wiles. each one looks to the other for leadership and support and all their false bravado evaporates when bullied by the kothari mafia. then they reason like crestfallen fools with others and even themselves for their cowardice. i have personally experienced this many times.
Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
Brother S. Insaf,
Although I respect you, as far as the misaq being "the root of all evil", you are mistaken on many fronts. First, you claimed that it is in Arabic and hence no one knows what they are getting into. I pointed out that it is always taken in gujrathi and hence one knows what the text actually says. You then say it is not Islamic and promptly quote Sayedna Hatim on the issue. Are you implying that S. Hatim was doing something that was not Islamic? Does he say that it is only for political reasons and should be "merely a custom" and "taken once in a lifetime"? Please show us where he, or any other da'i, says this.
Even if the misaq was completely abolished it would make no difference. Things would continue the way they are. Bohras would continue to worship the da'i as they do today and the administration would keep increasing its hold on the Bohra minds. What we have witnessed in the last few decades is a collectivization of the Bohra minds. Sadly, no credible voices exist among the Bohras to express disgust at the changes in the community. The reason for this has nothing to do with the misaq but is inherent, in some ways, in the Ismaili outlook towards religion and its conception of a religious hierarchy and obedience to it. By making the da'i the central focus of the Bohra life, the administration has managed to make all other voices irrelevant. The misaq may embody this concept of obedience, but it did this also in the time of the Imam, and, getting rid of it will not achieve anything. In fact, making it "the root of all evil" simply alienates others and makes them think that the progressives are out to completely change the religion.
Although I respect you, as far as the misaq being "the root of all evil", you are mistaken on many fronts. First, you claimed that it is in Arabic and hence no one knows what they are getting into. I pointed out that it is always taken in gujrathi and hence one knows what the text actually says. You then say it is not Islamic and promptly quote Sayedna Hatim on the issue. Are you implying that S. Hatim was doing something that was not Islamic? Does he say that it is only for political reasons and should be "merely a custom" and "taken once in a lifetime"? Please show us where he, or any other da'i, says this.
Even if the misaq was completely abolished it would make no difference. Things would continue the way they are. Bohras would continue to worship the da'i as they do today and the administration would keep increasing its hold on the Bohra minds. What we have witnessed in the last few decades is a collectivization of the Bohra minds. Sadly, no credible voices exist among the Bohras to express disgust at the changes in the community. The reason for this has nothing to do with the misaq but is inherent, in some ways, in the Ismaili outlook towards religion and its conception of a religious hierarchy and obedience to it. By making the da'i the central focus of the Bohra life, the administration has managed to make all other voices irrelevant. The misaq may embody this concept of obedience, but it did this also in the time of the Imam, and, getting rid of it will not achieve anything. In fact, making it "the root of all evil" simply alienates others and makes them think that the progressives are out to completely change the religion.
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Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
Biradar,Biradar wrote:
Sadly, no credible voices exist among the Bohras to express disgust at the changes in the community. By making the da'i the central focus of the Bohra life, the administration has managed to make all other voices irrelevant. The misaq may embody this concept of obedience, but it did this also in the time of the Imam, and, getting rid of it will not achieve anything. In fact, making it "the root of all evil" simply alienates others and makes them think that the progressives are out to completely change the religion.
You throw up some interesting points, but you are making sweeping generalisations without any sound basis. On what grounds can you claim that "no credible voices exist"? if the voice of asgharali engineer, who has been acknowledged as an impartial and moderate scholar of islam by institutes of higher learning and dozens of humanitarian bodies all over the world isn't a credible voice, then whose voice would you consider credible? by one stroke u destroy the credibility of people like him and bhai saifuddin insaf, who also happens to be a well-recognised journalist and poet, as being somehow untrustworthy?
the greatest benefactor and philantropist that our community has ever produced, sir adamjee peerbhoy, who worked tirelessly to uplift our community single-handedly incl. our syednas, who could have been a more credible voice than him? but today they curse, slander and abuse him and his family for having exposed and challenged the ex-syedna for his criminal acts.
i agree that making the dai a cult figure around whom the whole community revolves, both for its faith and religiosity, has made everything else redundant, but for you to confidently assert that the progressives' objections to the present day draconian form of misaq is something which alienates themselves from the rest of the community, is not only shocking but surprising, coming from someone as well-educated and articulate as yourself. this shows how little you have understood the reformist movement and its demands. bhai insaf has clearly outlined the sinister changes made by the ex-syedna in the text and body of the misaq. whether the adolescent kids understand it or not, do they have a choice born out of free will? do they have the maturity and the deep knowledge of our religion?
if the so-called intelligentsia of our community cannot understand what the reformists are fighting for, then what can we expect from the blind and orthodox fanatics?
Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
Actually, we all tend to generalise every now and then. If Insaf saheb is guilty of sweeping statements like "Misaq is the root of all evil" so is Biradar with "No credible voices". And AZ's point is well taken. The problem is not that no credible voices exist but the fact that the clergy monoplises the truth. By its propaganda and brainwashing it renders every credible voice into a cry of 'adavat' of the enemy. How can reformists respond to such stupidity and ignorance? In this sense the reformists - despite their commitment and occasional heroism - are fighting a losing battle, at least the propaganda part of it. And this unfortunately has always been the reality of power structures. The powerful have the means to manufacture the truth. Today the corporate media do that so well (for example, look how the latest Wikileaks war logs were turned against itself - accused of jeopardising "national security". This can only happen with the domesticated media of the free world!!!!)
Disclaimer: FatwaBanker will instinctively jump in to defend the masters, but I'm no mood to be dragged into this and nor do I want to derail this thread.
Disclaimer: FatwaBanker will instinctively jump in to defend the masters, but I'm no mood to be dragged into this and nor do I want to derail this thread.
Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
By credible, I mean someone who the majority of Bohras accept. Dr. Engineer, even though he is well recognized outside, is not that. Sadly, the tricky thing is that if someone were to speak up they would immediately get kicked out and loose credibility. Perhaps being a credible intellectual is an impossible task in the current climate.
The misaq may be draconian, but not as far as Bohras are concerned. The conditions of the misaq have always been of absolute, unconditional obedience on the pain of severe and perpetual punishment. This may seem ridiculous, specially to those used to great individual liberties in the West. However, monotheistic religions, and Islam in particular, are not about cultivating individual liberties without bound but, on the contrary, of enforcing conformity to a creed.
S. Insaf has not shown, in an convincing way, that the misaq is the cause of all troubles. In fact, he thought it is in Arabic, which just shows how out-of-touch some progressives may be from day-to-day happenings. Most bohras ignore the misaq and do not pay much attention to it anyway, thinking of it as a ritual. However, it is an integral part of the Bohra way of life and can not simply be thrown out. Arguing against it is fine from a intellectual point of view, and I wish it be examined more closely, but calling it the "root of all evils" is silly.
When someone says that an adolescent is not able to make an informed choice, that is probably correct. However, neither are adults. Bohras (and almost everyone else) are indoctrinated into religion right from birth and it is very hard to change attitudes: change can be traumatic and can cause great loss of what one considers important to ones life. Anyway, most adults do not have the deep knowledge of our religion either. They simply follow the religion they were born into and what their parents taught them and have no means of discerning between various belief systems.
Now, I am not arguing against reform or that the present administration is good. In fact, change is needed and needed soon, although that is unlikely to happen. One great danger is that people and specially children will be so indoctrinated into the da'i cult that it will never occur to them that it was different at any other time. It seems paradoxical that many Bohras get professional degrees and learn to reason critically in narrow technical domains but leave aside all skepticism when it comes to matters of their own beliefs. Of course, this is not a problem particular to the Bohras, but seems we are most severely affected by this total partitioning of our intellects when it comes to religious matters.
The misaq may be draconian, but not as far as Bohras are concerned. The conditions of the misaq have always been of absolute, unconditional obedience on the pain of severe and perpetual punishment. This may seem ridiculous, specially to those used to great individual liberties in the West. However, monotheistic religions, and Islam in particular, are not about cultivating individual liberties without bound but, on the contrary, of enforcing conformity to a creed.
S. Insaf has not shown, in an convincing way, that the misaq is the cause of all troubles. In fact, he thought it is in Arabic, which just shows how out-of-touch some progressives may be from day-to-day happenings. Most bohras ignore the misaq and do not pay much attention to it anyway, thinking of it as a ritual. However, it is an integral part of the Bohra way of life and can not simply be thrown out. Arguing against it is fine from a intellectual point of view, and I wish it be examined more closely, but calling it the "root of all evils" is silly.
When someone says that an adolescent is not able to make an informed choice, that is probably correct. However, neither are adults. Bohras (and almost everyone else) are indoctrinated into religion right from birth and it is very hard to change attitudes: change can be traumatic and can cause great loss of what one considers important to ones life. Anyway, most adults do not have the deep knowledge of our religion either. They simply follow the religion they were born into and what their parents taught them and have no means of discerning between various belief systems.
Now, I am not arguing against reform or that the present administration is good. In fact, change is needed and needed soon, although that is unlikely to happen. One great danger is that people and specially children will be so indoctrinated into the da'i cult that it will never occur to them that it was different at any other time. It seems paradoxical that many Bohras get professional degrees and learn to reason critically in narrow technical domains but leave aside all skepticism when it comes to matters of their own beliefs. Of course, this is not a problem particular to the Bohras, but seems we are most severely affected by this total partitioning of our intellects when it comes to religious matters.
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Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
biradar,
2 points.
1. whom would you or the majority of the bohras consider a "credible voice"? based on the criteria you have provided, besides the syedna, it can only be one of his zaadas. let us assume one of his sons suddenly developed feelings of sainthood and spoke up against the institutionalised tyranny, would the bohras accept him as a voice of reason or dismiss him as a crank, no doubt under the weight of propaganda that would emanate from saifee mahal, which would label him a baaghi and mentally unstable.
2. where did bhai insaf talk of throwing out the custom of misaq? his thread is clearly titled " misaq to dai', not misaq in general. perhaps it is provocatively titled, but i suppose his aim is to generate debate.
at the end of this debate, the sad conclusion i reach is that there is no conclusion, or rather there is no point to the points you were trying to make. let us agree therefore, that today the entire atmosphere in our community is so vitiated that no voice of reason or credibility has any meaning for the majority of our bohras. everyone finds himself/herself a slave to the system. there are only 2 ways out of this. accept the tyranny, with minor wins you may chalk up against some lowly jamaat committee chamcha or win some petty some arguments with your local amil, or leave this whole stinking swamp and seek freedom elsewhere. all this talk about bringing revolution from within is, atleast for now, not working at all. trying to educate and inform from within whilst gingerly side-stepping the core issues of unislamic taxes, the shirk in the way the syedna is being deified, the nonsensical and unreligious practices we are being made to forcibly carry out under the guise of islam, the absolute control over our individual jamaats, its funds and properties and even our own lives, all this while we must show respect for the syedna and his holy family.... this weight of contradictions is untenable.
2 points.
1. whom would you or the majority of the bohras consider a "credible voice"? based on the criteria you have provided, besides the syedna, it can only be one of his zaadas. let us assume one of his sons suddenly developed feelings of sainthood and spoke up against the institutionalised tyranny, would the bohras accept him as a voice of reason or dismiss him as a crank, no doubt under the weight of propaganda that would emanate from saifee mahal, which would label him a baaghi and mentally unstable.
2. where did bhai insaf talk of throwing out the custom of misaq? his thread is clearly titled " misaq to dai', not misaq in general. perhaps it is provocatively titled, but i suppose his aim is to generate debate.
at the end of this debate, the sad conclusion i reach is that there is no conclusion, or rather there is no point to the points you were trying to make. let us agree therefore, that today the entire atmosphere in our community is so vitiated that no voice of reason or credibility has any meaning for the majority of our bohras. everyone finds himself/herself a slave to the system. there are only 2 ways out of this. accept the tyranny, with minor wins you may chalk up against some lowly jamaat committee chamcha or win some petty some arguments with your local amil, or leave this whole stinking swamp and seek freedom elsewhere. all this talk about bringing revolution from within is, atleast for now, not working at all. trying to educate and inform from within whilst gingerly side-stepping the core issues of unislamic taxes, the shirk in the way the syedna is being deified, the nonsensical and unreligious practices we are being made to forcibly carry out under the guise of islam, the absolute control over our individual jamaats, its funds and properties and even our own lives, all this while we must show respect for the syedna and his holy family.... this weight of contradictions is untenable.
Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
Dear Al zulfiqar, Biradar and saifuddin Insaf:
The title of this thread is not provocative but it is real, I had mentioned this in my earlier response to other thread that the misaq is the basis of all the atrocities committed on innocent and gullible momeneen. I have heard so many heart breaking stories from women of their sufferings at the hands of Aamils and their goonda chamchas. Dai is a representative of the Imam, and Aamils are the representatives of the Dai. Misaq to Imam was considered misaq to Dai in his absence, but now by including Dai with Imam in the misaq, All the Aamils got included as they represent the Dai. Now, if you spoke up against an Aamil or stood up to him, it is like speaking against the Dai or Imam, which becomes a big thing. So, people have been dumbed down or quieted down from speaking up. Whatever Aamil says they have to obey as if those words were spoken by the Dai or Imam. All Aamils are no saints and they have no trainings in psychology or they are not ghaib na jaan nar, but when a woman approaches them with marital problems and wants a divorce, they force her to go back to her abusive husband and his abusive family, there have been so many suicides by women drinking Iodine or some other pills or medicines that if they were disclosed there will be public outrage, but everything is hushed up and Aamils stupidities are buried 6 feet below the ground and he is back on the job psychologically counselling women to go back to their husbands. Why are Aamils considered expert on everything from Psychology to finance and business etc. etc. it is all because they are all included in the misaq by extension. The conditions of misaq don't need to be so stringent. Girls and boys at the age of 13-15 are not mature enough to understand what they are committing to, they are just told by their parents to sit in front of Aamil and say Naam or yes when misaq is read to them. they can not get out of this misaq once taken at the age of 13-15 as one of the conditions in misaq puts them in jeopardy if they tried to get out after accepting it. This way they have a chokehold on every body starting from the age of 13-15 and there is no way out.
How can we have a credible voice in our religion when as soon as some on speaks against anything that Dawat or Aamil is promoting you are branded as munafiq and banished and that will be the last time you will speak. There is no mechanism for voices of dissension to be heard in our religion. Even though I firmly believe in the the concepts of religion and the Dai and Imam but I must admit I have no faith in anybody below him. "Kullo nafsin zaiqatul maot" Dai is also a nafs and will die someday but I don't expect anything different from the next one. The greed of the royals is also royal and it has been adopted by all their underlings and will continue forever.The question is how to survive . I follow and preach to the women to have sabar until Imam decides that enough is enough, what else we women can do, when all men in our jamaats have been castrated and turned into sheep or worst. I wonder many times why Imam uz zamaan has abandoned his faithfuls???????????
The title of this thread is not provocative but it is real, I had mentioned this in my earlier response to other thread that the misaq is the basis of all the atrocities committed on innocent and gullible momeneen. I have heard so many heart breaking stories from women of their sufferings at the hands of Aamils and their goonda chamchas. Dai is a representative of the Imam, and Aamils are the representatives of the Dai. Misaq to Imam was considered misaq to Dai in his absence, but now by including Dai with Imam in the misaq, All the Aamils got included as they represent the Dai. Now, if you spoke up against an Aamil or stood up to him, it is like speaking against the Dai or Imam, which becomes a big thing. So, people have been dumbed down or quieted down from speaking up. Whatever Aamil says they have to obey as if those words were spoken by the Dai or Imam. All Aamils are no saints and they have no trainings in psychology or they are not ghaib na jaan nar, but when a woman approaches them with marital problems and wants a divorce, they force her to go back to her abusive husband and his abusive family, there have been so many suicides by women drinking Iodine or some other pills or medicines that if they were disclosed there will be public outrage, but everything is hushed up and Aamils stupidities are buried 6 feet below the ground and he is back on the job psychologically counselling women to go back to their husbands. Why are Aamils considered expert on everything from Psychology to finance and business etc. etc. it is all because they are all included in the misaq by extension. The conditions of misaq don't need to be so stringent. Girls and boys at the age of 13-15 are not mature enough to understand what they are committing to, they are just told by their parents to sit in front of Aamil and say Naam or yes when misaq is read to them. they can not get out of this misaq once taken at the age of 13-15 as one of the conditions in misaq puts them in jeopardy if they tried to get out after accepting it. This way they have a chokehold on every body starting from the age of 13-15 and there is no way out.
How can we have a credible voice in our religion when as soon as some on speaks against anything that Dawat or Aamil is promoting you are branded as munafiq and banished and that will be the last time you will speak. There is no mechanism for voices of dissension to be heard in our religion. Even though I firmly believe in the the concepts of religion and the Dai and Imam but I must admit I have no faith in anybody below him. "Kullo nafsin zaiqatul maot" Dai is also a nafs and will die someday but I don't expect anything different from the next one. The greed of the royals is also royal and it has been adopted by all their underlings and will continue forever.The question is how to survive . I follow and preach to the women to have sabar until Imam decides that enough is enough, what else we women can do, when all men in our jamaats have been castrated and turned into sheep or worst. I wonder many times why Imam uz zamaan has abandoned his faithfuls???????????
Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
Reza is the root of all evils.......To kill a snake one must strike at the head.
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Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
bensaheba,bensaheba wrote:I follow and preach to the women to have sabar until Imam decides that enough is enough, what else we women can do, when all men in our jamaats have been castrated and turned into sheep or worst.
I beg to differ here. Actually it is the womenfolk in bohra community who nag and drag their husbands/sons to jamats and even force them to settle the wajebats with the amils even if the men are reluctant to pay. The kothar has very cleverly first hypnotised the women bcoz they know that the men will then anyhow follow them. Only if the women were strong enough and opted to forgo the various social gatherings which are held in the name of niyaz, majlis, urs etc will the men then be able to stand up and not succumb to kothar's pressure tactics.
Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
Last I checked out the pictures, it was Abdes, not Amtes in a contest to see who can bend the lowest to please the zadas to shove their gifts in exchange for a little attention. It did not appear there was any force being imposed here. Don't make this into a gender issue, when the real wickedness lies with the Kothari machine or propoganda, brainwashing and exhortion.Bro GM Wrote
Actually it is the womenfolk in bohra community who nag and drag their husbands/sons to jamats and even force them to settle the wajebats
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Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
bensaheba,
your post was very hard hitting and you made some very good points. I esp. like the association you have made about the misaq being taken for dai and by unspoken extension to all his hired muscles in each jamaat, i.e. the amil, who represents the dai and his power interests for all practical purposes.
hope the blind fanatics are taking note of how the devilish tentacles of the mafia are spread. no matter how wide the net, the grip is still tight. there is no escape. there is no recourse.
bensaheba, i would request you when you talk with your fellow sisters not to preach sabar or patience, but teach them pride and dignity instead, advise them to disobey, and to be rocks for their husbands and give them strength to rebel. The rebellion in udaipur would not have succeeded if the women there had not decided to fight. it was they who finally proved to be the key factor against the tyrannical kothar.
even the great indian mutiny of 1857 was led symbolically by the rani of jhansi, with a gun in one hand and a sword in another and a child strapped onto her back.
your post was very hard hitting and you made some very good points. I esp. like the association you have made about the misaq being taken for dai and by unspoken extension to all his hired muscles in each jamaat, i.e. the amil, who represents the dai and his power interests for all practical purposes.
hope the blind fanatics are taking note of how the devilish tentacles of the mafia are spread. no matter how wide the net, the grip is still tight. there is no escape. there is no recourse.
bensaheba, i would request you when you talk with your fellow sisters not to preach sabar or patience, but teach them pride and dignity instead, advise them to disobey, and to be rocks for their husbands and give them strength to rebel. The rebellion in udaipur would not have succeeded if the women there had not decided to fight. it was they who finally proved to be the key factor against the tyrannical kothar.
even the great indian mutiny of 1857 was led symbolically by the rani of jhansi, with a gun in one hand and a sword in another and a child strapped onto her back.
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Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
The argument is based on a false premise that Bohras understand, know, or even care about the text and content of the Misaq. An overwhelming majority of Bohras have no idea what the Misaq means except that it is an oath of allegiance to the Dai, and that they have to say "naam" when instructed. Misaq is a symptom and not a cause of anything significant.
Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
bensaheba, sabr is a good thing but sabr without action and will to change is plain cowardice. I agree with AZ, tell your women friends to speak up and defy. From the point of view of Islamili doctrine, it's true that the Imam has abandoned us and you may wonder about it all you want, but that is not going to help. The truth is that in moral and human terms the bohras have abandoned themselves - no imam is going to give them their freedom and dignity on a platter. They will have to fight for it themselves, individually and collectively. That is the truth of history, nothing is gained without courage, commitment and action. The only question is what will it take for Bohras to say "enough is enough" and do something about it.
Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
I had given Misaq at the age of 13 and it was then in Arabic. Later on whatever text of Misaq I found in books and court records it was either in English or Arabic. I have not seen the Gujarati version. Now-a-days even if the Mazzon-e-Dawat is beaten up in public the Misaq of Dawoodi Bohras in general is said to be broken. And Bohras everywhere are asked to give Misaq again. Bohras of my time had given Misaq once and no question was raised again any time. There is no certificate issued to any one who has given Misaq, that used to be our argument with the police authority who used to come stop the burial of any reformist.1) First, you claimed that it is in Arabic and hence no one knows what they are getting into. I pointed out that it is always taken in Gujarati and hence one knows what the text actually says.
Till the tragedy of Karbala there was no division of Shia Sunni in Islam. There was no concept of Imam or Imamat till then. Any leader who leads a group is called Imam. Even today one who leads prayer in a masjid is known as Imam and his act as Imamat. Any one who invites is known as Dai and his invitation as Dawat. But in Shia psyche the word “Imam and Imamat” and in Bohra psyche the word “Dai and Dawat” have acquired some Divine dimension.2) Are you implying that Syedna Hatim was doing something that was not Islamic? Does he say that it is only for political reasons and should be "merely a custom" and "taken once in a lifetime"? Please show us where he, or any other da'i, says this.
The Ismaili movement was initiated by Imam Jaferus Sadiq but it emerged and derived its name from Imam Ismail, his eldest son in 128 Hijri. Among Shias the Ismailism started after more than 100 years of death of the Messenger of Islam (A.S.).
Though Shias were often under the direction of Arab leaders but at core they were Persian and were accustomed to slavish submission. So the total submission to the supreme authority of Imam by Misaq, concept of Imam being masoom (infallible), tawil (hidden meaning of Qur’an), taqiyya (secrecy) and Imam succeeding to another Imam by inheritance became the Ismaili Shias doctrines. With this strategy, they could acquire political power but these doctrines remained as part of their faith even after the fall of their political power. So Misaq was a political necessity for Ismaili Imams and has remained as custom till today.
When in absence Imam when system of Dawat started our third Syedna Hatim had apprehension that the Misaq, which had made the Imam a Supreme Commander, may be misused by some successive Dai. So he reminded in his Risala Mujazat-ul-Kafia the Qualifications of a Dai-ul-Mutlaq prescribed by Dai Ahmed bin Mohammad Neshapuri under instructions of 18th Imam Mustansir-bil-Lah. He in his famous book Tohfat-al-Qulub Syedna Hatim has warned the succeeding Dais that “Daee shall call the people towards the Imam of their time, keep Imam informed, and should not attribute a single letter of Misaq to himself (i.e. Daee).” Please go through the Qualifications of a Dai-ul-Mutlaq and the warning of Syedna Hatim, there nothing un-Islamic in them.
That is one way of looking at the situation, helplessly. This mentality of “Apne shoo karvoo che” and “Mukhalafeen halaak thai gaya” has made Syedna and his administration so powerful today. The Justice Nathwani Commission has come to the conclusion that, “The Misaq is used as the main instrument for keeping the entire community under the subjugation of the Syedna and his nominees……Syedna claims to be the owner and the sole-trustee of all Bohra properties including mosques and trusts and remains unaccountable. Where accounts are audited the work is done by the firms composed of Bohras bound by Misaq given by them to Syedna. The Misaq is total unconditional surrender to the Syedna in secular as well religious matters and it amounts to a virtual charter of slavery.”3) Even if the misaq was completely abolished it would make no difference. Things would continue the way they are. Bohras would continue to worship the da'i as they do today and the administration would keep increasing its hold on the Bohra minds.
Those who have no self-respect, have no humanity left in them want to betray themselves, their conscience, their community, Islam and their country and live like a helpless slave, it is their choice.
In the time of Ismaili Imams the central position and absolute authority of Imam was a necessity in order to establish their political as well as religious authority. When Imams became the rulers of a state, their authority over the civil matters of their subjects was necessary for proper governance. The present Syedna and family members may claim that he is “Sultan-ul-Bawahir” and they are Shanzadas and Shazadis but it is a fact that they are not the rulers of any state, even for name sake. Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb self-claimed that he is “Sultan-ul-Bawahir” in order to acquire Imams’ civil powers.4) By making the da'i the central focus of the Bohra life, the administration has managed to make all other voices irrelevant. The misaq may embody this concept of obedience, but it did this also in the time of the Imam, and, getting rid of it will not achieve anything.
Though under the surface, a significant majority in the community is constantly resenting the persecution and exploitation in the name of religion and they know very well that it is this Misaq which has alienated the majority from the ones who are struggling, even at the risk of their lives, to change the situation (not the religion).5) In fact, making it "the root of all evil" simply alienates others and makes them think that the progressives are out to completely change the religion.
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Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
Misaq is called for at the drop of a hat just like matam. I remember how in the early 90's the sheikhs, mullas and NKDs like the Khorakhiwalas and Tambawalas had to give misaq for attending a marriage reception at Christ Church School only because Mr.Zain Rangoonwala was also invited by the host, something which these bohras had no knowledge of. The best part was that misaq was given after the respective bohras paid huge amounts of money to the dai by way of penalty for attending the reception albeit unknowingly.
Misaq was taken of all bohras who had closed down their accounts in Bombay Mercantile Co-op Bank after the da's fatwa to do so which was then termed as a sign of purification. Here salams were pocketed by the respective zaadas and amils.
Misaq was taken of all bohras who had closed down their accounts in Bombay Mercantile Co-op Bank after the da's fatwa to do so which was then termed as a sign of purification. Here salams were pocketed by the respective zaadas and amils.
Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
There is a solution to the problem which bensaheba mentions: fight aggressively for common civil law and take matters of marriage and divorce out of the hands of the mullahs. I.e. if you want to get a divorce contact the civil authorities in your country and follow those rules. To make this effective, ensure, via legislation if needed, that once civil authorities grant a divorce or marriage the religious mullahs must comply and must do the needful to make that decision also acceptable within religious context. This sounds very hard but seems the only way to take the power of the hands of mullahs.
I am really surprised by S. Insaf's responses. Essentially, you are now attacking the very foundations of Shia/Ismaili beliefs by saying that the whole concept of tawil, succession of Imams etc was a political necessity. I can not comprehend how a progressive can make such a claim and continue to say he respects the da'i and the tenets of the Bohra way of life. Did the previous da'is in any of their books say such a thing? Did they say that all this was just a "political necessity" and there was no real other reason to do this? Sadly, this just re-enforces the idea that the progressives are out to destroy the very way of Bohra life.
Also, bringing up the example of S. Neshapuri does not help. The status of the da'i when the Imam is present is very different than when the Imam is in occultation. Those concepts do not always apply. In the absence of the Imam, the da'i is the supreme leader of the community. It is reflected in the fact that Maulatena Maleka appointed a da'i al-mutlak, i.e. an absolute da'i.
I find many deep contradictions in the progressive way of looking at things. First, they claim that the last few da'is are nazim while his predecessors were da'i al-mutlak. Then, they claim that the whole concept of da'i is just a political necessity. Even the Imam is just a political necessity! All this while they say that all they wish for is social reform and not change the religion. I can not see how these positions are mutually compatible.
What I suggest is that we should not be bothered about religious details, because this not a field where we can win. Religious arguments can not be won but simply drag on and on, witness the arguments on this board. I suggest that the fight be only for the secularization of all legal aspects of Bohra lives. I.e. lessen the importance of paying zakaat to the administration, religious marriages, divorce, coming-of-age ceremonies like the misaq etc. Make these just rituals which are followed for the love of culture and history rather than because they are required. Attach no social stigma to not participating in some or all rituals. Make the jamaat responsible for maintaining themselves and have the power to boot out disgraceful amils. The amil should be a servant to the people and not the other way round. I know the progressives are trying to achieve this and have achieved this in some places. The question is: how to make this a norm and not an exception?
I am really surprised by S. Insaf's responses. Essentially, you are now attacking the very foundations of Shia/Ismaili beliefs by saying that the whole concept of tawil, succession of Imams etc was a political necessity. I can not comprehend how a progressive can make such a claim and continue to say he respects the da'i and the tenets of the Bohra way of life. Did the previous da'is in any of their books say such a thing? Did they say that all this was just a "political necessity" and there was no real other reason to do this? Sadly, this just re-enforces the idea that the progressives are out to destroy the very way of Bohra life.
Also, bringing up the example of S. Neshapuri does not help. The status of the da'i when the Imam is present is very different than when the Imam is in occultation. Those concepts do not always apply. In the absence of the Imam, the da'i is the supreme leader of the community. It is reflected in the fact that Maulatena Maleka appointed a da'i al-mutlak, i.e. an absolute da'i.
I find many deep contradictions in the progressive way of looking at things. First, they claim that the last few da'is are nazim while his predecessors were da'i al-mutlak. Then, they claim that the whole concept of da'i is just a political necessity. Even the Imam is just a political necessity! All this while they say that all they wish for is social reform and not change the religion. I can not see how these positions are mutually compatible.
What I suggest is that we should not be bothered about religious details, because this not a field where we can win. Religious arguments can not be won but simply drag on and on, witness the arguments on this board. I suggest that the fight be only for the secularization of all legal aspects of Bohra lives. I.e. lessen the importance of paying zakaat to the administration, religious marriages, divorce, coming-of-age ceremonies like the misaq etc. Make these just rituals which are followed for the love of culture and history rather than because they are required. Attach no social stigma to not participating in some or all rituals. Make the jamaat responsible for maintaining themselves and have the power to boot out disgraceful amils. The amil should be a servant to the people and not the other way round. I know the progressives are trying to achieve this and have achieved this in some places. The question is: how to make this a norm and not an exception?
Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
Biradar, I agree with Insaf saheb in principle. It is one thing to take the Ismaili doctrine at face value and accept it as such, and it is quite another to analyse it and see why it is the way it is. Inasf saheb is doing the latter. One thing is sure though, that the Ismaili doctrine cannot be separated from the political necessities within which it evolved. Ismaili imams were as much political rulers as they were religious leaders, and it could be argued that the demands of the empire shaped the doctrine in many ways –i.e. secrecy, misaaq etc. Also, the political and religious aspects of Imamat were closely fused, and as evident in the history of empires and kings, religion was used to provide political legitimacy to the Imams. Of course, no Imam or Dai would write about the “political necessities” behind the doctrine as Ismaili/Fatimid empires were advanced as religious enterprises. Real motives of empire are always hidden from the public – and never documented. This was true then as it is now.
It is true that Islmaili doctrine is held sacrosanct by Bohras – and should be to an extent as part of our collective heritage. But I feel it is the role of intellectuals and scholars to demystify the past especially when the same past is being misused by the clergy for its own benefit. Of course, you can disagree with all this but it would be wrong to characterise such analysis as “attacking the very foundations of Shia/Ismaili beliefs”. From an enlightened and probing mind like yours one expected better.
That said, I agree that all this doctrinal discussion might lead one to conclude that reformists are confused. Abdes are quick to jump on that charge, but more reasonable among us know that these are individual opinions. The official focus of the reform movement has always been on “social” issues. But in a public and open forum like this, doctrinal issues will inevitably be discussed – especially when it comes to misaaq and raza - and there is no way we can avoid it. Contradictions and confusion is the price reformists will have to pay for the freedom of thought and expression they enjoy. We have to understand that unlike the abdes we reformists do not sing from same song sheet.
I agree with you, and I've mentioned it too many times, that we should keep doctrinal issues out of the reformist discussion as far as possible. Your solution about pursuing civil law might just work, but it would be like attacking the very Bohra identity as it has come to be defined and understood today. The mullah has become the inherent part of of the Bohra identity and culture, and is the brick with which the whole exploitative system is built. It would be great to take him out of the equation but it might prove to be more radical than questioning the Ismaili beliefs.
It is true that Islmaili doctrine is held sacrosanct by Bohras – and should be to an extent as part of our collective heritage. But I feel it is the role of intellectuals and scholars to demystify the past especially when the same past is being misused by the clergy for its own benefit. Of course, you can disagree with all this but it would be wrong to characterise such analysis as “attacking the very foundations of Shia/Ismaili beliefs”. From an enlightened and probing mind like yours one expected better.
That said, I agree that all this doctrinal discussion might lead one to conclude that reformists are confused. Abdes are quick to jump on that charge, but more reasonable among us know that these are individual opinions. The official focus of the reform movement has always been on “social” issues. But in a public and open forum like this, doctrinal issues will inevitably be discussed – especially when it comes to misaaq and raza - and there is no way we can avoid it. Contradictions and confusion is the price reformists will have to pay for the freedom of thought and expression they enjoy. We have to understand that unlike the abdes we reformists do not sing from same song sheet.
I agree with you, and I've mentioned it too many times, that we should keep doctrinal issues out of the reformist discussion as far as possible. Your solution about pursuing civil law might just work, but it would be like attacking the very Bohra identity as it has come to be defined and understood today. The mullah has become the inherent part of of the Bohra identity and culture, and is the brick with which the whole exploitative system is built. It would be great to take him out of the equation but it might prove to be more radical than questioning the Ismaili beliefs.
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Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
biradar,
i think its best that bhai insaf replies to your post overall. but i have a few comments.
1. your solution to taking power out of the hands of the amils and kothari lackeys is not only extreme, but totally unworkable in the bohra context. i fail to understand how you can call yrself a moderate with such solutions, when u accuse bhai insaf of extremism and over exaggeration in everything? why shud a bohra turn to the courts for marriage and divorce as a rule, and thus take away the richness and fulfillment of getting married according to our customs and rites? it is the clergy who must change, not us.
2. what bhai insaf has mentioned about the necessities of the fatimid times when imams ruled politically and as religious leaders, i.e. temporally and spiritually, does deserve in my opinion, deep reflection. it is quite thought provoking and something which hitherto had never struck me. what it does serve is to link the abuse of power today with the necessities of those times.
3. i find it rather surprising that u accuse the progressives of "trying to change the bohra way of life", simply because they point out how and where the present dai and his establishment is misusing their powers by citing examples and misquoting from the past. what pray, is 'the bohra way of life'? can u please define the same?
4. whereas u agree that there is total corruption in our administration, the dai and his family are perverting our core religious beliefs and under the guise of religion are cementing their hegemony, on the other hand, you can hardly disguise your contempt for the progressives. as i understand it, the reformist movement does have a declared manifesto, but its a sign of the liberty that each individual reformist enjoys, that atleast they have the freedom to air their views without fear of reprisal. whatever each reformist may say, it does not become part of the official plank. that is the beauty of it. if this site was run by the fanatic abdes, even those few who come here to abuse and heckle, would not have the gall to do so.
5. the syednas before the 46th were undisputed and above suspicion and had every right to call themselves dai ul mutlaq. upto and including the 50th continued to refer to themselves as dai e nazims, but it was the 51st, driven by greed and worldly ambitions, who u took a u turn.
6. finally u travel full circle and re-iterate what the progressives have been shouting themselves hoarse about since last several 7-8 decades. so whats new??
i think its best that bhai insaf replies to your post overall. but i have a few comments.
1. your solution to taking power out of the hands of the amils and kothari lackeys is not only extreme, but totally unworkable in the bohra context. i fail to understand how you can call yrself a moderate with such solutions, when u accuse bhai insaf of extremism and over exaggeration in everything? why shud a bohra turn to the courts for marriage and divorce as a rule, and thus take away the richness and fulfillment of getting married according to our customs and rites? it is the clergy who must change, not us.
2. what bhai insaf has mentioned about the necessities of the fatimid times when imams ruled politically and as religious leaders, i.e. temporally and spiritually, does deserve in my opinion, deep reflection. it is quite thought provoking and something which hitherto had never struck me. what it does serve is to link the abuse of power today with the necessities of those times.
3. i find it rather surprising that u accuse the progressives of "trying to change the bohra way of life", simply because they point out how and where the present dai and his establishment is misusing their powers by citing examples and misquoting from the past. what pray, is 'the bohra way of life'? can u please define the same?
4. whereas u agree that there is total corruption in our administration, the dai and his family are perverting our core religious beliefs and under the guise of religion are cementing their hegemony, on the other hand, you can hardly disguise your contempt for the progressives. as i understand it, the reformist movement does have a declared manifesto, but its a sign of the liberty that each individual reformist enjoys, that atleast they have the freedom to air their views without fear of reprisal. whatever each reformist may say, it does not become part of the official plank. that is the beauty of it. if this site was run by the fanatic abdes, even those few who come here to abuse and heckle, would not have the gall to do so.
5. the syednas before the 46th were undisputed and above suspicion and had every right to call themselves dai ul mutlaq. upto and including the 50th continued to refer to themselves as dai e nazims, but it was the 51st, driven by greed and worldly ambitions, who u took a u turn.
6. finally u travel full circle and re-iterate what the progressives have been shouting themselves hoarse about since last several 7-8 decades. so whats new??
Re: Misaq to Dai - is the Root of all the Evils
I personally think that we should focus on evils perpetuated by the past two Dai in the name of Misaq rather than digging its past. By focusing on the history of Misaq we are creating a cobweb of confusion among ourselves. While it is interesting to know and understand why Misaq came into existence it is futile at this point of time to compare the current practice with its original source. Our misaq is like a legal contract that gullible people sign and only realize its severity when it comes to paying the penalty for breaking it. If one wishes to still analyze its validity, the best way to do so would be by discussing it in light of Quran. Actually in Quran there is no clear mention of Imamat and Dai and Misaq. So does that render this whole practice illlegitimate? If Misaq was such a big deal it would have found its mention in either the holy Quran or atleast sunnah of prophet. Now people would argue that Misaq is a Fatimid tradition and part and parcel of the bohra faith. My question is that is it neccesary to follow the bohra traditions even if they are unislamic? And why should the reformists only harp on establishing democracy and accountability? If we consider ourselves as muslims than shouldn't we follow Islam as preached by the prophet? I feel that our community requires both social and religious reforms and I further believe that one without the other is not possible. E.g. syedna promises jannah to his loyal followers. If you want an abde to realize that syedna cannot decide his fate when it comes to heaven or hell, you can only do so in light of Quran and Islam. There are many other unislamic practices that have been spread and promoted by the current Dai. Even the Dai's tight control over the social and personal life of bohras can be easily defied in the light of Islam and Quran by showing him his due limits. Other practices like sajda, two rakat namaz, grave worship etc. that are used to control bohras can be easily rendered unislamic. The current situation of our community is such that you cannot remain a bohra and a muslim at a same time and if bohras want to become muslims they will have to grow a pair of balls and defy their NON muslim dai.