Dawoodi Bohra Forum

Nass & Tawqeef: All you need to know
The Foundation of Shariat is Nass & Tawqeef. [1].

But, what is Nass? How is Nass established? What are the requirements?

To a Dawoodi Bohra mumin the answers to these questions are quite simple – but to a Non Mumin or a Qutbi Bohra, it is most certainly not. The lack of understanding (or deliberately twisting) of this truth, is root cause for the Qutbi Bohra fitnat. It is imperative for the Qutbi Bohras to understand the basics of Nass & Tawqeef, in order to see the truth. After all, Nass & Tawqeef is the key – everything else is secondary.

Realizing the importance of Nass & Tawqeef, it is no surprise that these were the exact same questions posed by the High Court Judge:

“How do you establish only by a doctrine or custom that the Mazoon (the second in command in the community) becomes the successor? What are the requirements? ...witnesses...?” asked Justice Patel.

In the first chapter of Daim ul Islam, Syedna Qadi Noman RA lays down the simple basics. He says:

If they ask us, how is (the continuity) of Imamat? We say: “It is by Nass & Tawqeef” – so that there cannot be any hujjat or argument (against us).[2]

Nass basically means the appointment of the Mansoos by the Dai. There is no difference in opinion between the Dawoodi & Qutbi Bohras in regards to the definitions of Nass.

However, the Qutbi Bohras forget that along with Nass, there must be Tawqeef as well.

This article will explain the concept of Tawqeef as follows:
o The meaning of Tawqeef (there must be a witness to the Nass)
o This witnesses must be physical human beings.
o The definition of the word “shaahid” (witness)
o A person cannot be his own witness.
o A Nass without Tawqeef is invalid
o There has NEVER been a Private Nass without witnesses
o Not every Mazoon has become the Dai
o How should the news of a Nass be conveyed (to the people)?
o The witness can be anyone, regardless of their position

The meaning of Tawqeef

According to Lane’s Lexicon the meaning of Tawqeef is:

“وقّفه على الشيئ، meaning عرفه ايّاه, He made him acquainted with the thing; informed him of it; gave him notice of it”

Simply put, Tawqeef means making the Nass known to a third person (a witnesss) - the act of identifying and describing the mansoos to someone other than the mansoos himself.
In order for Tawqeef to take place, there must be a witness. It must be between The Dai (performing the Nass) and the - third person witness who is being informed of the Nass on the Mansoos.

Regardless of whether the Nass is Private or Public, there MUST be a witness. Aimmat AS & Doat Mutlaqeen RA have always had witnesses to their Nass.

KQ’s claim is that a Nass without witnesses or a Nass without Tawqeef is valid - this in itself is proof of his ignorance. Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA further confirms this position. He says:

“A Dai is instructed to appoint his successor… and this appointment must be made in the presence of the people of his Dawat”[3]

The Witness must be a Physical Human Being
In the same paragraph of Daim al Islam (mentioned above) Syedna Qadi Noman states that the “Naas (the person performing the Nass), must inform his followers”.
The witness needs to be a physical person (man or woman). One cannot simply brush off and say that Allah TA is his only witness. Undoubtedly because Allah TA ­is a witness over everything.

The definition of the term “shaahid” )witness(
A shaahid is a person who says “I saw or I heard etc etc” [4]
A shahid must be a person who can testify to something he/she has witnessed. A shahid must be a person who is able to communicate what he heard or saw. This further confirms the fact that the witness must be a physical person. Thus, claiming that God is the only witness to KQ’s alleged Nass deems it necessary for "God" to come down to earth and testify on behalf of KQ.
(In claiming that "God" is his own witness – he directly accepts that Nass requires a witness – which refutes his earlier position that there were no witnesses and he needed none.)


A person cannot be his own witness.
KQ claims he is the only witness to his alleged Nass.
In the Chapter of “Shahaadat”– Syedna Qadi Noman RA clearly states that a witness cannot testify in favour of himself.[5]
Therefore, by claiming to be the only witness of his Nass is against Daim ul Islam and all Islamic Fiqh. His testimony is not acceptable regardless of his position.
(In claiming that KQ is his own witness – he directly accepts that Nass requires a witness – which refutes his earlier position that there were no witnesses and he needed none.)
Read also: http://believesyednaqutbuddin.com/2014/ ... g-benefit/

A Nass without Tawqeef is invalid
In reference to the fitnat of Sulaiman, Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA states that Sulaiman's followers accepted a nass without any witnesses. Addressing the Sulaimaniyeen (followers of Sulaiman), the author goes on to say “your lies, that the Dai passed away suddenly without doing any wasiyyat... even though this sickness was known and he had made preparations for his own demise… we are Dawoodi Bohras because we refuted Sulaiman's claim of nass without witnesses. He then goes on to say "Whoever comes forth with Nass & Tawqeef, is the rightful Dai." [6]

On another note, those who disputed the Nass on Syedna Abdulqadir Najmuddin RA challenged him that if a Nass had taken place – then there must be two witnesses - therefore who are your witnesses? Syedna Abdulqadir Najmuddin RA replied that that Sh Abdul Ali and Sh Abudllah bin al Had Abdul Qadir were the witnesses. [7]
What is important to note from this bayaan is that even the munafiqeen were aware of the basics of Nass, that is, there must be witnesses.

There has NEVER been a Private Nass without witnesses
In the History of Dawat – There has never been a Private Nass without witnesses.
The Qutbi Bohras claim that certain Awliyaullah SAW performed Private Nass without witnesses. This is a complete distortion of the facts. Dawat texts prove the contrary. Please read the following links provided below.

The Nass of Sulaiman Nabi AS:
http://qutbibohras.blogspot.com/2014/11 ... bi-as.html
http://qutbibohras.blogspot.com/2015/11 ... again.html

The Nass on Imam Mansoor AS
http://qutbibohras.blogspot.com/2015/07 ... -nass.html
http://qutbibohras.blogspot.com/2016/02 ... -waaz.html

The Nass on the 7th Dai, Syedna Husain RA
http://believesyednaqutbuddin.com/2014/01/25/reason-2/

Not every Mazoon has become the Dai
Although there are many instances where the Dai has performed Nass & Tawqeef on his Mazoon – there are many instances where the Mansoos was neither the Mazoon nor the Mukasir. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA has clarified this fact in many bayaans.

There are many examples of the Mansoos not being the Mazoon of the time. The most recent examples are the Nass of the:
· 46th Dai on the 47th Dai
· 48th Dai on the 49th Dai
· 49th Dai on the 50th Dai
· 50th Dai on the 51st Dai

How should the news (paighaam) of a Nass be conveyed (to the people)?
Syedna Hamiduddin al Kirmani RA states[8]:

“What is that thing by which ‘Nas’ is proved?” it asks, and replies:
“As to those who are present and see to them ‘Nas’ is proved by pointing out to them and informing them of the successor, and to those who are absent ‘Nas’ is proved by information communicated to them by such persons who will be considered as authority.”


The above text confirms that:
· A third person must be informed of the Nass (tawqeef/witnesses)
· For those who are absent – the Nass needs to be conveyed by an accepted authority (by the Imam or Dai).
The ibarat does not limit who is allowed to convey the Nass, as long as he’s an authority - irrespective of his position/rank or rutba.

The Shehzadas/witnesses in London conveyed the Nass - with the farmaan of Syedna Burhanuddin RA - through the system of Dawat and local Amils – all of these people where authorities appointed by the Dai Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA himself.

The witness can be anyone, regardless of their position or rutba
It is the Dai’s sole discretion as to whom he appoints as a witness to the Nass. It is not necessary that the Mazoon must be informed of the Nass and convey it to others. Any authority (appointed by the Dai) can be a shaahid of the Nass. For example:

The 43rd Dai, Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin RA informed his trusted hawaalchi (assistant) - not the Mazoon - about his Nass on the 44th Dai (Syedna Mohammed Ezzuddin RA).

When the 48th Dai (Syedna Abdul Husain Husamuddin RA) performed Nass on the 49th Dai (Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA), along with some other hudood, the witnesses to the Nass were Syedna Abdullah Badruddin RA and Syedi Abdeali Mohyuddin QR – both who weren’t the Mazoon at the time. The Mazoon was Syedia Ismail Bs Badruddin QR. [9]

Similarly, when the 49th Dai (Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA) performed Nass on the 50th Dai (Syedna Abdullah Badruddin RA), the witnesses were Syedi Abdeali Mohyuddin QR, Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA, Syedi Taiyeb Zainuddin QR , and Miya Saheb Sh Taiyeb Bhai Kothari. None of the the above were the Mazoon of the time. The Mazoon was still Syedi Ismail Bs Badruddin QR.[10]

= = =
Concluding.
Since the inception of the Qutbi Bohra fitnat and the Fatemi Dawat site, the Qutbis have demanded proof from us, when not being able to provide one iota of evidence from their end.

They have been challenged to cite just one source from Dawat books in regards to Nass & Tawqeef. Till date, despite many requests and challenges, they have not been able to do so. Yet, they continue to fabricate stories out of thin air and feed it to their followers - who accept it blindly.

This article has referenced texts that are easily available to the Qutbi Academic team and their scholars. Unlike the Qutbi rhetoric of saying "bayaan ayu che" (without mentioning any references) - I urge the Qutbi followers to confirm these Dawat texts, realize that KQ and the Qutbi team are lying – and inshallah­ – see the truth.

Finally, I quote the qasida of Syedi Hasan bin Idris QR which he wrote to to Sulaiman, during his fitnat and false claim:
و ذا مقام عظيم لا يتم لمن * لم يأت بالنص توقيفا و توجيها
...
فهات لي مشبها ما قلت من حجج * هاتي لنا شاهدا ان كنت قاضيها
...
[11]وكل دعوى اذا لم تأت بينة * كانت لعمري اباطيلا و تمويها

[…this (The rutba of Dawat) is a "maqaam e azeem" that cannot be claimed by the one who does not bring forth Nass & Tawqeef ... Rasulullah appointed Moulana Ali through Nass & Tawqeef ... so… bring me some proof ... bring us even one witness to your claim ... every claim (dawo) that doesn't have proof is baatil (false) and fabricated]

To KQ and the Qutbi Leaders I challenge:
قل هاتوا برهانكم ان كنتم صادقين
[Bring forth your burhan (proof), if indeed you are truthful]



[1] (Ref: Kitaab al Najah - Introduction)
[2] Daim ul Islam – Chapter 1, Syedna Qadi Noman RA
[3] Ref: Risalah Dorar al Huda al Mudeeah Page 63
[4] Syedna Qadi Noman RA (Sharh al Akhbar Volume 1)
[5] Daim al Islam – Chapter of Shahadat – Syedna Qadi Noman RA
[6] Risalah – Zau o Noor al Haq al Mubeen by Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA
[7] Risalah - Tazkerat Labeeb (Pg 171) by Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA
[8] Translation Accepted by Both Parties (The Privy Council Judgement Page - Original text from Risalah al Wadhiyah – Syedna Hamiduddin al Kirmani RA:
[9] Seerat al Radhiya
[10] Seerat al Radhiya
[11] Risalah – Ne’m Sibghah al Ilahiyyah (page 461) by Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA

Saif53 wrote:FROM THE QUTBI BOHRA BLOG:
http://qutbibohras.blogspot.com/2016/03 ... -know.html

Nass & Tawqeef: All you need to know
The Foundation of Shariat is Nass & Tawqeef. [1].

james wrote:The trolling nature of many of the regulars on this forum never ceases to amuse me. Here I am offering concrete definitive proof against the lies posted by Wajid ...

seeker110 wrote:After the demise of 52nd the two gangs of the same clan now has to spend the rest of their lives protecting the ill gotten wealth and their own lives from each other. None will ever see peace in their life, until it burns itself out.

There is no fear of Allah in this clan. It is only about Money.

The Last Ashara?
The Qutbi Bohra Sijill #108 refers to the Ashara of 1432H as "Syedna Burhanuddin’s Last Ashara" - because (in their words) "this would be the very last Ashara during which Syedna Burhanuddin would deliver his blessed sermons". Their criteria is Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin's bayaan.

Unless the Qutbi Bohras have wax in their ears, (which they most certainly do) - they would have heard Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin's crystal clear bayaan during the 1st waaz of 1433H (the following year) - in which Syedna RA recited the shahadat of Imam Husain AS.


Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA performing waaz on 2nd Moharram 1433H (after the stroke)
Are the Qutbi Bohras so blind forget Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin's RA presence every single day during the Asharas of 1433H, 1434H & 1435H?

Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA giving salaami during Ashara (after the stroke).
The presence of The Dai of Imam Husain AS was the lubb of Ashara Mubarakah. To be able to perform Deedar of his noorani chehra mubarak and attend his maatam majlis was the essence of Moharram.

Are the Qutbi Bohras so dead at heart that they disregard the final 3 years of the 52nd Dai Mutlaq - as if they never happened?

Quoting those who do not believe in the shaan of the Dai, but only see a physical body, the 5th Dai, Syedna Ali RA says in the shaan of Syedna Hatim RA:



تحيرت الافكار فى عظم شانه فها هي دابا للظنون ترجم
رأه بابصار اناس وانما بصائرهم عن كنه ماابصروا عموا
فقالوا نرى جسما يلوح مركبا وذاك قصارى ما رأوا وتوهموا
ومحصوله لو يشعرون حقيقة به ملك عال شريف معظم
سنا جوهر اللاهوت منبع اصله ومنشأ لالا نوره حين يوسم
بباهر برهان وحسن عبارة له انجاب ديجور من الشك مظلم
[Summary: All minds are in awe shaan of the Dai.
Some (others) see the Dai, but in reality they are spiritually blind in what they see.
They say: "we only see a (physical) body", that is all they see.
If they only knew the haqeeqat, they would truly see a great and mighty angel,
whose asal (origin) is from the jawhar of lahoot and pure noor.
By virtue of (His) clear Burhan and beautiful speech, the darkness of shak (doubt) is cast aside.]

***
If indeed the Qutbi Bohras refer to 1432H as the final Ashara of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA, then why have they posted "Videos of Syedna Burhanuddin from Aashura 1433" on their own Fatemi Dawat website?
So which one is the "last ashara" now? Is it 1432H or 1433H?


***
This Sijill #108 continues to draw parallels between KQ being present during the Ashara of 1432, somehow alleging that this equated a sign of Nass? The Qutbi Bohra Academic team should know better - that being in the hazrat of the Dai is a farizat.
If the Qutbi team takes the liberty of comparing historical accounts and taking them out of context - then one can even compare how Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA kept KQ away from him during Asharas of 1433H, 1434H and 1435H - just like Rasulullah SAW sent certain people away from Madina during His last days.

Besides, they continue to forget that presence in hazrat doesn't equate Nass, only Nass & Tawqeef is the basis of appointing a Mansoos.

***

Finally the Sijill #108 posted a video and went on to talk about "The noorani manzar of Burhanuddin Aqa bestowing nazaraat and salaami to his Mazoon". They forget that Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA continued to bestow "nazaraat and salaami to his" mumineen, from 1432H up until the eve of Milad al Nabi 1435H.
Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA on the eve of Milad al Nabi 1436
IF, however, the salaami of Ashura 1432H, as alleged by the Qutbi Bohras, was the final salaami of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA during Ashara - then - as usual, instead of focusing on Burhanuddin Moula RA, KQ was too busy involved in his own antics on the side.




Rather than making his grandson do deedar of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA, KQ blocks him. KQ strayed his followers away from Burhanuddin Moula RA throughout his life, especially keeping them mehroom from His janaza mubarakah.



KQ wasn't physically and spiritually focused on Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA - neither are his followers.

I bestow my peaceful greetings—a peaceful greeting whose minaret in the house of pure honor is elevated, whose soaring vistas in the horizons of authentic nobility are vast—upon you, [my] most beloved, most precious, most radiant, most magnanimous, most devoted/virtuous son, apple of my eye [lit. piece of my liver]and joy of my heart, the bright luminary and an auspicious star in the firmament of high distinction, a Dawat rank-holder with a great destiny

asad wrote:people on side of KQ are banging their heads against wall, Even if they produce a clear video of MB doing nass on KQ that will be refuted as doctored so these signs and letters carry no weight.

humanbeing wrote:

asad wrote:people on side of KQ are banging their heads against wall, Even if they produce a clear video of MB doing nass on KQ that will be refuted as doctored so these signs and letters carry no weight.

Bro asad

actually SKQ camp seems to be pretty chill and settled with thier Dai. it is SMS camp which is dancing in disgust and has made SKQ bashing a part of their piety to express allegiance to SMS. Even if Imam-uz-zaman turned up and declared SKQ as dai, muffy maula followers may not beleive out of habit or embarrassment !

humanbeing wrote:Bro Wajid

Can you tell me, for which ocasion does STS write this letter to SKQ and which event is under reference here, when STS states that SKQ handled community affairs beautifully.
Also if you wish, you can answer previous questions I presented about a general life in SKQ camp with respect to Qadambosi and stuff.

humanbeing wrote:The community affairs you mention which is rift between orthodox and progressive bohra at that time. What I know from information is, SKQ could not handle the situation well, he was furious with the rebellion and mishandled the negotiation with arrogance due to which he had to fled to Galiyakot out of mob fear. This had upset SMB a lot and that Galiyakot Incident happened where Udaipur people where assaulted in front of SMB.

Please correct me wherever I am wrong.

allbird wrote:From what i know since i WAS common in Saifee Mahal and a khdimat Guzaar insider. SKQ was very short tempered and quite aware of his position. Humbleness was not his strong points, but may have now become humble due to prevailing conditions, age and need to prove situation. About his memory remembering people and their problems that comes from STS (RA), i can definitely vouch for that, its genetic.

With regards to his children's i was not much involved with the female counterpart but the sons were hard to handle. TB is knowledgeable but onto himself..me...me....me. Hussian pretends to be smart but very much aware of his power and position. Personally don't like him and so does most of Saifee Mahal. AbdeAli is okay, very quiet and decent and is very smart too. Speaks less and keeps his dignity well preserved. Aziz is out of bounds, growing too fast and too big for his boots. Similar to Husain and TB.

I am not sure about current situation as their heads are not high after this episode.

humanbeing wrote:Most of all, these kothari pests act as if they are some divine beings walking around in lightened robs and aura of divinity circling on thier heads.. Language is flowery to praise each other. refer to STS and SKQ letter, all that jazz of shining moon and sun of daawat and stuff for doing their regular job in comfort, pomp, pamper and flattery. Such words come in handy to bamboozle commoners and create a euphoria of divinity in them. Some sort of celestial beings merchants of heaven.

in name of khidmat they are sit over comortable chairs, padded sujnees, paalkhies and thrones, lending their ear, hands, feet and knees to abdes for some minutes or hours charging a ransom. they call this khidmat of daawat. touring the world, giving salamiees, posing with people. where is the freaking hardships. when tough times come these guys run like rats and sleep with enemies.

can they match courage, valor and hardship like fakhruddin shaheed, qutbuddin shaheed. No one is asking them to run around barefeet in sweltering summer or risk thier heads to enemies. least they can do is take a diplomatic and tough stand against opressors and injustice. These panzies cannot stand a hard sunny day, need Umbrellas, darbaans, airconditioned locomotives designed and covered to thier taste.

These thugs can never never match simplicity, austerity and humility of Prophet and Ahle bayt and humble duaats who who left with the legacy of character and not palaces, wealth and properties to fight over !

Can anyone tell me what SKQ would have done things differently if he was in position of SMS ?

Moula SMS TUS