Born in Surat, India, on August 20, 1946, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS is the second son of the 52nd al-Dāʿī al-Mutlaq, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA, and the grandson of the 51st al-Dāʿī al-Mutlaq, Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA.
A NOBLE UPBRINGINGSyedna Saifuddin TUS was invariably present with his respected father Syedna Burhanuddin RA at home and on his many pilgrimages and travels to visit his community abroad. He thereby learnt first-hand the traditions, customs and protocols associated with the office of the al-Dāʿī al-Mutlaq.
His Holiness TUS appeared for the examinations of the historic Dawoodi Bohra educational institute Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah in Surat where he graduated with the highest honours. He completed his undergraduate education in India and Egypt where he was privately tutored by distinguished professors from Cairo’s leading universities including Cairo University and al-Azhar.
Syedna Saifuddin TUS was conferred the highest degree of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah: al-ʿAlīm al-Bariʿ, (The Outstandingly Learned). Syedna Burhanuddin RA also conferred upon him the rare title of Thiqat al-Daʿwat al-Tayyibiyya (The Trusted of the Tayyibi Mission). Syedna Saifuddin TUS is distinguished by special accolades and a unique closeness given to him by his predecessor that is reserved for future occupants of the office of al-dāʿī al-mutlaq.
In 1987, following the passing away of Dr Yusuf bhaisaheb Najmuddin QR, rector of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah, Syedna Saifuddin TUS was appointed as one of the rectors of the academy. In this capacity, he strove to uphold and ensure the moral integrity of the academy’s students, encouraged them to memorise the Holy Quran in its entirety and inspired them to lead their lives according to the universal precepts of tolerance, kindness and service to one another to which the Holy Quran calls.
Soon after his ascension to the office of al-dāʿī al-mutlaq, Syedna Saifuddin TUS was requested to accept the chancellorship of Aligarh Muslim University like his esteemed father and grandfather before him. In April 2015, Syedna TUS was confirmed as AMU Chancellor. In February 2016, Syedna Saifuddin TUS visited the University as chancellor for the first time on the occasion of its 63rd Annual Convocation and addressed the 5000-strong gathering with an exposition of the Quranic verse which is the motto of AMU, “He (the Almighty) taught man that which he knew not.”
In September 2015, the University of Karachi conferred upon His Holiness TUS the degree of Doctor of Letters honoris causa in recognition of his scholarship and commitment to the causes of learning and education. Syedna TUS is the third head of the Dawoodi Bohra community to have received an honorary degree. Dr Syedna Burhanuddin RA, was presented with the same degree in 2004, and Dr Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA, was also presented an honorary degree in 1955.
On March 14th, 2023, Syedna TUS accepted the Chancellorship of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), a historic seat of learning in India's capital, New Delhi. He was unanimously elected as chancellor by members of the university court.
Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah,
Devri Mubarak,
Zampa Bazaar, Begampura,
Surat, Gujarat, 395003, India
Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah
St-8 Block-C, North
Nazimabad, Karachi,
74700, Pakistan
Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah,
Saifee Park, Syedna Mohammed
Burhanuddin Road, Nairobi,
00100, Kenya
Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah,
3 Bori Colony
Marol, Andheri East, Mumbai,
Maharashtra, 400059, India