Haatim Zakiyuddin
Syedna Haatim Zakiyuddin (حاتم زکي الدین) (born 10 September 1959), is the 45th Saiyedna and Da'i al-Mutlaq of Alavi Bohras and Naa'ib (نائب) representative, vicar, legatee and deputy of the progeny of 21st Fatimid Isma'ili Imam Abul Qaasim at-Taiyeb during the time of his Concealment from Cairo in 528 AH/1132 AD which is called Daur us Satr (دور الستر). The present Da'i or Saiyedna is the 12th Saheb of Aal-e-Jivabhai. Introduction, mission (Da'wat) and community. The present 45th Da’i-e-Mutlaq or Da'i uz-Zamaan (the da'i of the present time) i.e. the representative  (naa'ib) of Imaam uz-Zamaan (the imaam in the progeny of Imaam Taiyeb), Haatim ul-Khayraat, Rabi' ul-Barakaat Saiyedna Abu Sa'eed il-Khayr Haatim Zakiyuddin Saheb (tus) has continued his predecessor's endeavors with particular emphasis on strengthening the community's relationship with other community leadership and by following Islamic practices by promoting and spreading awareness about the Fatimid identity and Isma'ili legacy. His birthplace is Badri Mohalla, Vadodara, his birth date falls on 8th Rabi' ul-Awwal 1379 AH/10 September 1959 AD, Thursday. Under the graceful hands of his grandfather, the 43rd Da'i ul Mutlaq Saiyedna Yusuf Nuruddin  saheb (d. 1394 AH) and Mukaasir ud Da'wat Bhaisaheb Nazarali (d. 1397 AH), he completed his formal religious education and then took special sessions of 'Uloom e Da'wat. For graduation and post-graduation he stayed in Mumbai for 5 years (1979-1984 AD) studying Arabic Language and Literature with Islamic Studies in Mumbai University. During his stay in Mumbai, he did all things possible to enrich the library of Da'wah Shareefah by acquiring Isma'ili-Taiyebi MSS and rare Islamic books. He did "tarbiyat" and Taiyebi upbringing of Mumbai mumineen on the morals of Ahl ul Bayt (as) by fulfilling the  responsibilities of Moharram and Shahrullaah. During the Da’iship of his father, the 44th Da'i, Saiyedna Taiyeb Ziyauddin saheb, he being Ma’zoon (a spiritual status after da’i) from 1984 AD, he shouldered the responsibility of educating people for the betterment of the community. Now that he is on a status of Da’i al-Mutlaq from 2015 AD, he sees to it that the 'Ilmi, Commerce and Social relations with other community members are maintained. He took very strong step and robust decision in 1423 AH/2011 AD by sending his eldest son Bhaisaheb Sa’eed ul-Khayr, who would be elevated to the  status of Mazoon e Mutlaq, to Qumm, Iran for graduation in Arabic Language and Literature. It is for the time that anyone from Qasr-e-‘Aali has travelled to the land of Iran for higher studies. It is the holy land of Du'aat who migrated to Egypt in the service of Fatimid (Faatemi) Imaam during 4th and 5th century AH. At present Saiyedna saheb's eldest son Sa'eed ul Khayr Bhaisaheb 'Imaaduddin saheb DM is Mazoon al-Mutlaq as well as Mansoos who was elevated on 4th Rabi' ul Aakhar 1442 AH/19th Nov 2020 AD. Saiyedna saheb's younger brother, Mohammad  Bhaisaheb Nuruddin saheb DM is on the status of Mukaasir al-Mutlaq since 7th Rajab 1430 AH/29th June 2009 AD after the demise of Mukaasir al-Mutlaq Dr. Husain Mo’eenuddin on 13th Shawwaal 1429 AH/12th October 2008 AD. The status of Ra's ul-Hudood is headed by his youngest brother Dr. Zulqarnain Bhaisaheb Hakeemuddin who was assigned this responsibility along with Mukaasir al-Mutlaq. When Saiyedna saheb did Nass-e-jali and appointed-declared his eldest son as his successor 46th Da'i al-Mutlaq, Mukaasir al-Mutlaq was awarded a unique laqab as "Siqat ud-Da'wat il-Haadiyat il-'Alaviyah  (ثقۃ الدعوۃ الهادیۃ العلویۃ, SDHA) meaning the most trusted, and Ra's ul-Hudood was awarded a special laqab as Naasir ud-Da'wat it-Taiyebiyah" (ناصر الدعوۃ الطیبیۃ, NDT) meaning one who assist in Da'wah affairs. He played a pivotal role in revamping the syllabus of Madrasah Taiyebiyah by making the learning of Lisaan ud-da’wat compulsory for all pupils. This is a language that reflects a mix of Arabic, Gujarati, and Farsi elements that, following the Dawoodi Bohra example, has been created to give a sense of legitimacy to the Da’i and his family, in an effort to institutionalize  hierarchies within the community. The time when the website was conceptualized in 1425 AH/2004 AD along with bi-monthly deeni newsletter "Mishkaat ul-Haadi", he took a forefront in vitalizing and providing subject matter as per the demand of time. Keeping pace with changing times and the World of Mobile Information, he envisioned the way to reach to the farest and smallest member of the community, by developing the Mobile App "Ahl uz Zikr". He eased the matrimonial related complications by making al-Vezaarat ul-'Alaviyah (the office of ad-Da’wat ul-Haadiyah) the centre of all these activities, promoted youth  activities, women welfare, medical centers and camps, educational skills for teachers, higher education, literacy, trade and business etc. He offered Hajj e Tamatto’-Pilgrimage to Makkah-Madinah along with his beloved father 44th Da’i in 1412 AH/1992 AD with the group of 82 believers. It is after this Hajj, he compiled the book consisting of the Hajj arkaan and its manaasik. He himself took special sessions and prepared mumineen for how to perform proper and perfect Hajj. In 1420 AH/1999 AD, Saiyedna saheb with 44th Da’i, undertook long journey of 42 days for Ziyaaraat e Mubaarakah in Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Palestine , Syria and Yemen. Extensive Sabaq with literature has been arranged for the people going for ‘Umrah Mufradah that has increased manifold by every passing year. For every small or big spiritual or social occasion, printed literature is furnished by Saiyedna saheb's office giving appropriate instructions to the applicants. 24 Hudood (person with specifically assigned task) are there to perform the religious ceremonies as per guidelines defined since centuries and on Taiyebi Tenets. Be it at Devdi Mubaarak – Residence of Saiyedna saheb, masjid, community hall, private majlis, graveyard for the occasions pertaining to inauguration, sehra, birthday, marriage, misaaq (divine oath ), roza-iftaari, ziyaafat, khatnah or deceased person's sadaqallaah. Saiyedna saheb and his close associates manages all these affairs. The management of such affairs also involves asking followers for certain amounts of money (called ‘salaam’), that directly fund the private or personal affairs of the Da’wat. The issue of demanding salaam funds for all kinds of officiation from followers has been framed as a form of sadaqah and therefore completely voluntary. In practice, if followers refuse to pay salaam, they are castigated and officiations, important within Islamic practice, are withheld. He has retained the amount of mehr of Rs. 1000/-  fixed by his father al-Maulaa al-Muqaddas, which was previously Rs. 200/- during the time of 41st Da'i, for the marriage proposal given to the bride and it is on a discretionary power of an individual to give or not to give anything apart from mehr. There is no concept of dowry and one is free to arrange anything for the marriage of her daughter as per his financial condition, but under the pre-defined religious laws. His tenure as a Mazoon and now as a Da'i is marked by the constructions of new mosques, guest houses (musaafir-khaanas ), mausoleums and community halls. The concept of pre-wedding religious counselling and personal consultation was initiated some years back and now, one can find positive results out of it as the instances of marital discord and divorces has considerably decreased. In the majlis known as Dhaaru-Fixing of the date of marriage and the day when wedding cards are distributed in the community, the to be-couple sits in front of Saiyedna saheb and he himself explains the realities of married life, its responsibilities and sacrifices. Likewise by the Razaa-permission of Saiyedna saheb, the training sessions of the Baaligh  children-the children who has attained the age of puberty and has to give to Saiyedna saheb the Oath of Loyalty (Misaaq) which is meant for the Imaam of the time from the progeny of Mohammad known as "Imaam uz Zamaan (as)", is regularly conducted before the majlis of Misaaq. The children are educated with the pillars of Islam and faith, their responsibilities of being an Alavi Bohra, their obligatory deeds as per the Canonical Law of Islam from dawn to dusk, their relationship with their family members, relatives, neighbours, employees and community members. One who gives misaaq enjoys all  the spiritual attachments and absolute guidance from Saiyedna saheb. This gives him the identity of being an Alavi. During the turbulent time of the pandemic and the fear of the infection of Corona virus (COVID-19) worldwide, there was a global lockdown and economical slowdown.  In every nook and corner of the world people were confined to their homes for months together and a new normal was initiated to Work from Home.  This all started in Rajab 1441 AH/March 2020 AD when it started spreading in almost all the countries.  All social and religious gatherings were restricted and rescheduled.  During  this time in Shahrullaah 1441 AH and Moharram 1442 AH, all the prayers, majaalis, wa’az and du’aas were broadcast, or pre-recorded, at Devdi Mubaarak.  Then through Zoom and YouTube it was made available to mumineen.  It was Saiyedna saheb's willingness and guidance to keep pace with the demanding time, this facility could be made possible. Publications meant for religious knowledge and awareness (deeni ma’lumaat) is his prime objective. Knowing that the books are the mother of development and discipline, he always emphasized in reading good things for fruitful results. Several books highlighting Isma’ili-Taiyebi faith and facts were  published to make his followers make aware of their religious and social duties. Books such as: