Mufaddal Saifuddin (; born 20 August 1946) is the 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq and leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community, a Tayyibi, Musta'li, Ismaili, Shia Muslim denomination. He succeeded his father, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, upon the latter’s death in January 2014.
Born in Surat, India, Saifuddin was educated at Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah and pursued further studies in Cairo. During his father’s tenure, he held senior educational and administrative roles within the community. As leader, he has conceived community welfare initiatives such as Faiz al-Mawaid al-Burhaniyah and Project Rise, as well as restoration projects of Fatimid-era monuments in Egypt and the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Project, an urban redevelopment project in Mumbai's Bhendi Bazaar.
Saifuddin serves as Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia, and has received state honours including Kenya’s Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart, Egypt’s Grand Cordon of the Order of the Nile, and Pakistan’s Nishan-e-Pakistan.
The Bohra community traces their history to the Fatimid Imams, who are direct descendants of the Prophet Mohammed through his daughter Fatima al-Zahra. After the 21st Imam went into spiritual seclusion, the office of al-Dai al-Mutlaq was established and Mufaddal Saifuddin is the current D’ai al-Mutlaq.
Early life
Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin was born on 20 August 1946 (23 Ramadan 1365 AH) in Surat, India, He is the filius secundus (Latin for "second son") of the 52nd Dai al-Mutlaq, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, who was himself the son of the 51st al-Dai al-Mutlaq, Syedna Taher Saifuddin. He was named Aliqader Mufaddal by his grandfather, to correspond with the Abjad value of the his birth year 1365 AH.
From an early age, Saifuddin received personal spiritual and scholarly tutelage from both his grandfather and father, familiarising him with the values, customs, and traditions associated with the office of the al-Dai al-Mutlaq. His early education, following Fatimi tradition, emphasised Quranic principles, forming the foundation of his later scholarly and community engagements. He completed his primary and secondary education in Mumbai and subsequently enrolled at Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah in Surat, the community’s Arabic academy.
On 27 January 1969, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin privately designated Saifuddin as his successor at the age of 22 through nass (a formal spiritual designation). This spiritual designation was reaffirmed in 1994, 2005, and twice again publicly in 2011.Public discourse of Mufaddal Saifuddin at Saifee Masjid, Mumbai on 4 Rabi-al-Akhar 1435AH (4 February 2014) Nass was performed on him five times.
He graduated in 1969 with the degree of al-Faqih al-Jayyid (Distinguished Jurist), considered equivalent to a master's in Islamic jurisprudence. In 1971, he was awarded the degree of al-Aleem al-Baari (Outstanding Scholar), a title conferred upon only the most decorated and accomplished graduates.
Between 1972 and 1978, Saifuddin pursued advanced Islamic studies in Cairo, engaging with scholars from Al-Azhar University, Cairo University, and other prominent academic institutions. His time in Cairo strengthened his expertise in Arabic language, literature, and Fatemid intellectual traditions, while broadening his exposure to Islamic scholarship and interfaith dialogue. During this period, he became known as al-Amir Mufaddal and represented his father in various academic and interfaith circles.
In addition to his studies in Cairo, Saifuddin also holds academic credentials from the University of Mumbai. He is fluent in 6 languages: Lisan ud-Dawat, Arabic, English, Gujarati, Hindi, and Urdu. His practical experience was shaped by accompanying his father throughout most of his travels, witnessing firsthand the management of the community's religious, social, and civic affairs.
Leadership Saifuddin frequently travels to both major cities and remote towns, meeting individuals and families to offer guidance and oversee the implementation of religious, educational, welfare initiatives and facilitate philanthropic giving by the community. These journeys often include discussions with government leaders, diplomats and civic officials on broader social and humanitarian matters, as well as wider citizens.
Sermons delivered during his visits serve as a principal platform for conveying Fatemid Islamic teachings. These addresses integrate traditional doctrine with contemporary relevance, especially engaging younger members of the community. The annual Ashara Mubaraka gathering, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Husain, remains a significant event in this regard. All Dawoodi Bohras are required to refrain from employment and schooling to participate in religious observance throughout the nine-day period.Legal opinion of Zainul Jafferji, ZH Law, Legal Advisor to the Dawoodi Bohra UK Trusts dated 27 April 2026.
Saifuddin has introduced a range of initiatives aimed at strengthening social welfare. Among these are annual service week, launched in 2015, dedicated to "fostership" and "upliftment," encouraging resource-sharing and increasing access to housing, education, and financial security. He has proscribed mobile phone use among children, cautioning against speculative financial practices (such as share investment and mutual funds), and promoted interest-free economic models intended to support financial stability and ethical responsibility.
Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah In 1987, Saifuddin was appointed as one of the four rectors of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah, the Dawoodi Bohra community’s principal academic institution. Although the youngest of the four, he was designated as the final authority among them. He has maintained a close relationship with Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah’s faculty and students, supervising curriculum development, oral examinations, and institutional planning. Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah currently serves approximately 3,000 students across four campuses under his leadership and emphasises both religious scholarship and preparation for leadership roles in Dawoodi Bohra clergy.
In 2017, Saifuddin conceived and led the expansion of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah further, a new campus was inaugurated in Nairobi, Kenya, at a ceremony attended by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta. In Mumbai, Saifuddin supervised the development of a new 850,000-sq-ft campus in Marol, which includes academic, residential, and administrative facilities. The campus was inaugurated in February 2023 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Coverage in newspapers such as The Hindu, Indian Express, and Times of India noted Syedna Saifuddin’s presence at the ceremony in his capacity as the community’s spiritual head and a leader associated with the institution.
Saifuddin has expanded the role of Mahad al-Zahra, an institute under Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah established in 1976 and dedicated to the Quranic sciences. Under his leadership, advanced digital tools such as apps, recorded recitations, and virtual classes have been introduced, allowing learners from diverse backgrounds to engage with the Quran. Through these initiatives, Saifuddin has brought about a steady rise in the number of individuals young and old, who have memorized the Quran.
Teachings Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin’s teachings integrate classical scholarship with contemporary relevance, emphasising spiritual reflection, ethical responsibility, and service to the community. His sermons, delivered throughout his travels and especially during the annual Ashara Mubaraka congregation, serve as the primary medium for imparting these teachings. Drawing from the Quran, Fatemid philosophy, Islamic history, and the sacrifice of Karbala, his sermons uniquely contextualise principles of sacrifice, justice, and faith with contemporary challenges faced by the community.
In addition to his sermons, Saifuddin has authored numerous theological treatises in Arabic and Lisan al-Dawat, as well as poetic compositions in Arabic, Lisan al-Dawat, and Urdu, and he has completed and published works initiated (but which could not be completed) by his predecessors, Syedna Taher Saifuddin and Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin.
The Pursuit of Knowledge In February 2023, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin presided over the inauguration of the newly developed campus of Al Jamea-tus-Saifiyah in Mumbai, attended by India’s Prime Minister. These reports also placed the redevelopment within the broader context of community education and the institute’s role as a theological and academic centre.
Saifuddin supervises MSB Educational Institute schools in 30 cities, as well as a broader network of 70 schools and 600 religious instruction centers. He has also established an annual education program, Istifadah Ilmiyah. This is a series of annual learning and skill-development seminars held in Surat that cover topics such as Islamic philosophy, history, and contemporary issues, drawing participants from across the Dawoodi Bohra community. In 2023, Saifuddin inaugurated the School of Law building at Karachi University with the aim to promote holistic development through education.
Business Saifuddin has emphasized ethical and socially responsible business practices grounded in Islamic principles. He has promoted lawful and interest-free economic activity and cautioned against speculative instruments such as share investment.
Under his guidance, the Qardhan Hasana program, offering interest-free loans for education, business, and personal needs, has expanded through a global network of community chapters. The community has also established the Burhani Business School at Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah, for research in Islamic commercial ethics, and supports entrepreneurs through business advisory services, incubators and trade expos.
Status of Women Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin has advocated for women’s access to education, vocational training, and family welfare within a values-based framework.
In 2020, he established Daerat al-Aqeeq, a department focused on the well-being of women and children in Dawoodi Bohra communities. The department coordinates initiatives related to health, education, and social welfare, including maternal health awareness and skill development programs.
Female participation in education has increased during his tenure. At Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah, women form a part of the student body, and community-run schools report higher female enrollment rates in some regions. Graduates have pursued careers in medicine, education and research.
Healthy Living Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin has issued guidance on health and lifestyle, including dietary habits, exercise, and daily routines. He has encouraged the establishment of recreational centers and the inclusion of walking and physical activity in daily life.
He has addressed the impact of digital consumption and has supported initiatives on hygiene, structured routines, and interpersonal interaction. In 2025, a community campaign was launched to proscribe screen time for children under 15 through seminars and counseling.
He has also initiated educational campaigns on the risks of alcohol, tobacco, and vaping. Community programs provide mobility support, companionship, healthcare access, and recreational activities for senior members.
Construction Projects
Egypt Syedna Saifuddin is responsible for the restoration of medieval Fatimid mosques in Egypt. Projects include the restoration and revival of Al-Hakim Mosque (al-Jamea al-Anwar), the restoration of the masjid of Zoeb bin Moosa in 1406H, the restoration of Aqmar Mosque in 1408H, construction of the mosque of Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Ismail in Salamiyah in 1414H, restoration of the Lulua Mosque and Juyushi Mosque in 1416H, construction of the zareeh of Zaynab bint Ali in Cairo in 1416H,
Palestinian Occupied Territories / State of Israel Syedna Saifuddin is responsible for the restoration of the Mashhad Ras al-Husayn in Ashkelon in 1421H.
Yemen