Mufaddal Saifuddin () is the spiritual leader, the 53rd Da'i al-Mutlaq of one million Dawoodi Bohras, a subgroup of the Tayyibi, Mustaali, Ismaili Shia branch of Islam. He is the second son of the 52nd Da'i al-Mutlaq, Mohammed Burhanuddin, whom he succeeded in 2014. He is the Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Miliya Islamia University situated in India. He has led a number of cultural, social, and economic initiatives. In Islamic Cairo, he rebuilt shrines of the Ahl al-Bayt and led the restoration of medieval Fatimid architecture, notably Al-Anwar Mosque, Al-Aqmar Mosque, Al-Juyushi Mosque, and Lulua Mosque. In Yemen, he has spearheaded several campaigns to improve socio-economic conditions of the inhabitants of the Haraaz region, introducing sustainable agricultural systems, improving local infrastructure and providing equal access to education for children.
Saifuddin oversees community programs throughout the world, such as the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Project in Mumbai’s Bhendi Bazaar, Project Rise (a Dawoodi Bohra global philanthropic initiative), and the FMB community kitchen, which work towards socio-economic development, environmental conservation, food security and reducing food waste.
Early life
Mufaddal Saifuddin was born on 20 August 1946 (23 Ramadan 1365 A.H.) in Surat, India, and was given the name Aali Qadr Mufaddal (Arabic:عالي قدر مفضل, Abjad value 1365, which corresponds to his Islamic year of birth) by his grandfather Taher Saifuddin. His kunya is Abu Jafar us Sadiq and his laqab is Saifuddin.
During the era of his grandfather Taher Saifuddin, he began the recitation of the Quran in Saifee Villa, Colombo. He received much of his spiritual tutelage from his father, Mohammed Burhanuddin, and his father-in-law, Yusuf Najmuddin. He completed his undergraduate education in India and Egypt from Al-Azhar University and Cairo University. In 1969, he graduated from Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah in Surat with the al-Faqih al-Jayyid degree (the Distinguished Jurist). In 1971, he was conferred with the degree of al-Aleem al-Baari (the Outstanding Scholar).
Saifuddin married Jawharatusharaf Najmuddin, daughter of Yusuf Najmuddin, on 1 January 1970.
At 22 years of age, his father Burhanuddin designated him as his successor by performing nass (appointment by designation) on him in 1969, and later in 2005 and 2011.
Saifuddin was appointed Amirul Hajj by his father Burhanuddin in 1390 AH (1970 CE). After Hajj, he travelled to Karbala, Najaf, Syria, Misr and Yemen. In Yemen, he laid the foundation for the 3rd Da'i al-Mutlaq Hatim's mausoleum. After that journey, Burhanuddin bestowed upon him the honorific title Aqeeq-ul-Yemen in 1391 AH/1971 AD.
Saifuddin often accompanied his father Mohammed Burhanuddin on his travels.
Projects
Saifuddin led numerous projects for the restoration of medieval Fatimid mosques in Egypt and other Islamic edifices. 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, construction of the Mashhad Ras al-Husayn in Ashkelon in 1421H, the construction of the Mazar and Mosque of Hatim bin Ibrahim in 1425H, and the discovery of the burial places of eight Da'i al-Mutlaq in Yemen.
During his centenary birthday celebrations, in 2011, Mohammed Burhanuddin announced that a new Aljamea tus Saifiyah campus would be built in Nairobi, Kenya. The construction of this 14 acre campus commenced in 2013, and was inaugurated by Mufaddal Saifuddin and the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta on 20 April 2017.
Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi inaugurated the fourth campus in Marol, Mumbai on February 10, 2023.
Office of al-Dai al-Mutlaq
Saifuddin is the present and 53rd Da'i al-Mutlaq of the Tayyibi Isma'ili Dawoodi Bohra community, appointed by his predecessor and father, Mohammed Burhanuddin II.
Deputies
On 18 Dhu al-Hijjah 1435 (12 October 2014 AD), Saifuddin elevated his uncle Husain Husamuddin to the rank of Mazoon al-Dawat and appointed his uncle Qasim Hakimuddin as Mukasir al-Dawat at a religious gathering held in Mumbai.
On 20 Rabi' al-Thani 1439H (7 January 2018 AD), Saifuddin elevated Qasim Hakimuddin to the rank of Mazoon and appointed his uncle Ali Asgar Kalimuddin as Mukasir at a religious gathering in Surat.