Faith Of The Dawoodi Bohras

Allah,
The originator of the universe, created the angels in the heavens to worship Him and Adam (SA) to represent Him as His Khalifah (vicegerent) on Earth. From the itrat (progeny) of Adam (SA), He chose, in each age, Anbiya’ (Prophets) to whom He entrusted His revelation and laid the oath upon them to convey His revelation as and when required. Allah never allowed and shall never allow, the earth to remain without a Hadi (Guide) designated by Him and without a Kitaab (book) sent down by Him so that mankind may be shown al-Sirat al-Musataqim (the Straight Path). In this way, the ages passed until Allah designated Muhammad (SAW) as his Nabi (Prophet). Allah sent Muhammad as His last and final Rasul (Messenger) to mankind with the Din (religion) of Islam prevailing it over all religions. To Muhammad (SAW) He revealed His final Risalat (Message), laid down in the Qur’an in manifest Arabic language to confirm, explain, complete and supersede all revelations made to the Anbiya’ before Him.
La ilaha illa Allah (there is no God but Allah). Allah may He be praised and may His transcendence be affirmed, the Merciful the Compassionate, the Alive and the Everlasting, is the creator. He is unique, and has no associates. To Him only is the Call of the Dawat made and to him is ta’at (obedience) due.
Muhammad (SAW) is Rasul Allah (the Messenger of Allah). He is Sayyid al-Mursalin (Lord of the Messengers) and Khatam al Nabiyyin (Seal of the Prophets). To him was revealed the Qur’an, a perfect guide and a clear discriminator between right and wrong. It was he who brought the final Risalat of Allah to mankind and through him Allah established the religion of Islam.
Ali (SA) is Wali Allah (the Chosen of Allah). He is Sayyid al Wasiyyin (Lord of the Legatees) and Amir al Mu’minin (commander of the Faithful) appointed by Muhammad (SAW) to be his Wasi (Legatee) and successor after him.
Ali (SA) was succeeded by a line of Imams of which the first was Imam Hasan (SA). He was succeeded by his brother Imam Husayn (SA), Sayyid al-Shuhada, (Lord of the Martyrs) through whose sulb (loins) the tasalsul to the Imamat has continued and will continue, until the Day of Judgement. Each imam is appointed by nass (investiture) from father to son. The 21st Imam, Tayeb, went into seclusion and his descendants, one after the other, continued to function in that manner. During the Satr (seclusion) of the Imam, the Imam, by his command and sanction, is represented by al-Dai al-Mutlaq. The Dawat, a noble trust of the Imam, is headed and governed on behalf of the Imam by Dai al-Mutlaq, who acts and holds office as the Imam’s representative and na’ib (vicegerent) and exercises his rights and authorities. Al Dai al-Mutlaq selects and appoints his successor to the office by nass (investiture). The tasalsul (chain of succession) of al Du’at al-Mutlaqin will uninterruptedly continue until the Zuhur of the Imam or until the Day of Judgement.
Today Syedna Muhammad Burhanuddin is the 52nd incumbent to the office of al Dai al-Mutlaq. He succeeded to this position of al Dai al-Mutlaq in 1385H/1965AD through the appointment by his illustrious father and predecessor, His Holiness Dr. Syedna Taher Saifuddin (AQ), the 51st al Dai al-Mutlaq.