Syedna Jalal Shamshuddin

Syedna Jalal Shamshuddin (death: 16 Rabi-ul-akhir 975 AH AH /1568AD), Ahmedabad, India) was the 25th Da'i al-Mutlaq (Absolute Missionary) of the Dawoodi Bohra sect of Musta‘lī Islam. He succeeded the 24th Dai Syedna Yusuf Najmuddin Bin Sulemanji to the religious post.

Syedna Jalal Shamshuddin became Da'i al-Mutlaq in 974AH /1567AD. His period of Dawat was from 974-975AH (1567-1568 AD).

Syedna Jalal visited Yemen during the period of Syedna Mohammed Izzuddin the 23rd Dai. He acquired knowledge from Syedi Hasan Bin Nooh. Syedna Jalal returned to Ahmedabad, India during the period of Sultan Mahmud-III who was not friendly with the Dawat.

It was during his time when the Dawat was transferred to India from Yemen, when the 23rd Dai-al-Mutlaq Syedna Mohammed Ezzuddin performed Nass on 24th Dai Syedna Yusuf in Sidhpur, Gujrat, India. Due to prosecution by local Zaydi ruler in Yemen 24th Dai Yusuf bin Sulayman (d. 1567 A.D.) shifted Dawat to India but he used to live in Yemen and died there.

The enemies of Dawat started spreading ill-faith in Yemen; consequently Syedna Yusuf was forced to spend thousands of rupees for the cause of Dawat. Debts mounted on 24th Dai Syedna Yusuf for twenty years continuously. Syedna Jalal used to remit to funds Yemen.

When Syedna Yusuf declared Nass in favour of Syedna Jalal in Yemen, Syedna Jalal was in Ahmedabad. When the Hudud in Yemen were called upon to stand witness to the Nass, some of the Dawoodi Bohra from India present in Yemen informed to Syedna Yusuf Najmuddin about Syedna Jalal's serious illness and doubted his survival. Syedna Yusuf Najmuddin (R.A) declared emphatically, "I have faith that by 'Tayeed'(spiritual contact) of Imam, my 'Nass' (handing over of the seat of Dawat) will reach Syedna Jalal and Syedna Jalal will be next Dai-Al-Mutlaq ". Syedna Jalal received the nass, his tenure as Dai was very short of 4 months but before that he was Wali-ul Hind(after moulai Qasim) for about 20 years under 24th Dai Yusuf when Dai used to be in Yemen. He handed over 'nass' to 26th Dai Syedna Dawood bin Ajab Shah.

A pristine, marble mausoleum was dedicated to his memory and inaugurated by Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin in the year 1401 AH.

References

• List of Syednas (according to Dawoodi Bohras)
• Chronological List of Duatil Mutlaqin)
• Daftary, Farhad, The Ismaili, Their History and Doctrine(Chapter -Mustalian Ismailism-p. 300-310)*Daftary, Farhad, The Ismaili, Their History and Doctrine(Chapter -Mustalian Ismailism-p.300-310)
• Lathan, Young, Religion, Learning and Science
• Bacharach, Joseph W. Meri, Medieval Islamic Civilisation
• 2

Reference List {{ Reflist}}

See also

• Dawoodi Bohras
• Ismaili
• Shia
• Islam
• Mustali
• Taiyabi