Editing Ismailism (section)

===Dawoodi Bohra===

{{Main|Dawoodi Bohra}}
[[Image:BohrasDiv01.JPG|thumb|The divisions of the Mustaali, sometimes referred to as Bohras.]]
The Dawoodi Bohras are a very close-knit community who seeks advice from Dai on spiritual and temporal matters.{{cn|date=May 2022}}

Dawoodi Bohras is headed by the Dāʻī al-Mutlaq, who is appointed by his predecessor in office. The Dāʻī al-Mutlaq appoints two others to the subsidiary ranks of māzūn (Arabic Maʾḏūn مأذون) "licentiate" and Mukāsir ({{langx|ar|مكاسر}}). These positions are followed by the rank of ra'sul hudood, bhaisaheb, miya-saheb, shaikh-saheb, and mulla-saheb, which are held by several of Bohras. The 'Aamil or Saheb-e Raza who is granted the permission to perform the religious ceremonies of the believers by the Dāʻī al-Mutlaq and also leads the local congregation in religious, social, and community affairs, is sent to each town where a sizable population of believers exists. Such towns normally have a masjid (commonly known as a mosque) and an adjoining jamaa'at-khaana (assembly hall) where socio-religious functions are held. The local organizations which manage these properties and administer the social and religious activities of the local Bohras report directly to the central administration of the Dāʻī al-Mutlaq.{{cn|date=May 2022}}

While the majority of Dawoodi Bohras have traditionally been traders, it is becoming increasingly common for them to become professionals. Some choose to become [[Physicians|Doctors]], [[consultants]] or analysts as well as a large contingent of medical professionals. Dawoodi Bohras are encouraged to educate themselves in both [[religious]] and [[secular]] knowledge, and as a result, the number of professionals in the community is rapidly increasing. Dawoodi Bohras believe that the education of women is equally important as that of men, and many Dawoodi Bohra women choose to enter the workforce. [[Al Jamea tus Saifiyah]] (The Arabic Academy) in [[Mumbai]], [[Surat]], Nairobi and [[Karachi]] is a sign to the educational importance in the Dawoodi community. The academy has an advanced curriculum that encompasses religious and secular education for both men and women.{{cn|date=May 2022}}

Today there are approximately one million Dawoodi Bohra. The majority of these reside in [[India]] and [[Pakistan]], but there is also a significant [[diaspora]] residing in the [[Middle East]], [[East Africa]], [[Europe]], [[North America]] and the [[Far East]].{{cn|date=May 2022}}

The ordinary Bohra is highly conscious of his identity, and this is especially demonstrated at religious and traditional occasions by the appearance and attire of the participants. Dawoodi Bohra men wear a traditional white three-piece outfit, plus a white and gold cap (called a ''topi''), and women wear the ''rida'', a distinctive form of the commonly known [[burqa]] which is distinguished from other forms of the [[veil]] due to it often being in color and decorated with patterns and lace. The rida's difference from the burqa, however, is significant beyond just the colour, pattern, and lace. The rida does not call for covering of women's faces like the traditional veil. It has a flap called the 'pardi' that usually hangs on the back like the hood of a jacket but it is not used to conceal the face. This is representative of the Dawoodi Bohra community's values of equality and justice for women, which they believe, is a tenet of the Fatimid Imamate's evolved understanding of Islam and the true meaning of women's chastity in Islam. The Dawoodi Bohra community also do not prevent their women from coming to mosques, attending religious gatherings or going to places of pilgrimage. It is often regarded as the most peaceful sect of Islam and an example of true Sufism; it has been critically acclaimed on several occasions even by Western governments such as those of the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, and particularly the United States for its progressive outlook towards gender roles, adoption of technology, promotion of literature, crafts, business and secular values. However, the Dawoodi Bohras are highly single-minded about inter-caste or inter-faith marriage. They do not oppose it but do not encourage it either. If a Dawoodi Bohra member does marry into another caste or religion, he or she is usually advised to ask his or her spouse to convert to Islam and, specifically, into the community.{{cn|date=May 2022}}

They believe that straying away from the community implies straying away from Ma'ad – the ultimate objective of this life and the meaning of the teachings of Islam, which is to return to where all souls come from and re-unite with Allah. Besides, converting someone to Islam has high spiritual and religious significance as doctrines espouse that making someone a Muslim or Mu'min confers the Sawab (the reward of good deeds) equivalent to that of 40 Hajjs and 40 Umrahs (visiting Mecca and the Kaaba during days other than that of Hajj).{{cn|date=May 2022}}

The position of [[Da'i al-Mutlaq]] is [[53rd Syedna succession controversy (Dawoodi Bohra)|currently disputed]] after the demise of the 52nd [[Da'i al-Mutlaq]] of the [[Dawoodi Bohra]] community, Mohammed Burhanuddin. Two claimants emerged for the position of 53rd Da'i al-Mutlaq, [[Mufaddal Saifuddin]] and [[Khuzaima Qutbuddin]], and the Bombay High Court has ruled in the favour of [[Mufaddal Saifuddin]] as the righteous successor of the community. Qutbuddin has since died and appointed his son [[Taher Fakhruddin]] as his successor.  

Besides speaking the local languages, the Dawoodis have their own language called [[Lisan al-Dawat|Lisānu l-Dāʻwat]] "Tongue of the Dāʻwat". This is written in the [[Persian alphabet]] but is derived from [[Urdu]], [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], and Arabic and Persian.{{cn|date=May 2022}}