Sulaymani Bohras

Sulaymani Bohra (Tayyibi Shiism)

Overview

In brief

The Sulaymanis are the second branch of Tayyibi Ismaili Shiism — some 700,000 worldwide, but only 3,000–5,000 in India (Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Surat), guided by a mansub (representative) in Hyderabad. Their story is the Dawoodi story's mirror image.

The 1592 split: on the death of the 26th Dai (Dawood bin Ajabshah, 1589/1592), India recognised Dawood bin Qutubshah (Dawoodis); Yemen recognised Sulayman bin Hassan (Sulaymanis). From 1677 the Sulaymani Dai al-Mutlaq passed hereditarily through the Makrami family at Badr, Najran — ruling it with Banu Yam support until Saudi annexation (1934); the present 51st Dai lives under surveillance, and Najran Sulaymanis face severe restriction.

Indian character: unlike the tightly organised Dawoodis, Indian Sulaymanis live closer to Sunni neighbours in dress, language, and custom — no central dress code, Gujarati daily life, quiet piety. The Alavi Bohras (1621 split, Vadodara-centred, few thousand) are their closest cousins and merit their own entry.

---

Visiting Respectfully

In brief

• Sulaymani mosques in Vadodara and Hyderabad welcome guests outside prayers; ask the caretaker — the community is small and private.
• Do not press members on Saudi-Yemen politics; heritage questions are welcome, current-affairs ones earn silence.

---

DivineLens presents perspectives from within this tradition, curated for authenticity. For personal spiritual direction, advanced study, or questions about tradition-specific practice, we recommend finding a qualified teacher in Islam. Our Advisory Council reviews all content for theological accuracy.

---

Known Limitations

1. Alavi Bohra and Atba-i-Malak sister groups need their own entries.
2. Dai-line details follow public encyclopedic sources; the community's internal literature is Arabic and unpublished in English.
3. Population figures are estimates.

Recommended reviewers: A historian of Ismailism in South Asia.