Mahdavi

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Mahdavia or Mahdawis religious movement was started by Syed Mohammad Jaunpuri in (1443 - 1505 CE) who was an Indian religious figure, seen as the Promised Mahdi by some Muslims such as the Mahdavia and the Zikris. Mahdavi as it is commonly spelled is an Arabic word مهدوي transliterated in English. It means something or someone belonging to the noun 'mahdi', which in turn means 'a guided one' in Arabic and commonly taken for the pronoun 'Al Mahdi' or the promised one. 'Al Mahdi' is the 12th and last imam of the Shia branch of Islam. He is in occultation and has yet to re-appear, according to Shia belief. Since the Mahdawia (or Mahdavia) believe in the 'Mahdiyah' (Mahdiyat as it may be pronounced by some) of Syed Mohammad of Jaunpur, they begun to be called 'Mahdawi' by the earlier people. Madawis (or Mahdavis) is obviously is the Anglicized plural.

Mehdaviath under Syed Muhammed Jaunpuri spread in the Indian subcontinent (including Pakistan) as well as Afghanistan and some parts of Iran (till Sheraz). The followers of Mehdi can presently be found in the Deccan region of India, Gujarat in India and in a deviant Zikri form in Karachi, Pakistan. Though the Mehdi's grave is located in Farah, Afghanistan, there seem to be no Mehdavis there. Mehdavis in today's context are now spread across and can be found in sizeable numbers in the UK, US and Gulf countries.


The erstwhile communities of the Mahdawia used to abide in makeshift thatches which were built within a fencing. They call it daira, which in Arabic stands for a circle or even a boundary or engulfment. These used to be out of town settlements and sometimes inhabiting more than a thousand souls seeking piety who had left their worldly objects of interest and properties for the sole reason of reaching their God under the guidance of their spiritual guide. Presently some dairas can be found in Channapatna, near Bangalore, Chanchalguda in Hyderabad and in some parts of Gujarat.

[edit] See also

  • Bandagi Miyan Syed Mahmood Sani-e-mahdi Rz
  • Bandagi Miyan Syed Khumdmir Rz