The street of devdi mubarak, representing the 300 year old centre of the Dawat was already covered by a green cloth, providing a welcome relief from the midday sun as I entered the area on the 26th of Rajab, 6th of December 1996. But then, other surrounding streets were not too far behind in their adornment. Streets leading out from the devdi, all the way to Navapura and Begumpura all had scaffolding structures ready for a similar covering and lighting. The buzz of work and the air of anticipation of an important forthcoming event was all-pervasive. Then, as I went into the masjid site, a magnificent facia to this most historic of masjids overlooked frenzied activity all around it. Devotees of any or no building skill alike swept the floors, picked at the carvings, and placed one piece or another into its appropriate place. Any work was good enough to participate in the building of this house of Allah, first raised by Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin Saheb (AQ) almost 200 years ago and thus claim the right to the promised abode in heaven.
This masjid, al-Masjid al-Muazzam, it is said, was a miracle of its time, built in conditions of want. Its presence was an inspiration to many, including Syedi Sadiqali Saheb, who had eulogised its spiritual beauty by comparing it to the Kaaba and its hauz to zamzam. Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin had indicated that the successful raising of the masjid pointed to the dawning of the age of the Imam's zuhur and expressed the desire that should the Imam choose to end his seclusion, he would do this masjid the honour of standing in its mehrab and lead the faithful in prayer.
So it was that two centuries later, in the age 52nd Dai al-Mutlaq, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, the age of unprecedented raising of buildings and building of souls, in the age of spiritual excellence, when the other great achievement of Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin, al-Dars al-Saifi had been raised in structure and content to being a full-fledged Jamea, when the Imam's Jame in Cairo had been renovated, when believers were more ready than ever to receive the outflow of spiritual blessings, when the remembrance of Imam Husayn (SA) had occupied the natural position in the believer's heart that the time had come for this historic masjid to be elevated to occupy its appropriate position in the scheme of things. So began the building work eight years ago and it progressed until last year, when a concerted effort to finish the masjid was put into action following the wish of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin to have it completed by the 1st of Shabaan 1417H. This date, marking the beginning of the annual exams of Al-Jameatus Saifiyah is a day reserved to remember the great Dai Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb (AQ), whose vision it was to raise the Jamea to its present level and along with it, magnify the spiritual and material standards of the community as a whole. What better day for the community and particularly the students of al-Jamea to invoke his rememberance.
So that glorious day was almost upon us. The masjid itself appeared to be preparing itself for the event. But then, this day, the 26th was no less exceptional. The night of me`raj which fourteen centuries ago saw Prophet Mohammed al-Mustafa (SAW) ascend the heavens and achieve a closeness to Allah that no other prophet did, has baffled mystics and for centuries. So the Dai of the Prophet led the prayers in Fatimi Masjid, attached to the `iwan of al-Jameatus Saifiyah. The faithful joined him in prayer and listened to his yearnings to Allah that only he is capable of expressing. The next day was no less in spiritual importance. The day of mab`ath, when a righteous and trustworthy human was raised in station to become a prophet. This day, even the youngest in the community fast in the prayer that their station too be raised in a small measure through the auspicity of the day. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin ascended the takht in the `iwan to deliver a waaz, to expound upon the mysteries of the night of me`raj and the day of mab`ath and guide the listeners to the devotion of the Lord of the Prophets (SAW) and his progeny. But in the Masjid al-Muozzam and the surrounding streets, work continued for the preparation of the event only days away. With the passing of each day, the masjid looked more complete and the streets more inviting. The population of Zampa Bazaar grew and along with that, rose the prices of soft drinks, clothes and rickshawallas. It was indeed a time for plenty for everyone.
Then the awaited day arrives. At 6am, the streets come alive with people dressed in white, mustering under the covered and matted streets. These streets are now for the exclusive use of the 150,000 or so pilgrims participating in the event. Closed circuit TV systems are to be seen everywhere - in the masjids, the `iwan, the jamea buildings, the sehn of the qubba (shrines) and the open streets. The devdi is empty but beautifully adorned in readiness of a procession. At one corner of the devdi stand a group of students of al-Jamea, arranged in choir format, ready to recite a heart-moving qasida written in praise of the Fatimi Imams by Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS) himself.
The masjid, now immaculately complete is packed with people. Its majesty and glory are matched only by its sacredness. A place of worship that draws its inspiration from its Fatimi predecessors, larger is size than any other masjid built in the time of satr, the first masjid pre-designed to cope with the overwhelming requirements of ashara, the first masjid to make extensive use of an air-flow system, the first to have the entire marthiya of "Ya Syedas Shohada" engraved within its precincts. The names of Allah written in gold in beautiful Kufi high above hail from Jame al-Juyushi in Cairo, the names of the Imams from Jame Huth in Yemen, the names of Duat Mutlaqeen from Fatimi Masjid in Surat are now all visible and lend a unique sacredness to the structure. Beautiful Fatimi designs with gold embossing in the front wall, the word "Allah" engraved on the stained glass and nine majestic chandeliers hang from the ceiling and the ever present Fatimi mishkats all add to the majesty of the masjid but the mehrab is still covered by a curtain.
At 10 am, the qasida begins. The masjid, devdi, the two shrines, Jamea, `iwan, the surrounding streets and neighbouring masjids, all now packed, resonate with the sound of a remarkable qasida. All eyes on the TVs where the awaited one, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS) mounts the miyana. The sound of praise of the Fatimi imams, filling the area completely, creates an air overwhelming piety and devotion. Carried by his sons and brothers, Syedna gracefully floats through the devdi through the ziyarat area. Then between the two shrines up to the sehn of the masjid and finally reaches the door of the masjid. There, with invocation of the name of Allah and recitation of al-Qur'an, the ceremonial lock on the door is opened to mark the iftetah of the masjid. Once inside the masjid, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, the mamsul of the masjid, stands at its centre and looks directly at the mehrab. The curtain slowly comes down. A gasp of awe runs through the masjid and the streets. It is a sight to behold. A larger than life replica of the mehrab of al-Juyushi stands adorning the wall, with all verses and designs covered in gold. A mehrab truly befitting the Imam. Syedna looks at the mehrab and is indeed pleased. Then he ascends the takht for a heart rending waaz.
"Marhaba be wafdillah"
He says to those gathered, drawing the words of the Prophet on seeing the thousands gathered at Arafa during the hajj. What multiple meanings this sentence alone carried.
"O believes who dwell in my heart - youhave left your homes and come here bearing difficulties to witness the iftetah of this masjid, to see me, to please me - this act of yours is nothing but love for me."
For three hours, statement after statement declare a benevolent father's love for his spiritual children and the overflowing happiness with which the task at hand was being performed.
"This masjid of Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin Saheb is magnificent. I am indeed very happy to see it. But my greater happiness is on seeing you, mumineen."
"I can see that Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin is today pleased in Raudat Firdos. The other Duat in the mazar here are also pleased as are all huddat".
"Barakat has filled this Dawat ever since the renovation of Al-Jame al-Anwar. Those who were unable to do its khidmat have had opportunity in this masjid".
"What kind of followers has my Mawla Imam al-Zaman bestowed upon me - that one beckoning is sufficient to gather thousands?"
"I know you always think of me, but there may be times when this world sways you from doing so - but rest assured, I have never forgotten you for a day, or an hour or even for a moment and I never will"
"I am ever concerned about you, that no unhappiness should touch you, that you may never be subject to grief or pain. Why should you then be worried? I, Mohammed Burhanuddin, will come to your aid in your hour of need. And at the trials of your grave, I will certainly be there. I am not saying this just to make you feel good - this is indeed the truth".
This was indeed a unique occasion befitting a magnificent masjid. Its iftetah was unique and the words of its maker Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS) in showering blessings to his followers were just as unique. Can an occasion so special ever occur again? May Allah vouchsafe Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin for much more.
By evening, it was all over. Thousands were making their way home with their spiritual cups filled. The saqi was ever so generous. Those who had sought received more than they had hoped for and what is more - they had witnessed the crowning glory of the Burhani era.