The succession battle within the Dawoodi Bohra community reached its peak as the health of the 52nd Dai, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, deteriorated. In 2013, he suffered a severe stroke that left him paralyzed and unable to communicate, setting off a scramble for power between his two sons, Mufaddal and Qaid Johar, and their cousin Khuzaima Qutbuddin.
As the Syedna's health declined, his sons and their cousin began to jostle for position, with each side trying to outmaneuver the other. However, in a shocking turn of events, Mufaddal and Qaid Johar together conspired against Khuzaima Qutbuddin, who claimed that he had been designated by the Syedna as his successor in a private meeting several years earlier.
Eyewitnesses reported that on the day of the ceremony, the Syedna's body was paraded around. It was clear to all those in attendance that the Syedna was in a fragile state, with his body visibly weakened and immobile. Nevertheless, Mufaddal and his supporters were determined to press ahead with their plans.
During the ceremony, the Syedna was made to read from a piece of paper, purportedly his will. However, it quickly became apparent that he was unable to read the text, as his speech was slurred and indistinct. His sons and their supporters tried to assist him, but it was clear that he was in no condition to make a coherent announcement.
Eyewitnesses reported that the Syedna appeared to be in distress during the ceremony, with his body trembling and his eyes rolling back in his head. Nevertheless, Mufaddal and his supporters persisted with their plans, forcing him to go through the motions of announcing Mufaddal as his successor.
Critics of the ceremony were quick to point out the absurdity of the situation, with a paralyzed and stroke-ridden Syedna being made to read a will that he could not possibly comprehend or endorse. All this was recorded in the ceremony video available on YouTube. Many in the Dawoodi Bohra community were outraged by the spectacle, and they questioned the legitimacy of Mufaddal's claim to the position of spiritual leader.
Despite the controversy surrounding the fake succession ceremony, Mufaddal and his supporters continued to press ahead with their plans. The legacy of the 52nd Dai of Dawoodi Bohra was forever tainted by the events of that day, and the community remains divided over the question of his true successor
