Many glad tidings had been received in testimony of the greatness of Syedna Dawood bin Qutubshah (RA), the 27th Dai al Mutlaq. A seer who saw Syedna in his childhood predicted: "He shall rule over a great kingdom." A renowned calligrapher on analyzing the handwriting of Syedna Qutubshah (RA) pronounced: "He is undoubtedly the sultan of all: city and country dwellers alike." The Mughal Emperor Akbar, who was repeatedly drawn towards Syedna's face would say to his ministers: "I see a radiant light in the face of Sheikh Dawood."
By the age of ten, Syedna Dawood bin Qutubshah (RA) had committed the entire Quran e majeed to memory. At the age of 21, he performed haj followed by a visit to Yemen where he remained under the guidance of Syedna Yusuf (RA) for four years in pursuit of knowledge. He surpassed his tutor Miya Shahjiwa who remarked: "Previously, Miya Dawoodji was my pupil and now I seek knowledge from him. I know not from where he acquires it! It must be from Allah as 'Allah giveth to whom he wills without account.'" Syedna Qutubshah (RA) used to conduct sabaq at night and sleep for only four hours.
When Syedna Dawood bin Qutubshah (RA) was taken seriously ill during the reign of Syedna Dawood bin Ajabshah (RA), the latter remarked: "He cannot die for he will fulfill the promise that I have made by him."
One day Maulayi Ja'far bin Raj said to Syedna Dawood bin Qutubshah (RA): "O Dawood, listen for I will say to you what has been said of Dawood bin Ajabshah (RA): you are prosperous both in this world and the next. This world and the next are prosperous because of you."
Suleyman bin Hasan vowed allegiance to Syedna Dawood bin Qutubshah(RA) upon his appointment as Dai al Mutlaq but three years later broke the bonds of fealty and turned against him. Syedna Dawood(RA) was forced into hiding, his Hudud Fudala and mumineen were persecuted, some of them were hung upside down, some immersed in cauldrons of sizzling oil. The two factions went to Akbar for mediation. Akbar was moved by the spirituality of Syedna (RA) and issued a proclamation to the effect that Syedna and his followers were hence forth under state protection.
Syedna Dawood (RA) passed away on the 15th of Jamad-il-ukhra in the year 1021H and is buried in Ahmedabad. Aqa Maula (TUS) has built a qubba of pristine marble over his qabar mubarak.
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