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Mahdavi Arabic: مهدوي‎) refers to a follower of the religious sect in Islam started by Muhammad Jaunpuri Caliph of Allah (1443–1505 CE), who was an Indian religious figure, seen by some Muslims as the Mahdi Muradullah "The Promised One".

[edit] History

Mahdavi's ("Mahdavism") spread under Muhammad Jaunpuri in the Indian subcontinent including Pakistan, as well as in Afghanistan and some parts of Iran. Its followers are presently in the Deccan and Gujarat regions of India and, in a related Zikri form, in Karachi, Pakistan. Communities of Mahdaviya historically lived in makeshift thatches, surrounded by a fence, called Daira, which in Arabic means circle, boundary, or engulfment. These settlements were away from urban centers which contained thousands of followers who had left their worldly desires, pleasures, and properties for the sole purpose of Deedar (Vision of Allah the almighty). This was the important aspect for which Imam Mahdi-e-Maood (AHS) came into this world. Today, some Dairas can be found in Channapatna, near Bangalore, Chanchalguda in Hyderabad and in some parts of Gujarat.

[edit] See also

• http://www.mahdavia.com/
• http://www.nooriana.com
• http://khalifatullahmehdi.info/
• Mahdavia
• http://www.promisedmehdi.com
• Global Mahdavia Society