The Khojas in those days were rather ignorant and simple people.

The Khojas in those days were rather ignorant and simple people. They became influenced by social traditions of the Hindus, some of these traditions are still to be seen in marriage ceremonies although many have disappeared with the times. Despite being involved and surrounded by peculiar and unlslamic beliefs and traditions,, historical records show us that the Khojas were deeply devoted towards Imam Husain (A.S.). They would spend large sums to commemorate the martyrdom of the Imam.

Those who could afford would regularly travel to Karbala and other Holy places to pay their homage at the shrines of the Imams. Sometime during 1860 - 70 A.D., a Shiite Muslim from Madras, India, by name of Mulla Qader Husain is said to have gone to Karbala on pilgrimage as well as to stay there for the purpose of acquiring more knowledge in Shiism. While there by chance he came into contact with some prominent Khoja Zuwwars - pilgrims from Zanzibar as well as Bombay.

Among them were Nurmohamedbhai, Mukhi Hashambhai Dossa and Dewji Jamal. On their visit to him, Mulla Qader would teach them the recitation of Holy Qura'n as well as Islamic rules about cleanliness, prayers, etc. Mulla Qader once described to them the merits of Hazrat Ali (A.S.). Suddenly Nurmohamedbhai said "We Khojas believe that Ali (A.S.) is God" On hearing this, the Mulla was greatly astonished.

On further discussion, he learnt that "Khojas also believed that Ali was the tenth incarnation of God and the Aga Khan the forty-sixth incarnation of Aly or God." Obviously this belief is in absolute contradiction to the basic principles of Islamic belief in Tawheed - the Oneness of God. Belief in any form of human relationship with God such as entering of God into human body is considered as SHIRK - polytheism.

The pure belief in the absolute Unity of Allah is the foundation of Islam and one who contradicts it cannot be called a Muslim. "Surely Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with Him, and He forgives what is besides this to whom He pleases; and whoever associates anything with Allah, he indeed strays off into a remote error." (14:116) Thus Mulla Qader became deeply concerned about the ignorance of the Khojas and did his best to correct their beliefs.

He took them to the Mujtahid Sheikh Zainul Abedeen and reported their plight.