The Mehdaviya AcademyA learning place for young hearts

Welcome to the Mehdaviya Academy

This is a little school on the internet, made for curious kids. Here you can learn about the Mahdavia tradition — a Muslim community whose story began in India more than five hundred years ago.

You will meet a wise teacher, hear a brave story, see how families pray and share, and find answers to questions children really ask.

Mahdavis are Muslims. They pray five times a day, fast in Ramadan, give to the poor, and go on Hajj — just like Muslims everywhere.

Jump to questions kids ask

Our story: the teacher from Jaunpur

Mahdavis believe that long ago God sent a special guide called the Mahdi, and that he was a kind and wise teacher named Syed Muhammad from the city of Jaunpur. Mahdavis lovingly call him Mehdi Mau'ood, the Promised Mahdi. Here is his story, the way the community tells it.

  1. 1443

    A boy in Jaunpur

    In the year 1443, a boy named Syed Muhammad was born in Jaunpur, a city in India. He loved the Qur'an and grew up to be a famous teacher.

  2. 1496

    The announcement in Mecca

    Syed Muhammad traveled far, all the way to the holy city of Mecca. There, in front of the Ka'aba, he announced that God had chosen him as the Mahdi — the promised guide. Mahdavis believe this with all their hearts.

  3. ~1499

    Teaching in Ahmedabad

    Back in India, in the city of Ahmedabad, he said it again and taught many people. He asked them to love God more than money and to remember God every day. Many families chose to follow him.

  4. 1505

    Goodbye at Farah

    He passed away in 1505 in a place called Farah, in today's Afghanistan. His students became teachers too, and they passed his lessons down — parent to child — all the way to today.

The brave Syed Khundmir

After the Promised Mahdi passed away, his followers needed new leaders. One of the most beloved was Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir. He led people who spent their days remembering God.

In the year 1523, a powerful sultan's court was angry at the Mahdavis for their beliefs. Syed Khundmir and his friends were peaceful and carried no weapons, but they would not stop believing. He and many of his companions were killed for their faith.

Mahdavis remember him as a shaheed — a martyr — and as a hero of courage and faith. His resting place at Champaner in India is visited with love by families from near and far.

How Mahdavis live

Mahdavi families live like Muslim families everywhere, with a few beautiful traditions of their own.

  • The Five Pillars

    Mahdavis follow all five pillars of Islam: saying the shahada, praying five times a day, fasting in Ramadan, giving zakat, and going on Hajj.

  • Zikr, morning and afternoon

    After the dawn prayer (Fajr) and the afternoon prayer (Asr), Mahdavis sit quietly and repeat God's names. This remembering of God is called zikr.

  • Life in the daira

    A daira means 'circle'. It is a Mahdavi neighborhood or community center where families pray, learn, and celebrate together.

  • Sharing one-tenth

    Mahdavis practice ushr: giving one-tenth of what they earn or grow to help others, so no one in the community is left out.

  • Trusting God

    Tawakkul means trusting God to take care of you, the way a bird trusts that it will find food each morning. Mahdavis try to keep hearts calm and trusting.

Questions kids ask

Tap a question to see its answer.

Who was the Mehdi Mau'ood?

Mehdi Mau'ood means 'the Promised Mahdi'. It is the loving title Mahdavis give to Syed Muhammad of Jaunpur. Mahdavis believe God sent him as the promised guide to bring people back to goodness.

Are Mahdavis Muslims?

Yes, clearly! Mahdavis are Muslims. They say the shahada, pray five times a day, fast in Ramadan, give charity, and go on Hajj. Their special belief is that the promised Mahdi has already come.

What is a daira?

A daira means 'circle'. It is a Mahdavi neighborhood or community center. Families there pray together, learn together, and help each other like one big family.

What happens at zikr?

People sit quietly, often after the dawn and afternoon prayers, and softly repeat God's names and praises. It makes hearts peaceful, like taking a deep calm breath with God.

Do Mahdavis pray five times a day?

Yes. Mahdavis pray the same five daily prayers as Muslims everywhere. Their spiritual guides, called murshids, lead the prayers.

Do Mahdavis fast in Ramadan?

Yes. Mahdavi families fast in Ramadan just like other Muslims, and they celebrate Eid with prayers, food, and joy.

Who was Syed Khundmir?

Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir was a brave leader of the early Mahdavis. In 1523 he was killed for his faith even though he was peaceful. Mahdavis honor him as a martyr and a hero.

What is ushr?

Ushr is giving one-tenth. If you earned ten coins, you would share one. Mahdavis share one-tenth of what they earn or grow so everyone in the community is cared for.

What does tawakkul mean?

Tawakkul means trusting God. You still work hard and do your best — and then you let your heart rest, trusting that God is taking care of you.

Where do Mahdavis live today?

Many live in India, especially in Hyderabad, and also in Gujarat, Karnataka, and other places. Some families live in Pakistan, and some live far away in cities like Chicago in the United States.

Little glossary

Small words with big meanings. Say them out loud!

Daira
A 'circle': a Mahdavi neighborhood or community center where families live, pray, and learn together.
Zikr
Remembering God by quietly repeating His names, especially after the dawn and afternoon prayers.
Bai'at
A promise of loyalty: placing your hand with a teacher's hand and promising to follow God's path.
Murshid
A spiritual teacher who leads the prayers and helps people grow closer to God.
Tark-e-dunya
'Leaving worldly things': caring less about money and more about God. It never means leaving your family.
Hijrat
Moving to a new place for the sake of your faith.
Tawakkul
Trusting God to take care of you.
Ushr
Giving one-tenth of what you earn or grow to help others.
Khalifa
A leader who guides the community after the founder.
Shaheed
A martyr: someone who died for their faith, like Hazrat Syed Khundmir.

Visit real communities

Mahdavia communities are real and alive today. In the United States, the Mahdavia Islamic Center of Chicago holds daily and Friday prayers, teaches Qur'an and Arabic, and helps families in need.

In India, the Anjuman-e-Mahdavia in Hyderabad has been the community's great gathering place since 1902. If you ever visit a Mahdavi community, you will be welcomed warmly.

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