Note: This review focuses on the physical printed edition of the Quranic Surah (Chapter 36) as used in Dawat-e-Hadiyah rituals, not a theological critique of the text of Surah Yaseen itself.
For many Dawoodi Bohras, the day begins before the sun rises. The recitation of Yaseen is a staple of the morning routine (Fajr). It is believed that reciting this Surah at the break of dawn brings blessings (barakah) into one's sustenance and affairs for the day ahead.
It is a common sight in community centers and homes to see family members sitting in a circle, taking turns reciting the verses, or reciting it collectively. This practice instills a sense of discipline and mindfulness, ensuring that the remembrance of Allah is the first act of the day.
A typical post-Yaseen supplication in Bohra booklets includes (translated): dawoodi bohra yaseen
“O Allah, by the truth of Ya-Sin and the Wise Qur’an… bless our Lord, the Imam of the Age, and his vicegerent, the Dai al-Mutlaq, Syedna [current name], and grant him long life, health, and victory…”
This highlights the intertwining of Quranic devotion with loyalty to the community’s living spiritual hierarchy.
The Dawoodi Bohra community is renowned for its preservation of the Qur'anic text through high-quality manuscripts. Note: This review focuses on the physical printed
In the Dawoodi Bohra community—a subset of the Musta‘lī branch of Ismaili Shīʿa Islam—the recitation of the Qur'an holds a central place in daily life. Among the chapters (Surahs) of the Qur'an, Surat Yaseen (Chapter 36) is regarded with exceptional reverence. Often referred to as the "heart of the Qur'an," its recitation is a fundamental component of the community's liturgy, funeral rites, and communal gatherings. This report details the theological context, recitation practices, and unique manuscript traditions associated with Surat Yaseen among Dawoodi Bohras.
Inclusion of Dua (Supplications): The Bohra Yaseen is unique because it does not end at Verse 83 of Surah Yaseen. It includes a lengthy Dua (known as Dua-e-Yaseen) written in Arabic and translated into the community’s language (Lisān ud-Da‘wat / Gujarati script). This dua is considered an essential part of the "Yaseen" ritual.
Tafsir (Commentary): Unlike a standard Mus'haf, this edition does not include word-by-word translation or exegesis in the margins. Instead, a separate booklet or the last 10 pages contain a summary of the spiritual (Ismaili Tawil) interpretation. “O Allah, by the truth of Ya-Sin and
Numerical Markings: It features unique Ruku (section) markers specific to Bohra Qira'at (recitation rules), which differ slightly from the 15 Hizb markers found in standard Arab or Subcontinental prints.
If you are looking for the Dawoodi Bohra Yaseen in audio or PDF form, here is what to look for:
A physical search for "Dawoodi Bohra Yaseen" often yields a specific booklet. Unlike the standard Uthmani script found in Medina-printed Qurans, the Bohra community uses a specific 52-line Quranic script (Rasm al-Khatt).
This script, painstakingly copied for centuries, is characterized by:
For a Dawoodi Bohra, holding this specific 52-line Mus’haf (manuscript) is a matter of identity. The Yaseen booklet is often bound in a soft, gold-embossed green or burgundy cover and kept in the car, the office desk, or the chest pocket for daily recitation.