Markazi Anjuman-e-Mehdavia
The central community organisation of the Mahdavia community of Hyderabad — serving faith, education, and welfare for more than a century.
A Century of Service
Founded in 1902 at gatherings held in the home of Haji Muhammad Ali Khan, the Anjuman has guided the religious, educational, and social life of the community from its home in Chanchalguda ever since.
Education First
From Madrasa Sultaniyah in 1903 to the Mahdavia Boarding House and Farah High School, the Anjuman has placed both religious and modern education at the heart of its mission.
Preserving Heritage
Manuscripts, periodicals, photographs, and records spanning twelve decades are being digitised so that the community's memory remains open to every generation.
Who We Are
The Heart of the Mahdavia Community
The Mahdavia community traces its spiritual heritage to Hazrat Syed Muhammad Jaunpuri (1443–1505), revered as the Promised Mahdi. Mahdavis adhere firmly to the Qur'an, the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and the five pillars of Islam, alongside a path of remembrance (zikr), renunciation, and the quest for the divine vision.
Since 1320 AH
Our History
In the early twentieth century, elders of the Mahdavia community of Hyderabad began meeting at the home of Haji Muhammad Ali Khan. On 15 Muharram 1320 AH — 24 April 1902 — those assemblies gave birth to the Markazi Anjuman-e-Mehdavia, dedicated to the progress of the community.
Foundation of the Anjuman
The Anjuman is founded at a meeting of community elders and intellectuals. In its earliest years, the head of each assembly was chosen by mutual consultation, and Khan Bahadur Syed Ali Qasim served as the first secretary.
Madrasa Sultaniyah
The Anjuman's first great endeavour — a school offering a syllabus so respected that the Asaf Jahi government adopted the institution in 1911. Today's Chanchalguda Junior College stands in its lineage.
Sho'ba Islah-ul-Musaddiqeen
A new department is established and the first Mahdavia census is undertaken, carried out by the community's youth under the guidance of elder supervisors across the territory of Hyderabad.
A Permanent Home
During the presidency of Janab Syed Yaqoob Sahib, Haji Muhammad Ali Khan — chief promoter and co-founder — donates a permanent premises. The Anjuman remains rooted in Chanchalguda to this day.
Mahdavia Boarding House
A boarding house is opened to bring education within reach of young people, offering religious and modern learning side by side.
All-India Mahdavia Conference
An All-India Mahdavia Conference convenes at Channapatna in 1353 AH, with an industrial exhibition inaugurated by Nobel laureate Sir C. V. Raman.
A Living Institution
From its centre in Chanchalguda, the Anjuman continues to serve as the foremost institution of the Mahdavia community of Hyderabad — in worship, education, welfare, and the preservation of heritage.
Our Spiritual Origins
Hazrat Syed Muhammad Jaunpuri (1443–1505)
The Proclamation
Born in Jaunpur on 14 Jumada al-Awwal 847 AH, Syed Muhammad was honoured as Asad-ul-Ulema in his youth. After the Hajj of 901 AH he proclaimed himself the Promised Mahdi before the Ka'bah, repeating the proclamation at Ahmedabad and finally at Badli in Gujarat.
The Message
Troubled by spiritual decline, he preached non-materialism, constant remembrance of Allah, and strict adherence to the Qur'an and Sunnah — a message carried across India, Sindh, and Khorasan before his passing at Farah in 910 AH.
Faraiz-e-Vilayat-e-Muhammadiya
The Seven Obligations
Alongside the five pillars of Islam, Mahdavis observe seven obligations of sainthood taught by Hazrat Imamuna Mahdi-e-Mau'ood, each rooted in injunctions of the noble Qur'an.
Tark-e-Dunya
Renunciation of material lust — turning the heart away from the world and its splendour toward the Hereafter.
Talab-e-Deedar-e-Ilahi
The quest for the divine vision — the yearning to behold one's Lord through virtuous deeds and pure worship.
Sohbat-e-Sadiqeen
Keeping the company of the truthful and the renunciants, that the soul may be shaped by righteous companionship.
Hijrat
Migration from place to place, leaving behind attachment so that the heart is bound to Allah alone.
Uzlat-az-Khalq
Retreat and solitude — withdrawal from the crowd for reflection, devotion, and the purification of the self.
Tawakkul
Absolute trust in Allah and submission to His will, for God loves those who place their trust in Him.
Zikr-e-Ilahi
Constant remembrance of Allah — standing, sitting, and reclining — observed with devotion after Fajr and Asr.
Ushr
Distributing the tithe — giving a tenth in the way of Allah, purifying wealth and sustaining the community.
Dugana Lailat-ul-Qadr
The special thanksgiving prayer offered past midnight between the 26th and 27th of Ramadan, in the tradition of Imamuna Mahdi-e-Mau'ood.
Serving the Community
Our Institutions
Education and welfare have been the twin pillars of the Anjuman's work since its founding year.
Madrasa Sultaniyah (1903)
The Anjuman's first school, whose celebrated syllabus and method led the Asaf Jahi government to adopt it in 1911. Its legacy continues in today's Chanchalguda Junior College.
Mahdavia Boarding House (1914)
Founded to house and educate young people of the community, uniting religious instruction with modern schooling under one roof.
Farah High School
A school run under the Markazi Anjuman-e-Mehdavia in Chanchalguda, named for the resting place of Imamuna Mahdi-e-Mau'ood, continuing the Anjuman's educational mission today.
Noor-e-Hayat Monthly
The community's monthly periodical published from Chanchalguda, carrying religious guidance, community news, and scholarship to readers at home and abroad.
Community Welfare
From pensions once secured for the families of those who took Tark-ud-Dunya, to ongoing charitable work, the Anjuman has long stood beside its members in need.
Masajid & Dairas
The Anjuman supports the mosques and dairas of Chanchalguda and beyond, where daily prayers and zikr are led by the community's murshids.
Digital Heritage
Searchable Digital Archive
Search the Anjuman's collection of manuscripts, periodicals, photographs, and institutional records. Type a title, author, year, or keyword.
Reach Us
Contact the Anjuman
The office of the Markazi Anjuman-e-Mehdavia welcomes visitors, researchers, and members of the community.
Address
Markazi Anjuman-e-Mehdavia, Chanchalguda, Hyderabad — 500 024, Telangana, India
Office Hours
Open daily until 6:00 pm. Friday programmes follow Jumu'ah prayers.
Write to Us
For archive access, publications, or community matters, please write to the Anjuman office or visit during working hours.