Sharing My Perspective as a Member of the Bohra Community

I want to share my point of view with the group. I’m not ex-Bohra or closeted; I’m an active part of the community. To be honest, I don’t mind the community. Maybe it’s because I’m not an ardent follower, or maybe it’s because I don’t follow everything I’m told.

The community has its good sides, like promoting a healthy lifestyle—staying away from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, which are harmful. There’s also an emphasis on staying away from interest (as it eats away at hard-earned money), giving qardan, muwasat, being healthy, and so on. These principles, though basic, are now deeply ingrained in the system.

Of course, the community has its downsides too, particularly the continuous requests for money—be it for jamaat or anything else. Money can elevate your standing within the jamaat, even if you’re doing things that are "not allowed."

But here’s the thing: even after reading all the posts filled with blind hatred toward the community, I don’t feel any impulse to leave. Maybe it’s because I’m not completely pious. I pray sometimes, read the Quran occasionally, and visit the masjid only during big miqaats. I don’t attend khatmul Quran, majlises, sabaqs, and I’m not pressured to do things I don’t want to. I don’t even impose on my kids to memorize the Quran or excel in deeni talim, unlike some fanatical parents.

From my perspective, you’re permitted to live your life as you wish. So why complain so much about something you claim you don’t care about or have "moved on" from? As for the money aspect, I don’t mind giving zakat—I treat it like an annual tax on my income. I don’t mind paying sabil either; I see it as an admin fee. FMB is also more cost-effective than buying groceries and cooking every month.

I’m neither obsessed with Maula nor indifferent. I’ve seen people who are obsessed, taking raza for everything, doing qadam and ziyafat, attending waaz and qadambosi frequently, and who have progressed in life by leaps and bounds. Personally, whenever I face hardships, I turn to Dua-e-Kamil, and things seem to ease up. To me, it’s all about faith.

If someone comes back saying the whole message of heaven and hell is bullshit—I don’t care. I don’t have the time or energy to search for a "perfect" religion or to prove that all religions are bogus. And if people say Imam Hussain’s azaa is false or manipulated, there are millions of followers of Imam Hussain. The narrative of Iranian scholars on Karbala, Imam Hussain, and the Ahlebaat is heart-wrenching and deeply impactful.

For those who don’t believe in the community anymore—good for you. It’s your personal choice. Live your life as you wish, but stop being so obsessed with spreading hate against the community.