Judgement Consolidated Appeals from two decrees of the Chief Court of Lower Burma in its appellate jurisdiction (May 29, 1912) reversing a decree of that Court (April 25, 1910). The first five appellants filed a plaint in the Chief Court under s. 539 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1882, for the settlement of a scheme of management of a Sunni Mahomedan mosque at Rangoon. The appellants represented the Randher Vora community, namely, residents who originally came from Randher, a village near Surat, and their descendants. This class is referred to as the Randherias. The respondents in the first appeal represented the general Sunni Mahomedan community of Rangoon. The respondents in the second appeal represented the worshippers, other than Randherias, who, or whose predecessors, came from the Surat district. The following issue was ordered to be tried in the suit Have all Sunni Mahomedans of Rangoon, or the Surati Vora community, other than the Randher Sunni Vora Jamat, any voice in the management of the jama masjid ? Law. Rep. 43 Ind. App. 127 ( 1915- 1916) Mahomed Ismail Ariff V. Ahmed Moolla Dawood 38 The history of the foundation is fully stated in the judgment of their Lordships. Robinson J. made a decree declaring that the deed of trust dated March 16, 1872, by which the management was vested in the Randher Sunni Vora community was good and valid, and ordered that a scheme of management should be submitted. The learned judge held that the five Randheria purchasers under the deeds of 1871 became absolute owners free from any trust, and that the deed of March 16, 1872, created a new and valid trust. He was further of opinion that the intention of the founder (who came from Randher) could be inferred from the facts that he had handed over the management to three Randherias, and that for a period of about sixty years the management and control had been exclusively in the hands of Randherias. Both sets of respondents appealed. He was further of opinion that the intention of the founder (who came from Randher) could be inferred from the facts that he had handed over the management to three Randherias, and that for a period of about sixty years the management and control had been exclusively in the hands of Randherias. Both sets of respondents appealed. The appeals were heard by the Chief Judge (Sir Charles E. Fox) and Hartnoll J. The learned judges reversed the judgment of Robinson J. They held that the lands granted in 1862 were subject to a trust to build a mosque for the free use of all persons professing the Sunni sect of the Mahomedan religion, that the grants of 1871 were subject to the same trust, and that the deed of March 16, 1872, was invalid. It was accordingly declared that all Sunni Mahomedans were entitled to a voice in the management, and that the right was not confined to the Randher Sunni Vora Jamat. 1916. Feb. 23, 24, 28, 29. Sir R. Finlay, K.C., A. Page, and Abdul Majid, for the appellants. The management has been since the foundation solely in the hands of the Randherias, The inten-tion of the wakif, whether it appears from the terms of the dedication or from usage, governs the right of management. The Court in settling a scheme has a discretion, but that discretion should be exercised in accordance with the founders intention Shah Gulam Rahamtulla v. Mohammed Akbar (( 1875) 8 Madr. H. C. 63.) ; Advocate-General v. Fatima Sultani Begam. (( 1872) 9 Bomb. H. C. 29.) The right to worship in the mosque does not carry with it a right to participate in the management. Ibrahim Esmael v. Abdool Carrim Peermamode (( 1908) L. R. 35 Ind. Ap. 151.) is distinguishable. In that case there was not a succession of managers belonging exclusively to one class of the worshippers, and there was evidence that the whole community contributed to a levy to support the mosque. In the case of a jama masjid where the congregation is large and of an indeterminate character managers cannot conveniently be appointed by the whole community. Dunne and F. J. Coltman, for the respondents. The mosque with the appertaining lands formed a trust in which the whole Sunni Mahomedan community of Rangoon were interested. The right of management is vested in the community generally. Dunne and F. J. Coltman, for the respondents. The mosque with the appertaining lands formed a trust in which the whole Sunni Mahomedan community of Rangoon were interested. The right of management is vested in the community generally. The fact that Randherias have always held the management does not necessarily show that that was the intention of the founder Ibrahim Esmael v. Abdool Carrim Peermamode. (( 1908) L. R. 35 Ind. Ap. 151.) The alleged rule of succession is not proved by the evidence. The grant in 1871 was taken by the grantees as trustees for the whole Mahomedan community. The present litigation has arisen from the claim of the Randherias to the exclusive control and selection of managers. Even if the Randherias are entitled to a preferential right of control, the whole Sunni community should be allowed to participate in choosing the managers. In settling a scheme the paramount consideration is the welfare of the foundation as circumstances now exist. A. Page replied. May 15. The judgment of their Lordships was delivered by MR. AMEER ALI. The suit which gives rise to these consolidated appeals was brought in the Chief Law. Rep. 43 Ind. App. 127 ( 1915- 1916) Mahomed Ismail Ariff V. Ahmed Moolla Dawood 39 Court of Lower Burma in its original civil jurisdiction, under the provisions of s. 539 of Act XIV. of 1882, for the appointment of trustees and the settlement of a scheme of management in respect of a mosque situated in the city of Rangoon. The plaintiffs in the action are five Mahomedan worshippers at the mosque, who trace their origin to a place called Randher, said to be a suburb of the city of Surat in the Bombay Presidency, and in the earlier stages of these proceedings they appear to have claimed it as a Randheria mosque. It is, however, conceded now that it is a public mosque dedicated to the performance of religious worship by all Sunni Mahomedans without restric tion as to place of origin, and that it is commonly known as the Sunni Jama Masjid. To explain the contest between the parties it is necessary to give a short summary of the circumstances that have led to this unfortu nate litigation. To explain the contest between the parties it is necessary to give a short summary of the circumstances that have led to this unfortu nate litigation. Like many other places in Burma, Rangoon is inhabited by a large number of Mahomedan emigrants from various parts of India who have domiciled themselves in the country for purposes of trade, and are generally known by the names of the towns or villages whence they originally came. For example, the plaintiffs, as already stated, derive their origin from Randher and, therefore, call themselves Randherias ; whilst the larger community of Suratis or Soortees come either from the city or district of Surat. It is necessary to bear this in mind, as the mosque in question is sometimes called the Surati Mosque. The Randherias, though trying to differentiate themselves from the others, form in reality a section of the Surati community. They are mostly Voras, and they all profess the Sunni doctrines. It appears that the site of the present mosque was formerly occupied by a bamboo structure built in 1854 by one Moolla Hashim, a native of Randher. It was dedicated to the same purpose and bore the same name as the present masonry mosque. Divine worship was performed there by all Sunni Mahomedans until it was burnt down three years later, when Moolla Hashim replaced it with a building made of wooden planks. This continued to be the public place of worship until 1872, when the masonry mosque was erected. The land on which the mosque was first built appears to have been afterwards added to by purchases made by Moolla Hashim or by his fellow townsmen, who made the same over to him as the custodian of the mosque. In 1862 one Moolla Ibrahim, a brother of Moolla Hashim, and two persons of the names of Golam Moideen Moollah and Cassim Azim, obtained from the Government a grant in respect of certain other plots on the express trust " to build and maintain thereon a mosque or place of worship for and to the use of all persons professing the Sunni sect of the Mahomedan religion." These lands were also added or attached to the existing mosque, and shops were built there to yield an income for its maintenance. In 1864 Moolla Hashim went on a pilgrimage to Mecca, leaving the management of the mosque in the hands of Moolla Ibrahim and the two persons already mentioned. He returned to Rangoon in 1866, but never resumed his management of the mosque. At this time the person in charge was one Mohammed Hashim Mehtar, who also is said to have been a native of Randher. In 1870 the Government, finding that no mosque had been built on the lands granted in 1862, and that on the contrary shops had been erected thereon, issued a notice on the grantees to show cause why those lands should not be resumed. A meeting was thereupon held, apparently at the instance of the Randherias, of ail the Sunni Mahomedans entitled to worshp at the mosque, and it was decided to buy outright from the Government the land and build on it a proper masonry structure suitable to the growing needs of the community. Although there is some dispute with regard to the contributions of the general body of Sunnis apart from the Randherias, it may be taken as fairly un-controverted that the bulk of the fund was subscribed by the Randheria section of the worshippers. The conveyance was taken in the names of five persons, named respectively Dooplay, Ariff, Pattal, Mohammed Law. Rep. 43 Ind. App. 127 ( 1915- 1916) Mahomed Ismail Ariff V. Ahmed Moolla Dawood 40 Hashim, and Ebrahim Ali Moolla, and these men in 1872, whilst the masonry mosque was in course of building, purported to create a new dedication. The trust deed bears date March 16, 1872, and after reciting that it was made between the persons named above of the one part, and one Mohammed Hashim, representing the general Sunni Mussulman community, of the other part, proceeds to declare that " the pieces or parcels of land upon a certain portion of which the Sunni Jamat Masjid is erected or is in the course of being built, together with the godowns attached thereto, are solely dedicated for the purpose of divine worship. It then goes on to provide inter alia that its management shall remain exclusively in the hands of the Randheria Jamat (people or assembly). It then goes on to provide inter alia that its management shall remain exclusively in the hands of the Randheria Jamat (people or assembly). The five persons in whose names the conveyance stood and who had executed the trust deed appear to have carried on the management for several years ; in course of time some dropped out and others came in as trustees. How these men were placed in charge of the management of the mosque is not clear, for apparently no meeting of the Randheria Punchayet was held until 1894, and none between 1894 and 1906, nor in fact had the Randherias any " organized association " with written rules for the purpose of giving effect to the wishes of their section of the community. Matters remained in this condition until 1908, when disputes arose regarding the validity of the election of one Hashim Yacub Ally as a trustee in place of another Randheria, who had died the year before. It was in consequence of the quarrels among the Randherias themselves in connection with the election or appoint ment of this man that the present suit was launched in the Chief Court of Lower Burma. The original defendants to the action were four persons who were actually managing the mosque as trustees, but the validity of whose appointment as such was impugned by the plaintiffs. In addition three others were joined as defendants ostensibly to represent the Randheria section, but in reality, as the trustee defendants charge to represent the plaintiffs faction. On the institution of the suit notices were issued by the Court under s. 30 of the Civil Procedure Code to all persons entitled to worship at the mosque. Thereupon defendants 12 and 13, representing the general body of Sunni worshippers, and defendants 8 to 11, claiming to represent the Surati community, and 14 to 17 the other Randherias, appeared and applied to be joined as parties. Each set of defendants has filed a separate defence. Although the trustee defendants deny the plaintiffs allegation that the mosque in question is a Randheria mosque, and affirm the validity of their and Hashim Yacub Allys appointment as trustees, they associate themselves with the plaintiffs and their Randheria co-defendants in claiming that the right of management of the mosque belongs exclusively to their party. Although the trustee defendants deny the plaintiffs allegation that the mosque in question is a Randheria mosque, and affirm the validity of their and Hashim Yacub Allys appointment as trustees, they associate themselves with the plaintiffs and their Randheria co-defendants in claiming that the right of management of the mosque belongs exclusively to their party. And they ask that the scheme, if any is to be framed, should be framed on that basis. The defendants 12 and 13, who represent the general body of worshippers, controvert in substance the right of the Randherias to a monopoly of the management as opposed to the whole nature of the trust; and they claim that as the mosque is dedicated to the performance of public worship by all Mahomedans of the Sunni persuasion, now that a scheme is proposed to be settled under the direction of the Court they should be allowed a voice in its administration. The suit proceeded to trial before Robinson J., and the whole dispute centred round two points, namely, (1.) the effect of the trust deed of 1872, and (2.) whether the Randherias should or should not have the sole and exclusive charge and management of the mosque. The Randherias rested their case on the trust deed of 1872 ; they contended that it created a new trust and that the founders, namely, the five persons in whose names the land had been purchased from the Government, were entitled to -provide that the management should remain exclusively in the hands of Law. Rep. 43 Ind. App. 127 ( 1915- 1916) Mahomed Ismail Ariff V. Ahmed Moolla Dawood 41 their own section of the community. The learned trial judge states their contentions in the following terms " It is urged that the original mosque was created by a Randheria ; that the original grant was revoked and the lands sold outright to Randherias; that they thus became the creators of the thrust and were at liberty to make any lawful condition they pleased as to the management of the trust." And his decision is expressed in these words " The position in 1871, then, was that the five vendees became the absolute and untrammelled owners of these two plots and could do with them as they pleased..... They became the owners of the mosque, shops, and lands, and created a trust of them. They became the owners of the mosque, shops, and lands, and created a trust of them. It was undoubtedly open to them to manage the trust themselves or to lay down the manner in which it was to be managed, and this they did in exhibit C." He accordingly came to the conclusion that the Randheria party were exclusively entitled to the management of the mosque. On appeal by the respondents in the first and second appeals respectively, the learned judges of the Chief Court, differing from the trial judge, held in substance that the lands which were purchased by or in the names of the five persons in 1871 were acquired by them as trustees for the purposes of the existing mosque and subject to the trust therefor, and that nothing that took place in 1871 or 1872 had the effect of cancelling, or could in law cancel, the original trust; and that as the original trust was for the benefit of all persons " professing the Sunni sect of the Mahomedan religion/ they thought that " all Sunni Mahomedans were entitled to a voice in the control of the Jama Masjid of Rangoon." The plaintiffs and the trustee defendants have appealed to His Majesty in Council, and the same contention that was put forward in the Courts below, based on the document of 1872, has been urged on their behalf. It has further been contended that under the Mahomedan law the Court has no discretion in the matter and that it must give effect to the rule laid down by the founder in all matters relating to the appointment and succession of trustees or mutwallees. Their Lordships cannot help thinking that the extreme proposition urged on behalf of the appellants is based on a misconception. The Mussulman law, like the English law, draws a wide distinction between public and private trusts. Generally speaking, in case of a wakf or trust created for specific individuals or a determinate body of individuals, the Kazi, whose place in the British Indian system is taken by the civil Court, has in carrying the trust into execution to give effect so far as possible to the expressed wishes of the founder. With respect, however, to public religious or charitable trusts, of which a public mosque is a common and well-known example, the Kazis discretion is very wide. With respect, however, to public religious or charitable trusts, of which a public mosque is a common and well-known example, the Kazis discretion is very wide. He may not depart from the intentions of the founder or from any rule fixed by him as to the objects of the benefaction ; but as regards management which must be governed by circumstances he has complete discretion. He may defer to the wishes of the founder so far as they are conformable to changed conditions and circumstances, but his primary duty is to consider the interests of the general body of the public for whose benefit the trust is created. He may in his judicial discretion vary any rule or management which he may find either not practicable or not in the best interests of the institution. Illustrations of this rule are to be found in almost every work on Mussulman law. And the authorities lay down that, " were the wakif (the founder) to make a condition that the King or Kazi should not interfere in the management of the wakf, still the Kazi will have his superintendence over it, for his supervision is above everything." Their Lordships agree with the Chief Court that the transactions which took place in 1871 and 1872 in no way affected the existing trust, and that the trust deed of 1872 did not create a new dedication; the mosque remained as theretofore a public mosque, dedicated to the performance of worship by all Sunni Mahomedans as originally founded. In their Lordships opinion, the real point in issue in the case, owing probably to the nature of the Law. Rep. 43 Ind. App. 127 ( 1915- 1916) Mahomed Ismail Ariff V. Ahmed Moolla Dawood 42 pleadings, has to some extent been missed by the Courts in India. It has been treated as a question involving the determination of conflicting rights rather than a consideration of the best method for fully and effectively carrying out the purpose for which the trust was created. The suit is brought under s. 539 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1882, which vests a very wide discretion in the Court. It has been treated as a question involving the determination of conflicting rights rather than a consideration of the best method for fully and effectively carrying out the purpose for which the trust was created. The suit is brought under s. 539 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1882, which vests a very wide discretion in the Court. It declares (omitting the parts not material to this case) that " whenever the direction of the Court is deemed necessary for the administration of any express or constructive trust created for public, charitable, or religious purposes, the Advocate-General, acting ex officio, or two or more persons having a direct interest in the trust and having obtained the consent in writing of the Advocate-General, may institute a suit in the High Court, or the district Court within the local limits of whose civil jurisdiction the whole or any part of the subject-matter of the trust is situate, to obtain a decree (a) appointing new trustees under the trust; . . . . (e) settling a scheme for its management; or granting such further or other relief as the nature of the case may require." In giving effect to the provisions of the section and in appointing new trustees and settling a scheme, the Court is entitled to take into consideration not merely the wishes of the founder, so far as they can be ascertained, but also the past history of the institution, and the way in which the management has been carried on heretofore, in conjunction with other existing conditions that may have grown up since its foundation. It has also the power of giving any directions and laying down any rules which might facilitate the work of management, and, if necessary, the appointment of trustees in the future. In the present case Moolla Hashim, although he was assisted by several of his compatriots in acquiring the land on which the bamboo mosque was built, was to all intents and purposes its original founder; in 1857, when the bamboo structure was burned down, he replaced it with a plank building ; he and his Randheria fellow townsmen held the mutwalleeship until 1871. Since that date also the management has been carried on by people belonging to Randher. Since that date also the management has been carried on by people belonging to Randher. -In 1862 the lands were purchased with money supplied by them ; and in 1871 the bulk of the money appears to have come from the same source. It is not alleged that they have mismanaged the trust or committed any dereliction of duty, or tried to introduce innovations in the services, or otherwise interfered with the rights of the general body of worshippers. In these circumstances it seems to their Lordships, in the exercise of the discretion which the Mussulman law vests in the Kazi, that the Randheria section of the worshippers, all other -conditions being equal, are preferably entitled to the mutwalleeship of the mosque. With regard to the case of Ibrahim Esmael v. Abdool Carrim Peermamode (L. R. 35 Ind. Ap. 151.), which has been relied upon on behalf of the respondents, their Lordships deem it sufficient to say that the facts to which they have referred differentiate it widely from the present case. The present case, however, in their Lordships opinion, illustrates the mischief of leaving the power of appointing or electing trustees in the hands of an indeterminate and necessarily fluctuating body of people, whether they call themselves Punchayet or jamat. In order to avoid so far as possible a recurrence of the trouble that has brought about this long-drawn litigation, their Lordships think it desirable, in the interests of the institution which form the primary matter for consideration, that the appointment of future trustees should be entrusted to a committee of the worshippers the composition of which should be in the discretion of the judge, with due regard to local conditions and needs, subject to the provision that, so long as circumstances do not vary, a majority of such committee should be Randherias ; and that in settling the scheme the judge should lay down rules for their guidance in the discharge of any supervisitorial functions that it may appear necessary to confide to them and for filling up vacancies on their body subject to his control. Their Lordships are accordingly of opinion that the orders of the Courts of India should be discharged and that the case should be remitted with the following declaration and directions to the Chief Court of Lower Burma to deal finally with the matter That, all other conditions being Law. Rep. 43 Ind. Their Lordships are accordingly of opinion that the orders of the Courts of India should be discharged and that the case should be remitted with the following declaration and directions to the Chief Court of Lower Burma to deal finally with the matter That, all other conditions being Law. Rep. 43 Ind. App. 127 ( 1915- 1916) Mahomed Ismail Ariff V. Ahmed Moolla Dawood 43 equal, the Randheria section of the worshippers are preferably entitled to manage and act as trustees of the Sunni Jama Masjid of Rangoon ; that the appointment of future trustees should be entrusted to a committee of the worshippers, the composition of which committee should be in the discretion of the Court, with due regard to local needs and conditions, subject to the provision that, so long as circumstances do not vary, a majority of such committee should be Randherias; and that in settling the scheme the Court should lay down rules for the guidance of the committee in the discharge of any supervisitorial functions that it may appear necessary to confide to them, and for filling up vacancies on their body subject to its control. As regards the costs in the Courts below, the trustee-defendants will have their costs out of the funds of the institution ; the rest of the parties will bear their own costs. The parties will bear their own costs of these appeals. And their Lordships will humbly advise His Majesty accordingly.