The term Da'i al-Mutlaq literally means "the absolute or unrestricted missionary". In the Fatimid era Isma'ili faith, the term da'i has been used to refer to important religious leaders other than the hereditary Imams, and the Da'wa or "Mission" is a clerical-style organisation. "The Da'wa" was a term for the Isma'ili faith itself from early on. They are also called Da'i Syednas.