His great grandfather, His Holiness Hajj Sultan Mohammad Gonabadi (Sultan Ali Shah) was one of the most recognized mystics, scholars, pillars and also Master(Gutb) of Sufi Order of last century (1872-1948). For this reason, after him, this Order was called Nematollahi Gonabadi and the name Gonabad has become prominent.

His preliminary upbringing and training was under the maintenance and supervision of His Holiness Sultan Ali Shah and he acquired the basics of Islam. He also learned the old astronomy and new astronomy from his father. Later on, he moved to Tehran to continue his further education and in 1945, he graduated from the Seminary High School of Tehran with highest grades obtaining a diploma in literature and a year later he obtained a diploma in biology as well. He kept on his education at the School of Law at Tehran University and in 1948 he graduated, obtaining a degree in law and at the same time he initiated his education in Islamic teachings, particularly in jurisprudence and principals with various masters of the specific knowledge, in particular, with his exalted brother late His Holiness Hajj Sultan Hossein Tabandeh. He also attended classes with Mahmood Shahabi, Seyed Mohammad Mashkoot, and Sheikh Mohammad Songolji.

In those days he first commenced to work in The Department of Foreign affairs and after a while he was transferred to The Ministry of Justice in 1950. For a while he was the head of the Tehran’s Court Supervisory Office, subsequently; became the advisor for Tehran’s State Courts.

At the onset of his service in The Ministry of Justice, when he was working in Mashhad, to further his education he went to France in which he obtained his Ph.D in Law from the University of Paris in 1957 while studying French and could achieve a diploma in French language, simultaneously. In France, he was in contact with a French Islamic scholar, Henry Corbin who had sincere enthusiasm in Mysticism and Shi’ite teachings and attended his classes. Since Corbin was acquainted with the Elders of Nematollahi Gonabadi Order and venerated them, hence recommended and even insisted him to write an article about this Order. Therefore, there is an article about this Order in French language entitled “Description of School and Journey of Hajj Sultan Mohammad Gonabadi and a Century of His Teachings”. This article has been registered in Higher Research Institutes under his name and some research notes have been made with no further action taken, though.

After his return to Iran he worked in diverse positions in The Ministry of Justice and commenced to teach in law schools. Once again, in 1968 he went to France with a scholarship from the French government to study and research in judicial laws in The International School of Management (I.I.A.P) and thrived in obtaining a diploma in judicial management. After retiring in 1976, he worked as a lawyer at times and during the 1979 Revolution he represented wanted students and clergies for free. After the revolution he was appointed as “the Deputy Minister of Culture” and a Member of the Board of Trustees, Management of Hajj and Pilgrimage Department as well as the Deputy of Ministry of Justice” until 1980 when he voluntarily got retired again.

Throughout all his services, he was acknowledged for his integrity, veracity, and honesty in his words, deeds, high care toward his profession as well as full respect toward law and its precise implementation before his colleagues and others as well.

His Holiness alongside his education in religion, university studies and his research, in 1952 he was initiated into sufism and faith by his father. From the beginning of his journey, the effect of sufism (mysticism) was constantly evident in his words and his deeds. His Sufi temperaments and his commitment to religious orders and his decorum in mysticism was the talk of everyone. After the passing of His Holiness Mahboob Ali Shah in January 16th 1996, he was appointed as his successors with the unique title “His Holiness Majzoob Ali Shah” as His Holiness Mahboob Ali Shah’s administrative order in his will, which was written in October 20th 1992. 
His Holiness Dr Tabandeh from the beginning of his appointment spends most of his time in initiating and guiding seekers and training devotees. For this reason, in Sufi sessions and gatherings he explains mistical books and tells Sufi anecdotes and addresses social issues.