Jump to content

Abdul Wahid Bengali: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
No need
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit
Monkbot (talk | contribs)
m Task 20: replace {lang-??} templates with {langx|??} ‹See Tfd› (Replaced 1);
 
(17 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Deobandi IslamicScholar from Bengal}}
{{Short description|Deobandi IslamicScholar from Bengal}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox religious biography
{{Infobox religious biography
| honorific prefix = Shaykh al-Kul
| honorific prefix = Shaykh al-Kul
| relatives =
| relatives =
| office4 =
| office4 =
| term_start4 =
| term_start4 =
| term_end4 =
| term_end4 =
| predecessor4 =
| predecessor4 =
| successor4 =
| successor4 =
| notable_works = [[Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam]]
| notable_works = [[Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam]]
| signature =
| signature =
| children =
| children =
| predecessor3 =
| predecessor3 =
| denomination = [[Sunni]]
| denomination = [[Sunni]]
| jurisprudence = [[Hanafi]]
| jurisprudence = [[Hanafi]]
Line 17: Line 18:
| alma_mater = [[Darul Uloom Deoband]]
| alma_mater = [[Darul Uloom Deoband]]
| main_interests = [[Hadith]], [[fiqh]], [[tasawwuf]]
| main_interests = [[Hadith]], [[fiqh]], [[tasawwuf]]
| influences = [[Muhammad Qasim Nanautavi]], [[Fazlur Rahman Ganj-e-Muradabadi]], [[Muhammad Yaqub Nanautawi]]
| influences = [[Muhammad Qasim Nanautavi|Qasim Nanautavi]]<br />[[Fazlur Rahman Ganj-e-Muradabadi]]<br />[[Yaqub Nanautawi]]
| influenced = [[Sufi Azizur Rahman]], Abdul Hamid
| influenced = [[Sufi Azizur Rahman]]<br />[[Abdul Hamid Madarshahi]]
| students = [[Shah Ahmad Hasan]]<ref name=kum>{{cite book |language=ar |title=كتاب البدور المضية في تراجم الحنفية |author=al-Kumillai, Muhammad Hifzur Rahman |publisher=Dar al-Salih |location=[[Cairo]], [[Egypt]] |year=2018}}</ref>
| nationality =
| death_date = {{death year and age|1905|1850}}
| death_date = {{death year and age|1905|1850}}
| successor3 =
| successor3 =
| term_end3 =
| term_end3 =
| name = Abdul Wahid Bengali
| name = Abdul Wahid Bengali
| office1 =
| office1 =
| honorific suffix =
| honorific suffix =
| image =
| image =
| title = Munazer-e-Islam, Mujahid-e-Azam, Olikul Shiromoni
| title = Munazer-e-Islam, Mujahid-e-Azam, Olikul Shiromoni
| birth_date = 1850
| birth_date = 1850
| birth_place = Kharandwip, [[Boalkhali Upazila|Boalkhali]], [[Chittagong District]]
| birth_place = Kharandwip, [[Boalkhali Upazila|Boalkhali]], [[Chittagong District]]
| father = Jinnat Ali
| mother =
| religion = [[Islam]]
| religion = [[Islam]]
| term_start1 =
| module = {{Infobox Arabic name|embed=yes
| ism = ʿAbd al-Wāḥid<br />عبد الحميد
| term_start3 =
| nasab = ibn Zīnat ʿAlī<br />بن زينة علي
| term_end1 =
| laqab = Shaykh al-Kul<br /> شیخ الکل
| predecessor1 =
| nisba = al-Bangālī<br />البنغالي}}
| successor1 =
| office2 =
| term_start2 =
| term_end2 =
| predecessor2 =
| successor2 =
| office3 =
| resting_place = Munshipara, Kharandwip, [[Boalkhali Upazila|Boalkhali]]
| resting_place = Munshipara, Kharandwip, [[Boalkhali Upazila|Boalkhali]]
}}{{Deobandi}}
}}{{Deobandi}}
'''ʿAbd al-Wāḥid Bengālī''' ({{lang-bn|আব্দুল ওয়াহেদ বাঙ্গালী}}; 1850—1905) was a 19th-century Muslim theologian, teacher and social reformer. He was one of the initiators of the [[Deobandi movement]] into [[Bengal]], and co-founded [[Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam]] in 1896.
'''ʿAbd al-Wāḥid Bengālī''' ({{langx|bn|আব্দুল ওয়াহেদ বাঙ্গালী}}; c. 1850–1905) was a 19th-century Muslim theologian, teacher and social reformer. He was one of the initiators of the [[Deobandi movement]] into [[Bengal]], and co-founded [[Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam]] in 1896.


== Early life and family ==
== Early life and family ==
Abdul Wahid was born in 1850, to a [[Bengali Muslims|Bengali Muslim]] family in the village of Kharandwip in [[Boalkhali Upazila|Boalkhali]], [[Chittagong District]], [[Bengal Presidency]]. His father, Jinnat Ali, was a ''munsef'' (local judge) at a court in Kaukhali, [[Rangunia Upazila|Rangunia]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hafiz|first1=Ahmadullah|url=https://www.rokomari.com/book/115714/alhillul-mufham-asshahihu-limuslim|script-title=bn:মাশায়েখে চাটগাম — ১ম খণ্ড|trans-title=Great sheikhs of Chittagong Volume 1|last2=Hasan|first2=Ahmad|language=bn|publisher=Ahmad Prakashan|date=May 2016|isbn=978-984-92106-4-1|edition=3|pages=29–68}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Islam|first=Amirul|url=https://www.rokomari.com/book/110213/sonar-bangla-hirar-khoni-45-auliar-jiboni|script-title=bn:সোনার বাংলা হীরার খনি ৪৫ আউলিয়ার জীবনী|trans-title=Golden Bengal's mines of diamonds 45 biographies of holy men|publisher=Kohinur Library|year=2012|pages=205–213|language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Ubaydul Haq|first=Muhammad|url=https://www.boibazar.com/book/bangladesher-pir-awoliyagon|script-title=bn:বাংলাদেশের পীর আওলিয়াগণ|publisher=Madina Publications|year=2017|isbn=|pages=39|language=bn|trans-title=Saints and holy men of Bangladesh}}</ref>
Abdul Wahid was born in 1268 [[Islamic calendar|Hijri]] (1851—1852 CE), to a [[Bengali Muslims|Bengali Muslim]] family in the village of Haola in Kharandwip, [[Boalkhali Upazila|Boalkhali]], [[Chittagong District]], [[Bengal Presidency]]. His father, [[Shaykh]] [[Moulvi]] Zinat Ali, was a ''munsef'' (local judge) at a court in Kaukhali, [[Rangunia Upazila|Rangunia]].<ref name=":0">{{cite book |last1=Hafiz |first1=Ahmadullah |url=https://www.rokomari.com/book/115714/alhillul-mufham-asshahihu-limuslim |script-title=bn:মাশায়েখে চাটগাম — ১ম খণ্ড |trans-title=Great sheikhs of Chittagong Volume 1 |last2=Hasan |first2=Ahmad |title=Alhillul Mufham Asshahihu limuslim - Allama Mufti Hafej Ahmodullah Saheb |language=bn |publisher=Ahmad Prakashan |date=May 2016 |isbn=978-984-92106-4-1 |edition=3 |pages=29–68}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Islam |first=Amirul |url=https://www.rokomari.com/book/110213/sonar-bangla-hirar-khoni-45-auliar-jiboni |script-title=bn:সোনার বাংলা হীরার খনি ৪৫ আউলিয়ার জীবনী |trans-title=Golden Bengal's mines of diamonds 45 biographies of holy men |publisher=Kohinur Library |year=2012 |pages=205–213 |language=bn}}</ref> Ali was fluent in Bengali, English, [[Arabic]], [[Farsi|Persian]] and [[Urdu]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Ubaydul Haq |first=Muhammad |url=https://www.boibazar.com/book/bangladesher-pir-awoliyagon |script-title=bn:বাংলাদেশের পীর আওলিয়াগণ |publisher=Madina Publications |year=2017 |isbn= |pages=39 |language=bn |trans-title=Saints and holy men of Bangladesh}}</ref>


== Education ==
== Education ==
Abdul Wahid initially studied with his father, Jinnat Ali, before joining the Sarwatali High School. In addition to Bengali, he became proficient in [[Urdu]] too. He stayed in this school until class 8, when he realised the importance of studying the [[Quran]], [[Hadith]] and the Arabic language after reading a book in Urdu. Instead of proceeding with the colonial education system that taught English, Abdul Wahid turned towards Arabic. In response, people close to him began to mock him. However, he was certain in his goals and left his village for [[Calcutta]], where his father's friend lived. He expressed his desire of learning Arabic to his father's friend. The man then wrote a letter to Jinnat Ali of his son's situation and desire and Abdul Wahid was subsequently enrolled at the [[Government Hazi Mohammad Mohsin College|Muhsinia Madrasa]] in [[Chittagong]].{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}
Abdul Wahid initially studied with his father, Zinat Ali, before joining the Sarwatali High School. In addition to Bengali, he became proficient in Urdu too. He stayed in this school until class 8, when he realised the importance of studying the [[Quran]], [[Hadith]] and the Arabic language after reading a book in Urdu. Instead of proceeding with the colonial education system that taught English, Abdul Wahid turned towards Arabic. In response, people close to him began to mock him. However, he was certain in his goals and left his village for [[Calcutta]], where his father's friend lived. He expressed his desire of learning Arabic to his father's friend. The man then wrote a letter to Zinat Ali of his son's situation and desire and Abdul Wahid was subsequently enrolled at the [[Government Hazi Mohammad Mohsin College|Muhsinia Madrasa]] in [[Chittagong]].<ref name=":0" />


===In Deoband===
===In Deoband===
His neighbours continued to criticise the fact that the son of a judge was studying Arabic. Eventually, Abdul Wahid set off for [[North India]] without telling anyone and joined the [[Darul Uloom Deoband]]. In Deoband, he dedicated his time to religious studies to such a level that he would often not reply to letters that he received from home.
His neighbours continued to criticise the fact that the son of a judge was studying Arabic. Eventually, Abdul Wahid set off for [[North India]] without telling anyone and joined the [[Darul Uloom Deoband]]. In Deoband, he dedicated his time to religious studies to such a level that he would often not reply to letters that he received from home.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}


He had enrolled at the prestigious seminary only 5-6 years after its establishment. He was one of the only two students of [[Muhammad Qasim Nanautavi]] that were from eastern Bengal at the time. The other student was Ubaydul Hakim, who also belonged to the village of Kharandwip. After 14 years at Deoband, Abdul Wahid graduated from the Faculty of Hadith (Masters).<ref>{{Cite book|last=Nizampuri|first=Ashraf Ali|url=https://www.kitabghor.com/books/the-handrede-bangla-mayer-kriti-sontan.html|title=The Hundred (বাংলা মায়ের একশ কৃতিসন্তান)|trans-title=The Hundred (100 glorious children of Mother Bengal)|publisher=Salman Prakashani|year=2013|isbn=978-112009250-2|edition=1|pages=19–23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|author=[[Junaid Babunagari|Babunagari, Junaid]]|url=https://www.boibazar.com/book/kotipoy-ujjol-nokkhotro|script-title=bn:দারুল উলুম হাটহাজারীর কতিপয় উজ্জ্বল নক্ষত্র|publisher=Bukhari Academy|year=2003|edition=1|pages=10|language=bn}}</ref>
He had enrolled at the prestigious seminary only 5–6 years after its establishment. He was one of the only two students of [[Muhammad Qasim Nanautavi|Qasim Nanautavi]] and [[Yaqub Nanautawi]] that were from eastern Bengal at the time.<ref name=emd>{{cite book |script-title=bn:হাদীছের তত্ত্ব ও ইতিহাস |page=24 |language=bn |publisher=Emdadia Library |chapter=2.2 বঙ্গে এলমে হাদীছ |author=Mawlana Nur Muhammad Azmi |trans-title=Information and history of Hadith |trans-chapter=2.2 Knowledge of Hadith in Bengal}}</ref> The other student was Ubaydul Hakim, who also belonged to the village of Kharandwip. After 14 years at Deoband, Abdul Wahid graduated from the Faculty of Hadith (Masters).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nizampuri |first=Ashraf Ali |url=https://www.kitabghor.com/books/the-handrede-bangla-mayer-kriti-sontan.html |title=The Hundred (বাংলা মায়ের একশ কৃতিসন্তান) |trans-title=The Hundred (100 glorious children of Mother Bengal) |publisher=Salman Prakashani |year=2013 |isbn=978-112009250-2 |edition=1 |pages=19–23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |author=[[Junaid Babunagari|Babunagari, Junaid]] |url=https://www.boibazar.com/book/kotipoy-ujjol-nokkhotro |script-title=bn:দারুল উলুম হাটহাজারীর কতিপয় উজ্জ্বল নক্ষত্র |publisher=Bukhari Academy |year=2003 |edition=1 |pages=10 |language=bn}}</ref>


After both of them completed their formal education at Deoband, they expressed their desire to study [[tasawwuf]] under Qasim Nanautavi. Nanautavi instead directed them towards Fazlur Rahman Ganj-e-Muradabadi. They spent an additional two years under him, eventually gaining [[Khalifah (Sufism)|khilafah]] (spiritual succession). At that time Abdul Wahid received a letter from his mother mentioning that his father had died. His mother urged him to return home, thus Abdul Wahid returned to Bengal after 16 years.<ref name="Bijnuri1967">{{Cite book|last=Bijnuri|first=Azizur Rahman|url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/mashaikh-i-deoband-ki-do-sad-salah-tarikh-yani-tazkirah-yi-mashaikh-i-deoband/oclc/19927541|script-title=bn:তাজকিরায়ে মাশায়েখে দেওবন্দ|trans-title=Remembrance of the scholars of Deoband|date=1967|publisher=Idara-e-Madani Darut Talif; Maktaba-e-Taha|pages=111–127|language=bn|oclc=19927541}}</ref>
After both of them completed their formal education at Deoband, the two expressed their desire to study [[tasawwuf]] under Qasim Nanautavi. Nanautavi instead directed them towards [[Imdadullah Muhajir Makki]]. However, after he migrated to [[Mecca]], they pledged ''[[bay'ah]]'' to [[Shah Fazl-e-Rahman|Fazlur Rahman Ganj-e-Muradabadi]]. They spent an additional two years under him, eventually gaining [[Khalifah (Sufism)|khilafah]] (spiritual succession). At that time Abdul Wahid received a letter from his mother mentioning that his father had died. His mother urged him to return home, thus Abdul Wahid returned to Bengal after 16 years.<ref name="Bijnuri1967">{{Cite book |last=Bijnuri |first=Azizur Rahman |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/19927541 |script-title=bn:তাজকিরায়ে মাশায়েখে দেওবন্দ |trans-title=Remembrance of the scholars of Deoband |date=1967 |publisher=Idara-e-Madani Darut Talif; Maktaba-e-Taha |pages=111–127 |language=bn |oclc=19927541}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
His mother arranged for a marriage fearing that Abdul Wahid might move abroad again. He was engaged to a noblewoman from Kadalpur in [[Raozan Upazila|Raozan]]. In this marriage, Abdul Wahid had one daughter, Shakirah Khatun, and two sons, Sulayman and Ayyub. However, Abdul Wahid felt that his wife was not religiously devoted. After he failed in repeatedly trying to persuade her to become more practicing, he returned her to her parents' home. From there, he did not return to his home but rather set off to the home of his close friend [[Sufi Azizur Rahman]] in Babunagar, [[Fatikchhari Upazila|Fatikchhari]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Jafar|first=Abu|url=https://www.boibazar.com/book/sufisadok-o-olama-mashayekh|script-title=bn:ভারতীয় উপমহাদেশের সুফি-সাধক ও ওলামা মাশায়েখ|publisher=Mina Book House|year=2017|isbn=9789849115465|pages=68|trans-title=Sufi saints and scholars of the Indian subcontinent|language=bn}}</ref>
His mother arranged for a marriage fearing that Abdul Wahid might move abroad again. He was engaged to a noblewoman from Kadalpur in [[Raozan Upazila|Raozan]]. In this marriage, Abdul Wahid had one daughter, Shakirah Khatun, and two sons, Sulayman and Ayyub. However, Abdul Wahid felt that his wife was not religiously devoted. After he failed in repeatedly trying to persuade her to become more practicing, he returned her to her parents' home. From there, he did not return to his home but rather set off to the home of his close friend [[Sufi Azizur Rahman]] in Babunagar, [[Fatikchhari Upazila|Fatikchhari]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jafar |first=Abu |url=https://www.boibazar.com/book/sufisadok-o-olama-mashayekh |script-title=bn:ভারতীয় উপমহাদেশের সুফি-সাধক ও ওলামা মাশায়েখ |publisher=Mina Book House |year=2017 |isbn=9789849115465 |pages=68 |trans-title=Sufi saints and scholars of the Indian subcontinent |language=bn}}</ref>


Abdul Wahid's second marriage occurred through the assistance of [[Sufi Azizur Rahman]]. He married a woman from [[Nazir Hat|Nazirhat]] and temporary leased some land from a man to the west of the Dhurang canal in Babunagar. He had a daughter with this wife.<ref name="Bijnuri1967"/>
Abdul Wahid's second marriage occurred through the assistance of Sufi Azizur Rahman. He married a woman from [[Nazir Hat|Nazirhat]] and temporary leased some land from a man to the west of the Dhurang canal in Babunagar. He had a daughter with this wife.<ref name="Bijnuri1967"/>


== Career ==
== Career ==
[[File:Darul ulum hathazari madrasa.jpg|left|thumb|[[Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam]] is the largest and oldest [[Deobandi]] seminary in [[Bangladesh]],<ref name="kabir">{{cite journal |last=Kabir |first=Humayun |date=December 2009 |title =Replicating the Deobandi model of Islamic schooling: the case of a ''Quomi madrasa'' in a district town of Bangladesh |journal=Contemporary South Asia |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=415–428 |doi=10.1080/09584930903275884|s2cid=145197781 }}</ref><ref name="encylobangla">{{cite book |editor-last=Singh |editor-first=Nagendra Kr. |year=2003 |title=Encyclopaedia of Bangladesh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x7hVmN0O-TcC&pg=PA259 |location=New Delhi, India |publisher=Anmol Publications |edition=1st |page=259 |isbn=8126113901}}</ref> and ranks among the top ten [[madrasa]]s of [[the subcontinent]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbr.org/publications/specialreport/pdf/Preview/PR09_IslamEd.pdf|title=NBR Reports|quote="With its impeccable [[Deobandi]] credentials, Hathazari madrasa ranks among the top ten madrasas in the [[Indian subcontinent|subcontinent]] in terms of its academic standards and reputation."}}</ref>]]
[[File:Darul Uloom Hathazari.jpg|left|thumb|[[Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam]] is the largest and oldest [[Deobandi]] seminary in [[Bangladesh]],<ref name="kabir">{{cite journal |last=Kabir |first=Humayun |date=December 2009 |title=Replicating the Deobandi model of Islamic schooling: the case of a ''Quomi madrasa'' in a district town of Bangladesh |journal=Contemporary South Asia |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=415–428 |doi=10.1080/09584930903275884 |s2cid=145197781}}</ref><ref name="encylobangla">{{cite book |editor-last=Singh |editor-first=Nagendra Kr. |year=2003 |title=Encyclopaedia of Bangladesh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x7hVmN0O-TcC&pg=PA259 |location=New Delhi, India |publisher=Anmol Publications |edition=1st |page=259 |isbn=8126113901}}</ref> and ranks among the top ten [[madrasa]]s of [[the subcontinent]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nbr.org/publications/specialreport/pdf/Preview/PR09_IslamEd.pdf |title=NBR Reports |quote="With its impeccable [[Deobandi]] credentials, Hathazari madrasa ranks among the top ten madrasas in the [[Indian subcontinent|subcontinent]] in terms of its academic standards and reputation."}}</ref>]]
Abdul Wahid began teaching [[Islamic studies]] in Babunagar along with [[Sufi Azizur Rahman]]. In 1896, the two co-founded [[Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam]] in [[Hathazari Upazila|Hathazari]] alongside Habibullah Qurayshi and Abdul Hamid. Abdul Wahid became a teacher of [[tajwid]] at the madrasa.<ref name="Bijnuri1967" />


After returning to Bengal, Abdul Wahid started a [[taqiyah (cap)|tupi]] business in [[Chittagong]].<ref name=emd/> He also began teaching [[Islamic studies]] in the village of [[Fatikchhari Upazila|Babunagar]] along with [[Sufi Azizur Rahman]]. In 1896, the two co-founded [[Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam]] in [[Hathazari Upazila|Hathazari]] along with [[Habibullah Qurayshi]] and [[Abdul Hamid Madarshahi]]. Abdul Wahid became a teacher of [[tajwid]] at the madrasa. In 1908, he began teaching ''[[Kutub al-Sittah]]'' at the madrasa.<ref name="Bijnuri1967" />
== Death and legacy ==
He died in 1905, at the age of 55. His [[janaza]] was performed by Habibullah Qurayshi and he was buried in his paternal graveyard in Munshipara, Kharandwip.


== Death and legacy ==
To the east of his grave, a [[madrasa]] was established in his name as Wahidia Madrasa. Among his biographers, Mawlana Jafar Sadiq is notable.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Attar|first=Fariduddin|url=https://www.rokomari.com/book/18508/tazkiratul-aoliya--1st--2nd-o-3rd-khondo--113-jon-allahor-olir-joboni-grontho|script-title=bn:তাযকিরাতুল আউলিয়া|trans-title=Remembrance of the holy men|publisher=Siddiqia Publications|year=2013|isbn=978-9848910559|pages=478–481|language=bn}}</ref>
He died in 1905, at the age of 55. His [[janaza]] was performed by Habibullah Qurayshi and he was buried in his paternal graveyard (now known as al-Maqbarah al-Wahidiyyah) in Munshipara, Kharandwip. To the east of his grave, a [[madrasa]] was established in his name as Wahidia Madrasa. Among his biographers, Mawlana Jafar Sadiq is notable.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Attar |first=Fariduddin |url=https://www.rokomari.com/book/18508/tazkiratul-aoliya--1st--2nd-o-3rd-khondo--113-jon-allahor-olir-joboni-grontho |script-title=bn:তাযকিরাতুল আউলিয়া |trans-title=Remembrance of the holy men |publisher=Siddiqia Publications |year=2013 |isbn=978-9848910559 |pages=478–481 |language=bn}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[List of Deobandis]]
* [[Azizul Haque (scholar)|Azizul Haque]]
* [[Shah Ahmad Shafi]]
* [[Abdul Halim Bukhari]]
* [[A F M Khalid Hossain|AFM Khalid Hossain]]


== References ==
== References ==
Line 88: Line 77:


{{DEFAULTSORT:Bengali, Abdul Wahid}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bengali, Abdul Wahid}}
[[Category:Muslim scholars of Islam]]
[[Category:19th-century Muslim scholars of Islam]]
[[Category:19th-century Muslim scholars of Islam]]
[[Category:Hanafi fiqh scholars]]
[[Category:Hanafi fiqh scholars]]
[[Category:Scholars of Sunni Islam]]
[[Category:Darul Uloom Deoband alumni]]
[[Category:Darul Uloom Deoband alumni]]
[[Category:People from Chittagong District]]
[[Category:People from Chittagong District]]
Line 98: Line 85:
[[Category:Deobandis]]
[[Category:Deobandis]]
[[Category:19th-century Bengalis]]
[[Category:19th-century Bengalis]]
[[Category:Bengali Muslim scholars of Islam]]
[[Category:Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam]]
[[Category:Founding members of Darul Ulum Hathazari]]
[[Category:Founding members of Darul Ulum Hathazari]]

Latest revision as of 11:19, 22 October 2024

Shaykh al-Kul
Abdul Wahid Bengali
TitleMunazer-e-Islam, Mujahid-e-Azam, Olikul Shiromoni
Personal life
Born1850
Died1905 (aged 54–55)
Resting placeMunshipara, Kharandwip, Boalkhali
Main interest(s)Hadith, fiqh, tasawwuf
Notable work(s)Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam
Alma materDarul Uloom Deoband
Religious life
ReligionIslam
DenominationSunni
JurisprudenceHanafi
MovementDeobandi
Muslim leader

ʿAbd al-Wāḥid Bengālī (Bengali: আব্দুল ওয়াহেদ বাঙ্গালী; c. 1850–1905) was a 19th-century Muslim theologian, teacher and social reformer. He was one of the initiators of the Deobandi movement into Bengal, and co-founded Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam in 1896.

Early life and family

[edit]

Abdul Wahid was born in 1268 Hijri (1851—1852 CE), to a Bengali Muslim family in the village of Haola in Kharandwip, Boalkhali, Chittagong District, Bengal Presidency. His father, Shaykh Moulvi Zinat Ali, was a munsef (local judge) at a court in Kaukhali, Rangunia.[2][3] Ali was fluent in Bengali, English, Arabic, Persian and Urdu.[4]

Education

[edit]

Abdul Wahid initially studied with his father, Zinat Ali, before joining the Sarwatali High School. In addition to Bengali, he became proficient in Urdu too. He stayed in this school until class 8, when he realised the importance of studying the Quran, Hadith and the Arabic language after reading a book in Urdu. Instead of proceeding with the colonial education system that taught English, Abdul Wahid turned towards Arabic. In response, people close to him began to mock him. However, he was certain in his goals and left his village for Calcutta, where his father's friend lived. He expressed his desire of learning Arabic to his father's friend. The man then wrote a letter to Zinat Ali of his son's situation and desire and Abdul Wahid was subsequently enrolled at the Muhsinia Madrasa in Chittagong.[2]

In Deoband

[edit]

His neighbours continued to criticise the fact that the son of a judge was studying Arabic. Eventually, Abdul Wahid set off for North India without telling anyone and joined the Darul Uloom Deoband. In Deoband, he dedicated his time to religious studies to such a level that he would often not reply to letters that he received from home.[citation needed]

He had enrolled at the prestigious seminary only 5–6 years after its establishment. He was one of the only two students of Qasim Nanautavi and Yaqub Nanautawi that were from eastern Bengal at the time.[5] The other student was Ubaydul Hakim, who also belonged to the village of Kharandwip. After 14 years at Deoband, Abdul Wahid graduated from the Faculty of Hadith (Masters).[6][7]

After both of them completed their formal education at Deoband, the two expressed their desire to study tasawwuf under Qasim Nanautavi. Nanautavi instead directed them towards Imdadullah Muhajir Makki. However, after he migrated to Mecca, they pledged bay'ah to Fazlur Rahman Ganj-e-Muradabadi. They spent an additional two years under him, eventually gaining khilafah (spiritual succession). At that time Abdul Wahid received a letter from his mother mentioning that his father had died. His mother urged him to return home, thus Abdul Wahid returned to Bengal after 16 years.[8]

Personal life

[edit]

His mother arranged for a marriage fearing that Abdul Wahid might move abroad again. He was engaged to a noblewoman from Kadalpur in Raozan. In this marriage, Abdul Wahid had one daughter, Shakirah Khatun, and two sons, Sulayman and Ayyub. However, Abdul Wahid felt that his wife was not religiously devoted. After he failed in repeatedly trying to persuade her to become more practicing, he returned her to her parents' home. From there, he did not return to his home but rather set off to the home of his close friend Sufi Azizur Rahman in Babunagar, Fatikchhari.[9]

Abdul Wahid's second marriage occurred through the assistance of Sufi Azizur Rahman. He married a woman from Nazirhat and temporary leased some land from a man to the west of the Dhurang canal in Babunagar. He had a daughter with this wife.[8]

Career

[edit]
Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam is the largest and oldest Deobandi seminary in Bangladesh,[10][11] and ranks among the top ten madrasas of the subcontinent.[12]

After returning to Bengal, Abdul Wahid started a tupi business in Chittagong.[5] He also began teaching Islamic studies in the village of Babunagar along with Sufi Azizur Rahman. In 1896, the two co-founded Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam in Hathazari along with Habibullah Qurayshi and Abdul Hamid Madarshahi. Abdul Wahid became a teacher of tajwid at the madrasa. In 1908, he began teaching Kutub al-Sittah at the madrasa.[8]

Death and legacy

[edit]

He died in 1905, at the age of 55. His janaza was performed by Habibullah Qurayshi and he was buried in his paternal graveyard (now known as al-Maqbarah al-Wahidiyyah) in Munshipara, Kharandwip. To the east of his grave, a madrasa was established in his name as Wahidia Madrasa. Among his biographers, Mawlana Jafar Sadiq is notable.[13]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ al-Kumillai, Muhammad Hifzur Rahman (2018). كتاب البدور المضية في تراجم الحنفية (in Arabic). Cairo, Egypt: Dar al-Salih.
  2. ^ a b Hafiz, Ahmadullah; Hasan, Ahmad (May 2016). Alhillul Mufham Asshahihu limuslim - Allama Mufti Hafej Ahmodullah Saheb মাশায়েখে চাটগাম — ১ম খণ্ড [Great sheikhs of Chittagong Volume 1] (in Bengali) (3 ed.). Ahmad Prakashan. pp. 29–68. ISBN 978-984-92106-4-1.
  3. ^ Islam, Amirul (2012). সোনার বাংলা হীরার খনি ৪৫ আউলিয়ার জীবনী [Golden Bengal's mines of diamonds 45 biographies of holy men] (in Bengali). Kohinur Library. pp. 205–213.
  4. ^ Ubaydul Haq, Muhammad (2017). বাংলাদেশের পীর আওলিয়াগণ [Saints and holy men of Bangladesh] (in Bengali). Madina Publications. p. 39.
  5. ^ a b Mawlana Nur Muhammad Azmi. "2.2 বঙ্গে এলমে হাদীছ" [2.2 Knowledge of Hadith in Bengal]. হাদীছের তত্ত্ব ও ইতিহাস [Information and history of Hadith] (in Bengali). Emdadia Library. p. 24.
  6. ^ Nizampuri, Ashraf Ali (2013). The Hundred (বাংলা মায়ের একশ কৃতিসন্তান) [The Hundred (100 glorious children of Mother Bengal)] (1 ed.). Salman Prakashani. pp. 19–23. ISBN 978-112009250-2.
  7. ^ Babunagari, Junaid (2003). দারুল উলুম হাটহাজারীর কতিপয় উজ্জ্বল নক্ষত্র (in Bengali) (1 ed.). Bukhari Academy. p. 10.
  8. ^ a b c Bijnuri, Azizur Rahman (1967). তাজকিরায়ে মাশায়েখে দেওবন্দ [Remembrance of the scholars of Deoband] (in Bengali). Idara-e-Madani Darut Talif; Maktaba-e-Taha. pp. 111–127. OCLC 19927541.
  9. ^ Jafar, Abu (2017). ভারতীয় উপমহাদেশের সুফি-সাধক ও ওলামা মাশায়েখ [Sufi saints and scholars of the Indian subcontinent] (in Bengali). Mina Book House. p. 68. ISBN 9789849115465.
  10. ^ Kabir, Humayun (December 2009). "Replicating the Deobandi model of Islamic schooling: the case of a Quomi madrasa in a district town of Bangladesh". Contemporary South Asia. 17 (4): 415–428. doi:10.1080/09584930903275884. S2CID 145197781.
  11. ^ Singh, Nagendra Kr., ed. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Bangladesh (1st ed.). New Delhi, India: Anmol Publications. p. 259. ISBN 8126113901.
  12. ^ "NBR Reports" (PDF). With its impeccable Deobandi credentials, Hathazari madrasa ranks among the top ten madrasas in the subcontinent in terms of its academic standards and reputation.
  13. ^ Attar, Fariduddin (2013). তাযকিরাতুল আউলিয়া [Remembrance of the holy men] (in Bengali). Siddiqia Publications. pp. 478–481. ISBN 978-9848910559.