Shah Ahmad Shafi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shah Ahmad Shafi |
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| Religion | Islam |
| Denomination | Sunni |
| Alma mater | Darul Uloom Deoband |
| Personal | |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Born | 1916 Rangunia, Bengal, British India |
| Died | 18 September 2020 (aged 104) Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Religious career | |
| Disciple(s) | Nurul Islam Olipuri Sajidur Rahman |
| Influenced | Sultan Zauq Nadvi Nurul Islam Jihadi Junaid Babunagari Syed Faizul Karim A F M Khalid Hossain Mamunul Haque Sayem Ahmad Zia Uddin |
Shah Ahmad Shafi (Bengali: শাহ আহমদ শফী) was an important Sunni Islamic scholar from Bangladesh. He was born in 1916 and passed away on September 18, 2020. He was the chief of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, a well-known Islamic organization. He also served as the head of a major Islamic school called Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam Hathazari. Additionally, he was the chairman of the Bangladesh Qawmi Madrasah Education Board.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Shah Ahmad Shafi was born in 1916 in Rangunia, a town in Chittagong, Bangladesh. He received his first lessons at home from his family. Later, he joined Al-Jamiatul Arabiatul Islamiah.
When he was about 10 years old, in 1926, he started studying at Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam, also known as Hathazari Madrasah. He studied there for ten years.
After that, Shafi traveled to Darul Uloom Deoband for more advanced studies. This famous school is in India. There, he focused on learning about Hadith (sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad) and Tafsir (explanation of the Quran). He studied in Deoband for four years. During this time, he became very close to Hussain Ahmed Madani, another respected scholar. Shah Ahmad Shafi later became Madani's youngest official successor from the Indian subcontinent.
Career and Leadership
Shah Ahmad Shafi began his career as a teacher at Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam Hathazari in Chittagong. This school is often called Hathazari Madrasah.
In 1986 or 1987, he was chosen to be the rector, which means the head or director, of Hathazari Madrasah. He held this important position for many years. Shah Ahmad Shafi was also the chairman of the Bangladesh Qawmi Madrasah Education Board. This board helps oversee and guide many Islamic schools in Bangladesh.
He continued to lead Hathazari Madrasah until his death. The leaders of the school decided that no one else would be appointed as acting head as long as he was alive.
Important Views
In 2009, Shah Ahmad Shafi, along with other respected Islamic scholars from Bangladesh, made an important statement. They spoke out against terrorism and violence that was being done in the name of Islam. They sent this message to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina. This showed their strong belief in peace and their rejection of extremism.
Passing Away
Shah Ahmad Shafi had been unwell for several years, suffering from conditions like diabetes and heart disease. On the night of September 17, 2020, his health got worse. He was taken by ambulance from Hathazari Madrasah to Chittagong Medical College Hospital.
Doctors at the hospital suggested he be moved to Dhaka for more specialized care. So, on September 18, 2020, he was flown by air ambulance to Asgar Ali Hospital in Dhaka. Sadly, he passed away at 6 PM on that day. He was around 103 or 104 years old at the time of his death.
Writings
Shah Ahmad Shafi wrote many books and articles during his life. His works cover various Islamic topics. Some of his notable writings are listed below:
In Urdu
- Faizu-l-Jaari (An explanation of the famous book of Hadith, Bukhari)
- Al-Bayaanu-l-Fasil Baina-l-Haqqi wa-l-Baatil
- Al-Hujaju-l-Qaatiah Li-daf-yin Nahjil Khatiah
- Al-Khairu-l-Katheer Fee Usuli-t-Tafseer
- Islam o Siyaasat (Islam and Politics)
- Izhar-e-Haqeeqat
- Takfeer-e-Muslim
- Chand Raoyejna
- Fuyoozat-e-Ahmadiyah
In Bengali
- Haq O Batiler Chironton Dondo (The Eternal Conflict Between Truth and Falsehood)
- Islami Ortho Bebostha (Islamic Economic System)
- Islam O Rajniti (Islam and Politics)
- Sotter Dikhe Korun Ahoban (A Gentle Call Towards Truth)
- Sunnat O Bid'ater Sothik Porichoy (The Correct Understanding of Sunnah and Innovation)
- Mukhosh Ummochon (Unveiling the Mask)
- Qur'aan o Sunnat er Alokay Apnar Namaaj (Your Prayer in the Light of Quran and Sunnah)
See also
- Fazlul Hoque Amini
- Mufti Izharul Islam
- Allama Junaid Babunagari
- Allama Nurul Islam Ulipuri
- Maulana Muhiuddin Khan
