Muhammadullah Hafezzi | |
|---|---|
 Photograph taken byAnwar Hossain in 1981 | |
| Personal life | |
| Born | Muhammadullah 1895 |
| Died | 6 May 1987(1987-05-06) (aged 91–92) |
| Resting place | Kamrangirchar,Dhaka,Bangladesh |
| Citizenship | British Indian (1895-1947) Pakistani (1947-1971) Bangladeshi (1971-1987) |
| Main interest(s) | Islamic Politics,Sufism |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
| Jurisprudence | Hanafi |
| Tariqa | Chishti (Sabiri) |
| Movement | Deobandi |
| Senior posting | |
Students | |
Influenced by | |
Influenced
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| Part ofa series on the |
| Deobandi movement |
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| Ideology and influences |
| Founders and key figures |
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| Notable institutions |
| Centres (markaz) of Tablighi Jamaat |
| Associated organizations |
| Deobandi jihadism |
| Deobandi jihadism: |
Muhammadullah Hafezzi (1895 – 6 May 1987), commonly known asHafezzī Huzūr, was a Bangladeshipolitician, Islamic leader and founder of theBangladesh Khilafat Andolan.[1][2] He was the first religious figure to stand for the highest state office in Bangladesh.[3]
Muhammadullah was born in the year 1895, in the village of Ludhua in theRaipur Thana ofLakshmipur, then under theNoakhali district of theBengal Presidency. His father, Idris Mianji, was amunshi. Muhammadullah's grandfather, Akramuddin Mianji, was a disciple ofGhazi Imamuddin Bengali, akhalifa (spiritual successor) ofSyed Ahmad Shaheed in Bengal.[4]
Muhammadullah studied at Fatehpur Primary School before proceeding to Chandraganj Madrasa where he studied for a year. He then studied for a year atNawab Faizunnesa's madrasa inLaksam, and then enrolling at the Khilbais Madrasa inLakshmipur. InPanipat, first under Qari Abdus Salam in 1913 and then under Qari Akhlaq Husayn in 1915, he completed hishifz. Muhammadullah completed theseven qira'at under Qari Abdul Alim ibn Qari Abdur Rahman Panipati.[5] He then moved on to study atMazahir Uloom inSaharanpur from 1915 to 1922, where he completedKutub al-Sittah. He gained a high-class certificate fromDarul Uloom Deoband in 1923.[6]
His entrance to politics started with the founding of theNizam-e-Islam Party in 1952. In 1978, thePresident of BangladeshZiaur Rahman removed the ban on religion-based political parties in the country. In response, Hafezzi Huzur sent the President an open letter, requesting him to base the country's administration uponIslamic ideals.[7] Following theassassination of Ziaur Rahman, Hafezzi Huzur stood up as an independent presidential candidate in the1981 elections. He finished third, gaining 1.79% of the total votes.[2]
Hafezzi Huzur founded his own political party known asBangladesh Khilafat Andolan in November 1981.[8] His political career included travelling and meeting dignitaries inSaudi Arabia,Iran andIraq.[9]
In response to military rule, Hafezzi Huzur formed a committee, theSammilita Sangram Parishad (Combined Action Committee), consisting of 11 Islamic parties.[10] He stood for the1986 elections, in which he finished second with 5.69% of total votes.[11]
Hafezzi Huzur expressed opposition to the1982 coup d'état, labellingHussain Muhammad Ershad's military rule asun-Islamic. In hisShotorkobaṇī (words of warning) booklet, he referred to theBangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami as aMawdudifitnah that spreads misguidance.[12]
Muhammadullah died on 7 May 1987. Hisjanazah was performed at the NationalEidgah in Dhaka.[13]
In his honour, the erstwhileMayor of DhakaMohammad Hanif renamedPhoenix Road (nearGulistan) toMawlana Muhammadullah Hafezzi Huzur Road. This change was undone on 21 February 2017 by theDhaka South City Corporation.[14] This action was a part of a campaign to rename places named after anti-independence individuals, suggested by theBangladesh High Court.[15] Eyewitness accounts on the other hand, suggest that Hafezzi Huzur expressed support for theBangladesh Liberation War referring to thePakistan Army asoppressors.[16] Mawlana Imdadul Haq Araihazari also states that his involvement as a Bengali freedom fighter is due to Hafezzi Huzur's expression of support.[17][18]
Media related toHafezzi Huzur at Wikimedia Commons