Mahmudul Hasan (born 5 July 1950) is a Bangladeshi Islamic scholar, currently holding the position of Chairman of Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh, the government-recognized apex body for Qawmi madrasas, as well as Chairman of Befaqul Madarisil Arabia Bangladesh since 3 October 2020. He is often referred to as 'Mohius Sunnah' (Reviver of the Sunnah) for his role in leading the Majlis-e Dawatul Haq Bangladesh, a movement linked to Ashraf Ali Thanwi's reform initiatives, and he is recognized as a Sufi master in the Thanwi order through his discipleship under Abrarul Haq Haqqi, a successor of Thanwi.[1] He has been leading Jamia Islamia Darul Uloom Madania for over four decades and serves as the President of the National Fatwa Board, as well as the Khatib of Gulshan Central Masjid. He has authored a four-volume Quranic exegesis named Burhan al-Quran and written more than two hundred other books, in addition to establishing Al-Jamia, a monthly magazine published in Dhaka.
Life sketch
The Gulshan Central Masjid, Where Hasan Serves as Khatib.
Hasan's teaching career began at Jessore Railway Station Madrasa, followed by a position at Jamia Farooqia in Pakistan. In 1974, he joined Jamia Islamia Darul Uloom Madania as a Muhaddith, later becoming its Sheikh al-Hadith and director in 1980.[4] He also serves as the Khatib of the Gulshan Central Masjid and Eidgah Society in Dhaka.[2] He has played a leading role in the establishment of numerous Islamic educational institutions in Bangladesh, many of which operate under his guidance.[2] On October 3, 2020, he was elected Chairman of Befaqul Madarisil Arabia Bangladesh.[5] He also serves as the ex officio Chairman of Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh.[6] Prior to his chairmanship, he held the position of vice chairman of Befaq and was re-elected as chairman in the board's 11th Council meeting on October 7, 2023.[7]
National reforms
In 1993, Abrarul Haq Haqqi re-established the Majlis-e Dawatul Haq Bangladesh and appointed Mahmudul Hasan as its Amir.[8] Hasan was spiritually guided by both Abrarul Haq Haqqi and Shah Ahmad Shafi, and he later passed on his spiritual guidance to 157 individuals, including Nizamuddin Shamzai, Syed Rezaul Karim, and Ubaidur Rahman Khan Nadwi.[4] In 2018, Hasan expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for the passage of the Qawmi Madrasa Act but stressed that this recognition should not compromise the core values and objectives of Qawmi madrasas.[9] He was also a member of the committee formed by the Government of Bangladesh to resolve the internal crisis of Tablighi Jamaat.[10] The following year, when the Ministry of Home Affairs issued directives concerning religious sermons, he highlighted the importance of delivering Islamic teachings with wisdom, compassion, and moderation, rejecting any use of force or coercion.[11]
During the controversy over the construction of a statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 2020, Hasan suggested building a Mujib Minar (monument) instead.[12] In 2021, following the deaths of 17 Qawmi madrasa students during anti-Modi protests, he prohibited madrasa students and teachers from participating in political activities.[13] To enforce this directive, he formed a 15-member 'Implementation Sub-Committee' and requested that the government not harass madrasa students and teachers.[14] On June 21, 2021, Hasan was appointed as an ex-officio member of a new committee established by the Ministry of Education.[15] He also engaged in discussions with government officials to advocate for the reopening of madrasas during the COVID-19 pandemic.[16] When a proposal to regulate religious institutions was brought up in the parliamentary standing committee on August 30, he publicly opposed it, arguing that the establishment of religious institutions should not be subject to government conditions.[17]
On January 4, 2024, Hasan founded the National Fatwa Board in Bangladesh. Shortly afterward, on January 13, the Board issued a fatwa against transgenderism.[18] Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government in 2024, Hasan convened a conference of Islamic scholars to discuss their role in reforming the state.[19] The conference concluded with seven proposals, emphasizing the need for constitutional amendments in line with Islamic principles, with scholars included in state commissions. It also called for an education system based on Islamic values, excluding conflicting ideologies, legal protections for the honor of the Prophet and the preservation of Islamic beliefs, and state policies that reflect the values of the Muslim majority. The establishment of a Sharia-based council under Hasan’s leadership to guide religious and social matters was recommended, along with the need for a unified framework for Islamic groups and greater involvement of scholars in state affairs to ensure that reforms resonate with the community’s aspirations.[20] On October 12, he discussed "Befaq's Duty in the Unity Process of Islamic Scholars," highlighting scholars' responsibility to protect the interests of the 92% Muslim majority. He stressed ensuring Islamic involvement in constitutional reforms and government commissions to prevent any anti-Islamic measures.[21] On November 4, Sarjis Alam, a key figure in the Student–People's uprising, met with Hasan to discuss initiatives for national reconstruction.[22]
International presence
On April 6, 1991, he addressed the actions of the Muslims in preserving Islamic civilization and culture at an educational seminar in Mecca. He further explained the principles of the Qur'an at a conference in Saudi Arabia on May 28, 1993, and spoke on the influence of Islam on European civilization at a seminar in Madina Mahad Imani on March 13, 1998. On March 30, he highlighted the importance of Islamic education in countering foreign cultural influences at the Zul Hulaifa Ubai Ibn Ka'b Institute.[23] On May 4, 1999, he discussed the impact of Hajj on Muslim society in Madina and presented on the Hanafi Madhhab's authenticity at Islamic University of Madinah. He visited London in 1999, where he was the keynote speaker at the Leicester Islamia Madrasa on August 22 and participated in various religious gatherings, including the Ijtima of Dawatul Haq. He also traveled to the United States in September 1999, delivering speeches at the Tablighi Markaz and an Islamic conference in New Jersey. In subsequent years, he spoke at notable gatherings, including the East London Mosque in 2000, and addressed topics such as Tasawwuf and the four schools of thought at various conferences.[23]
His participation in the Dawatul Haq conference in Qatar in February 2013 included discussions on the Dawaah of the Sunnah.[23] On August 14, 2023, he represented Bangladesh at the International Islamic Conference in Mecca, where he proposed the creation of an encyclopedia in Arabic and English to evaluate the contributions of Ulama-Mashaikhs to Islam and society. He advocated for respect for the imams of the four madhhabs, countering criticisms from Orientalists, and called for an end to broadcasts promoting atheism and irreligion. Additionally, he suggested organizing annual international conferences on "Communication and Solidarity" in Saudi Arabia, along with local conferences in other Muslim nations, and promoting moderation through seminars. He proposed establishing an Islamic University funded by the Saudi government for Qawmi Madrasa students in Bangladesh and recognizing their Hadith certificate as equivalent to a Master's degree for direct admission into Saudi universities, including Islamic University of Madinah, based on credential evaluations.[24]
Literary works
Debut Cover of the Four-Volume Burhan al-Quran, Published by Maqtabatul Abrar.
He completed a three-volume work titled Imam Abu Yusuf: A Study of Hadith and Legal Scholarship under the supervision of Yusuf Banuri.[25] His four-volume Quranic commentary, Burhan al-Quran, is published by Maqtabatul Abrar.[25] He directed the publication of Al Jamia, a monthly magazine that features articles on Islamic studies.[26] In 2009, he published Al-Raddul Jamil, a critique of the views held by Ahmad Al Ghamidi, head of Saudi Arabia's Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, who later revised his stance.[25] Throughout his career, he authored over 200 works on various subjects, including Dawatul Haq and Dawat-e Tabligh, Islam and Modern Political Thought, Love for the Prophet’s Family, The Life of Abrar, The Life of Usmani, Al Burhanul Mu'iyad, Gift from Abrar, Gift from Sunnah, Ideal Doctrine, Maweze Hasana, and Search for the Straight Path.[2][25] His Arabic discourses have been collected in Al Irshad Ila Sabilir Rashad,[2] and his first independent fatwa collection, Hasanul Fatwa, is being prepared for publication in three volumes, featuring content in both Arabic and Urdu.[27]
