Mufassir-e-Quran, Shaykh-ul-Hadith and Arabic scholar Maulana Nurul Islam Khan of Sunamganj, widely known across Sylhet as “Khan Saheb Huzur”, is receiving treatment in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of Evercare Hospital in Dhaka for age-related complications.
The veteran preacher, regarded as a legendary figure in Bhati Bangla, is frail and suffering from several ailments.
Journalist and filmmaker Josim Ahmed has expressed concern over his illness in an emotional Facebook post.
He wrote, “I pray that, by the time I return home, you will have been moved from the CCU at Evercare Hospital to a cabin. In three days, I hope to sit face to face with you again and hear you admonish me as you always have.
“I have never been able to tell you how deeply I love and respect you, Mufassir-e-Quran and Shaykh-ul-Hadith Nurul Islam Khan. I hope you will give me the chance to tell you this time.”
Born on 10 June 1945 in Dargahpur village in Sunamganj district’s Dakshin Sunamganj upazila, Khan Saheb Huzur was the fourth of six children of Syed Khan and Surja Ujjal Banu.
Education and academic career
He began his Quranic and primary education at Dargahpur Madrasa under Hafez Siddique Ali and Khalifah-e-Madani Allama Abdul Mateen Shaykh-e-Fulbari. He completed his primary studies on 9 March 1958.
After completing his secondary education at institutions in Dargahpur, Ranaping and Jamia Yunusia in Brahmanbaria, he travelled to Pakistan in 1389 Hijri for higher studies.
He graduated from Qasimul Uloom in Multan in 1390 Hijri. He later studied Quranic commentary under Allama Abdullah Darkhwasti and obtained certificates in Hadith from Allama Sarfaraz Khan Safdar at Nusratul Uloom in 1391 Hijri.
After returning to Bangladesh in 1393 Hijri, corresponding to 1974, he joined Darul Uloom Dargahpur as a teacher. During a career spanning more than five decades, he taught almost all the books included in the Dars-e-Nizami curriculum.
He was appointed by Abdul Haque, known as Sheikh Saheb Gazi Nagari, and Abdul Malik, known as Sadar Saheb of Gazi Nagari. His sermons were so compelling that Sheikh Saheb, Sadar Saheb and other prominent scholars would listen to him attentively.
He was appointed Shaykh-ul-Hadith in 1414 Hijri. In 1420 BS, following the death of Maulana Mushahid, he reluctantly accepted the position of Muhtamim, or principal. He has since held both positions.
He also served for many years as the khatib of Sunamganj Purbo Bazar Jame Mosque.
Leadership and personal life
Maulana Nurul Islam Khan has held several organisational and political leadership positions. He previously served as president of the Sunamganj branches of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and Majlis-e-Tahaffuz-e-Khatme Nabuwat.
He currently serves as central vice-president, or Nayeb-e-Amir, of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh; central vice-president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh; and vice-president, or Naib-e-Sadar, of Azad Deeni Edara-e-Talim Bangladesh.
He also holds spiritual khilafat from Allama Amin Uddin Shaykh-e-Katia.
He is the author of Maqame Nabuwat and Haqq Masail. He married Zobeda Khatun on 13 February 1979.
Known for avoiding media attention and leading a modest life, he often travels on foot or by rickshaw while keeping himself informed about national and international affairs.
