Quick Facts
Biography
Shah Ahmad Shafi (Bengali: শাহ আহমদ শফী) is the present chief of Hefajat-e-Islam Bangladesh, present rector of Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam Hathazari and also the chairman of Bangladesh Qawmi Madrasah Education Board. He was born in 1916 (1334-35 AH) in Rangunia, Chittagong and was educated at Hathazari Madrasah and Darul Uloom Deoband.
Early life
He was born in 1916 (1334-35 AH) in Rangunia, Chittagong. He received his primary education from his family. Then he joined Al-Jamiatul Arabiatul Islamiah, Ziri and spent five or six months there. He was admitted to Hathazari Madrasah in 1926 (1344-45 AH) at the age of 10. In Hathazari Madrasah he studied for 10 years. Then Shafi went to Darul Uloom Deoband for higher studies in the field of Hadith and Tafsir. He studied there for four years before returning to his homeland Bangladesh . During his study time at Darul UloomDeoband he became so close to Shaikh - Ul - HadidthMaulana Husain Ahmad Madani ( R.A ) and later he became his most youngest Khalifa from Indian Sub - Continent. Allama Ahmed Shafi is the Amir of Hifazat-E- Islam Bangladesh ( a non - political Islamic organization).
Career
Allama Ahmad Shafi commenced his career as a teacher at Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam Hathazari, Chittagong (Hathazari Madrasah). In 1986/1987 (1407 AH), he was elected rector (Head of the University Madrasah) of Hathazari Madrasah. Shafi is also the present chairman of Bangladesh Qawmi Madrasah Education Board.
In 2017 Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi will continue to serve as the director general ofAl-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam, also known as Hathazari Madrasa, as decided by Majlis-e-Shura. "No one will be appointed as the acting rector of the madrasa as long as Shafi is alive," Press Secretary of the Hefazat chief, Munir Ahmed said.
Views
In 2009 (1430 AH), Ahamd Shafi, along with Allama Azizul Haque and other senior Bengali Muslim scholars, in a joint statement to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed, condemned terrorism and militancy committed in the name of Islam.
Controversy
2013 comments
In 2013, a speech given by Ahmad Shafi at Hathazari, Chittagong was described as highly misogynist. He reportedly said: "Why are you sending your daughters to work in garment factories?... She goes to work after Fajr at 7/8:00am and does not come back even at 8/10/12 at night... You do not know which man she is hanging out with. You do not know how much zina (fornication) she is getting involved in."
Responses
The comments caused outrage among woman rights activists who demanded his imprisonment. Sheikh Hasina, the prime minister of Bangladesh termed the statement of Shafi as "disgusting" and "distasteful".
Relationship with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami
Although the Awami League describes him as a frontman for Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, analysts say this is highly unlikely as Ahmad Shafi belongs to a band of Islamists that unlike Jamaat, did not oppose the independence of Bangladesh, and supported a united India and rejected the creation of Pakistan in 1947.
Works
Urdu
- Faizu-l-Jaari (Explanation of 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
- Izhar-e-Haqeeqat
- Takfeer-e-Muslim
- Chand Raoyejna
- Fuyoozat-e-Ahmadiyah
Bengali
- Haq O Batiler Chiranton Dondo
- Islami Ortho Bebostha
- Islam O Rajniti
- Sotter Dikhe Korun Ahoban
- Sunnat O Bid'ater Sothik Porichoy
- Mukhosh Ummochon
- Qur'aan o Sunnat er Alokay Apnar Namaaj
Without these there are many other books in Urdu and Bengali by Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi.
