Bangladesh is known for its beautiful sceneries, like paddy fields, rivers, ponds and trees. One can also imagine the three wheeled Rickshaws, Baby Taxis which are now known as CNGs and boats. Bangladesh boasts the biggest beach in the world, the Cox Bazar. A country of a population of over 150 million, 89% are Muslims. Bangladesh is the fourth largest Muslim populated country in the world!
Islam was introduced to Bengal in the 8th century by Arab Muslim merchants and Sufi missionaries traversing the silk route. One of the well known propagator of Islam in Bangladesh is Shāh Jalāl ad-Dīn Al Yamani commonly known as Shah Jalal.
‘In mid-15th century, a Muslim colony was founded in the unfriendly mangrove forest of the Sundarbans near the coastline in the Bagerhat district by an obscure saint-General, named Ulugh Khan Jahan. He was the earliest torch bearer of Islam in the South who laid the center of an affluent city during the reign of Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah, then known as 'Khalifalabad'. Khan Jahan adorned his city with numerous mosques, the spectacular ruins of which are focused around the most imposing and largest multi domed mosques in Bangladesh, known as the Shait-Gumbad Masjid (Sixty Dome Mosque). The construction of the mosque was started in 1442 and it was completed in 1459. The mosque was used for prayer purposes. It was also used as a madrasah and assembly hall’
By the 16th century, the Mughal Empire controlled Bengal and Dhaka (the capital city of Bangladesh) became the main administrative and economic centre of the empire! Under the Mughals, the region enjoyed a flourishing economy brought on by agrarian reforms and increased foreign trade. It earned the reputation of "Golden Bengal" for its prosperity and wealth, and was described by the Mughal emperors as the Paradise of Nations.
Who was Shah Jalal? Shah Jalal was born in 669 AH (1271 CE) Hadhramaut, Yemen. He was educated and raised by his maternal uncle Syed Ahmed Kabir in Makkah. He excelled in his studies and became a Hafiz there, increasing proficiency in Islamic theology (Aqidah). During the later stages of his life, Shah Jalal devoted himself to propagating Islam.
He travelled to the North Eastern side of Bengal, which we know as Sylhet. Under his guidance, thousands of Hindus and Buddhists converted to Islam. Shah Jalal became so well known that the famous Muslim traveller Ibn Batuta travelled for one month through the mountains known as Kamaru to meet Shah Jalal. At the meeting in 1345 CE, Ibn Batuta noted that Shah Jalal was tall and lean, fair in complexion and lived by the mosque in a cave, where his only item of value was a goat he kept for milk, butter, and yogurt. Shah Jalal was known to have fought in battle to spread the dheen of Islam in Bangladesh, overpowering oppressive rulers. A great battle between Shah Jalal and Raja Goour Gobinda was held and Shah Jalal (R) defeated Raza Goour Gobinda.
Shah Jalal is currently buried in Sylhet, Bangladesh. Many Mosques, universities and even the international airport of Bangladesh has been named after him, an acknowledgment of him introducing Islam to Bangladeshis and the whole world in general.
Sadly a lot of people commit shirk and bida'h at his grave. May Allah forgive them all, Aameen. There are also belief that the pond next to the Masjid where he is buried, contains fishes which were his disciples that were turned into fishes. You hear odd stories like this unfortunately.
Bangladeshis are well connected to Islam, however much of it has gone down due to the current governments secular ideology. Many have sacrificed their lives to spread and maintain the message of Islam. There is a Masjid in Balagoinj, Sylhet called the Ghaibi Masjid (Masjid of the Unseen). Locals believe that the Masjid appeared from the ground. However the story is that the disbelievers were attacking the Muslims and some were worried about the Masjid being destroyed, so they buried it and many years later it was discovered. This is how they preserved Islam in the country. Unfortunately many Masajid (mostly in the village areas) are empty, often the only people praying in there are the Imam and the Muazzin. Alhamdulillah there are many who are working tirelessly to spread the message of Islam, others are donating to Madrasahs and institutes to preserve Islam.
Many charities like Ummah Welfare Trust are working in the country to help the poor and needy. Many children have become orphans and are often looked after Madrasahs and well wishers in Bangladesh and abroad. Poverty is rife and if you walk the streets of Bangladesh, you’ll see a huge number of beggars. Natural disasters are common in Bangladesh. It is affected by cyclones, hurricanes and floods.
UWT works mainly in the northern part of Bangladesh where many charities don’t. UWT's projects in Bangladesh include supporting orphans, building wells, and income generation schemes designed to engender self-sufficiency. InshaAllah there is hope for the poor and needy. Please keep Bangladesh and the whole Ummah in your Du'as.
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported Allah’s Messenger (SAW) as saying: “Charity does not in any way decrease the wealth and the servant who forgives, Allah adds to his respect; and the one who shows humility, Allah elevates him in the estimation (of the people).” (Muslim)
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