An Introduction to Jamia Islamia Arabia Shamimabad

Education is the backbone of the nation, the ladder of progress. The key to building a civil society, a prerequisite for building a beautiful society, is a tool to eliminate all kinds of barbarism. Undoubtedly, it is not a man-made education system, but the only God-given authentic teaching of the Qur’an-Sunnah is one of the helpers of man’s success in this world and the hereafter. The teachings that started from the Hera Cave in the holy city of Mecca fascinated the entire human race with its soft light radiation.

The world was gifted with the best civilization of all time, which was taught Hazrat Muhammad (sm) by Allah Ta’ala through Hazrat Jibraeel ( A.) Later, the Prophet, as a teacher,  began to teach Muslims the words of the Holy Qur’an. To this end, he declared, ‘I have been sent as a teacher’.

The Prophet (Sm) in his Makki life,  continued the Islamic education system in about 13 centers even in the most unfavorable environment. After migrating to Medina, he accelerated the flow of Islamic teachings from a place called ‘Suffa’ in the Masjid-e-Nababi.

From the beginning of the golden age of Islam in Khulafa-e- Rashedin to the last period of the Turkish Caliphate, Islamic education was the only system of education in the whole Muslim world and only those educated in Islamic education were universally recognized, virtuous and ideal in the society.

The Qawmi Madrasah education in the Indian subcontinent began during the reign of Sultan Qutbuddin   Aibek in the early 1300 AD.  Nasiruddin  Kubachah, the governor of Multan, established a Qawmi madrasah  called ‘Madrasaye- Firoji’ at a place called ‘Uchh’ in Multan. Later, innumerable Qawmi madrasah  were established in different parts of India.

Introduction to Hadith education in Bangladesh

Reviewing the history, it can be seen that Hadith education started in Bangladesh before the conquest of Bengal by the heroic fighter Ikhtiyar Uddin Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji. At the beginning of 600 AH, a group of saints arrived. Here out of those newcomers were  Shahjalal  Tibriji (died 642 AH) Shaykh   Sharfuddin Abu Tawama, Shaykh  Alaul Haq, Shaykh Nur Qutb, Shaykh Shahjalal Yamani (who was buried in Sylhet),  Shaykh Ahmad Tannuri, Shaykh Badruddin,  Shaykh Muhammad Shaykh including many more muhaddisin and sufiye Keram.

Originally, after their arrival, the propagation of Islam in this country started on a large scale and many scholars came to this land one after another for this purpose. On the one hand, they continue to win the hearts of the people by using their own amiable behaviour  and preaching the noble  message of Islam.

On the other hand, they established various religious schools, maktabs and khanqahs for religious education and initiation. Gradually, they became the center of gaining accurate knowledge about the Qur’an and Hadith and the center of Islam.

Introduction to Darse Hadith in Bangladesh:

Hazrat Shah Sharfuddin Abu Tawama was the first to teach Hadith in Ilm at Sonargaon near Dhaka in 1270 AD corresponding  to 668 AH in Bangladesh. There he founded a madrasa; He taught Hadith for about 45 years. Then Shaykh Taqi Rah. taught Hadith in the mosque.

Thus the trend of education continued till the 13th century AH. But so far everything has been person-centered. Then an Islamic school was established in Chittagong, the seaport of Bangladesh. It was there that in 1326 AH, the first institutional  teachings of Qutb-e  Sittah, Muattain and Tahabi Sharif and other Kitabs began. That school is today known as ‘Jamia Ahlia Darul Uloom Mueenul Islam Hathazari’.

Advent of British Traders  and elimination of Madrasahs:

It is a historical fact that before the British rule, there were 80,000 Qawmi madrasahs in Bengal alone. The irony of fate is that the Muslim rule in the country came to an end with the defeat of the last Nawab of Bengal, Sirajuddaula, at the Battle of Palashi in 1757, and the domination of the British Traders  was established throughout India.

As a result, the Muslim society of the subcontinent is almost crippled in terms of religious, social, economic, cultural and educational initiation. The British conspired and confiscated the waqf property of mosques, madrasahs and khanqahs in the whole subcontinent. Due to which these religious institutions fell on deaf ears. The independence and sovereignty of the subcontinent could not be maintained even after the bloodshed of the Alem-Ulama, Pir-Mashayekhs of this country on the ground of Shameli in the anti-British jihad in 1857.

It was then that the far-sighted and respected scholars of the them  time established a Qawmi madrasah called “Darul Uloom Deoband” in 1866 AD.  at a place called ‘Deoband’ in Uttar Pradesh, India. Numerous religious institutions, large and small, were later established in Europe, America and Africa, including the subcontinent, around the Deoband Madrasa. Which is known in the society as ‘Qawmi’ Madrasah. Which are conducted with the help of ‘Qaum’ i.e. Muslim nation.

In continuation of this, Hazrat Shah Jalal and Shahparan (Rah:) in the footsteps of 360 Auliyas, in the heart of Sylhet, in the residential area of ​​Kotwali police station, Jamia Islamia Arabia Shamimabad Sylhet” was established on 10/10/2010 in the ‘Shamimabad residential area’ on the advice of Ulamae  Keram, Murubbians and Buzurgane  Deen.

Which is an Islamic educational institution following the ideology of the world famous Islamic Institute  ‘Darul Uloom Deoband’.

At a glance Jamia Islamia Arabia Shamimabad:

Name: Jamia Islamia Arabia Shamimabad Sylhet.

Location: Jamia Islamia Arabia Shamimabad, Sylhet is standing in a grandiose manner with a captivating structure nearly the bank of historic Surma river at Shamimabad Residential Area ( Holy View – 226, Road No. 5) of South Bagbari under Sadar Thana of holy land Sylhet, a City of Islamic Heritage, the Spiritual capital of Bangladesh.

Date of establishment: 1432 AH, 1417 BS.  Corresponding  to 10/10/2010 AD.

Founding Director(Muhtamim): Mr. Hafez Maulana Syed Shamim Ahmad (D.B.)

Education level: From  Maktab to Fazilat (Mishkat Sharif).

Department of Education:

  1. Hifz Division, 2. Noorani Division, 3. Kitab section and 4. Department of Aadab. (Arabic Literature)

Ideology :

Jamia Islamia Arabia Shamimabad, is a follower of Ahl-e-Sunnat wal Jama’at’s creed Akabir and Aslaf.

Aims and Objectives:  To combine education and initiation with the followers of the Sunnah of the Prophet (Sm.) and the Companions of the Jamaat-e Sahaba (R.) to form a group of Naib-e Nabi (Sm.) who call the whole world to the path of truth.

Education stream:

Jamia Islamia Arabia Shamimabad is not a name of any traditional educational institution. Jamia has arranged his teaching method with far-reaching plans. From the infant class to the highest level of religious education i.e. (Hadith in Daura) and subsequent Takhassusat (Iftah, Uloom-e Hadith, Uloom-e Tafsir and Adab) keeping in view the outline of class-based teaching  (Mishkat Sharif) Jamia has been able to turn on.

As a part of this, it has been decided to introduce ‘Aadab Department’  after Ramadan next year (2020-21  corresponding  to 1442-43 AH). In addition to this, history of Islam, Arabic and Bengali literature, including the time- be fitting  various activities, the reputation of gifting a bunch of God-fearing ‘Talibul Ilim’ to the nation has already spread in the international arena. Also, on the basis of a well-organized syllabus, it is necessary to study the Qur’an, Hadith, Fiqh, Tafsir, Usul-Aqaid and Arabic literature, Bengali literature-grammar, Nahu-Saraf, Balagat-Mantiq and  necessary  English, Mathematics, History and Geography.   After acquiring Islamic education, ‘Jamia’ from time to time undertakes various programs with the great aim of bringing the benefits of Islamic education to the masses.  All in all, Jamia Islamia Arabia Shamimabad is a multi-departmental project.

Jamia usually has two categories:

  1. Education Department 2. Department of Finance.

The activities of the education department are conducted in two ways: (a) Class-based teaching (b) Collective training.

The first is again divided into 3 parts:

Such as: 1) Hifz Division 2) Noorani Division and 3) Kitab Division.

  • Hifz Department: There are 5 classes in this department.

Such as: Hifz Nazera, Hifz Awal, Hifz Chani, Hifz Chalich and Hifz Takmeel. This department has already introduced ‘Jamia’ to the whole of Bangladesh and abroad by gaining a significant place considering the results. Young children from maktab and primary, try to memorize the Holy Qur’an in just 3 years with great care and students who complete ‘Hifz’ are made fit through special training for admission to the Kitab department.

Noorani Division: In this Section  under Ta’limul Quranic Board classes from the Baby class to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd classes, are made memories 40 Hadiths with meaning, to learn recitation of the Quran correctly and to memories Aampara by the trained teachers. Besides, basic Bengali, Urdu, Mathematics, English etc. along with essential Masala-Masail are also taught with care.

Kitab section: In this section from the fourth class to the second year of Fazilat (Mishkat Sharif) there is a continuous class based teaching system, Where a bunch of young scholars are working relentlessly day and night through round-the-clock observation.

Especially: This Section, is the largest and main department of education in the madrasah. Basically, this department is one of the means for making qualified Alim-e Deen.

Jamia’s collective student training program: We have various arrangements so that our children may play a role in all spheres of religion and society In order to make these events a reality, a non-political student organization called “As-Sunnah Chhatra Sangsad” has been formed with the meritorious students of Jamia, through whick the following sections are conducted :-

  • Student Council Library: In addition to the textbooks, the efforts to create a high quality library rich in informative books to keep abreast of the contemporary situation and international context in order to develop the scope of knowledge of the students are on the way to much success.
  • Speech training: In addition to acquiring knowledge and bringing it to the doorsteps of the common people in a beautiful and fluent manner, Jamia organized “As-Sunnah Chhatra Sangsad” training weekly lecture meetings. As a result, every year ‘Alhamdulillah’ Jamia produces many students who are able to deliver fluent speeches in thematic Arabic, Bengali and English.
  • Annual competition program: In this, various topics are assigned to develop the talents of the students, and by giving lectures by participating in the competitions on the assigned topics, the students are able to flourish their latent talents.
  • Dayalika: An initiative has been taken to publish regular Bengali and Arabic ‘Dayalika’ (wall-magazine) a year to educate the students of Jamia as pen soldiers, with the great aim of radiating the pure light of Islamic literature against the pen-dealers of perverted tastes in the West.

Jamia’s service project:

  • Fatwa-Faraiz Division: In order to solve religious and various kinds of problems, ‘Shari’a’, skilled Muftis perform this service without exchange.
  • Religious invitation: In that section, emphasis is laid on teaching religion to the common people and building a practical life. Besides, for the self-purification of the common people including teachers and students, world-renowned ulama-mashayekhs are invited and exhortations are arranged.
  • Composition and publication: Modern literary fields are occupied by so-called intellectuals. The character of the youth is defiled by reading their immoral literature. Therefore, Jamia Shamimabad is working relentlessly in the great vow of rescuing the youth from moral decay, as well as conveying the Islamic culture and the noble message of the Qur’an-Sunnah to the Bengali-speaking people. That day is not far away; One day our Jamia will be able to make an incomparable contribution in the field of literature, Insha-Allah!

4.Service to distressed humanity: Jamia’s volunteer students and teachers are always active in the service of humanity as well as education. On behalf of Jamia, they play a significant role in serving the poor, destitute, helpless and endangered people of the country in times of calamity.

  1. Jamia’s finance department:

This department is currently being managed by 4 funds: (1) General Fund, (2) Poor Fund, (3) Book Fund and (4) Mosque Fund.

  1. General Fund: This fund bears all the expenses including salaries, allowances and boarding of the teachers, so the fund is the largest and one of the largest in the finance department.
  2. Poor Fund: This fund provides overall assistance to poor, orphan and needy students including feeding, medical treatment and purchase of books.
  3. Kitab Fund: From this fund all the necessary Darsi and Ghaire Darsi Kitabs for Jamia.
  4. Mosque Fund: From this fund all the expenses related to the construction of the mosque including the purchase of the land of the mosque are met.

Features :

  1. Importance is also given to Tarbiyat, besides Ta’lim.
  2. Ustad staff consisting of selected fuzalas of renowned institutions at home and abroad.
  3. 24-hour routine under the supervision of skilled Asatizaye-Keram.
  4. The relentless supervision of skilled and trained Hafez Sahibs.
  5. Full-time C.C. TV controlled.

6.Hifz Nazera and Takmil departments are under completely separate management.

7.Complete residential management.

8.Every Thursday after Salatul Isha Islahi-Tarbiati Bayan is delivered and  Du’a is done  for the well-wishers and helpers of  the country and the nation, especially for the well-wishers of Jamia.

  1. Improved and pleasant environment as well as cleanliness.
  2. Overall Ilmi & Amoli activities of Jamia are conducted on Mashwara basis by monthly Majlis-e Ilmi and by weekly Ustad Coordination Majlis held after Salatul Assr each Monday.

Jamia’s future plans:

  1. Expansion of education system by opening Daura Hadith (Masters) and subsequent Takhassusat.
  2. Introducing computer courses as part of students’ multifaceted learning.

3.To come forward in the service of poor and helpless people through Jamia’s  Social Welfare Organization.

  1. Introducing free ambulance service to the needy humanitarian service including dead body bathing system.

5.Introducing point-based maktabs and arranging religious education for the elderly.

6.Arranging Jamia Mosque and separate hostel.

7.Construction of halls and arrangement of separate libraries for examinations and weekly meetings of Jamia students.

  1. Formation of Scholarship Trust for Meritorious Students.
  2. To establish quality women’s madrasas with modern education. 10. To establish Islamic Ideal School.

Daily activities of Jamia’s  Ilmi-Amli:

Hifz Division: After performing Tahajjud prayers on the end of night, the class of Hifz students starts and lasts till 07:50 in the morning. Breakfast at 07:51; Until 08:30. Bath from 08:31 to 09:15. Sleep break from 09:16 to 12:00. Classes from 12:01 to 01:20. Zuhr prayers and lunch from 01:21 to 02:30. Class from 02:31 to 15 minutes before Asr prayers. Recitation of Surah Waqiah after Maghrib prayers and class till 08:45. Esha prayers and dinner from 08:46 to 09:30. Classes from 09:31 to 10:30. Then sleep.

Noorani Division: Recitation of Surah Yaseen after Fajr Prayers. Then reading under supervision of the teachers till 07:50. Breakfast from 07:51 to 08:30. Continuous class from 08:31 to 01:20. Zuhr prayers, lunch and bath from 01:21 to 02:30. Reading under the supervision of teachers from 02:31 to 03:00. Rest from 03:01 until Salatul Assr. Then reading from Maghrib till 06:45 under the supervision of the masters. Esha prayers and dinner from 08:46 to 09:30. Reading from 09:31 to 10:30 under the supervision of teachers. Then sleep.

Kitab Division:

Recitation of Surah Yaseen after performing Salatul Fajr. Study after Fajr. Classes start at 07:00 in the morning and end at 07:50. Breakfast in the morning from 07:51 and 08:20. Then continuous class from 08:21  to 12:50 pm. Bathing, Zuhr  prayers and lunch from 12:51 to 02:30. Handwriting Takrar from 02:31 to 03:00. Rest from 03:01 until Salatul Assr. Study under the supervision of teachers from 08:45 after Maghrib prayers. Esha prayers and dinner from 08:46 to 09:30. Study supervised by teachers from 09:31 to 11:30. Then sleep.

Collective practice of students of all departments:

  • Recitation of Surah Yaseen after Fajr prayers.
  • After the Zuhr prayers, ‘Khatme Khajegan’ and Dua.
  • Recitation of Surah Muzzammil after Assr prayers, physical exercise and weekly da’wah Amol.
  • Recitation of Surah Waqiah after Maghrib prayers.
  • Recitation of Surah Mulk after Esha prayers.
  • Amoli Training of ‘Sunnat’ every Wednesday after Zuhr prayers.
  • Every Thursday, after the Esha prayers, ‘Islahi Bayan’ and prayers are arranged for the lifelong well-wishers of Jamia and all Muslims.
  • Every Friday Surah Kahf is recited and after Assr prayers, a special ‘Durood Sharif’ is performed.

(This is a summary of Jamia’s daily activities.)

Note: The routine is not permanent or unchanging but there is room for change over time.

Conclusion: In a pleasant and residential environment this Jamia is moving forward smoothly to achieve its goal by the sincere efforts of the experienced teachers under the overall supervision of Hafiz Mawlana Syed Shamim Ahmed (D.B.), a legend of the era.

 May the activities of ‘Jamia Islamia Arabia Shamimabad’ be more speedy and successful for the welfare of the nation and religion. Amen !!