Mufti 'Abd al-Malik al-Kumilla'i al-Hanafi

Some brothers have requested a biography of Shaykh Muḥammad ‘Abd al-Mālik to be penned down. He felt very shy about this at first, but then gave permission for these few lines to be written hoping for Allāh Ta‘ālā’s veil, forgiveness, pardon, and generosity.

Shaykh’s name is Muḥammad ‘Abd al-Mālik ibn Shams al-Ḥaqq ibn ‘Abd al-Raḥmān ibn Ummīd ‘Alī. He was born in Jumādā al-Ūlā 1389 H. (1969 AD) in the village of Sharaspur, located in Comilla, Bangladesh.

Education

Shaykh learned the Noble Qur’an and elementary subjects from his respected mother. She is a woman of great merit who comes from a household known for virtue, knowledge, and piety.

Soon after, his noble father enrolled him in al-Madrasat al-‘Arabiyya, Kherihor, Chandpur. Shaykh’s father was enlisted as a teacher there and soon became the principal as well. In this institution, Shaykh completed the Dars-e-Nizāmī, a curriculum popular in the Indian subcontinent. This curriculum includes essential ‘Ulūm Āliyya (instrumental sciences), as well as the most important ‘Ulūm ‘Āliya (higher sciences). Later, he travelled to Karachi, Pakistan. In Sha‘ban 1407 H., Shaykh enrolled in Jāmi‘at al-‘Ulūm al-Islāmiyya, Allama Binori Town, founded by the great hadith scholar al-Sayyid Muḥammad Yūsuf al-Banūrī (May Allāh have mercy on him). Shaykh studied the six canonical books of hadith, the Muwaṭṭayn, and Sharḥ Ma‘ānī al-Āthār, under the masters of hadith in this institution. They were experts who held high asānīd (chains of narration).

He then enrolled in the Hadith Specialization Department (al-Takhaṣṣuṣ fī ‘Ulūm al Ḥadīth) in the same institution, under the supervision of the great hadith scholar Shaykh Muḥammad ‘Abd al-Rashīd al-Nu‘mānī (May Allāh shower His mercy on him). Allāh Ta‘ālā granted Shaykh a lengthy stay in his company. His thesis (Maqāla al-Takhaṣṣuṣ) was titled “Abū Ḥanīfa al-Muftarā ‘Alayhi (Abū Ḥanīfa, the Slandered)”.

In Shawwal 1411 H., Shaykh went to Darul Uloom Karachi and stayed in the company of the erudite jurist Shaykh Muḥammad Taqī ‘Uthmānī (May Allah preserve him). He also benefitted from Shaykh Muḥammad Taqī’s colleagues and pupils and learned the sciences of fiqh and fatwa.

In Safar 1414 H., Shaykh travelled to Riyadh. Allāh Ta‘ālā blessed him with the apprenticeship of the renowned scholar Shaykh ‘Abd al-Fattāḥ Abū Ghudda (May Allāh shower His mercy on him). Shaykh Muḥammad ‘Abd al-Mālik remained in his company until Rajab 1416 H. He spent his time learning and serving in the fields of writing and research.

In the Field of Work

A great research center set its foundations in Shawwal 1416 H. (March 1996 AD). This center was known as Markazud Dawah Al-Islamia, Dhaka. From amongst others, Shaykh’s eldest brother Shaykh Abū al-Ḥasan Muḥammad ‘Abdullah, went to the greatest lengths to lay the foundation and was also the most influential. Shaykh Muḥammad ‘Abd al-Mālik has been a member of this center since it was founded. Four great responsibilities were placed on his shoulders. They are as follows:

1. Director of Education
2. Academic Supervisor of the Hadith Specialization Department (Takhaṣṣuṣ fi ‘Ulūm al Ḥadīth)
3. Head of the Department of Writing and Research (Dār al-Taṣnīf wa-l-Taḥqīq)
4. General Editor of the monthly Al-Kawsar magazine (published by Markazud Dawah Al-Islamia for research and matters of da’wa)

Books and Articles

Allāh Ta‘ālā has granted Shaykh the honor of serving knowledge, its seekers, and Muslims in general, by the pen. We ask Allah Ta‘ālā to bless Shaykh and his works.

The following are some of his books and articles:

1. Iman Shobar Agé (Iman Precedes All)
A lengthy and comprehensive treatise on the fiqh of Īmān in the light of the Qur’an and sunnah. It thoroughly explains the reality of Īmān and its necessary requisites. If any of these requisites are not found, Īmān is lost. In addition, this treatise by the will of Allah provides satisfying answers to doubts cast by extremist Zanādiqa (heretics).

2. Abū Ḥanīfa al-Muftarā ‘Alayhi (Abū Ḥanīfa, The Slandered)
Unpublished manuscript.

3. Al-Madkhal ilā ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth al-Sharīf (Introduction to the Sciences of the Noble Hadith)
This book has been accepted into the hadith syllabus of many institutions in India, Africa, and Bangladesh.

4. Al-Wajīz fī Ma‘rifat Anwā‘ ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth (The Concise Book on Knowing the Topics of Hadith Sciences)
This book presents the topics of the sciences of hadith in a novel fashion, explaining hadith terminology based on the actual usage of the field’s early imams. The book is not yet complete. The completed portion is part of the curriculum in Markazud Dawah Al-Islamia.

5. In‘ām al-Naẓar Fī Sharḥ Nukhbat al-Fikar (A commentary on Hafiz Ibn Ḥajar’s Sharh Nukhbat al Fikar)
A commentary distinguished from all others by many unique and valuable characteristics—and tawfīq is from Allāh. This book is on the verge of completion. Many teachers and students throughout the country have photocopied the manuscript and have referenced it in published books.

6. Al-Taṣawwuf Bayn ‘Arḍ Wa Naqd (Taṣawwuf: Presentation and Critique)
A book presenting the reality of taṣawwuf and its correct method. It critiques both extremes within taṣawwuf and exposes the kufr, shirk and deviance that has been popularized in its name by imposters and grave worshippers. A small section is dedicated to exposing the inner realities of the leaders of false taṣawwuf in Bangladesh. This book was written in Urdu and its Bangla translation has been printed multiple times.

7. Zād Ṯullāb ‘Ilm al-Nubuwwa (Provisions for the Seekers of Prophetic Knowledge)
A lengthy book written for students of sacred knowledge which guides them towards the principles and etiquettes of seeking knowledge. It also answers questions and resolves difficulties that arise in this path. The book is in Urdu and its Bangla translation has been printed many times.

8. Procholito Bhul (Common Mistakes)
An important book in the same genre as al-Fazārī’s Fiqh al-‘Awāmm wa Inkār Umūr Ishtaharat Bayn al-Anām (Fiqh for Common Folk and Censure of Issues Prevalent amongst People). This book has been printed in Bangla many times.

9. Waḥdat al-Umma wa ittibā‘ al-Sunna (The Unity of the Umma and Following the Sunnah)
This book emphasizes the fact that since unity and following the sunnah are commanded by the sharī‘a, it is not possible for these two to contradict one another. So, if one calls towards unity but abandons the sunnah, or calls towards the sunnah but destroys unity, one has strayed from the correct path. The book draws attention to the moderate road through which, if followed correctly, both unity and sunnah are achieved. The book is in Urdu and has been published in Karachi, Pakistan. In shā’ Allāh it will soon be published in India. The Bangla translation has been printed several times.

10. Durūs wa Muḥāḍarāt fī ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth (Lessons and Lectures on the Sciences of Hadith)
The first volume, in Urdu, has been published. It contains well-refined and valuable research, including important corrections of the works of previous authors—with all due respect.

11. Majmū‘ al-Buḥūth wa-l-Maqālāt (Compilation of Research Papers and Essays. Extracts from articles published in the Al-Kawsar magazine.)
This compilation has been published in Bangla in two volumes. There are more than 50 essays which include academic discussions, essays on fikr (ideology) and da‘wa-related articles. Some of these essays were written as introductions to various books.


In the Dār al-Taṣnīf, many assiduously researched books have been written under the supervision of Shaykh Muḥammad ‘Abd al-Mālik. Other major projects are currently in progress.

Shaykh always says every letter that has been written is a bounty and favor from Allāh Ta‘ālā. Everything that has been accomplished is all through Allah’s tawfīq and blessings. To Him is all praise.

Through the grace of Allāh Ta‘ālā and His mercy, the salient feature of Shaykh’s books and essays is the avoidance of munkar (unacceptable) narrations, shādh (anomalous) views, and reprehensible manners of presentation. Along with that, Shaykh tries to avoid mere repetition of works by previous or contemporary scholars. Rather, he strives to close gaps and fill in voids. All praise is due to Allah Ta‘ālā.

Travels

1. Shaykh’s journey to Karachi, Pakistan, to further his studies. It extended from Shawwāl 1407 H. to Muharram 1414 H.
2. His travel to Riyadh to spend time in the company of Shaykh ‘Abd al-Fattāḥ Abū Ghudda (May Allāh have mercy on him). It lasted from Safar 1414 H. until Rajab 1416 H.
3. A trip to Madina Munawwara at the end of Ramadan 1414 H.
4. Shaykh performed Hajj in Dhul Hijja 1414 H.
5. ‘Umra in Ramadan 1415 H.
6. A scholarly trip to India in Ramadan 1419 H. Shaykh visited various educational institutions there and met great personalities. Amongst them was al-Sayyid Abū al-Ḥasan ‘Alī al-Nadwī (May Allāh have mercy on him) at Raebareli.
7. Hajj al-Badl in 1419 H.
8. A trip to Karachi in 1423 H. after being invited by Jāmi‘at al-Rashīd, Karachi.
9. A Da‘wa and ‘Ilm related journey to Pakistan in Rajab 1428 H. Throughout Pakistan, Shaykh visited the Da’wa and educational centers of various schools of thought. He also paid a visit to a few public libraries.
10. Numerous journeys of Hajj and ‘Umra between 1428 H. and 1431 H. In one of these trips, Shaykh met the secretary general of the Muslim World League. A report of this meeting was later published in the League’s magazine.
11. A trip to India with a family member for medical treatment. Along with that, it was a very ‘ilmi journey.

On multiple occasions, Shaykh received invitations from Yemen, Azhar, Africa, Delhi, and Islamabad, to attend conferences. However, he was unable to join due to various reasons.

During these travels, Shaykh visited the education centers and major libraries, alongside meeting many world-renowned personalities. Some were residents of those areas while others were just visiting.

Shaykh often says all praise is due to Allāh Ta‘ālā alone. And he often extends his gratitude to those who have assisted him in undertaking these journeys. At the forefront of them is his brother Shaykh Abū al-Ḥasan ‘Abdullah, a great scholar and jurist. Shaykh feels indebted to him for being the means for his first journey to Karachi. Likewise, it was a great favor of his two mentors, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Fattāḥ Abū Ghudda and Shaykh Muḥammad ‘Abd al-Rashīd al Nu’mānī (May Allāh have mercy on them), that he was able to travel to Riyadh. May Allāh Ta‘ālā grant them both the best possible reward that fathers can receive on behalf of their children.

Lessons and Lectures

Besides those that take place in Markazud Dawah, Shaykh holds weekly lessons and monthly lectures. The majority of these lessons and lectures are marked by in-depth research, use of a wide range of sources, and unique content. If they were to be transcribed, the compilation would take up many volumes.

We beseech Allāh Ta‘ālā to keep us and Shaykh steadfast on Dīn, and we seek His forgiveness and pleasure. We ask for His protection from regression after progress.




Sadeekur Rahman bin Dilur Rahman
Rajab 24, 1442 / March 9, 2021

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This biography has reproduced here with the author's permission.