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Muhibbullah Babunagari

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Mujahid-e Millat, Allama
Muhibbullah Babunagari
Babunagari in 2024
Emir of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh
Incumbent
Assumed office
19 August 2021
Secretary GeneralSajidur Rahman
Preceded byJunaid Babunagari
Rector, Al-Jamiatul Islamiah Azizul Uloom Babunagar
Incumbent
Assumed office
1986
Preceded byHarun Babunagari
Personal details
Born (1934-02-15) 15 February 1934 (age 92)
Babunagar, Daulatpur, Fatikchhari, Chittagong
Spouse
Miriam Begum
​
(m. 1960⁠–⁠2021)​
Children3 sons, 6 daughters
Education
Personal life
Parent
EraModern
RelativesSufi Azizur Rahman (grandfather)
Junaid Babunagari (nephew)
Religious life
ReligionIslam
DenominationSunni
LineageAbu Bakr
JurisprudenceHanafi
MovementDeobandi
Muslim leader
Teacher

Muhibbullah Babunagari (born 15 February 1934) is a Bangladeshi Islamic scholar.[1] He is the current and 3rd amir of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh,[2][3] rector of Al-Jamiatul Islamiah Azizul Uloom Babunagar. He also held leading positions in Islami Oikya Jote, Befaqul Madarisil Arabia Bangladesh and Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh. He is considered one of the pioneers of Deobandi movement in Bangladesh.[4]

Early life and family

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Muhibullah was born on 15 February 1934 in the village of Babunagar in Fatikchhari Thana, Chittagong District, East Bengal, Pakistan (now Bangladesh) to a Bengali Muslim family of theologians.[5] His father was Harun Babunagari, the founder of Al-Jamiatul Islamiah Azizul Uloom Babunagar.[6]

Education

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Babunagari studied at his father's institute, Al-Jamiatul Islamiah Azizul Uloom Babunagar, until class 8 (Jamat-e-Chaharum). He then proceeded to study at the Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam in Hathazari from class 9 (Hidayah Awwalain). To pursue his Islamic studies to a further level, Babunagari left Bengal to enrol at the Darul Uloom Deoband in Uttar Pradesh, India. In Deoband, Babunagari enrolled in class 9 (Hidayah Awwalain) again. In 1959, he completed Hadith studies at the institute. He studied Hidayah Akhirain under Husain Ahmad Madani, Sahih al-Bukhari under Syed Fakhruddin Ahmad, Sahih Muslim and Jami' al-Tirmidhi under Ibrahim Balyawi and Sunan Abu Dawood under Fakhrul Hasan.[7]

Career

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After returning to Bengal following his studies, Babunagari began teaching at Al-Jamiatul Islamiah Azizul Uloom Babunagar, and became vice-principal in 1986.[6][8]

On 15 November 2020, he was elected Chief Adviser to Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh. Earlier, he was the vice-president of this organization.[9][10] On 19 August 2021, Muhibbullah Babunagari took office as the new Amir of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh.[11]

Politics and views

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He was a presidium member of Islami Andolan Bangladesh during the lifetime of Charmonai Pir Fazlul Karim. During the lifetime of Fazlul Haque Amini, he was associated with Islami Oikya Jote and Islamic Law Implementation Committee. Later he was elected vice-president of Islami Oikya Jote. He resigned from Islami Oikya Jote in 2018.[6][12][13]

Stance on Awami League

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In September 2021, Babunagari commented saying 'there is no objection even if the Awami League stays in power for 200 years'. His statement was viewed in favour of Awami League.[14] He called on the one-point movement during July Uprising.[15] In May 2025, he issued statement supporting immediate ban of the Awami League.[16]

Stance on BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami

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Muhibbullah Babunagari has been a critique of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami due to ideological differences.[17] In October 2024, Babunagari faced criticism for commenting Jamaat-e-Islami not being an Islamic party. He opposed other Qawmi Madrasa based Islamic parties to avoid forming electoral alliance with Jamaat, labelling the party "worst of all wrong sects" and worse "than the Qadianis". His statements drew massive criticism, demanding his resignation.[18] He also made claims that if Jamaat-e-Islami came to power 'If Jamaat comes to power, Qawmi, Deobandi and Sunni madrasas will not exist'. In response, JI condemned the statement, pointing its active involvement in establishing numerous Qawmi madrasa throughout the country.[19] In October 2025, Babunagari urged voting against Jamaat-e-Islami in the election.[20] In 2026 general election Babunagari issued fatwa that declared voting Bangladesh Jammat-i-Islami to be haram for Muslims further stating "We are waging jihad against Mawdudi's Jamaat, putting [the BNP candidate] forward. I do not understand elections. This is jihad." He supported Bangladesh Nationalist Party politician, Sarowar Alamgir for Chittagong-2 constituency.[21][22] Post election, Muhibbullah Babunagari pressured four of the Qawmi madrasa based political parties to abandon Jamaat-e-Islami led alliance and maintained cordial relation with Bangladesh Nationalist Party.[23]

Babunagari demanded official government ban and crackdown on the outlawed organization Hezbut Tawhid.[24] He is advocate for Muslim rights in India.[25]

Personal life

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Muhibbullah Babunagari fathered three sons and eight daughters. He was married to Maryam Begum. She died in 2021 at the age of 77 after contracting Coronavirus.[26]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ হেফাজতের নতুন আমির মুহিব্বুল্লাহ বাবুনগরী [Muhibbullah Babunagari is the new Amir of Hefazat]. The Daily Star (in Bengali). 19 August 2021. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021.
  2. ↑ "৯০ বছর বয়সী আমিরের নেতৃত্বে ঘুরে দাঁড়াতে পারবে হেফাজত?" [Hefazat will be able to turn under the leadership of 90 year old Amir?]. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). 21 August 2021.
  3. ↑ হেফাজতে ইসলাম: মুহিব্বুল্লাহ বাবুনগরীকে নতুন আমীর ঘোষণা করা হয়েছে [Hefazat-e-Islam: Muhibullah Babungari has been declared the new Amir]. BBC Bangla (in Bengali). 19 August 2021. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021.
  4. ↑ মুহিব্বুল্লাহ বাবুনগরী আসলে কে? [Who is Muhibbullah Babunagari?]. Chattogram Pratidin (in Bengali). 20 August 2021. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021.
  5. ↑ হকের উপর প্রতিষ্ঠিত থাকাটাই হচ্ছে হেফাজত নেতা-কর্মীদের মূল দায়িত্ব [The main responsibility of the leaders and activists of Hifazat is to be based on Haq (truth)]. Daily Inqilab (in Bengali). 20 August 2021. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 "হেফাজতের নতুন আমির মুহিব্বুল্লাহর পরিচয়". RTV. 21 August 2021.
  7. ↑ "হেফাজতের নতুন আমির কে এই মুহিবুল্লাহ বাবুনগরী". Bhorer Kagaj. 22 August 2021. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021.
  8. ↑ "হেফাজতের নতুন আমির কে এই মুহিবুল্লাহ বাবুনগরী". Jugantor (in Bengali). 21 August 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2026.
  9. ↑ Shakil, Salman Tareq (19 September 2020). "In Hefazat, Befaq and Hayatul Ulaya who is the successor of Shafi?". Bangla Tribune (in Bengali). Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  10. ↑ Aladin, Anwar (15 November 2020). "Hefazat is being broken into two! | National". The Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali). Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  11. ↑ "হেফাজতের নতুন আমির মুহিবুল্লাহ বাবুনগরী". Shampratik Deshkal (in Bengali). Retrieved 20 October 2026.
  12. ↑ জামায়াতের ইন্ধনে হেফাজত থেকে বাবুনগরীর পদত্যাগ [Babungari resigns from Jote at the instigation of Jamaat]. Samakal (in Bengali). 8 October 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  13. ↑ "'I am not with secularist Awami agents': Muhibullah Babungari leaves Islami Okya Jote". The Daily Inqilab (in Bengali). Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  14. ↑ "জামায়াতকে নিয়ে মন্তব্য: কড়া সমালোচনার মুখে হেফাজত আমির". Jugantor (in Bengali). 29 October 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2026.
  15. ↑ "ছাত্র-জনতার এক দফার ডাকে সবাই ঢাকা চলুন: হেফাজত আমির". Dhaka Times. Retrieved 20 October 2026.
  16. ↑ "আ.লীগ নিষিদ্ধের দাবি আদায় না হওয়া পর্যন্ত রাজপথ আঁকড়ে থাকার আহ্বান হেফাজতের". Prothomalo (in Bengali). 10 May 2025. Retrieved 19 October 2026.
  17. ↑ জাহিদ, সেলিম (22 September 2025). "হেফাজতকে কাছে পেতে তৎপর বিএনপি". Prothomalo (in Bengali). Retrieved 19 October 2026.
  18. ↑ "জামায়াতকে নিয়ে মন্তব্য: কড়া সমালোচনার মুখে হেফাজত আমির". Jugantor (in Bengali). 29 October 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2026.
  19. ↑ "হেফাজতে ইসলামের আমিরের বক্তব্যের প্রতিবাদ জানাল জামায়াতে ইসলামী". Prothomalo (in Bengali). 15 September 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2026.
  20. ↑ প্রতিবেদক, নিজস্ব (3 October 2025). "আবারও জামায়াতে ইসলামীর সমালোচনায় হেফাজত আমির". Prothomalo (in Bengali). Retrieved 19 October 2026.
  21. ↑ "বিএনপি প্রার্থীকে সমর্থন দিলেন হেফাজত আমির". Jugantor (in Bengali). Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  22. ↑ "জামায়াতে ইসলামীকে ভোট দেওয়া 'হারাম': হেফাজত আমির". The Business Standard. 7 February 2026. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  23. ↑ "জামায়াত ছাড়তে ধর্মভিত্তিক ৪ দলকে হেফাজতে ইসলামের চাপ". Bartabazar. Retrieved 20 October 2026.
  24. ↑ "হিজবুত তাওহীদ মুসলমানদের ঈমানহারা করছে: বাবুনগরী". Dhaka Mail (in Bengali). 1 August 2026. Retrieved 19 October 2026.
  25. ↑ "ভারতে মুসলিমদের ওপর হামলা ধর্মীয় স্বাধীনতার লঙ্ঘন: হেফাজত আমির". Jugantor (in Bengali). 11 May 2026. Retrieved 20 October 2026.
  26. ↑ Wife of Hefazat leader Muhibullah Babunagri dies of COVID-19 (in Bengali). Jagonews24. 4 August 2021.
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