Abdullah Jobair :
Mawlana Mirza Muhammad Enayetur Rahman Beg Al-Qaderi (R.A.) was a prominent example of communal harmony, humanitarian service and religious tolerance in the southern region of Bangladesh. He was born on Monday, April 17, 1939, in Barisal. His father, Al-Hajj Hazrat Mawlana Yasin Beg Al-Qaderi (R.A.), was a Sufi saint and a renowned spiritual leader.
As far as we know, his educational journey began at the renowned Islamic institution, Al Jamia Islamia Mahmudia Madrasa in Amanatganj, Barisal, where he pursued his higher education. Later, he obtained advanced degrees, including Dawra-e-Hadith, from the Darul Uloom Muinul Islam Hathazari Madrasa. After returning to Barisal, he joined Barisal Char Kauwa Kamil Madrasa as the vice principal.
His career was not limited to teaching alone; he was distinct from others in this regard. He also served as the Khatib of the Jame Ebadullah Mosque in Barisal and held the position of Assistant Principal at Mahmudia Madrasa in Barisal until his death. His popularity among the local Muslims was immense, and this popularity extended to people of other faiths as well. Common people still remember him respectfully as “Enayet Huzur.”
Mawlana Enayetur Rahman Beg began his spiritual training under his father and later received advanced spiritual training from his father-in-law, the famous Bangladeshi Sufi, Shah Abu Zafar Muhammad Saleh (R.A.). In 1975, he spent a significant amount of time at the mausoleum of Shykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (R.A.) in Baghdad, where he became a disciple of the then Pir and custodian of the mosque, Hazrat Yusuf Jilani (R.A.), and received his Khilafat.
Practicing spirituality involves serving humanity irrespective of religion or race. Mawlana Enayetur Rahman Beg (R.A.) set an example in this regard. He contributed to establishing numerous madrasas, mosques, and orphanages. Despite being a prominent Muslim leader, his love extended to people of other religions, making him a unique example of communal harmony in Bangladesh. He passed away on September 12, 1988. His body was brought to Barisal by a launch, and the following day, after Zuhr prayer, Shah Abu Zafar Muhammad Saleh (R.A.) led his funeral prayer. People from all walks of life, including leaders from various political parties, attended his funeral prayer held at Barisal’s central Hemayet Uddin Eidgah ground, which was expanded to the adjacent Bless Park to accommodate the crowd. From Amanatganj to Eidgah Maidan, numerous people gathered on the streets to pay their respects. Even people of other faiths stood on both sides of the street, sprinkling rose water and flowers on his coffin.
It has been 36 years since his death today, yet the memory of Enayet Huzur remains fresh in the minds of those in Barisal. In his honor, a busy road in Barisal is named after him. The books he authored, such as “Qurbani: What and Why,” “Eid Mubarak,” “Ramzanul Mubarak,” “Shab-e-Qadr,” “Mahe Muharram,” and “Shab-e-Barat,” continue to be popular. Today, after Friday’s Juma prayer, a Milad Mahfil and Dua event have been organized at the Jame Ebadullah Mosque in Chawk Bazar, Barisal, for his Isale Sawab. On behalf of his family and well-wishers, the current Khatib of Jame Ebadullah Mosque, his son Mawlana Mirza Nurur Rahman Beg, has invited everyone to participate in this event.
[The writer is a Lecturer in the Islamic Studies Department at Dhaka University]