As I Knew Him
Written by: Professor Raqibul Islam
Prominent Personality
He is Shaykh al-‘Allamah, the erudite jurist, the brilliant scholar, and distinguished hadith expert Mufti Mizanur Rahman Saeed (may Allah preserve him).
He is the Founder and Director of “مركز الشيخ زكريا للبحوث الإسلامية داكا” (Markaz Shaykh Zakariya for Islamic Research, Dhaka), where he also serves as Head of Dar al-Ifta and Shaykh al-Hadith.
He is also:
President of دار الافتاء المركزية نيويورك (Central Dar al-Ifta New York, USA)
President of “مجلس القضاء الشرعي” at دار العلوم نيويورك (Darul Uloom New York)
President of “منظمة العلماء والمشايخ والأئمة بنغلاديش”
Secretary General of “منظمة أهل السنة والجماعة بنغلاديش”
He is among the most distinguished students of Shaykh al-Islam Mufti Taqi Usmani and a prominent spiritual successor (Khalifah) of:
Muhyi al-Sunnah ‘Allamah Abrar al-Haq
Shaykh Dhulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi
He is also one of the most accomplished graduates of:
دار العلوم كراتشي (Darul Uloom Karachi, Pakistan)
جامعة الإمام محمد بن سعود (Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, Riyadh)
Today he is considered one of the leading scholars of Bangladesh and a remarkable sign of Allah in the fields of Islamic scholarship and research.
He is firmly grounded in the Islamic sciences and is well-versed in both transmitted sciences (manqulat) and rational sciences (ma‘qulat) including:
Tafsir
Hadith
Fiqh
Arabic literature
Logic and other Islamic disciplines
He possesses exceptional mastery of classical texts and legal details, deep understanding of contemporary issues and jurisprudential cases, broad knowledge of Islamic history and biographies, and a remarkable talent in both writing and public speaking.
Birth and Early Life
He was born on 16 May 1963 in the village of Bojjim Walka, under Parshuram Police Station, in Feni District, Bangladesh.
He was born into a religious and noble family and grew up in an environment filled with faith, knowledge, and scholars.
His respected father was Saeedur Rahman (may Allah illuminate his grave).
Early Education
He began his primary education in Qur’anic recitation in his village under Maulana Zainul Abedin (رحمه الله).
There he learned:
Basic Qur’anic studies
Urdu language
Persian language
He later studied at المدرسة العزيزية غداغر.
Intermediate Studies
He continued his intermediate education at مدرسة معين الإسلام غاتغر (Mu‘in al-Islam Madrasah, Ghatghar) in Fulgazi, which was one of the most renowned madrasas of that time.
He passed the central examination of the intermediate stage conducted by اتحاد المدارس العربية بفتية with outstanding success and secured first place.
His brilliance earned him the admiration of both teachers and fellow students.
Recognizing his exceptional talent, Mufti Habibur Rahman (رحمه الله) admitted him into المدرسة الأشرفية فولغازي in the class of Hidayat al-Nahw, which he completed with distinction.
Studies at Darul Uloom Hathazari
After completing his intermediate studies, he enrolled in the renowned دار العلوم هاتهازاري for higher studies.
There he studied for two years, completing:
جماعت كافيه
شرح جامي
During this period he devoted himself intensely to study and reading, gaining the affection of many scholars including:
Allamah Abu al-Hasan
Allamah Ahmad Shafi
Allamah Hafiz Qasim
Allamah Ahmad
Studies at جامعة الإسلامية بفتية
After finishing his secondary education he moved to الجامعة الإسلامية بفتية for higher studies.
There he secured first position in the central examination conducted by اتحاد المدارس العربية بفتية.
He studied advanced rational sciences for a year and became highly respected by senior scholars such as:
Allamah Siddiq Ahmad
Allamah Haji Yunus
Mufti Abdul Rahman
Allamah Sultan Zauq
Journey to Pakistan
He long cherished the dream of studying at دار العلوم كراتشي.
After completing higher secondary studies he travelled to Pakistan and enrolled in the مشکاة جماعت (Mishkat class).
Through tireless effort he:
Secured 3rd position in the first term
Secured 1st position in the second term and final exam
He later completed the Takmil (final specialization) and graduated in 1403 AH.
Among his prominent teachers were:
Mufti Taqi Usmani
Mufti Rafi Usmani
Shaykh Sahban Mahmood
He also achieved:
3rd position across Pakistan in the central exam of وفاق المدارس العربية باكستان
1st position in Darul Uloom Karachi
Scholarship Offer from Iran
After his remarkable success, جامعة قم الحكومية in Iran offered him a fully funded scholarship.
However, he declined the offer out of his desire to remain close to his teacher Mufti Taqi Usmani to continue advanced studies in Fiqh and Fatwa.
Specialization in Islamic Jurisprudence
Due to his excellence he was selected directly into the Department of Islamic Jurisprudence without an entrance exam.
During this period he assisted Mufti Taqi Usmani in the preparation of تكملة فتح الملهم.
He secured first position in the first year of specialization.
Later he served as:
Mufti and Hadith lecturer at كلية التبليغ ومخيم المهاجرين (Tablighi College, Muhajir Camp, Karachi)
Executive editor of an Arabic magazine
Studies at Imam Muhammad bin Saud University
In 1405 AH, he received a scholarship from جامعة الإمام محمد بن سعود بالرياض.
He studied Advanced Arabic Literature and earned a Diploma in Arabic Language.
He benefited from the scholarship of renowned scholars such as:
Shaykh Abdul Fattah Abu Ghuddah
Later he joined the College of Da‘wah and Islamic Studies in Madinah, a branch of the same university.
There he studied for four years and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Islamic studies.
Among his teachers were:
Shaykh Abdul Aziz bin Baz
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Uthaymeen
Shaykh Atiyah Salim
Shaykh Ahmad al-Kharrat
Shaykh Abdullah al-Ruhayli
Return to Bangladesh
Although he had the opportunity to pursue Master’s studies, he returned to Bangladesh upon the advice of his teachers, especially Mufti Abdul Rahman.
Together they established مركز الفكر الإسلامي in Uttara, Dhaka.
Establishment of مركز الفكر الإسلامي
Later the institution was moved to Bashundhara, where its foundation was laid on 5 May 1991 by Allamah Abrar al-Haq.
He dedicated 23 years of his life to this institution, producing thousands of scholars, muftis, and preachers.
Establishment of مركز الشيخ زكريا للبحوث الإسلامية
In 2011 (1432 AH) he founded مركز الشيخ زكريا للبحوث الإسلامية داكا in Kuril, Dhaka.
Within a short time the institution became one of the most respected Islamic research centers in Bangladesh, attracting students from many countries.
Role in Spreading Islamic Knowledge
He has dedicated his life to:
Teaching Islamic sciences
Issuing fatwas
Delivering lectures
Writing scholarly works
Participating in international conferences
Thousands of fatwas have been issued under his signature.
Efforts in Protecting Islamic Beliefs
He actively refutes deviant ideologies including:
القاديانية (Qadianism)
البريلوية (Barelvism)
غير المقلدين (Non-Muqallids)
He strongly defends Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama‘ah through lectures and writings.
Major Books
Among his notable works are:
المدخل الحاوي إلى دراسة الكتب الخمسة وصحيح البخاري (2 volumes)
المدخل إلى دراسة الفقه والفتوى وأصول الإفتاء
حكم التصوير بضوء الشريعة الغراء
أحكام اللباس في الإسلام
ليلة النصف من شعبان بضوء القرآن والسنة
أحكام الصلاة
أحكام الزكاة
أحكام رمضان
أحكام الحج والعمرة
أحكام الأضحية
المقارنة ما بين أهل السنة والجماعة والعقائد الضالة
قانون تطوير النساء عام 2011م بضوء القرآن والسنة
كشف النقاب عن الدكتور ذاكر نائك
نشأة غير المقلدين
الصراط المستقيم
Conclusion
May Allah preserve him and continue to benefit Islam and the Muslim Ummah through his knowledge, scholarship, and services.