Harun Babunagari

Harun Babunagari was born in 1902, to a Bengali Muslim family in the village of Babunagar in Fatikchhari, Chittagong District. His father, Sufi Azizur Rahman, was the founder of Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam in Hathazari, and traced his ancestry to Caliph Abu Bakr. Babunagari had three other siblings, most notably Amin, a former head of the Hadith studies department at Al-Jamiatul Islamiah Azizul Uloom Babunagar.[1]

Babunagari completed his primary education at a primary school located just east of the home of Abdul Bari Chowdhury in Babunagar. He studied various subjects there, including Saadi Shirazi's Gulistan - the most influential Persian prose in history.[6] His father, Sufi Azizur Rahman, used to also teach him the Quran at home. After completing his primary studies, Babunagar joined Al-Jamia al-Arabia Nasirul Islam in Nazirhat Bazar, which was founded by his father, who also taught there. He studied there up until Kafiya.

In Muharram 1341 AH (August/September 1922), Babunagari enrolled at Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam in Hathazari, which was also founded by his father. Due to family circumstances, he only studied up until Dawra-e-Hadith (Masters) and only learning up until Jamat-e-Ula Mishkat Sharif. He later completed Sihah Sittah with his older brother, Amin.[1]

Following the death of his father Sufi Azizur Rahman in 1922, Babunagari decided to fulfill his dreams. At the age of only 22, he established Al-Jamiatul Islamiah Azizul Uloom Babunagar in 1924. He served as the madrasa's principal up until his death in 1986.

He also served as a murid to Zamiruddin Ahmad for 18 years. After the latter's death, he turned to Mufti Azizul Haque. During a gathering at the Hathazari eidgah, Haque stood up during Babunagari's speech and declared that he has given him permission of the four tariqat (Chishti, Suhrawardi, Naqshbandi and Qadiri).[1]

Babunagari married Umme Salma and had five children. His eldest child, Muhibbullah Babunagari, succeeded his roles after his death.[7] His daughter, Fatimah Khatun, was the mother of Junaid Babunagari.[8]

He died on 18 August 1986 at the Chittagong Medicare Clinic. His janaza was performed the next day, led by his son Muhibbullah Babunagari. He was subsequently buried at the Maqbara-e-Haruni in the southern part of his madrasa in Babunagar.[1]