1998: My world became wider. I got in class six in our village high school. I introduced with new boys and girls coming from different primary school. I knew only the boys and girls those who had read with me in Bainogor Primary school, and I knew Yousuf Jamil Babu and Tazu from the day we had participated for primary school scholarship examination in Gouripur. Arman and Sagor, those who had read with me in class two only for two or three months in Bainogor Primary School got admitted in class six with us in our high school, they had completed their primary school from Dhaka, they were very good student. Yousuf Jamil Babu was the best student in our class; I was also viewed as a good student. My friends those who were good students in primary school were not good students in high school. My competition was with Arman and Sagor, Babu was too good student. I was in special attention to all my teacher teachers, since all of them knew me very well. That year, another high school teacher was appointed in our house as our house master, his name is Mr. Iqbal, we called him Iqbal sir; he is a teacher of science. I did not like his teaching; I did not understand the way he taught me.

Frontal skin of a special organ of my body had been cut off to make me a Muslim boy, it is called Sunnate-Khatna or Musolmani—I don’t know what it is called in English. Clearly speaking, cutting off the frontal skin of penis of a boy to make him a Muslim boy—it is compulsory; it happened with me very lately, normally, this action supposed to be done when a boy is 6 or 7, maximum 8 years old; but I was about ten and half years old. My mom said—‘Babu, from now you are a completely pure Muslim boy, so you have to say your prayers five times a day regularly to be good human being and to make Allah pleased on you, so that you can go to heaven in after life; you have to keep fasting too in the month of Ramadan’.

My eldest sister Yesmin had sit for secondary school certificate (SSC) examination. The examination center was at Daudkandi—20 kilometer away from our village, there was not very good communication system to go there regularly from our village to sit for examination in time. So my parents had to rent a room there to stay. The exam was mainly about copying from note book, the good students are smart in finding the copy of answer from guide book and dull students don’t know how to find the answer from guide book. In three hours of exam of each subject, only 2 or 3 times an examination controller used to visiting the exam hall, in that time, if he finds any student copying in the exam, then he expels the student cancelling the answer script with red pen, it is a matter of very bad luck for any student; the expelled students used to crying aloud for being expelled, some of them used to getting senseless too. Rest of the time, the high school teachers used to monitoring the exam hall, they don’t bother of copying of the students, rather they help the students in copying by warning them when they see coming of examination controller. S.S.C. examination was a kind of festival in our local area, different types of people used to visiting the area of examination center; all sort of people used to asking each other that how many numbers of students got expelled today, it was very interesting news for the day. I used to going to Daudkandi 2 or 3 times a week bringing milk for my sister. One day, Rob vai went with me to exam center, it was very exciting for Rob vai, his main intension was to watch cinema in cinema hall. Though Rob vai is an uneducated guy, he bought a copy of answer that was come in question paper; he gave it to me to reach it to my sister. It was not too easy job to reach the copy of answer to my sister in the exam hall, since there were some police to guard the exam hall, but I did it by giving them some bribe. After ending the exam, Rob vai got me to cinema hall, I never had gone to cinema hall before that, so it was very exciting for me. Rob vai told me not to tell anyone that we watched cinema in cinema hall. However, sad thing is that, that year, my eldest sister did not pass S.S.C.; she failed in mathematics—she was not good in copying in the exam!

My name officially became Md. Anisul Islam in my school which used to be Md. Al-Islam Bhuiyan; I did not change it. My nick name had become fimilar by ‘Anis’ from ‘Babu’ since there was another boy named Yousuf Jamil Babu, his nick name is Babu; but my parents and family members call me Babu. The batch of ourclass was very good in playing cricket and football, we used to defeating our senior batch in playing cricket and football. I used to playing cricket with Sagor, he had a nice cricket bat. Sagor and Arman are from ‘Boro Bari’, but people of their Bari want to call their Bari as ‘Bhuiyan Bari’ which is name of our Bari. ‘Bhuiyan Bari’ is a sign of elite family in our country. I used to thinking if ‘Bhuiyan’ is a sign of elite family then ‘Boro Bari’ deserves to be called ‘Bhuiyan Bari’, not our Bari; because maximum people of ‘Boro Bari’ are educated and rich, richest families of ‘Boro Bari’ live in Dhaka or in any other big city of Bangladesh. On the other hand, maximum people of our Bari are uneducated and poor. People of ‘Boro Bari’ and our Bari use ‘Bhuiyan’ as their surname or family name; but I don’t. We used to playing cricket matches with ‘Boro Bari’ 2 or 3 times in a week; it’s sadly true that our Bari used to be defeated by ‘Boro Bari’ almost all the time, because all the players of ‘Boro Bari’ used playing good cricket, on the other hand, from our Bari I and 2 or 3 more players used to playing good. I wished we could defeat ‘Boro Bari’ in playing cricket. We did not have any cricket bat, so we had to play with a handmade cricket bat. Later some days, my dad bought me nice cricket bat; so, gradually I was becoming a very good cricketer.

In July, it was monsoon and rainy season, there was heavy rain falls; all the crops-field, marshes, tanks, ponds and canals went under water. We sensed that the flood is coming (flood, extreme rain falls, drought, storms, thundering, cyclones, tornados and all others natural disasters are curse of Allah; when human being make too much sin and don’t pray to Allah properly, then Allah punish them by natural disasters). However, that time, all the villages were looked like islands; our school campus was looked like a ship—made of wood, tin and soil; and floating on a river. We could see the dancing of wave from our class room through the window—the view was incredible. The water level was getting up day by day; our school road went water; so our school authority announced a vacation of 20 days. Within 2 or 3 days whole village got flooded, all the house were looked like boats; our yard became pond. Sufferings of people knew no bounds, only boat and vela were the sources of communication (vela is made of banana trees; tightening 4 or 5 banana trees together by some strong cane of bamboo). We had a garden of banana trees; I cut off 4 trees from there and I made vela to move anywhere, mainly to go to our village market at Kalasona Bazar to buy our daily groceries. I used to visiting our whole village riding my Vela, I found my school campus 3 or 4 fits under water. That time, at night, I used to sleeping with my third cousin Didar so that I could collect palms fallen down from our palms trees at night. Didar’s family lives at east edge of our pond, Rob vai’s family too. We have two ponds, one is for use of men and anther is for women; a 10 fits wide island makes them separated. There is mosque in front of the pond of men usage, where we used to saying our prayer. We had 15 mango trees over the island of our ponds; we had 8 palms trees beside Didar’s house. I used to collecting palms when it was time of calling for Morning Prayer at 4.45 am or 5 am. Few days later, I was not finding palms anymore; I noticed that my first cousins Alauddin Vai and Faruk vai come to collect palms before me at 4 am. I was thinking how to stop them to come to collect palms at night. There was a myth in our Bari that Jinn, fairy or gust dwell on top of our palms trees and mango trees, I used that myth as my weapon; I managed a jar of crystal glass and a candle. There was about 4 or 5 fits of water under the palm trees; I put the candle inside the jar, and I placed the jar under the palm trees by 4 cane of bamboo in such a way, so that when I lighted up the candle, it was looked that the candle is lighting under water. At 3:50 am I lighted up the candle, my cousins came at about 4 am riding their Vela, seeing the lighting under water, they got too frightened, they ran away, they thought—lighting under water is definitely a sign of Jinn or gust. At morning they said that they have seen Jinn under palms trees; they never came again to collect palms. I knew what was that Jinn!

One day, I and some of my cousin and some same agers were gossiping with Shanu Buji (Buji means eldest sister) sitting on a high place in front of Shanu Buji’s house; Shunu Buji was next door neighbor of our family, she is house wife of my second cousin Hobiullah vai and elder sister of Rob vai. Shanu Buji was showing us the graves of our forefather and who has been buried where; there is a grave yard behind our house. Suddenly, we heard a sound of screaming—coming from the edge of our south pond; immediately we went there, going there we saw a crowd of screaming, because Rahman vai got electric short-circuit and he got down under the bottom of the pond. Rahman vai was immediate elder brother of Rob vai and younger brother of Mannan vai and Shanu Buji; their family lives at the east edge of our pond and they are the first cousin of Didar. They took a line of electricity to their house from the electricity meter of Jamal vai crossing the pond; because of flood, the electric cabal was about to touch the water of pond, that’s why Rahman vai and Wasim kaka (son of Shanu Buji) went to the middle of the pond to up the cable; they did not off the main switch. They did not notice that there was a leak on the cable; suddenly, a southern wind bowled and pushed the boat toward the cable. Leak part of the cable touched on Rahman vai’s chest; he got electrified and got down from the boat. Wasim kaka started shouting and screaming, hearing his shouting Jamal vai’s wife off the main switch; in the main time, Rahman vai shank down under 35 fits water. All were crying and calling to Allah to save Rahman vai’s life. Around 20 folks were diving into pond to find Rahman vai. There were very few who could reach at the bottom of the pond, those who could reach at bottom of the pond could not keep breath for enough time to search him under water. Shanu Buji was crying aloud and saying—‘Allah tomi amar vaire firay daw, ami tomare janer bodole jan demu’, it means—Allah give back the life of my brother, I will scarify anther life for you; preciously, Shanu Buji meant to scarify a life of a goat or a cow by the name of Allah to save his brother’s life. After 45 minutes, Selim vai found Rahman vai, immediately he was taken to a village doctor; seeing Rahman vai the doctor said—Rahman is no more. Allah did not hear any one’s prayer; may be, Allah liked most Rahman vai that’s way He took Rahman vai near to Him! That day was too shocking day for our Bari. The grave yard of our Bari went under water; there was only a high place in the grave yard of Boro Bari; Rahman vai was buried there. Rahman vai was about 25 or 26 years old.

About 15 days later, water level started to lessen, 20 days later our school got opened. It was about a week that our school had been opened, but our house master Mr. Iqbal was not coming back from is village. My final examination was knocking at the door. Another high school master from our village named Nurnobi convinced my mom to be our house master, he was not a very good teacher, and I didn’t like him at all as our house master. He could not stay a week in our house, because a very bad news was spread out in our Bari that Nurnobi sir is trying to make love with my eldest sister; it is very bad making love before marriage, it is a unforgiveable sin, it is unsocial—as taboo goes in our society. Nurnobi sir had to leave our house immediately.

I was not going to Muktobkhana early in the morning to learn Quran and Islam. I told my mom—‘you see mom, I can read Quran, I have completed 17 chapters out of 30 chapters of Quran, I have memorized about 15 Sura (verses) of Quran that are required to say my prayers, I have memorized so many Dowa that are required to be a good Muslim. My mom did not like hearing this from me; she wanted to khotom (complete) the whole Quran under the Hujur. I told my mom—‘I have Islamic course in my school, I am learning more about Islam from that course in Bengali; now, I need to learn more about Bengali, English, Mathematics, Science and Sociology to make good result in my school examination to be a good student. My mom did not pressure me much, so I stopped going to Muktobkhana; instead of that, I started to go to Alamgir sir house to learn Mathematics. Alamgir sir joined our high school after one year of his educational vacation. He stated to teach us Mathematics very nicely. Yousuf Jamil Babu, Bura Tazu, Arman, Sagor, Boro Salma, Umme Salma, Munni and I were ongoing to learn mathematics privately under the tutorship of Alamgir sir. We used to going to Alomgir sir’s house at early in the morning nearby our high school, in winter season that used to be foggy morning. Alamgir sir made our learning of mathematics very easy, he used to telling us adult jokes to make us laugh; we liked him so much. We had to pay him 150 BDT (2 USD) per month. I was learning English under the tutorship of Abdullah sir.

In class six, I learned very little about Bengali and English grammar, I memorized the definition of—Language, Grammar, Letter, Words, Numbers, Gender, Articles, Parts of Speech and Sentence. I memorized some essays and paragraphs (My aim in life, My school, My village, My reading room, A winter morning, A rainy day, A village doctor, A moon lit night, My hobby). Memorizing of Bengali Grammar was the worst thing. In my Bengali 1st paper course, it was about reading some prose and memorizing some poems, then memorizing the answers of broad questions and short questions from those prose and poems. We had to memorize the explanation of any statements from any prose or explanation of some lines from any poems. We had to memorize the words meaning—Bengali to Bengali from those prose and poems. My English 1st paper syllabus was like Bengali 1st paper, but it is in English, so it was the horrible subject to us; we had to memorize the words meaning of—English to Bengali. I remember none of my teacher beaten me for completion of my lessons—except our English teacher Mr. Mir Mizan; he used to beating us beastly like the Hujur of Muktobkhana.

In mathematics course I learned about natural number and fraction, the integer, the rational number, the irrational number, evaluating algebraic expression, translating verbal phrases into symbol, algebraic terms and expressions, simple equation, order of operations, properties of operations, and basic concept of Geometry. I asked my mathematics teacher Mr. Alamgir about the application of algebra and geometry in real life. He said—you will learn it in higher classes, now you need to learn to make a good result.

In my Sociology course, I learned about ancient Bangladesh and its heritages, some historical places and monuments of Bangladesh, Pakistan period and liberation war of Bangladesh, Industries and agriculture of Bangladesh, and about population problems of Bangladesh. I am presenting here with the help of Wikipedia—the histories I had to memorize about ancient Bengal. It was very much hard for me to memorize that history, because the words are very unfamiliar and hard to pronounce, though all the things were in Bengali language.

History of Bangladesh

Modern Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation in 1971 after achieving independence from Pakistan in the Bangladesh Liberation War. The country constitutes with the major portion of the ancient and historic region of Bengal in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, where civilization dates back over four millennia, to the Copper Age. The history of the region is closely intertwined with the history of Bengal and the history of India.

The area's early history featured a succession of Indian empires, internal squabbling, and a tussle between Hinduism and Buddhism for dominance. Islam made its appearance during the 8th century when Sufi missionaries arrived. Later, Muslim rulers reinforced the process of conversion by building mosques, madrassas and Sufi Khanqah.

The borders of modern Bangladesh were established with the partition of Bengal and India in August 1947, when the region became East Pakistan as a part of the newly formed State of Pakistan following the Radcliffe Line. However, it was separated from West Pakistan by 1,600 km (994 mi) of Indian Territory. Due to political exclusion, ethnic and linguistic discrimination, as well as economic neglect by the politically dominant western-wing, popular agitation and civil disobedience led to the war of independence in 1971. After independence, the new state endured famine, natural disasters and widespread poverty, as well as political turmoil and military coups. The restoration of democracy in 1991 has been followed by relative calm and economic progress.

Etymology of Bengal

The exact origin of the word Bangla or Bengal is unknown. According to Mahabharata, Purana, Harivamsha Vanga was one of the adopted sons of King Vali who founded the Vanga Kingdom. The earliest reference to "Vangala" (Bôngal) has been traced in the Nesari plates (805 AD) of the south Indian ruler Rashtrakuta Govinda III, who invaded northern India in the 9th century, which speak of Dharmapala as the king of Vangala. The records of Rajendra Chola I of the Chola dynasty, who invaded Bengal in the 11th century, speak of Govindachandra as the ruler of Vangaladesa. Shams-ud-din Ilyas Shah took the title "Shah-e-Bangalah" and united the whole region under one government for the first time. The Vanga Kingdom (also known as Banga) was located in the eastern part of the Indian Subcontinent, comprising part of West Bengal, India and present-day modern Bangladesh. Vanga and Pundra were two dominant tribes in Bangladesh in ancient time. Many of archeological excavations in Bangladesh revealed evidences of the Northern Black Polished Ware culture of the Indian Subcontinent (c. 700–200 BC) which was an Iron Age culture developed beginning around 700 BC and peaked from c. 500–300 BC, coinciding with the emergence of 16 great states or Mahajanapadas in Northern India, and the subsequent rise of the Mauryan Empire The eastern part of ancient India, covering much of current days Bangladesh was part of one of such Mahajanapadas, the ancient kingdom of Anga, which flourished in the 6th century BCE.

Linguistically, the oldest population of this land may have been speakers of Dravidian languages, such as the Kurux, or perhaps of Austroasiatic languages such as the Santals. Subsequently, people speaking languages from other language families, such as Tibeto-Burman, settled in Bengal. Indic Bengali represents the latest settlement. While western Bangladesh, as part of Magadha, became part of the Indo-Aryan civilization by the 7th century BCE, the Nanda Dynasty was the first historical state to unify all of Bangladesh under Indo-Aryan rule. Later after the rise of Buddhism many missionaries settled in the land to spread the religion and established many monuments such as Mahasthangarh.

Overseas Colonization

The Vanga Kingdom was a powerful seafaring nation of Ancient India. They had overseas trade relations with Java, Sumatra and Siam (modern day Thailand). According to Mahavamsa, the Vanga prince Vijaya Singha conquered Lanka (modern day Sri Lanka) in 544 BC and gave the name "Sinhala" to the country. Bengali people migrated to the Maritime Southeast Asia and Siam (in modern Thailand), establishing their own colonies there.

Though north and west Bengal were part of the empire southern Bengal thrived and became powerful with her overseas trades. In 326 BCE, with the invasion of Alexander the Great the region again came to prominence. The Greek and Latin historians suggested that Alexander the Great withdrew from India anticipating the valiant counterattack of the mighty Gangaridai Empire that was located in the Bengal region. Alexander, after the meeting with his officer, Coenus, was convinced that it was better to return. Diodorus Siculus mentions Gangaridai to be the most powerful empire in India whose king possessed an army of 20,000 horses, 200,000 infantry, 2,000 chariots and 4,000 elephants trained and equipped for war. The allied forces of Gangaridai Empire and Nanda Empire (Prasii) were preparing a massive counterattack against the forces of Alexander on the banks of Ganges. Gangaridai, according to the Greek accounts, kept on flourishing at least up to the 1st century AD.

I thought these histories are just imaginary stories, because the time interval was seemed eons of time to me. I think my teacher too did not believe these histories from core of his heart!

In my science subject, I learned about the importance of science and about some great invention of science like—Television, Radio, and Electricity, Motor Vehicle, Air plane, Telephone, Medicine and vaccination. I learned the definition of ecosystem, and I think I understood it well—(each individual plant and animal could not exist by itself on planet Earth. All living organisms need millions of other living organisms to survive. How these organisms interact with the sun, soil, water, air and each other in a specific area is called an ecosystem.
An ecosystem describes a specific area where the organisms work together as a unit. It could be any size from a tiny pool of water to hundreds of square miles of desert. Each ecosystem is different and each has established a balance over time that is important to every form of life within the ecosystem.)

I memorized the process of photosynthesis—the way plans eat their foods. Photosynthesis is a biochemical process by which the energy of light is converted into chemical energy in plants. Plants, unlike animals, do not get food by eating other organisms. They make their own food, usually in the form of glucose, from the inorganic compounds of carbon dioxide and water. Carbon dioxide is taken in through the leaves, and water is taken in mainly through the roots. Sunlight acts as the energy needed to run the reaction that yields glucose as the product—the plant needs, and oxygen as a waste product that is released into the environment

I did not understand it well since the process is invisible, I thought only water is the food of trees and plants.

I learned—importance of water for saving the animals and plants and in our daily life, source of water, pure and impure water, cause of pollution of water, prevention of wastage and pollution of water, existence of air, air is a matter, importance of air for the survival of animals and plant.

All of my learning was subject of memorization in my mother language Bengali with little bit understanding and realization. But whatever I learned from my Islamic studies course was my real learning to realize well!

Islam denotes a complete code of life; it delineates clearly and impressively the creation and the ultimate destruction of the universe, all necessary mundane matters, death, and life after death etc. Islam leaves no area of human life untouched. A detailed study of Islam will enable us to be conversant with all these matter. This makes the study of Islam mandatory. The literal meaning of Islam is to surrender or obey; broadly speaking, Islam means heartfelt belief in Allah, complete surrender to Him, spontaneous adherence to His commandments and prohibitions and leading one’s life according to His commandments as practiced and demonstrated by prophet Mohammed (pbuh) without any question or least of doubt. To be a believer in Islam, one must believes in seven fundamental aspects of Islam.

Faith in Allah: the first and most vital issue of Islam is faith in Allah; there is not God except Allah. He is the creator, nourisher and sustainer of all and everything; He is the embodiment of all qualities; His being and attributes are incomparable. All praises and servitudes are due to Him.

Belief in the Angels (Feresta): Angels are unique creation of Allah; they are made with light. They are engaged in worshiping Allah and carrying out His commands; they are innumerable. They are neither male nor female; they are free from needs unlike all others living beings.

Belief in Revealed Scriptures: The revealed scriptures are the words of Allah; Allah has revealed His own identity through these; various commands, prohibition, rules and regulation, good tidings, and warnings have descended with them. Allah has sent these Books to His messengers. A total of 104 revealed Books have been sent down on earth.

Belief in the prophets and Messengers: Allah has raised many prophets and messengers in all ages. They were the chosen servants of Allah. Among all creatures they possess the heights degree of honor. They were sinless. In obedience to divine command they called mankind to the right path of truth and justice and provide of direction for peace and salvation both in this world and hereafter.

Belief in life after death: Akhirat (eternity) is the next life after death. The life of Akhirat is ever lasting. It has a beginning but no end. The grave, the resurrection, the bridge, and the heaven and hell are successive stages of the life after death. Those who do good deeds on earth will get paradise and those who not having faith and doing evil deeds will find their place in the hell.

Belief in fate: Fate means a measured amount, destiny, ultimate result etc. Allah is the regulator of human destiny; it is Allah who determines good and evil of human fate. Man can’t do that entire he desires, man can rather strive for his aim. After that he will not despair even if he does not get the return after striving; again if he gains something, he will not indulge in extreme joys, rather he will adopt patience and express gratitude as the case may be. Precisely speaking, fate means—outcome of any events is predetermined by all mighty Allah.

Resurrection: Human life does not terminate with death; life rather consists of two parts—mundane life and hereafter. Allah will revive man after death. On that occasion all human being and jinn will assemble on the field of resurrection. On that day Allah will receive the accounts of all the activities of human being and jinn.

1999: I got in class seven. On the day when the result of our final examination of class six was published, I was too excited. It was sure that Yusuf Jamil Babu would be the first boy, but it was not sure who would be 2nd, 3rd, 4th and so on. My happiness was known no bounds when I heard that I got the 2nd place Arman 3rd, Sagor 4th and Mutalib 5th among around fifty students. In the section of girls—Boro Salma got the first place, Susmita 2nd, Umme Salam 3rd, Salma Akter Rubi 4th and Munni 5th.

Yousuf Jamil Babu, Arman, Sagor, Tazu, Boro Salma, Umme Salma and Munni, we all used to going Alamgir sir’s house early in the morning to learn mathematics under his tutorship. Each evening Alamgir sir used to coming in our house to teach my eldest sister Yesmin about mathematics, my sister failed in mathematics in her SSC examination last year; but this year she passed SSC with the guidelines of Alamgir sir—how to copy in the exam hall! I think Alamgir sir’s main intension was to watch television for coming in our house, not to teach my sister. Alamgir sir’s father and brothers too used to visiting our house almost regularly to watch television. My mom thought Alamgir sir loves my eldest sister, she was very happy about that, because Alamgir sir is an educated and handsome person.

I was growing up physically and mentally too. I told my mom to tell to my dad to buy a cow, so that we can drink milk regularly. My father bought a cow with a cute calf. In first few days I was very interested to cut and bring grass and water hyacinth for our cow; but later on I lost my interest because I became addicted in playing cricket. I remember, the day when Bangladesh won match against Pakistan in world cup Cricket 1999, I and all the boys of our Bari and Boro Bari made a big rally of victory; Sagor and I were the leaders of that rally. I used to playing cricket too much; the guardians of our Bari did not like me because of playing that much, they thought I am killing the time of other boys that they could use in studying or doing any other family works. The day when I missed bringing grass or water hyacinth for our cow; my mom used to saying me that—you are a unless boy, how good your other cousins are, they bring grass and water hyacinth regularly for their cow, they can catch fish from the cannel, they did not even hire labor for their cultivation; on the other hand I am to do all of these with money. Sometimes my mom used to saying that “You will not be given food.” Your food will be given to my cow. Sometimes she used to beating me too.

During that time, I noticed the intensity of orally belief on religion (Islam) of people of all classes is same, all believe from the heart of their hearts that Islam is 100% true and pure religion; but degree of practicing all the rules and regulations of Islam in real life varies depending on their financial, social and educational classes. Normally people of Munshi Bari, Forazi Bari and Molla Bari are hardcore Islamist. They don’t allow their women and adult girls going out without veiling. They don’t let their children to study in school and college. They want their sons to study in Madrasha to be Hafez, Huzur and Maulana; girls are allowed to learn Quran and Hadiths—there was some little bit exception. People of our Bari, Boro Bari, Sarkar Bari, and some other Baries are not that much strict about veiling of women; They want their children to study in school and college to be doctor, engineer, teacher, and government service holder. The financial condition of these Bari better than that Bari—who are very strict about religion. People those who are very poor and day labor are not serious about religion; they are too busy with survival- But they too say their prayers at least two or three times a day; so that Allah would change their fate. The Huzurs used to saying – if poor people lead their lives perfectly on Islam, it is sure one day they will be rich; if they don’t get rich in this earthy life then definitely they will get the richest place in the life of eternity..

Though I was not going to Moktobkhana, but I was learning theoretically about Islam from my Islamic studies course. I used to saying my prayers 2 or 3 times a days. We had Huzur sir in our high school- his name is Moulana Mosleh Uddin; since he used talking the courses of Islamic studies of all classes- so we called him Huzur sir. He was our class teacher; he was not terrifying to us as our MoktobKhana’s huzur was, rather he is very Jolly minded. He used to sharing his family story, funny jokes and adultery story with us. He used to saying us – don’t make any spot in a white bed sheet; by saying that he meant – don’t make any love or affair before marriage –its sin; he said—if you save your character in this earthy life then you will go to heaven in after life; where you will given 72 Hurs (virgin girls), your wife will be the leader of those ‘Hur’. ‘What is allotted cannot be blotted’ it was his favorite dialogue. He used to saying—haven and hell is not sure for any one, except about whom Prophet Mohammed certified; then he used to saying a story—once there was very pious man, he passed his whole life following all the rules and regulation of Allah, but he will not go to heaven, because he did not invite the non-believers to follow the rules and regulation of Allah; on the other hand, there was a sinister woman who was a prostitute, she never made any good thing to please Allah, but she will go to heaven, because once she accidently saved a life of a frog! Allah is really omniscient; we know nothing except whatever the knowledge the omniscient Allah has given us!

I had learned very little about creation of human being from Muktobkhan by Hujur. But I was taught very broadly that how Allah created human being according to Quran and Hadiths. I am presenting here as I learned—

Prophet Adam

Allah the Almighty revealed:

"Remember when your Lord said to the angels: 'Verily, I am going to place mankind generations after generations on earth.' They said: 'Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, while we glorify You with praises and thanks (exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners) and sanctify You.' Allah said: 'I know that which you do not know.' Allah the Almighty sent Gabriel onto the earth to say that Allah the Almighty sent Gabriel onto the earth to get Him clay therefrom. The earth said: "I seek refuge in Allah from your decreasing my quantity or disfiguring me." So Gabriel returned and did not take anything. He said: "My Lord, the land sought refuge in You and it granted." So Allah sent Michael for the same purpose, and the land sought refuge with Allah and it was granted. So he went back and said to Allah what Gabriel has said before him. Then Allah sent the Angel of Death, and the land sought refuge in Allah, the angel said: "I also seek refuge with Allah from returning without carrying out His command." So he took clay from the face of the earth and mixed it. He did not take from one particular place, but rather he took white, red, and black clay from different places. The Angel of Death ascended with it, Allah soaked the clay till it became sticky. Then Allah said to the angels: "Truly, I am going to create man from clay. So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him "Prostrate yourself before Adam"

Allah taught Adam all the names of everything, then He showed them to the angels and said: "Tell Me the names of these if you are truthful." They (angels) said: "Glory be to You, we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Verily, it is You, the All-Knower, the All-Wise." He said: "O Adam! Inform them of their names," and when he had informed them of their names, He said: "Did I not tell you that I know the unseen in the heavens and the earth, and I know what you reveal and what you have been hiding?" Remember when Allah said to the angels: "Prostrate yourself before Adam" They prostrated except Iblis, he refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers (disobedient to Allah)." Allah said: "What prevented you (O Iblis) that you did not prostrate when I commanded you?" Iblis said: "I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire and him You created from clay." Allah said: "O Iblis get down from this (Paradise), it is not for you to be arrogant here. Get out for you are of those humiliated and disgraced." Iblis said: "Allow me respite till the Day they are raised up (Day of Resurrection)." Allah said: "You are of those allowed respite." Iblis said: "Because You have sent me astray, surely I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your Straight Path. Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left and You will not find most of them as thankful ones (they will not be dutiful to You)." Allah said: "Get out from Paradise, disgraced and expelled. Whoever of them (mankind) will follow you, then surely I will fill in Hell with you all."

Adam Sees Eve: When Iblis was sent out of Paradise and Adam was accommodated therein, Adam was alone in Paradise and did not have a partner from whom he could get tranquility. He slept for some time and when he woke up, he saw a woman whom Allah had created from his ribs. So he asked her, "Who are you? She replied, "A woman" He asked: "Why have you been created?" She said: "So that you could find tranquility in me." The angels, trying to find out the extent of his knowledge, asked him: "What is her name, O Adam?" He replied, "Eve". They asked: "Why was she so amid?" He replied,” Because she was created from something living.

Then Satan whispered suggestions to them both in order to uncover that which was hidden from them of their private parts of body, he said—Your Lord forbids you this tree to save you from becoming angels or become of the immortals." Satan swore by Allah to them both saying: "Verily I am one of the sincere well wishers for you both." So he misled them with deception. Then when they tasted of the tree, that which was hidden from them of their shame (private parts) became manifest to them and they began to stick together the leaves of Paradise over themselves (in order to cover their shame). Their Lord called out to them saying "Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you, Verily Satan is an open enemy unto you?" They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers." Allah said: "Get down one of you an enemy to the other (i.e. Adam, Eve, and Satan etc). On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment, for a time." He said: "therein you shall live, and therein you shall die, and from it you shall be brought out (resurrected)." (Chapter 7:11-25 Qur'an). The Satan made them slip therefrom (the Paradise), and got them out from that in which they were.

Then Adam received from his Lord Words. His Lord pardoned him (accepted his repentance). Verily He is the One Who forgives (accepts repentance), the most Merciful. We said: "Get down all of you from this place (the Paradise), then whenever there comes to you Guidance from Me, and whoever follows My Guidance there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve. But those who disbelieve and belie Our Ayah (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, and signs and revelations, etc) such are the dwellers of the Fire, they shall abide therein forever." (Chapter 2:30-39, Qur'an).

Commentary: Why Adam and Eve Descended

Some people believe that the reason why mankind does not dwell in Paradise is that Adam was disobedient and that if it had not been for this sin, we could have been there all along. These are naive fictions because when Allah wanted to create Adam, He said to the angels, "I shall make a vicegerent on the earth." He did not say, "I shall make a vicegerent in Paradise." Adam's descent on earth, then, was not due to degradation but rather it was dignified descent. Allah knew that Adam and Eve would eat of the tree and descend to earth. He knew that Satan would rape their innocence. That experience was essential for their life on earth; it was a cornerstone of their vicegerency. It was meant to teach Adam, Eve, and their progeny that it was Satan who had caused them to be expelled from Paradise and that the road to Paradise can only be reached by obedience to Allah and enmity to Satan.

Commentary: Adam's Free Will

Could it be said that Adam and the rest of mankind were predestined to sin and to be expelled from Paradise and sent to the earth? In fact, this fiction is as naive as the first one. Adam had complete free will and he bore the consequences of his deed. He disobeyed by eating of the forbidden tree, so Allah dismissed him from Paradise. His disobedience does not negate his freedom. On the contrary it is a consequence of it. The truth of the matter is that Allah knew what was going to happen, as He always knows the outcome of events before they take place. However Allah does not force things to happen. He grants free will to His human creatures. On that He bases His supreme wisdom in populating the earth, establishing the vicegerents, and so on. Adam understood his 3rd lesson. He knew now in a practical way that Iblis was his enemy, the cause of his losing the blessing of living in Paradise, and the cause of his distress. Adam also understood that Allah punishes disobedience and that the way of Paradise has to be through submission to the will of Allah. And he learned from Allah Almighty to ask for forgiveness. Allah accepted Adam's repentance and forgave him. He then sent him to the earth as His first messenger.

Saying that all these stories of creation are completely contradictory and irrational was very unholy, impure and sinister. I have lot of question about the creation of Allah, but I did not dare to ask, because if I ask anything about the words of Allah then I will be a Kafir (atheist). I believed these entire stories are true undoubtedly.

Then Allah sent down so many numbers of prophets and messengers on earth to aware the human beings from the deception and temptation of Iblish. The notable prophets are—

Prophet Idris (Enoch)

Prophet Nuh (Noah)

Prophet Hud

Prophet Salih

Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham)

Prophet Isma'il (Ishmael)

Prophet Ishaq (Isaac)

Prophet Yaqub (Jacob)

Prophet Lot (Lot)

Prophet Shuaib

Prophet Yusuf (Joseph)

Prophet Ayoub (Job)

Prophet Yunus (Jonah)

Prophet Musa (Moses) & Harun (Aaron)

Prophet Elyas (Elisha)

Prophet Shammil (Samuel)

Prophet Dawud (David)

Prophet Sulaiman (Soloman)

Prophet Zakariyah (Zechariah)

Prophet Yahya (John)

Prophet Isa (Jesus)

Prophet Muhammad

Among All the Prophets and Messengers Muhammad (pbuh) was the last and best one, he was nearest and dearest to Allah; all others prophets were tempted or misguided by Satan at least for once—except our beloved prophet Muhammad (pbuh), we should be proud of him as his followers. In the day of final judgment, no other prophets would be allowed to make shafayat (recommendation) to Allah to forgive their follower’s sin—except Muhammad (pbuh). We should say ‘Sallallahe-walaihe-asalam’ (peace be upon him). I was taught little bit about the early life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)—

Prophet Muhammad

Muhammad (pbuh) was born in Mecca ( Makkah), Arabia, on Monday, 12 Rabi' Al-Awal (2 August A.D. 570). His mother, Aminah, was the daughter of Wahb Ibn Abdu Manaf of the Zahrah family. His father, 'Abdullah, was the son of Abdul Muttalib. His genealogy has been traced to the noble house of Ishmael, the son of Prophet Abraham in about the fortieth descend. Muhammad's father died before his birth. Before he was six years old his mother died, and the doubly orphaned Muhammad was put under the charge of his grandfather Abdul Muttalib who took the tenderest care of him. But the old chief died two years afterwards. On his deathbed he confided to his son Abu Talib the charge of the little orphan.

Journey to Busra - When Muhammad was twelve years old, he accompanied his uncle Abu Talib on a mercantile journey to Syria, and they proceeded as far as Busra. The journey lasted for some months. It was at Busra that the Christian monk Bahira met Muhammad. He is related to have said to Abu Talib: 'Return with this boy and guard him against the hatred of the Jews, for a great career awaits your nephew."

Muhammad's honest and honorable character: After this journey, the youth of Muhammad seems to have been passed uneventfully, but all authorities agree in ascribing to him such correctness of manners and purity of morals as were rare among the people of Mecca. The fair character and the honorable bearing of the unobtrusive youth won the approbation of the citizens of Mecca, and b y common consent he received the title of "Al Ameen," The Faithful. In his early years, Muhammad was not free from the cares of life. He had to watch the flocks of his uncle, who, like the rest of the Bani Hashim, had lost the greater part of his wealth.

Solitary lifestyle of Muhammad's youth: From youth to manhood he led an almost solitary life. The lawlessness rife among the Meccans, the sudden outbursts of causeless and bloody quarrels among the tribes frequenting the Fair of Okadh (The Arabian Olympia), and the immorality and skepticism of the Quraish, naturally caused feelings of pity and sorrow in the heart of the sensitive youth. Such scenes of social misery and religious degradation were characteristic of a depraved age.

I learned in my general science subject about—

Matters

Different States of Matter

Same substance can exist in three states

Vaporization

Metal and Non-metal

Some metals and non-metals having exceptional properties

Living World

Characteristics of living being

Movement and locomotion

Sensation

Growth

Respiration

Reproduction

Death

Plants and Animals

In my sociology subject it was all about memorization of History of Bengal, it was very hard for me to memorize those histories; though there were some others stuffs to memorize. I am presenting here whatever I had to memorize about the History of Bengal—

Early middle Ages of Bengal

The pre-Gupta period of Bengal is shrouded with obscurity. Before the conquest of Samudragupta, Bengal was divided into two kingdoms—Pushkarana and Samatata. Chandragupta II had defeated a confederacy of Vanga kings resulting in Bengal becoming part of the Gupta Empire.
The Pala dynasty

Candra Dynasty

Sena dynasty

Deva Kingdom

I learned in my mathematics subject— solving equation using more than one operation, simplifying each side of an equation, solving equations that have the variable in both sides, using formulas to solve problems, solving for a variable in terms of another variable, transforming formulas, adding and subtracting algebraic expressions, the meaning of an algebraic fraction, reducing fractions to lowest terms, multiplying fractions, dividing fractions, and adding or subtracting algebraic fractions.

I memorized in English grammar—classification of sentence and transformation of sentence, tense and classification of tense, very little about voice and narration.

One day the founder and the chairman of our high school Al-hajj Dr. Muhammad Abdul Latif Sarkar came to our class room, he was speaking all through in English with an unknown accent, with what we were not familiars, we could not read through English except our known words. So how could we understand him? The gross message of his speech was that – to be successful in life, you have to read more and more, education is the backbone of a nation. No nation can progress without an educated population. He also said only education is not good enough – you have to be very pious too, to be the ultimate gainers. You have to say your prayers regularly; because the ultimate success and happiness are waiting hereafter. Mr. Abdul Latif Sarkar is a taller man with fairest skin compared to typical Bangladeshi; he has long beard. All of our high school teachers and villagers used to saying –‘ Mr. Sarkar is a man of knowledge, he is a scholar, there is no field of education about what he does not know, he knows about Islam, Science, Sociology, philosophy and mathematics very well.’ I wished I could be like him, it was my wildest dream, because I knew it is not possible to be like him for any typical boy—he is an extra ordinarily talent!

I was enjoying the vacation of year ending; my final examination had been finished. One day my mom wake up early in the morning to say her morning prayer; but she was not finding my sister Shilpi on bed, my mom got scared. My mom told me to call Dadu from Sarker Bri and told Dadu to come to our house. Coming back to our house I saw my sister Shilpi is in home. My sister Shilpi told to my mom that last night she went to Rashid Vai’s house to sleep with Kulsum at late night without informing my mom. Kulshum is daughter of Rashid Vai and class mate of my sister Shilpi. Later on, my mom got informed that Shilpi is basically making love with Sah Alam, SahAlam is brother in law of Jshim uddin Vai; Jashim Uddin Vai is my second cousin, son of my father’s first cousin. My mom was in terrible anxiety, she was not getting what to do; making love before marriage is very shameful thing for a parent; it is violation of Islamic rule, it is violation of social custom; but it happens. My mom wanted to inform my dad; my dad was in Dhaka. My mom was looking for someone to send Dhaka to inform about Shilpi; but she was not finding any and it was not possible for her to go Dhaka in that situation. I used to visiting Dhaka 2 or 3 times a year, with my parents, when I was in vacation, I told my mom – mom I can go to Dhaka, if you want. My mom got to wonder hearing this; she said- you are only 13 years old, you are a kid, Dhaka is 50 Km away from here; Journey of 3 hours of bus journey, moreover, city is too complex and complicated, how can you dare to go there alone. I told my mom—‘you see mom, bus stand is about 2 km away from our village at Pathantoli, you know I can go there easily by walking, from there I will get in Dhaka-Shachar bus and it will get me down in Dhaka at Gulisthan, from there I will get another bus and it will get me down at Nilkhet, then I can easily go to our press, to my dad’. My mom was not supposed to allow going to Dhaka alone, but situation made her bound to allow me; because it was too important to inform my dad about my sister Shilpi. It was the first time; I went to Dhaka alone, surprising thing is that I did not face any problem going to Dhaka. I reached to my dad, seeing me my dad got too wondered; he asked—‘with whom have you come here my son, Babu?’ I said—I alone have come here, Dad. First he could not believe himself that I really went there alone; then my dad asked me—‘what’s happened in Bari that you came here alone? I replied—‘Shilpi is in love with Shahalom vai, mom is in too anxiety about that, I have come to inform you about that as mom told me.’ I think my dad did not give that much importance about that; he said—‘it’s silly, okay, we will go back to village day after tomorrow, because I have some important work here to do.’ Two days later, I and my dad came back to our village; Entering to our village, before reaching to our home, we heard from some village folks that Jashim uddin had made marriage of my sister Shilpi with his brother in law Saha Alam. My dad could not believe it. We went to our Bari, seeing my dad my mom started crying she said- they all together did it to make us down in the society; they hypnotized my daughter by any satanic shaman; my daughter does not listen to me, she is under their control; she does what even they say. The villagers tried to solve the conflict by village court; but my eldest uncle said—no, I’ll go to Comilla, it will be solved in district court, I will sue case against them for child marriage and kidnapping, I will get them in prison. My dad and eldest uncle went to Comilla and sued a legal case against them; from then, there was always feud and fighting between Jashim Uddin and my eldest uncle; my father never fought with anyone,- My father said- sine we made case against then, so, court will punish them.

2000: Starting of new millennium, our family was passing very bad time; my parent’s social status got too down because of my sister’s incident. My father was losing a lot of money carrying the case against Jashim Uddin and SahAlam, because law and jury system don’t work without bribe in our country; Jashim Uddin too losing his lot of money for giving bribe to some village leaders and policeman. My mom used to going to house of different shamans; she believed Jashim Uddin and ShahAlam made shamanic hypnotization to control her daughter, so she wanted to make a counter hypnotization by any good shaman. My mom wasted lot of money behind shamanic hypnotization to come back my sister under her control. Shamanic hypnotization did not work on my sister, Shilpi said thatshe loves ShahAlam and she does not need parents or relatives. My mom used to crying all day and night, saying her prayers and telling to Allah to return back her daughter. Allah did not accept her prayers. Now I know what made my sister that much hypnotized to love my brother-in-law ShahAlam, it was because of watching too much Bangla Cinema and her teenage time and lack of proper education. In Bangla Cinema it was /is shown that there is a love story; heroin is a daughter of rich parents and hero is a son poor parents and sometimes a orphan; they love each other so much, but parents of heroin does not accept their love; so they run away and get married without the permission of parents; at the end of the Cinema parents accept their marriage. This sort of movies made a great impact on my sister mind. My parents did not accept my sister’s marriage because ShahAlam was an orphan, he had been brought up under his brother-in-law Jasim Uddin; and he did not have any land or house of his own, he did not have any education; moreover my eldest sister Yasmin was not married yet; marriage of younger daughter before eldest daughter was/ is very insulting for any parents- it is a strong taboo in our country.

I was a student of class eight; the day when result of final examination of class seven was published I did not go to school, I had a cricket match at Hatkhola High School. I thought I can know the result later on but I can’t play the match later on; moreover I thought I know the results. I guessed – Yousuf Jamil babu will be the first boy; I or Boro Salma will be the second. In class seven there were separated sections of boys and girls; but in class eight there was combined one section of Boys and Girls; Arman and Sagor left our high school after second terminal examination of class Seven; because their parents shifted to town again. However, hearing my result made me very shocked, I became 4th. Babu became 1st, Boro Salma second, Umme Salma 3rd and Mutalib 5th. I promised to read more and more to be the second in class Nine. I never wanted to be the first boy, because Yousuf Jamil Babu was out of reaching; he was too talent. I could not make good result because my hand writing was not good.; moreover, I used to making spelling mistake, on the other hand, hand writing of Boro Salma and Umme culsum Salma was excellent; their hand writing was almost same. In my secret mind, I loved Boro Slama a lot; Salma was/ is a beautiful girl too. Babu used to making fun of me about Boro Salma.

My father’s business was going down, because people were switching to printing of computerized and off-set printing machine. My father had letter printing press that became outdated. My father sold those old machines and brought a computer and some other equipment with i.; but my father could not afford to buy an off-set machine. Computer was incredibly fascinating and interesting stuff to the people of high class. People of our village did not know about computer—except some very few. My father said—Babu, you have to be a computer engineer, because future world will be dominated by computer. I did not know the any functions of the computer or how it works; I saw computers 2or 3 times in Dhaka. I knew that the computer is a great innovation of science. I was too curious and interested about computer. I changed my aim on life from “to be a doctor” to “to be a computer engineer”. ‘You have to make excellent result in S.S.C and H.S. C in science group’, said my dad. So, I started read more and more, I used to scoring second or third highest mark in our terminal exam. I tried to read everything with understanding and realization, but could not, because I think our teacher did not know everything or something very well. I used to asking my teacher- the implication of everything I learned”, some teacher used to answer me that- to make a good result, you have to learn it, that’s it. In my English course everything was about memorization of some essays, paragraph, letter, and application writing. Our English teacher stopped teaching us English grammar, he said – ‘you can score 50% marks without knowing English grammar, because govt. has changed the pattern of English question; you will be given a passage on question paper and you have to answer from that passage; if you are smart enough you can easily score 50+ marks in English. Scoring 50% marks in English course is a very good result.’ It was true somehow we could score 50+ marks; but to score 80+ marks, one must to know the English grammar. We could not make any English sentence without memorization. I remember, our English second paper madam had been teaching us a paragraph on “how to make a cup of tea”, we all knew how to make a cup of tea, but we couldn’t memorize the paragraph only because it was in English;- it indicates how much depended we were on memorization of English. That year I memorized some other paragraph on “how to”—say, ‘how to be a good student’, “how to become good in English and “how to become fluent in English”; all “how to” was just memorization.

I learned in my sociology subject—

Late middle Ages of Bengal - Advent of Islam

Islam made its first appearance in the Bengal region during the 7th century AD by Arab Muslim traders and Sufi missionaries, and the subsequent Muslim conquest of Bengal in the 12th century lead to the rooting of Islam across the region. Beginning in 1202, a military commander from the Delhi Sultanate, Bakhtiar Khilji, overran Bihar and Bengal. He conquered Nabadwip from the old emperor Lakshman Sen in 1203, and intruded into much of Bengal as Far East as Rangpur and Bogra ushering Muslim rule in this part of the world. Under the Muslim rulers, Bengal entered a new era as cities were developed; palaces, forts, mosques, mausoleums and gardens sprang up; roads and bridges were constructed; and new trade routes brought prosperity and a new cultural life.

However, smaller Hindu states continued to exist in the Southern and the Eastern parts of Bengal till the 1450s such as the Deva dynasty. Some independent small Hindu states were also established in Bengal during the Mughal period like those of Maharaja Pratapaditya of Jessore and Raja Sitaram Ray of Burdwan. These kingdoms contributed a lot to the economic and cultural landscape of Bengal. Militarily, these served as bulwarks against Portuguese and Burmese attacks. Many of these kingdoms are recorded to have fallen during the late 1700s. While Koch Bihar Kingdom in the North, flourished during the period of 16th and the 17th centuries as well till the advent of the British.

Turkic rule

Khilji maliks

Mameluk rule

Mahmud Shahi dynasty

Ilyas Shahi dynasty

Ganesha dynasty

Hussain Shahi dynasty

Suri dynasty

Karrani dynasty

Sonargaon Sultanate

Mughal period

Islam Khan

Shaista Khan

The Nawabs of Bengal (1717–1880)

Europeans in Bengal

British rule

The British East India Company gained official control of Bengal following the Battle of Plassey in 1757. This was the first conquest, in a series of engagements that ultimately lead to the expulsion of other European competitors. The defeat of the Mughals and the consolidation of the subcontinent under the rule of a corporation was a unique event in imperialistic history. Kolkata (Anglicized as "Calcutta") on the Hooghly became a major trading port for bamboo, tea, sugar cane, spices, cotton, muslin and jute produced in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Kushtia. Scandals and the bloody rebellion known as the Sepoy Mutiny prompted the British government to intervene in the affairs of the East India Company. In 1858, authority in India was transferred from the Company to the crown, and the rebellion was brutally suppressed. Rule of India was organized under a Viceroy and continued a pattern of economic exploitation. Famine racked the subcontinent many times, including at least two major famines in Bengal. The British Raj was politically organized into seventeen provinces of which Bengal was one of the most significant.

Our teacher used to teaching us proudly about the Islamic dynasties, he used to saying—1203 to 1757 is the golden period of Bengal, because Islam ruled that time. I think our teacher did not believe that all the Islamic dynasties were the alien to our land Bengal. I or we were/are also proud of that time. We learned to hate Hindu and Buddhist dynasties and British rule.

I learned in my General Science subject—

Measurement and importance of measurement

Force, Pressure and Motion

Work, Power and Energy

Electric energy and Magnetic energy

Surface of the earth

Cell: Unit of living body

Food and Nutrition

An Introduction to AIDS

I learned in my mathematics subject—

Ratio, using a ratio to express a rate, proportion, percent and percentage, factors and factoring, common monomial factors, radicals and the rational number, radicals and irrational numbers, finding the principal square root of a monomial; in geometric part, I learned—points, lines, planes, pairs of angles, angles and parallel lines, triangles, quadrilaterals, areas of irregular polygons, surface area of solids and volume of solids.

All of my learning was subject of technically or directly memorization in Bengali language—except mathematics. I should say, mathematics was also part of technical memorization.

I remember , I was becoming very good in Islamic Studies course, I got highest mark in my second term examination in Islamic Studies course, I got 92 out of 100, my Huzur sir became too happy on, he congratulated me. I memorized stories of so many prophets and I learned more about the rules and regulation of Islam—I am just present here the life of Muhammad in a very condensed way.

Prophet Muhammad's marriage to Khadijah

When Muhammad was twenty five years old, he traveled once more to Syria as a factor of a noble and rich Quraishi widow named Khadijah; and, having proved himself faithful in the commercial interests of that lady, he was soon rewarded with her hand in marriage. This marriage proved fortunate and singularly happy. Khadijah was much the senior of her husband, but in spite of the disparity of age between them, the tenderest devotion on both sides existed. This marriage gave him the loving heart of a woman who was ever ready to console him in his despair and to keep alive within him the feeble, flickering flame of hope when no man believed in him and the world appeared gloomy in his eyes.

Troubled, lawless times for the Makkans

Kindness and generosity shown to the people

Allah's Divine Inspiration touches Muhammad

For years after his marriage, Muhammad had been accustomed to secluding himself in a cave in Mount Hira, a few miles from Mecca. To this cave he used to go for prayer and meditation, sometimes alone and sometime with his family. There, he often spent the whole nights in deep thought and profound communion with the Unseen yet All-Knowing Allah of the Universe. It was during one of those retirements and in the still hours of the night, when no human sympathy was near, that an angel came to him to tell him that he was the Messenger of Allah sent to reclaim a fallen people to the knowledge and service of their Lord. Renowned compilers of authentic traditions of Islam agree on the following account of the first revelations received by the Prophet. Muhammad would seclude himself in the cave of Mount Hira and worship three days and nights. He would, whenever he wished, return to his family at Mecca and then go back again, taking whim the necessities of life. Thus he continued to return to Khadijah from time to time until one day the revelation came down to him and the Angel Gabriel (Jibreel) appeared to him and said:

"Read!"

But as Muhammad was illiterate, having never received any instruction in reading or writing, he said to the angel:

"I am not a reader."

The angel took a hold of him and squeezed him as much as he could bear, and then said again:

"Read!"

Then Prophet said:

"I am not a reader."

The Angel again seized the Prophet and squeezed him and said:

"Read! In the Name of Your Lord, Who has created (all that exists), has created a man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous, Who has taught (the writing) by the pen, has taught man that which he knew not." (Ch 96:1-4 Quran).

Then the Prophet repeated the words with a trembling heart. He returned to Khadijah from Mount Hira and said: "Wrap me up! Wrap me up!" She wrapped him in a garment until his fear was dispelled. He told Khadijah what had occurred and that he was becoming either a soothsayer or one smitten with madness. She replied: "Allah forbid! He will surely not let such a thing happen, for you speak the truth, you are faithful in trust, you bear the afflictions of the people, you spend in good works what you gain in trade, you are hospitable and you assist your fellow men. Have you seen anything terrible?" Muhammad replied: "Yes," and told her what he had seen. Whereupon, Khadijah said: "Rejoice, O dear husband and be cheerful. You are going to be the prophet to this people."

Khadijah consults her cousin knowledgeable of Scriptures; confirmation of Prophet

Muhammad's Visions and struggle to fight depression

Prophet rises to start his mission for Allah

Persecution perpetrated by the Makkan Tribe of Quraish

Quraish fear spread of Islam - Try in vain to blackmail Prophet

Quraish increase Persecution - First Hijra of 615 C.E. to Abyssinia

The Holy Quran is a Miracle

Makkans plea to Abu Talib to stop the Prophet

Abu Talib protects his Nephew, the Prophet

Umar Al-Khattab submits to Islam

Quraish divided into two factions

Abu Lahab's hatred of Islam

Reconciliation of the Quraish

Death of Abu Talib and Khadijah

People of Madina accept Prophet

Miraj (Ascension to the Heavens) on a creature called Buraq

Miraj - Muhammad's encounter with Adam

Miraj - Muhammad's encounter with John and Jesus

Miraj - Muhammad's encounter with Joseph

Miraj - Muhammad's encounter with Enoch

Miraj - Muhammad's encounter with Aaron

Miraj - Muhammad's encounter with Moses

Miraj - Muhammad's encounter with Abraham

Moses advises Muhammad to plea to Allah to lessen prayers

The Makkans plot to kill Allah's Prophet

Holy Prophet travels to Madina (Hijra)

The Hijra - People of Yathrib (Madina) welcome Muslims

My parents were too tensed about the marriage of my eldest sister Yesmin, they thought no proposed will come from any good family for marriage of my eldest sister; because of the incident of my elder sister Shilpi. One day a police officer advised my father to withdraw the case against Jashim Uddin, ShahAlam and others who helped on the marriage of my elder sister. He said to my dad- ‘Listen Mr. Rehan, let say you win the case against them, what will be the result – the judge will sentence for 5 to 10 years imprisonment against Jashim Uddin and your daughter in law Mr. Shah Alam, whether you accept him or not; you should take in mind that your daughter is complete under their control; I am giving you a better solution, if you accept the marriage of your daughter Shilpi and ShahAlam- I will make fine against Jashim Uddin to buy a land of house and a land of crops field owing your daughter—as punishment. It was about 8 months my parents had not been seeing face of my sister Shilpi. They did not know where and how is she. My parents got too emotional for her; they accepted the proposal of police officer. Jashim Uddin had to do whatever the police officer said, my sister and brother in law ShahAlam came after one month. My sister was pregnant, after few days they went back in Khagrachari (a hill tracks area of Bangladesh- in south– east side); They said they would come back few month later. My eldest uncle broke up the relationship with us because of accepting their marriage. Alamgir sirs was not coming in our house to watch television or to meet with my sister Yesmin, nor were even any of his family member coming to our house after the incident of my elder sister Shilpi. Television became somewhat available in our village; so they could watch television somewhere else, not in our house. One day, Alamgir sir’s father and some guardians of their Bari and a marriage match-maker came to our house. My mom thought they had come to propose for marriage of my eldest sister Yesmin with Alamgir sir, but they proposed for marriage of my eldest sister with Alamgir sir’s cousin- who is uneducated and a farmer. My mom couldn’t believe it; I too told my mom to refuse that proposal, so my mom refused them. After that day, the marriage match-maker used to coming our house regularly with many proposal of marriage of my sister; my mom didn’t like any of them. One day the match maker offered a good proposal to my mom; he said – “the boy is very handsome, educated, he did HSC, and he is well established, he has a book shop in Dhaka.” My mom liked this type of guy for my eldest sister. My mom said I will inform Babu’s father, then he will go to visit their house. I remember, it was 1st December 2000, I and my mom went to Dhaka to my Dad. My mom told about the proposed of my sister marriage to my Dad. My father liked the proposal. 2nd December, I, Mom and Dad went to Zinglatoli (A village, where my paternal aunty live– I mean younger sister of my dad – she was given marriage their). My parent’s intention was to meet with my uncle (Husband of my aunty), because his younger sister was given marriage with a guy to the village from where the proposal came for my sister marriage- the village is Babutipara to visit the house of the boy- with whom my sister was going to be married. I was supposed to go with them, but I had a cricket match that day, I told my mom- “Mom, Dad and Uncle are going there, why I need to go there. So, I and my mom came back to our village. My dad and uncle went to Babutipara; the matchmaker had reached there before. At evening my uncle and the match maker came back to our home, but my dad did not come, he went back to Dhaka, because he had an important job to do. My mom asked to my uncle about the boy and the house. He said Babu’s father liked the boy, but they are not as rich as you are; but the boy has potential to be rich; Babu’s father invited them to come tomorrow”. My mom asked- “them why did not he come”? My uncle said – “he has an important work to do”. The match-maker said to my mom “Pray to Allah so the marriage gets done tomorrow. 3rd December 2000, my future brother-in-law and some guardians of his village came to our house to see my sister. The guardian said that they would get married my sister with their son Nazrul Islam, if my mom agrees to give 50,000 BDT, as dowry in her marriage. No guardian of our Bari came to our except Billal’s father. My eldest uncle did not come, because my parents accept the marriage of my elder sister Shilpi, since he did not come, so other guardians did not come. Normally, all guardian of our Bari used to getting together in this sort of occasion; but it did not happen with us. Billal’s father convinced my mom to agree on the marriage with the condition of giving 40,000 taka as dowry. My mom said- “I need to inform her daughter. The match-maker said— shuvo kaje deri korte nai chichi; I mean he said – “it’s not good to wait on happy events”. He also said- “You see chichi (Aunt), if the guardians of bride get informed about the incident of your younger daughter, then they may not agree on the marriage to be completed to night. My mom agreed to the marriage, my eldest sister got married without presence of my father. I don’t know it marriage or buy and sell. Later on the morning I talked with my brother in law and I got complete shocked, because he is very unsocial and uncultured compare to us. We hate the way he speaks, he does not seem educated at all, and rather it seemed he is very uneducated. In morning, my mom had to give 15,000 taka cash as dowry, my mom had to mortgage a land of our crops field to manage that money; two days later, I went to Babutipara, the village of my new brother-in-law; I got another big shock I found their house and environment so dirty and below third class than ours; they did not have any sanitary toilet and tube-well and electricity in their house. Later some days, we informed that one elder brother of my brother-in-law is in jail for life time imprisonment; because his wife committed suicide because of their torture. Because the girl’s parents could not gave the dowry. One week later, my dad came from Dhaka; hearing the news of my sister marriage, my dad got to crazy; he asked my mom- why did you do it without the presence of mine; I did not like their house and environment at all, I told to visit our house just for formality or courtesy, nothing else”. My mom started crying and she said-“Allah will make everything all right, Allah will make them happy and rich”.