Amimul Ehsan Barkati

Sayyid Muhammad Amimul Ehsan Barkati was born on 24 January 1911 (22 Muharram, 1329 Hijri) at Pachna, Bihar, India to Hakeem Muhammad Abdul Mannan and Sayyeda Sajida. He was second among four brothers and three sisters.[6][7] His family is from the Feni District of present-day Bangladesh.[8]

He received his primary Islamic education from his paternal uncle Abdud Dayyan. Later on, he had gained the knowledge of Tasawwuf from a Sufi scholar of India, Shah Abu Barkat Ali Shah. As he had become a murid of him, he added the title Barkati to his surname.

Barkati acquired his academic learning from the famous Calcutta Aliah Madrasah in 1926.[6][7]

In 1934, Barkati was appointed as the Imam and teacher of Calcutta Nakhoda Masjid.[6] In 1935 he also got the responsibility of Head Mufti of that madrasa's Darul Ifta. In 1943, he joined Calcutta Aliya Madrasah.[6] In 1971 he became the khatib of Baitul Mukarram, later the national mosque of Bangladesh. He held that position until his death in 1974.[2]

Barkati's works include:

1. Fiqhus-sunan wal Asar[6][7][9]
2. Qawa'idul-Fiqh
3. Fatwae Barkati
4. Adabul Mufti
5. Al-Usool-ul-kargee
6. Usolul masailut iktilfat
7. At tasruf li Adabit Tasuuf
8. At-tanjed fe tawhid
9. At tanver fe usole tafseer
10. Tariqe Islam
11. Tariqe Ilme Haddes
12. Tariqe Ilme Fiqh
13. Sirajum munira Milad nama (سراجا منير)
14. Tarikae Hajj
15. Lubbul Usol
16. Maske Fariez
17. Minnatul bari
18. Mijanul Akbar
19. Miyarul Asar
20. Wasiyatnama
21. hadiyatul Musallin[7][6]

Barkati married Maymuna, daughter of his mentor and a Sufi saint Abu Muhammad Barkat Ali Shah.[6][7] after death of Maymuna, he married Fatima and they have a son, Munim, and a daughter, Amina. Munim died when he was a child. His second wife died in 1937. He married Khadija and lived with her until his death. Among all the children of Barkati, only her youngest daughter Sayyeda Amina Khatun was alive during his death. She died in 1990. Barkati performed Hajj three times: in 1954, 1958 and in 1971.[9]

During 1973–74 Barkati's health started to deteriorate. In the year 1974 the committee of Baitul Mukarram had some issues with him to which he decided to not go again in Baitul Mukarram for further Juma prayer. He returns the key of his room and said, "I will not be coming next week". He died on 27 October 1974, 10th Shawwal 1394 Hijri.[6][7] Next day on 28 October his funeral prayer was held at Baitul Mukarram.

Daily Inqilab says he has been recognised as a Grand Mufti of Kolkata by Calcutta government of British India in 1935.[6]

Alokito Bangladesh says he had received gold medal and certificates in 1974 for his contribution towards Islamic missionaries from Bangladesh Government.[9]