Jamia Islamia Baitul Falah is one of the leading and most well-known private Qawmi Islamic institutions in Bangladesh. Located in the capital city, Dhaka, it was established in 1396 AH (1975 CE) with the sincere guidance of distinguished Islamic scholars and the generous support of devout Muslims. The founding aim of the Jamia was to meet the essential need for authentic Islamic education, to inspire faith, morality, and righteous action, and to provide a balanced integration of religious and worldly knowledge while preserving the true Islamic mindset.
The curriculum of the Jamia follows the traditional structure of Darul Uloom Deoband, the historic Islamic seminary of India. At the same time, it incorporates modern academic disciplines such as Bengali, Arabic, English, Urdu, literature, rhetoric, logic, philosophy, history, geography, mathematics, and Islamic economics.
Although it started modestly, by the grace of Almighty Allah, the Jamia has now grown into one of the largest and most respected Islamic seminaries in the country. It offers structured education from the primary level up to the highest level—Takhmīl al-Hadith (Dawra-e-Hadith), equivalent to a Master’s degree in Hadith studies.
Goals and Objectives
To seek the pleasure of Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him).
To build a society illuminated by Tawheed and Risalah, free from shirk, bid‘ah, superstition, and falsehood.
To develop students into knowledgeable and practicing scholars (Nayeb-e-Nabi – successors of the Prophet).
To nurture students as responsible citizens through the teaching of authentic Islamic history, heritage, and civilization.
To instill taqwa (God-consciousness) and spiritual awareness through sound education and training.
To prepare each student as a dedicated preacher (Muballigh) and struggler (Mujahid) of Islam who can face modern-day challenges.
To enable students to present Islamic teachings in a simple, beautiful, and appealing manner to society.
Core Programs
The Jamia functions through three main programs:
1. Education Program
This program is divided into three departments:
Maktab Department: A two-year foundational course for children using the engaging Noorani method. It includes literacy training, memorization of 2–3 Juz of the Qur’an with proper Tajweed, essential Bengali, English, and Math lessons, daily supplications (duas), prayer training (wudu, ghusl, salah), and memorization of 40 Hadiths with meaning.
Hifz Department: Graduates from the Maktab continue in the Hifz department for a four-year program under the guidance of experienced Huffaz. Special coaching is provided to prepare them for advanced Islamic studies (Kitab level).
Kitab Department: Offers a structured curriculum from the elementary (Ibtida’i) stage to Dawra-e-Hadith. Plans are in place to introduce Tafsir and Fatwa departments in the future. Subjects include Arabic grammar (Nahw), morphology (Sarf), jurisprudence (Fiqh), Hadith, logic (Mantiq), theology (Aqeedah), rhetoric (Balagha), manners (Adab), philosophy, Bengali, English, Mathematics, History, and Geography. The goal is to produce well-rounded and competent Islamic scholars (Ulama).
2. Student Training Program
Beyond academic education, this program aims to prepare students for practical challenges and leadership roles. It includes:
Speech Training: Weekly public speaking sessions are held to develop eloquence and clarity in conveying Islamic teachings. Supervised by senior teachers, these sessions help students become effective communicators and preachers.
Wall Magazine Publication: To combat the dominance of secular and anti-Islamic narratives in literature, the Jamia publishes a Bengali-language wall magazine promoting Islamic thought and literary skills among students.
Student Library: A well-stocked library with books from renowned local and international authors, enabling students to stay informed about current affairs, national and global issues, and contemporary Islamic discourse.
3. Service Program
Jamia Islamia Baitul Falah is committed to serving the wider community through several initiatives:
Fatwa Department: Provides Shariah-based solutions to complex personal, social, and family matters under the supervision of experienced Muftis.
Faraiz Department: Assists in the proper distribution of the deceased’s estate according to Qur’anic inheritance laws, ensuring justice for rightful heirs.
Dawat and Tabligh: Students engage in regular outreach efforts—spending 3, 5, 7, or 10 days in Tabligh missions and one full Chilla (40-day spiritual journey) during Ramadan. They also participate weekly in 24-hour neighborhood Dawah activities under teacher supervision, with spiritual guidance provided by senior scholars from Kakrail and other centers.
Disaster Relief and Aid for the Needy: Students and teachers provide financial and humanitarian assistance to victims of floods, storms, and other natural disasters, as well as to needy travelers and disadvantaged individuals—carried out independently through collective efforts.
Conclusion
Jamia Islamia Baitul Falah stands as a beacon of traditional Islamic scholarship, balanced with contemporary education and social responsibility. With a firm foundation in authentic Islamic teachings and a forward-looking vision, the Jamia continues to educate, empower, and inspire future generations of scholars, leaders, and servants of Islam—Insha’Allah, this noble mission will continue to flourish for years to come.
