Zahirul Islam Shuvo

"Jannat refers to a place that
Allah has designated for His obedient and beloved servants."

Martyr's mother says, "I never had to tell my son anything more than once. He was always eager to spread the noble ideals of Islam in mosques. He used to pray Tahajjud for his deep relationship with Allah. Shuvo was a genuine reflection of a lively, cheerful preacher."
Martyr's cousin Soad says, "O Allah! Grant us this plea, give him eternal Jannat, provide him with limitless sustenance, and grant us the strength to carry out the work he left behind. Seeing the martyr's mother's plea, it seems like her son was martyred for the country."
An Overview of Shaheed’s Life
Martyr Zahirul Islam Shuvo was born on August 7, 1996. He was a construction worker's helper by profession. His father has been suffering from cancer for a long time. His mother works as a maid in a private television company. He lived with his wife and son in a rented house in Tongi, Gazipur. Shuvo's ancestral home was in a remote char area of Barishal. All their land was lost due to river erosion. His parents live in Matuail, Jatrabari. He used to bear half of their house rent and household expenses. Two families have been separated by his death. His wife is currently staying with her mother in Dinajpur.
Martyr Zahirul Islam Shuvo chose the mosque as a benchmark for changing himself.
Religious Devotion
Shuvo grew up seeing poverty in his family. He could not study due to family constraints. After his ancestral land was lost due to river erosion, he came to Demra, Dhaka with his parents. He became acquainted with the local Tabligh Jamaat over there. He went for Chilla (a period of spiritual practices) for 40 days to receive religious education. He gained religious knowledge and learned to read the Quran from discussions of Deen (religion) in mosques. He gradually became addicted to religious activities after regularly listening to the significant discussions of Hadith.
After returning from Chilla, he discussed what he had learned to awaken the Deen among his family members. He requested his only sister and mother to wear burqas. He noticed a significant change within himself. As soon as he heard the Azan (call to prayer), a kind of restlessness would start in his heart. Then, he regularly asked the Imam of the mosque about various issues and made intense efforts to reduce the deficiency in his religious education. Immersed in religious devotion, he chose the mosque as a benchmark for changing himself.
Growing Life
From the dawn of life, it seemed as if hunger had become a friend of the martyr's family. Shuvo was determined to turn this friendship into enmity. His father came to the capital and started driving a rickshaw to support the family. Suddenly, Mr. Sirajul Islam fell ill. He was admitted to a hospital by his son. Treatment was going on at Dhaka Medical College. After examinations, it was revealed that he had cancer. Extreme anxiety descended upon the family. The savings were exhausted in a few days. Martyr’s father returned home as he could not afford the treatment. Days passed without food due to poverty. There was no opportunity for any types of help.
A New War Begins
Shuvo looked for a job to support his family. He requested work from shop to shop. Not getting any work, he went to various offices. There also he did not get any work. At one point, he became frustrated. He remembered the verse - "Indeed, with hardship comes ease" - Surah Inshirah. In this situation, he decided to work as a construction worker. With the help of a local neighbor uncle, he came to Tongi, Gazipur from Demra. There he started working as a construction worker's helper (Jogali). Hoping for extra income, Shuvo worked more than necessary to support the family. When the earned money was regularly sent home, his father's treatment started. Najma Begum paid the house rent which was due for several months after receiving the son's money. Even on holidays, Shaheed Zahirul Islam Shuvo did not stop. He brought back immense happiness to the family's face through hard work. Shuvo did not delay in organizing marriage of his only sister to a suitable groom. The entire wedding arrangement was completed from martyr's earnings. Shuvo achieved satisfaction by seeing the happiness of the family. He regularly offered Tahajjud prayers and prostrated before his Lord.
Entering Married Life
After the sister's marriage was completed, martyr Zahirul Islam Shuvo breathed a sigh of relief. At his mother's insistence, he decided to get married. With the help of neighbors, he got married to Mosammat Ambia Akhter of Dinajpur district. He started his family life in a two-roofed rented house in Tongi city. After a few days, his only son, Arian Islam Ayat (6) was born. The family expenses naturally increased. As a result, Shuvo's mother, Najma Begum, is now employed as a maid in a television company with a salary of Tk 9,000. Meanwhile, Mr. Sirajul Islam's cancer gradually worsened. The cost of medicine also increased. Martyr Zahirul Islam Shuvo became somewhat worried.
The Call to Movement
July-August 2024 was a month of barbarism. Awami League terrorists and their hired forces carried out a massacre across the country. The incident started with the quota movement. Then, the people of the whole country united and formed an anti-discrimination mass uprising due to the provocative speech of the then autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina. The dictator Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled due to the wrath of the students and the people.
The Green Flower of Martyrdom
Every believer works with the desire for martyrdom. But Allah does not accept everyone as a martyr. From an arranged garden, the owner of the garden carefully plucks the most beautiful flower among the blooming flowers. Similarly, Almighty Allah also takes His most beloved servant among His countless servants and elevates him to the status of a martyr. Allah says in this regard, "He takes some of you as martyrs." Whoever is martyred in the way of Allah, before that, their activities, manners, speech, and noble deeds are different. The life of Shaheed Md. Zahirul Islam Shuvo was exactly like that before his martyrdom.
It is as if the thirsty heart of martyrdom quenches its thirst.
Martyrdom Background
Shaheed Md. Zahirul Islam Shuvo had disliked the then autocratic ruler, killer Sheikh Hasina, for speaking against Islam. Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country. This news spread all over the country in an instant. Thousands of people marched in victory processions across the country. Upon receiving the news, this young man with a desire for martyrdom took a break from his construction work and joined the movement. He made the atmosphere resound with "Allahu Akbar" in Sector 03 of Uttara. Continuous firing was going on all around at that time. The killer Hasina's nurtured police force was engaged in killing people like birds simultaneously in Uttara BNS Center and across the country.
That day was August 5, 2024, at 4.30 pm. The victory processions celebrating the fall of the government were going on all over Uttara. Suddenly, a bullet fired by the killer police hit Shuvo's head. His eyes went dark in an instant. He pressed the wound with blurred eyes. He lost his balance. As he fell to the ground, he was quickly taken to Crescent Hospital, Uttara. There was a lot of bleeding. Lying on the hospital bed, his beloved servant began to call upon his Lord. At around 4.45 pm, his eyes slowly closed. "La ilaha illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah" began to be uttered from his mouth.
It seems as though the thirst of martyrs is slaked. He makes his way to meet Almighty Allah. The body was brought home. Upon viewing their son's body, Sirajul Islam and Najma Begum were rendered powerless. Ambia, his wife, often passed out. Her head was doused with water. The purpose of the funeral was to bring the cherished servant to Allah's presence. Shaheed Zahirul Islam Shuvo was laid to rest in Matuail graveyard following the funeral. According to the Quran, the martyrs are undoubtedly alive. And for them, eternal heaven is awaiting.
Introduction to Paradise
"Jannat refers to a place that Allah has designated for His obedient servants, which is a fascinating garden adorned with various flowers and fruits, with beautiful mansions spanning the horizon; through which flow various rivers, canals and springs. Where eternal spring exists. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, 'Allah Almighty says, "I have prepared (such blessings) for my righteous servants that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human being can even imagine it." (Sahih Bukhari)"
Opinion of a Close Relative
Soad, the martyr's cousin, says - "My brother always used to talk about prayers. He also used to tell me to treat my parents well. He always helped me like a friend. My brother's departure is very painful for me. I want justice for my brother's murder."
Personal Information of the Shaheed Zahirul at a Glance
Name : Md. Zahirul Islam Shuvo
Profession : Worked as a mason's assistant
Date of Birth & Age : August 7, 1996 (28 years old)
Injured & Martyred Date : August 5, 2024 (Monday) at approximately 4:30 PM
Place of Martyrdom : Uttara Crescent Hospital
Burial Site : Matuail graveyard, Dhaka
Permanent Address : Village: Matuail Uttar Para, District: Dhaka
Father : Sirajul Islam
Mother : Nazma Begum
Property Status : No assets
Family Details : Only sister: Marjina Akter Bithi (married)
Only child: Arian Islam Ayat (son)
Wife : Ambia Akter
Recommendations:
Arranging educational support for the martyr’s child.
Providing medical assistance for the martyr’s father, who is battling cancer.
Offering financial support to the martyr’s wife, either as a monthly allowance or a one-time grant