Abu Toha Muhammad Adnan

Abu Toha Muhammad Adnan (born: 1991) is a Bangladeshi Islamic speaker, researcher, and YouTube personality. He gained recognition, especially among the youth, for his lectures on Islamic topics, Tafsir, Hadith, and contemporary social issues. In 2021, his disappearance became a subject of widespread national discussion and created a stir in the media.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Although Abu Toha Muhammad Adnan's ancestral home is in Rajshahi, he spent his childhood at his maternal grandfather's house in Rangpur. After his father, Rafiqul Islam, passed away during his childhood, his mother, Ajefa Begum, moved with him to Rangpur. He grew up and spent his formative years there. Currently, he resides in the Ahle Hadith Mosque area on Central Road in Rangpur city. From a young age, he was interested in cricket and was known locally as a good cricketer. Later, he dedicated himself to religious and da'wah activities.^[4][5]

His formal education began at the age of seven when his mother sent him to learn the Quran from Maulana Nazrul Huzur. He later completed his Secondary and Higher Secondary education from Lions School and College, Rangpur. Afterward, he enrolled at Carmichael College and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in Philosophy.^[6] Alongside his formal education, he received religious instruction from various scholars at Jamia Salafia Madrasah in Rangpur. He also acquired knowledge through self-study of Islamic books and research texts.^[7]

His first wife is Habiba Nur. The couple has a son and a daughter.^[8] His second wife's name is Sabikun Nahar Sara. She resides in Mirpur, Dhaka, and works as the director and a teacher at the Al-Idfan Islami Girls' Madrasah in Mirpur.^[9] According to media reports, there was some strain in his family life after his second marriage, which was later discussed in connection with his disappearance.^[10][11][12]

Adnan began broadcasting Islamic lectures on YouTube in 2017 and published his first video in 2019. His topics of discussion include signs of the Day of Judgment, the Antichrist, prophecies, social issues, and challenges facing Muslim society. He quickly gained popularity online due to his ability to explain contemporary issues from a religious perspective.^[13] In 2018, he won first place in an Islamic competition called "Alokito Gyani" (Enlightened Scholar), which further increased his recognition.^[14] Additionally, he established and directs the Toha Yin Nurain Online Madrasah. ^[15][16]

On June 10, 2021, Abu Toha went missing along with two companions and his driver while traveling from Rangpur to Dhaka. The incident caused widespread concern among his family and followers, and a campaign was launched on social media with the hashtag #saveAbuTohaAdnan to find him.^[17] His second wife, Sabikun Nahar, held a press conference on the matter and sought the intervention of the Prime Minister and the administration.^[18] Eight days later, on June 18, he was found at his first wife's home in Rangpur.^[19] Subsequently, the Rangpur Metropolitan DB Police stated in a press conference that Abu Toha had gone into hiding voluntarily due to family disputes.^[20][21][22] He and his companions had been staying at a friend's house in Gaibandha.^[23][24][25]

On women's attire and social degradation, in a 2021 lecture he stated, "Just as it is essential for men to guard their gaze, it is also mandatory for women to wear modest clothing." A controversy arose surrounding one of his speeches, alleging that he blamed women's clothing for rape. However, media analysis later suggested that the context of his full speech was different, where he urged both men and women to maintain modesty.^[26]

He has expressed solidarity with Palestine and spoken out against Israeli aggression. At a seminar on the Palestine issue in Dhaka in 2023, he called for a boycott of Israeli products. He said, "The responsibility of protecting Masjid al-Aqsa and liberating the holy land of Palestine does not belong only to the Palestinians but to all Muslims worldwide."^[27] He has also participated in various rallies in support of Palestine.^[28]

He emphasizes the importance of showing respect to the Awliya Allah (friends of Allah) or religious saints. In one speech, he said, "Do not be disrespectful to the friends of Allah. Instead, ask for their prayers. And if you lack manners, at least practice staying silent."^[29] In 2021, a dispute arose with the organizers of a Waz Mahfil (religious gathering) in Bogura, where he allegedly did not speak for the full contracted time. The organizers accused him of snatching 36,000 Taka and a wristwatch, which was reported in the media.^[30] In January 2022, he was scheduled to speak at a Waz Mahfil in Faridpur but was unable to do so due to objections from the local administration.^[31]

After the disappearance incident, Abu Toha resumed his da'wah activities. He remains active at various Mahfils and on social media. In October 2024, he made a comment directed at the Bangladesh Chhatra League which once again brought him into the discussion. He called on the Bangladesh Chhatra League to repent to Allah for their past actions and to ask for forgiveness from the people, expressing gratitude for their mistakes.^[32][33]