The noble lineage of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (RA), the closest companion and first Caliph of Islam, has flourished across generations, spreading to the four corners of the world. From the bustling cities of the East to the distant lands of the West, his blessed descendants carry the torch of his wisdom, piety, and unwavering faith.
Like the ripples of a mighty river that began at the wellspring of Prophetic companionship, his progeny continues to walk the earth with the legacy of truth, justice, and leadership. Whether in the deserts of Arabia, the mountains of Central Asia, the plains of the Indian subcontinent, or the distant shores of Africa and Europe, their presence remains a testament to the enduring light of his legacy—a light that neither time nor distance can extinguish.
The family genealogy of Hazrat Shah Kamal (RA) was later included in the genealogical records of Shahji Gushti’s family, as detailed in their family history book. According to family elders, the original family tree was lost or damaged due to natural causes, with its origins tracing back to the father of Hazrat Shah Kamal (RA). Some family members believe that the family history book, which contained the genealogy from the late Middle Ages, was stolen by a concubine of the family. This concubine, feeling disrespected by the family, allegedly took the genealogy and left the village, never to return.
Fortunately, another version of the genealogical tree, detailing the lineage of Hazrat Shah Kamal (RA), was preserved by Maulvi Abdul Heleem, a descendant of Hazrat Shah Kamal (RA).
Years later, my grandfather’s younger brother, Mohammad Jahir Master, compiled the family genealogy from his memory and the recollections of the family elders across generations. What I present here is based on the research conducted by my father. In ancient times, families cherished the names of their ancestors, passing down these names through stories. The story of Shah Shukur Uddin stands out among these family tales due to its remarkable nature. To the best of my knowledge, the family genealogy provided by my family has been continuously updated to the present day.
For instance, in the context of family genealogy, it’s common to consider an interval of three generations as spanning one hundred years. There are also different systems for calculating the length of a generation, often ranging from twenty-five to thirty years. With one system, three generations are counted per century; with the other, there are four generations per century.
According to these calculations, there should be at least 27 or 28 paternal generations over a span of 794 years. However, I have documented 24 paternal ancestors. If I include myself, my son Mohammad Al-Hamim Hussein Kamaly, and my elder brother’s grandson Mohammad Farhad Kamaly, that makes 27 males. This brings us closer to the expected paternal interval. A longer interbirth paternity interval may occur due to various factors, such as the late birth of a son, the first or last births of daughters, or multiple marriages resulting in the late birth of a son from a later marriage.
The timing of a son’s birth in relation to other siblings, particularly if born late in the family’s generational line, can lengthen the paternity interval. Factors such as life expectancy, age at marriage, and whether the family has more daughters than sons all influence this interval. Therefore, the extended paternity gap in my family can be considered theoretically correct.
My elder stepbrother, Mohammad Abul Hussain Kamaly (born at 8:30 PM on Sunday, November 1, 1924, in Rasulpur — passed away on Monday, September 21, 2015, in London, aged 91), was buried in the Garden of Peace Muslim Cemetery. He married on March 7, 1959, and had three sons and three daughters. His eldest child, Mohammad Shafi Uddin Kamaly, born in 1960, will be about 64 years old in 2024. Shafi’s youngest son, Mohammad Farhad Hussain Kamaly, born after five daughters, will be 22 years old in 2024. His second son, Tunu Miah Kamaly (also known as Shahi Uddin Kamaly), has no sons yet.
Mohammad Abul Hussain Kamaly’s younger son, Titu Miah Kamaly, has a younger daughter who will turn 10 in 2024. His eldest daughter will be 17. The period from 1924 to 2024 marks a full 100 years, with Mohammad Abul Hussain Kamaly’s youngest son being the last-born in the family. This suggests that the paternity intervals in earlier generations of my family were longer on average and that our ancestors lived significantly longer than the national life expectancy.
This long paternity gap allows me to count seven fathers within a span of 200 years. If I trace the family lineage from 1230 to 2024, that amounts to roughly 794 years, and this would give me around 27 or 28 generations, which is accurate. These generational gaps are sometimes influenced by factors such as late marriages, having daughters before sons, or other family dynamics, all of which have contributed to the paternity gap observed in my family’s lineage.
My stepmother and my biological mother were cousins, both descendants of Shah Amir-ud-Din, who was the elder son of Shah Shukur-ud-Din and the elder brother of Shah Moniur-ud-Din, one of my ancestors. After the death of my stepmother, my father remarried my mother on July 17, 1945. I was born on March 8, 1965, when my father was about 63 years old, making me the youngest of his children.
Before my birth, I had four sisters. Following them, my elder brother Mohammad Mothahir Hussain Kamaly was born, who later had two daughters. My next elder brother, Mohammad Arbab Hussain Kamaly, had a son after having two daughters. My father was born after the birth of his sister.
In terms of my family structure, I had four older stepbrothers, an older dearest sister, and a younger brother, one of whom passed away before I was born.
Family History Overview
Mohammad Abul Hussain Kamaly, also known as Hajji Abdul Hussain (Kamaly), was born on1 November in 1924 and passed away in 2015. He left behind three sons and three daughters. His passport reportedly contains a mistake, listing his name as “Abdul” instead of “Abul.”
Musammat Rabia Khatun Kamaly (Shaista): Born on April 14, 1926, in Rasulpur and passed away in 2008, aged 82, in Narainpur Paschim Bari Shaharpara. She had four children — two sons and two daughters. Sadly, the elder son and the eldest daughter passed away due to old age.
Mohammad Noorul Hussain Kamaly: Born in Rasulpur, he passed away in London on November 4, 2009, at the age of 78. He was buried in the family graveyard at Master Bari, West Tilak. He was married three times, and his first wife was English. He had three sons and five daughters. Noorul Hossain spent most of his life in London and had his first daughter with his English wife in 1959. His eldest son, Khosru Hossain Kamaly, born in 1966, has one son, who will turn 10 in 2024. The age difference between Khosru and his grandfather is approximately 83 years.
Mohammad Badrul Hussain Kamaly: Born on January 1, 1934, in Rasulpur, Badrul passed away in 2010 at the age of 76 at Masterbari in Paschim Tilak and was buried in the family graveyard. He was the father of four sons and six daughters. Tragically, many of his children from his first marriage died in infancy. After his first wife’s passing, he married twice more. His second marriage resulted in the birth of a son, Anu Kamaly, and his third marriage resulted in five daughters.
Mohammad Faizul Hussain Kamaly: Born on November 24, 1936, in Rasulpur, he passed away on September 5, 1957, at the age of 22 due to chickenpox or smallpox. He was buried in the family graveyard at Schoolbari. Faizul was remembered fondly by the village for his strength, even though his life was tragically short. He had a deep love for music and was known to use a lemon tree thorn to fix the pin on his gramophone when it broke. Though he did not live long enough to move with the family to West Tilak, he helped my father bring materials to build the new home at Tilak Master Bari. He was so strong that he could carry two men under his arms, even though one of them, my elder sister’s husband, was older than him.
Musammat Ajibunahar Kamaly: Born on April 14, 1946, in Rasulpur. Her burial location is not mentioned in the genealogy, but I believe she was buried in the School Bari Cemetery in Rasulpur.
Musammat Mahir Angiz Begum Kamaly (Minara): Born on January 30, 1948, in Schoolbari, Rasulpur, Minara, passed away on July 23, 2012, at 11:30 PM in Docklands, London, at the age of 64, following a battle with ovarian cancer. Her passing occurred during the sacred month of Ramadan, on its fourth night. Her funeral (Janazah) was held the following day, after the Zuhr prayer, on the fifth day of Ramadan. In her passport, her name is recorded as Minara Begum. She was laid to rest at the Garden of Peace Cemetery, located on Elmbridge Road, Hainault, London, where her gravestone bears the name Minara Begum (Kamaly).
Minara was married on the 4th of September 1964, at the tender age of sixteen, to Mohammad Monuhor Mia, son of Mohammad Awatir of Katia Oloitali village in Jagannatpur, Sunamganj. Tragically, just over eight months into their union, Minara was widowed at seventeen when her beloved husband perished in a devastating plane crash over Cairo on the 20th of May 1965. The ill-fated flight, operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), claimed the lives of nearly all on board.
Following this heart-wrenching loss, Minara came to live with our family, where she remained for the rest of her life. She dedicated herself entirely to my upbringing, showering me with a rare and selfless love I will carry with me always. Out of enduring loyalty and deep affection for her late husband, she never remarried, choosing instead to honour his memory for the remainder of her days.
Years later, Minara longed to visit her younger sister, who had been diagnosed with cancer and had relocated to London in 1985, unable to return to Bangladesh. Despite repeated applications for a visa at the British High Commission in Dhaka, Minara was persistently denied entry. It was only after her sister's passing that she was finally granted a visa—a bitter victory. With a heart heavy with grief, she travelled to London, where she visited her sister’s final resting place at 540 Romford Road, Manor Park, London E7 8AF, in Woodgrange Park Cemetery.
In London, Minara lived with her late sister’s children, embracing them as her own. Though she had no children by birth, the love she gave was maternal in every sense. Among them, she shared a particularly close bond with her nephew, Abthahee Kamaly, the youngest of the family. Moved by love and respect, Abthahee learned Sylheti-Bangla so he could communicate with his aunt, who spoke no English.
Minara endured a long battle with depression, particularly following her sister’s death. In a poignant twist of fate, she, too, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after undergoing surgery at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London. She faced the same cruel illness that had claimed her sister’s life, undergoing similar treatments and enduring tremendous suffering with quiet resilience.
Minara passed away during the holy month of Ramadan in 2012, her departure coinciding with the London Olympic Games. Her loss was deeply felt by all who knew and loved her.
Though Minara never had the chance to meet her sister Dilara in person, they shared heartfelt conversations over the phone. In one such call, Dilara revealed the harrowing news of her own cancer diagnosis. Years later, Minara would experience that very same affliction, progressing through its stages with a quiet strength that mirrored her sister's. Their lives, it seemed, were profoundly intertwined—not only by blood but by a shared journey through pain, perseverance, and the silent courage of terminal illness.
Mohammad Monuhor Mia’s name is etched in marble among those lost in the tragic PIA plane crash on Thursday, 20 May 1965. The memorial, located in the Pakistani section of Cairo’s historic Bassatine Cemetery, bears the names of 121 individuals, including the flight crew. Of the 127 passengers, only six survived. The last known survivor, Mr. Salahuddin Siddique, passed away on 17 August 2024 at the age of 93.
In solemn tribute, officials from the Pakistan Embassy laid a wreath and offered Fateha at the site. Monuhor Mia’s name appears on the final line under the letter "M," following that of Miss Momi Gul Durrani. The monument stands as a timeless testament to those who perished in that catastrophe.
At the time of Monuhor Mia’s untimely death—he was my brother-in-law—I was but two months and twelve days old, the youngest of my siblings. I was far too young to grasp the enormity of the loss that would so deeply shape the course of our family’s life. From that moment onward, Minara became a constant presence in our home and my life—an unwavering guardian and source of love and sacrifice.
Minara’s life was marked by quiet strength, enduring sorrow, and boundless love. She gave selflessly, asked for little, and left an indelible legacy in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have known her. May her soul rest in eternal peace.
Mr. Salahuddin Siddique, the last surviving passenger of the ill-fated Pakistan International Airlines Flight PK705, passed away in London in August 2024 at the age of 93. Multiple credible sources confirm his passing in mid-August, with several specifying the date as August 17. His death marked the closing chapter of a tragedy that left an indelible mark on Pakistan’s civil aviation and journalistic history.
PIA Flight PK705, operating the airline’s inaugural route from Karachi to London with scheduled stopovers in Dhahran and Cairo, met with catastrophe in the early hours of May 20, 1965. As the Boeing 720B aircraft approached Cairo International Airport in dense fog, it crashed during its final approach. While reports vary—placing the site of the accident between two miles and twenty kilometres from the airport—the scale of the disaster is tragically undisputed.
On board were reportedly 128 individuals, though some accounts cite 127. Of these, only six survived. Among the 122 lives lost were several eminent figures, including the iconic PIA air hostess Momi Gul Durrani—whose image came to symbolise a nation in mourning—and 21 journalists, many of whom were en route to international assignments or regional engagements. Notably, the deceased included A.K. Qureshi, Administrator of the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), and Major General Hayatuddin, Chairman of the National Press Trust.
The death of such a significant contingent of the press in a single incident was a profound blow to Pakistan’s intellectual and media communities. It remains one of the darkest and most consequential days in the history of both Pakistani aviation and journalism.
In Cairo, a memorial tablet was erected to honour the victims, engraved with the names of 121 of the deceased. Though decades have passed, the memory of this tragedy endures—preserved in scattered reports, personal accounts, and solemn commemorations such as this. It is through remembrance that the legacy of those lost continues to echo across generations.
Mr. Salahuddin Siddique stood as the final living witness to that harrowing night. His life embodied the resilience of survival, and his passing reminds us of the fragility of historical memory. With his departure, a human link to one of Pakistan’s most painful national tragedies is severed—but the voices of the fallen, and the lessons borne from loss, must never be forgotten.
Musammat Bina Begum Kamaly: Born on Saturday, February 9, 1952, at 11:30 in the morning in the village of Rasulpur.Although the family genealogy does not record the location of her burial, she was likely laid to rest in the School Bari Cemetery in Rasulpur, where several members of our extended family were interred.
Bina’s brief life is part of a sorrowful chapter in our family’s history—one marked by the all-too-common tragedy of infant mortality. During the early 1950s, when East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) faced widespread public health challenges, many families across the region experienced the heartbreaking loss of children in infancy. Ours was, regrettably, no exception. Several young lives in our family were lost in their earliest days, including two of my elder sisters.
Though Bina did not live long enough to leave behind personal memories, her name remains gently etched in the tapestry of our family history. Her passing—along with that of one of her siblings—serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life in those times, and of the quiet resilience with which families bore such immeasurable loss.
In remembering Bina, we pay tribute not only to her but to all the children who left us too soon—each one a silent thread woven into the fabric of our shared history, shaping the story of who we are.
Musammat Mahir Afjun Kamaly (Dilara): Born on Saturday, February 13, 1953, at 4:00 AM in Rasulpur, Dilara was known by her passport name, Dilwara Begum Kamaly. She passed away on July 21, 2001, at the age of 48 in London and was buried in Woodgrange Park Cemetery at 540 Romford Road, London, E7 8AF. Dilara had three daughters and two sons, all of whom are married and living in various parts of the UK. Her youngest daughter resides in Sheffield, and her eldest daughter lives in Mansfield.
Mohammad Motahir Hussain Kamaly (Moti): Born on Saturday, March 2, 1957, at 3:00 AM in Schoolbari, Rasulpur, Moti was the last of my father’s children to be born in Schoolbari. My immediate elder sibling and I were born later in Master Bari. Motahir left Schoolbari when he was just over a year old, during the annual flood season of 1958, which began in June and continued through September. In the years that followed, he built a modest career for himself, working at a pharmacy in Bangladesh. Life came full circle when his elder daughter followed in his footsteps—now employed at a pharmacy in the United States, continuing the legacy of care and service across continents.
Mohammad Arbab Hussain Kamaly: Born on Saturday, December 17, 1960, in West Tilak, at the family residence known as Master Bari. In 1993, he married and went on to become the proud father of three children—two daughters and one son.
On July 10, 1995, Arbab emigrated to the United Kingdom and established his home in London, settling with his family in the Docklands area. His only son, Isa Ahmed Kamaly, was born in 2002.
A remarkable detail in the Kamaly family lineage is the century-wide span between Isa Ahmed Kamaly and his grandfather—an exact 100-year age gap. This generational bridge stands as a testament to the enduring legacy and continuity of the Kamaly family, echoing across time and continents.
Mohammad Muazzam Hussain Kamaly: Born on Monday, March 8, 1965, at the family’s ancestral home, known as Master Bari, in West Tilak.
At the age of twelve, he emigrated to the United Kingdom on June 15, 1977, initially settling in Yorkshire. Later that same year—during the winter holiday period, around the end of December or the beginning of January—he relocated to London to join other members of the extended Kamaly family.
On January 5, 2001, Muazzam married and became the father of three children. Since then, he has made his permanent home in East London, where he continues to uphold the family’s legacy and contribute to its continued presence and growth in the United Kingdom.
A remarkable thread of generational continuity is evident in the Kamaly family timeline. The family patriarch, Mohammad Akbar Ali Master, a respected figure from Baglar Bari, was born on September 30, 1902—a date that marks the beginning of a life defined by tradition, learning, and steadfast values.
Exactly 103 years and 6 months later, on April 6, 2006, a new chapter unfolded with the birth of Muazzam’s son, Mohammed Al-Hamim Hussein Kamaly, in the United Kingdom. This extraordinary span of over a century between grandfather and grandson is more than a numerical coincidence; it is a profound symbol of endurance, lineage, and the passage of heritage across continents and generations.
The paternal gap between Mohammad Akbar Ali and his grandson Al-Hamim speaks to the evolution of the Kamaly family—from rural Bengal to urban Britain—while maintaining an unbroken thread of identity, resilience, and generational pride.
Other Family Details
Paternal Nephews: I have 11 paternal nephews. Of these, four sons were born, with the eldest being 22 years old, the second 10, the third 8, and the fourth 6 years old in 2024. One of my nephews remains unmarried, and with hope in my heart, I look forward to the day when I might welcome grandchildren into our lives.
Second Brother: The second brother had three wives, and all his wives had children.
Third Brother: The third brother was married three times and had children by all his wives.
Paternal Family Lineage and Generational Gaps
My son was born 103 years and six months after the birth of my father—a remarkable span that highlights a significant paternal generational gap in our family. This extended interval between generations serves as a striking marker in our family’s patrilineal lineage, which I focus on exclusively here, leaving aside the matrilineal line for clarity.
This unusually long paternal gap likely results from a combination of familial and cultural circumstances. Some of our ancestors may have fathered daughters much earlier than sons, married relatively late in life, or remarried in later years. These patterns could have contributed to longer intervals between male births across generations, leading to fewer direct paternal figures over time. While these conclusions are drawn from available records and oral histories, they remain estimations based on the limits of our historical sources.
Our paternal line also connects to a revered spiritual ancestry. According to the oral traditions and genealogical records preserved by the descendants of Hazrat Shah Kamaluddin Quhafah (RA), it is believed that Hazrat Shah Kamal (RA) was the son of the elder sister of Hazrat Shah Jalal (RA), one of the most venerated Sufi saints in Bengal. Based on historical timelines, it is estimated that Hazrat Shah Kamal’s (RA) mother would have been born in the late 1220s AD, while Hazrat Shah Jalal (RA) himself is believed to have been born in the early 1230s AD.
The death of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishti (RA) in 1236 AD, a towering figure in the Chishti Sufi order, plays a crucial role in establishing a historical framework. Some sources mention that Hazrat Shah Jalal (RA) met him—possibly during his pre-teen years—further suggesting a birth date in the early 1230s.
According to family traditions and several historians, Hazrat Shah Kamal Quhafah (RA) was the son of Hazrat Shah Jalal’s (RA) elder sister. Some historical sources also mention Hazrat Shah Poran (RA) as a son of the same elder sister. However, certain discrepancies exist regarding timelines. For instance, according to the Wikipedia entry on Hazrat Shah Kamal Quhafah (RA), his birth year is listed as 1291 AD. If accurate, this would imply that his mother—Hazrat Shah Jalal's (RA) sister—would have given birth at the age of over sixty, which is biologically implausible and likely a result of chronological confusion or a mistaken generational attribution.
Further adding to the historical narrative, some sources identify Hazrat Jalaluddin Surkh-Posh Bukhari (RA)(1198–1292 AD) as the maternal grandfather of Hazrat Shah Jalal (RA). If true, this would place Hazrat Jalal’s (RA) mother’s birth in the early 13th century, assuming that Hazrat Jalaluddin Bukhari (RA) married in his twenties, had a daughter in early adulthood, and that his daughter married young, bearing children—possibly two daughters—before the birth of Hazrat Shah Jalal (RA).
Historical texts note that Hazrat Shah Jalal (RA) was only three months old when his mother passed away and that he lost his father at the age of five. He was subsequently raised by his maternal uncle, Hazrat Syed Ahmed Kabir (RA)—a pivotal figure in his upbringing and early spiritual development.
The contemporaneous relationship between Hazrat Shah Jalal (RA) and Hazrat Khwaja Burhanuddin Ketan (RA) suggests that Hazrat Shah Jalal (RA) was born sometime after that period, placing his likely birth in the early 1230s AD or shortly thereafter.
Conclusion
The extensive paternal gap in my own family is a contemporary echo of the complex generational patterns evident even in the earliest branches of our spiritual and familial heritage. From revered saints in 13th-century Central and South Asia to descendants now living across continents, our lineage carries with it not only names and dates but a legacy of endurance, faith, and interconnected generations, sometimes spread across centuries.
The Legacy of the Kamaly Family: A History of Devotion, Faith, and Heritage
Bismillah Hir Rahman-ir-Raheem
In the name of Allah (SWT), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, I begin this sacred task of writing the genealogy book of our esteemed family. With deep humility and reverence, I invoke Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), the Most Compassionate, the Most Forgiving, to bless this endeavour. May He forgive the sins of my beloved parents and all my ancestors and grant them eternal peace in His Paradise. I repent for my own shortcomings and seek His forgiveness, acknowledging that only He is the source of mercy.
Our family lineage has been carefully documented in a manuscript, first penned by my beloved grandfather’s younger brother, the late Mohammad Jahir, also known as Zaheer Ali (Master). This book, written in Bengali, was later translated into English. It contains the invaluable birth and death details of our ancestors, recorded meticulously as a testament to our noble heritage.
A Legacy That Stretches Back to Hazrat Shah Kamal (RA)
The roots of our family extend deep into the history of Islam, tracing back to Hazrat Shah Kamal (RA), a revered Sufi saint of the 14th century. He was a descendant of Hazrat Abu Bakr (Radi Allahu Anhu), the first Caliph of Islam. Hazrat Shah Kamal (RA) lived in Shaharpara, where his tomb and those of his children stand as lasting symbols of faith, devotion, and spiritual legacy. The descendants of Hazrat Shah Kamal (RA) are divided into various clans, each with their distinct name: Baglar Gushti, Mullar Gushti, Shahjir Gushti, Sadardi Gushti, Sheikhbadi Gushti, Sheikh Farid Gushti, and Khadim Gushti. These clans have flourished not only in Shaharpara but also in other regions, such as Patli and Sylhet Dargah Mahalla.
Our family tree, with its deep-rooted connection to Hazrat Shah Kamal (RA), was originally written in the late 19th century in a bloodline book that divided our family into these various clans. This sacred book was passed down through generations, beginning with my grandfather and later continued by my father, Akbar Ali (Master), who meticulously copied and preserved these records.
In May 1995, my elder brother, Mohammad Arbab Hussain Kamaly, with the help of our cousin Shah Zillur Rahman Kamaly, a descendant of Hazrat Shah Kamal (RA), contributed immensely to this genealogical work. Together, they recorded the family’s lineage and updated the records, ensuring that our family’s history was preserved for future generations.
The Written Legacy: From Notebook to Genealogy Book
The initial records of our family were kept in a small notebook, a treasured document written by my late uncle, Mohammad Jahir Ali (Master). This book began as a humble compilation but grew into an extensive genealogy. My father, Akbar Ali (Master), copied this notebook onto a fresh pad, creating what he termed “Heredity in Bloodline.” This book became the cornerstone of our family’s genealogical records, passed down to my elder brother, Mohammad Arbab Hussain Kamaly, who continued to add details about marriages and new generations.
As time passed, the original writing pad ran out of space, and my elder brother began a new record, starting once again with Hazrat Shah Kamal (RA) and his father, Hazrat Shah Burhan Uddin (RA). The records were updated, capturing new branches of the family and adding vital details about our ancestors. The preservation of these records was not an easy task, and much effort was required to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the family history.
The Sacred Role of Shah Zillur Rahman Kamaly
Shah Zillur Rahman Kamaly, a descendant of Hazrat Shah Kamal (RA), played an instrumental role in preserving and translating the genealogical records of our family. His contributions to our genealogical project were invaluable. In 1993, he translated the Nasab Nama (the genealogy book) from Persian into Bengali, making the family history more accessible to future generations. He also ensured that the Urdu translation, completed by an outside professional in the 1970s, was incorporated into the Bengali manuscript.
Shah Zillur Rahman Kamaly’s efforts did not end there. He also ensured that the genealogical script was passed on to my elder brother, who continued the work with great care and diligence. The preservation of this precious document, which was passed down through generations of our family, was central to the completion of this book.
The Role of Maulvi Abdul Heleem and the Nasab Nama
One of the pivotal figures in the preservation of our family’s genealogical history was Maulvi Abdul Heleem, a religious scholar who translated the Nasab Nama (Krishti) from Arabic into Persian. His translation work was later refined and translated into Bengali by Shah Zillur Rahman Kamaly in the 1990s. This effort helped preserve the historical narrative of our family, which could have otherwise been lost to time.
Maulvi Abdul Heleem’s translation, as well as his extensive knowledge of the family’s history, was passed down through the generations. The treasure trove of historical records he left behind has been an essential part of our family’s ongoing genealogical project.
The Call for Preservation and Immortality
The creation of this genealogical book is not only a documentation of dates and names but also a legacy meant to honour the sacrifices, faith, and struggles of our ancestors. This book is not just a collection of facts; it is a symbol of the dedication, love, and hard work invested in preserving our family’s heritage. It is a legacy that will continue to live on through the generations, a living testimony of our deep connection to Hazrat Shah Kamal (RA) and the great Sufi tradition that he embodied.
The book, which we refer to as Kristi Bahi or Kulji, encapsulates the sacred bond between our family and our forefathers. It serves as a testament to our shared history, to the unity that binds us, and to the eternal value of preserving one’s heritage. May Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) continue to bless our family and grant us the strength to uphold the dignity and honour of Hazrat Shah Kamal (RA) for generations to come.
Preservation of the Family Genealogy
The preservation of this remarkable genealogy is the result of the dedication and commitment of several generations of family members. The work began with my grandfather’s youngest brother, Mohammad Jahir Ali Master, whose efforts laid the foundation for safeguarding the ancestral history of our family. The task was subsequently continued by my father, who devoted many years to preserving and documenting our lineage.
After years of genealogical research and compilation, Al-Hajj Shah Zillur Rahman Kamaly made an invaluable contribution through his extensive knowledge of family history and ancestral traditions. His guidance and scholarship greatly assisted my brother, Al-Hajj Mohammad Arbab Hussain Kamaly, in preserving and recording the heritage of our family for future generations.
The genealogy itself has passed through the hands of numerous custodians over the centuries. Among them was Maulvi Abdul Heleem, who translated the Nasab Nama (Kristi) from Arabic into Persian, ensuring its continued preservation and accessibility. In 1993, Al-Hajj Shah Zillur Rahman Kamaly translated the Persian version into Bengali. Subsequently, various family members and scholars undertook additional translations into Bengali and Urdu, allowing descendants from different linguistic backgrounds to access and appreciate their ancestral heritage.
Of particular importance is the Gol Mohar seal associated with the lineage of Hazrat Shah Kamal Quhafah (RA), the illustrious son of Hazrat Khwaja Burhan Uddin Qattal (RA). The surviving seal is believed to have been prepared between 1861 and 1862 and constitutes a valuable historical record of the family’s spiritual and genealogical heritage.
The genealogical manuscript presently preserved within our family appears to have been compiled during the late nineteenth century or perhaps the early twentieth century, following the loss of the family’s original Family Tree Book, which is believed to have contained a more complete record of the descendants of Hazrat Shah Kamal Quhafah (RA). Although the surviving manuscript preserves much of the ancestral lineage, comparison with the Gol Mohar seal reveals certain differences in structure, sequence, and content.
These discrepancies suggest that the surviving genealogy may have been reconstructed from earlier sources after the loss of the original manuscript, or that multiple versions of the lineage circulated among different branches of the family. Such variations are not unusual in historical genealogical records, particularly when manuscripts have been copied, translated, abridged, or reconstructed over long periods of time.
The recovered family manuscript and the Gol Mohar seal should therefore be regarded as complementary sources rather than contradictory ones. Together, they provide valuable evidence for reconstructing the lineage of the descendants of Hazrat Shah Kamal Quhafah (RA) while illustrating the challenges involved in preserving family records across generations.
Continued research, together with the examination of surviving manuscripts, family records, oral traditions, land documents, and other historical sources, may help resolve the remaining discrepancies and contribute to a more complete understanding of the family’s ancestry and historical development.
A Message of Gratitude
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Shah Zillur Rahman Kamaly, whose invaluable contributions made this project possible. His effort in preserving the family’s records, along with the help of my elder brother, Mohammad Arbab Hussain Kamaly, has ensured that this history is not lost to time. May Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) reward them abundantly for their efforts.
I also extend my thanks to my late grandfather, my father, and all the generations before us who have preserved and passed down this heritage. Without their efforts, our story would have remained untold.
This book is not just a historical document; it is a living, breathing testament to our identity and faith. May it serve as a source of pride, inspiration, and unity for future generations. May Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) grant our family success, peace, and eternal blessings in both this world and the Hereafter.
All praise is due to Allah (SWT), the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon the family of Hazrat Shah Kamal (RA), our ancestors, and all those who came before us.
The Majestic Lineage of Hazrat Ismail (AS) and Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA): A Legacy of Reverence and Honour
.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F* "The picture captures Kunabon during the flood, situated on the east bank of the once-mighty Ratna Nodi, which has now shrunken over time. It was taken from the west side of the river, at the northeast corner of School Bari, offering a crossing view of the river. Northside of the picture is Danis Sarang mansion of Sarang Bari. The Ratna Nodi flows in a south-north direction along the village.")
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.jpg "An imaginative portrait of Hazrat Mowlana Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (RA), capturing the profound depth of his wisdom, spiritual devotion, and timeless peace.")
