Abu Najm, an Islamic scholar based in the United States, has openly celebrated the massacre of Hindus in Bangladesh, urging Muslims to continue their attacks and destroy temples. He provocatively stated that Hindus should consider themselves fortunate to be dealing with followers of the Hanafi school of thought, rather than the more aggressive Maliki, Shafi’i, or Hanbali sects, implying that these other Sunni Islamic schools would have been far more brutal in their treatment of non-Muslims.
This rhetoric reflects a broader, disturbing trend among some radical Islamists who fantasize about the complete extermination of Hindus in Bangladesh. Abu Najm, who identifies as an “indigenous Muslim” and claims to be a PhD student in Islamic studies, has spent over two decades studying and teaching Islamic sciences. However, his main agenda appears to be the spread of hatred against non-Muslims, specifically Hindus, whom he refers to as Kufar (infidels). He envisions a future where Muslims dominate and subjugate non-believers, advocating for violence and the destruction of their places of worship.
Following the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed, whose leadership was marred by rising communal tensions, Abu Najm took to social media to celebrate the turmoil and push for the annihilation of Hindus.
In a series of inflammatory tweets, Abu Najm highlighted his approval of the violence by referencing three of the four main Sunni Islamic schools of jurisprudence within the ‘Ahl as-Sunnah’ tradition. He stated that the fact that these schools—specifically the Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali—advocate for giving non-Muslims, particularly Hindus, only two choices—conversion to Islam or death—brings him “great solace.”
“Hindus should be grateful they’re dealing with Hanafis and not Malikis, Shafi’ees, or Hanbalis,” he remarked, mocking the Hindu community while insinuating that the other Sunni sects would have been much harsher in their treatment of non-Muslims. This comment underscores his belief that the current Hanafi approach, which is seen as relatively moderate in some Islamic contexts, is too lenient in dealing with Hindus.
Further emphasising his extremist views, Abu Najm cited Islamic law from the Hanbali school of jurisprudence, the dominant Sunni school in countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, to justify the humiliating treatment of non-Muslims. He referred to a Hanbali directive that mandates distinguishing non-Muslims under a covenant of protection by shaving parts of their heads and altering their hairstyles, practices intended to degrade and mark them as inferior to Muslims.
In addition to his overt calls for violence, Abu Najm also claimed to show ‘generosity’ towards Hindus who accept their subservient position in Muslim-majority countries. He stated that he has no issue with Hindus who are willing to abandon their faith, which he derogatorily referred to as “shirk”—a term used in Islamic theology to describe idolatry and polytheism—and live according to Islamic laws. However, he expressed his hope that Bangladesh would be entirely “cleaned of Hindu influence and meddling,” dismissing reports of anti-Hindu violence as mere “Hindu propaganda.”
Abu Najm’s rhetoric did not stop at abstract calls for violence. He also expressed his gratitude to Allah in response to reports of an attack on the prominent Bangladeshi singer Rahul Ananda, whose home was looted and set on fire amid the unrest. This response reflects his deep-seated hostility towards the Hindu community and his endorsement of the ongoing persecution.
