Sayyid Muhammad Amimul Ehsan was born on 24 January 1911 in his maternal grandfather's house located in the village of Pachna in Munger district, Bihar. He belonged to an upper classMuslim family of HusaynidSayyids whose forefathers had migrated from Arabia.[5] Ehsan was second child of Hakeem Sayyid Abul Azeem Muhammad Abdul Mannan and Sayyida Sajida, among his four brothers and three sisters.[6][7] His father relocated to Calcutta, where Ehsan spent his childhood.
He received his primary Islamic education from his paternal uncle Sayyid Abdul Dayyan. Later on, he had gained the knowledge of Tasawwuf from the NaqshbandiMujaddidiSufi Shah Syed Abu Barkat Ali Shah.[9] As he had become a murid of him, he added the title Barkati to his surname.[citation needed]
Barkati acquired his academic learning from the famous Calcutta Aliah Madrasah in 1926.[7][10]
Career
In 1934, Barkati was appointed as the Imam and teacher of Calcutta Nakhoda Masjid.[7] In 1935 he also got the responsibility of Head Mufti of that madrasa's Darul Ifta. In 1943, he joined Calcutta Aliya Madrasah.[7] In 1971 he became the khatib of Baitul Mukarram, later the national mosque of Bangladesh. He held that position until his death in 1974.[2]
Barkati married Maymuna, daughter of his mentor and a Sufi saint Abu Muhammad Barkat Ali Shah.[7][10] after death of Maymuna, he married Fatima and they have a son, Munim, and a daughter, Amina. Munim died when he was a child.[citation needed] His second wife died in 1937. He married Khadija and lived with her until his death.[citation needed] Among all the children of Barkati, only her youngest daughter Sayyeda Amina Khatun was alive during his death. She died in 1990.[citation needed] Barkati performed Hajj three times: in 1954, 1958 and in 1971.[11]
Death
During 1973–74 Barkati's health started to deteriorate. In the year 1974 the committee of Baitul Mukarram had some issues with him to which he decided to not go again in Baitul Mukarram for further Juma prayer. He returns the key of his room and said, "I will not be coming next week". He died on 27 October 1974, 10th Shawwal 1394 Hijri.[7][10] Next day on 28 October his funeral prayer was held at Baitul Mukarram.[citation needed]
Recognition
Daily Inqilab says he has been recognised as a Grand Mufti of Kolkata by Calcutta government of British India in 1935.[7]
