Islam was born in 1944 to a Bengali family of Muslim Sarkars in the village of Barabhita in Nilphamari subdivision, Rangpur district, Bengal Presidency.
He became active in student politics during his time at the Nilphamari College, contributing in favour of the six point movement of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Islam played a role as an organiser in his native Kishoreganj thana and served as the pradhan (chief) of the Haldibari Youth Camp.
Islam was arrested a few days after the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 15 August 1975, spending time in prison with the four national leaders of Bangladesh.
Islam suffered from cardiac arrest and was taken to the Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital in Dhaka where he died on 4 December 1996.