Uncle Samad - A man above worldly things

By Dr. Muhammad Hafizullah

“Please have another spoon of rice!" I requested him and he complied. He raised his eyes and looked at me and politely said, "I cannot say no to you; do as it pleases you!" And having that special licence, I tried to push in a whole plate of 'Kitchri', shredded chicken leg and yoghurt. I only stopped, when he raised his eyes again and without saying anything looked deep into my eyes. The message was very clear that he was only letting this food in to respect our wishes, otherwise his internal system was in revolt against food.

Of course the licence, so to say, was granted due to his unlimited love. His face would always melt down in a smile, even in his extreme agony, to please us. The gentleman was full of love and was most extravagant in dishing it out!

"This mosque is going to miss him very sorely," commented the Imam Sahib heading the well maintained mosque in Defence Colony. The mosque, from a humble start, now boasts of centrally heated, well ventilated internal halls, large courtyard fitted with ceiling fans, warm water for ablution and a water cooler.

Though all inhabitants contributed in its development, the main driving force was Uncle Samad. He used to maintain meticulous accounts and spent a lot of time maintaining high standard of cleanliness. Allah Subhanau Taala chooses His very special people to look after His own house, and of course then showers upon them unlimited blessings.

His love for mosque was a part of his personality - as prayers were the highest priority of his life. During his long career in the army, he took upon himself to improve the mosques. Undoubtedly, on the Day of Judgment scores of mosques will be competing for evidence, testifying his boundless love and dedication.

Though much against the prevalent conventions, commemorating his Soyem in the mosque came very naturally!  The Maulana himself volunteered to host the Quran Khwani in the mosque and later willingly agreed for the food to be served as well.

People thronged and the mosque was full of Nimazis. Most people offered two and some three prayers in congregation. Somewhere beyond the clouds, I could see a smile on his face for attracting so many people to mosque - regardless of the pretext! Uncle, even in his death, attracted hundreds of people to the mosque - a cause which was always very close to his heart.

His last posting was in CMH Kohat as in charge of the hospital.  People still remember him very fondly for his commitment and extraordinary services.

On assuming charge he drew a plan to improve the services and in spite of the ubiquitous constraint of resources, he was very successful in implementing it. He would mention how he improved the quality of food and utensils.

He would talk about the steps he undertook to improve the discipline and how he extended the facilities of intensive care. His unabashed belief in Allah Subhanau Taala and leading from front set example for all!

Though he was otherwise not worried but his illness claimed a very heavy toll on him. He was most worried about his inability to offer prayers. Though his lips perennially rolled with Ziker and he was in constant 'on line' with Allah Subhanau Taala, yet his illness did not allow offering formal prayers. Though he did not put it in words, yet his body language was quite 'vocal'.

He had a solemn belief that whatever was ordained had to happen and nothing could prevent it. He was one person who was in total agreement with Nature. His terminal illness followed a heart attack, which led to heart failure.

This reduced his appetite and feeding him became the most challenging task. A vicious cycle ensued where loss of appetite caused weakness which led to more apathy towards food. Even at this time his argument used to be, "Why are you pushing me to eat?  Whatever is predestined by Allah Subhanau Taala for me will go down my throat the rest will never cross this barrier!"  This used to render us all answerless!

He had mastered the art of extending respect to all - regardless of age and social status. His handshake was firm but warm and hug affectionate. He addressed politely and talked in low tone. No wonder his subordinates had great affection for him.

He enjoyed good working relationship with everyone including kids. In the family, he was respected by all for being totally non partisan and straightforward. He was very popular among his brothers and sister and their children for doling out love.

His relationship with his own children was based on high standards of discipline, forgiveness and extreme love. The eldest son Lt Col Saad inherited the maximum from his father. Very proudly he declared his illustrious father as an ultimate and reckoned that whatever he and his brothers had achieved was because of the training and, he hastily added, prayers.

Fahd, a banker based in Dubai, took months off to be with his ailing father. Both Saad and Fahd spent weeks almost confined to a room, looking after him with insurmountable dedication. 

The younger ones Wasai and Basit spent many restless nights in the CCU of CMH literally standing besides his bed. The prayers they earned from him shall sail them through all the hardships of life and secure something very high from them. The only daughter settled in Karachi, along with her children, spent weeks helping her mother and offering care to her favourite role model.

He did not seem to belong to this world of materialism and gain. His life was totally devoid of pretentions. He had a very firm belief in Allah Subhanau Taala and led an incredibly simple life which was evident from his clothes and food.

His approach to life was based on simple explicit tenets. His practice of religion was guided by similar approach.

He was a source of prayers for all of us and we would turn to him for earning his prayers and blessings in hours of stress. Blessed are people like him - role models for us who prove that there is a lot more to life than worldly gains.