I wrote this yesterday but I wasn't sure if should upload it. Here it goes
Just a couple of hours ago I heard that a very old friend of
mine has died. By very old I mean that
our friendship dates back a long time, even before I knew what the word friend means
and also the fact that this man was somewhere in his eighties.
Normally you are supposed to feel sad when someone dies. No? Yes. But I feel happy.
You see this friend of mine. He used to call me his
“chalgosey wala dost” before I knew his name, or who he was, I knew that I had
a chalgosey wala dost. He would bring soun halwa and chalgosey from Multan and
I would eat them like crazy. I used to love them and my parents told this to
him. As the years went by his health deteriorated and his regular visits to Islamabad
lessoned. But no matter what, there was a regular mail package addressed to “merey
chalgosey wala dost”.
Getting back to why I am happy
So you see this guy, Bhai Jan Usdani everyone calls him, is
my mother’s cousin. I think. He is one of those people who have spent their
lives living for others and without even realizing it. He would wake up before
dawn. Pray thahajud. Then pray fajar then he would go to his shop where he
would practice hikmat. Homeopathic medicine, for free as far I know. He would
write books, have them published and then send them off to friends and family.
These books talked about how to live a good life, be happy and healthy, the
right medicines etc. etc. I could go on and on about his life but you see It
doesn’t matter. Not to him. He wasn’t one of those people who did things for
others so that he would be remembered. He did it for the sake of doing it. I
praising him wouldn’t matter to him.
I remember his bones were thin. His skin would hang loose and
he would go on and about the day with the biggest smile I have ever seen. His
teeth poking out. He almost looked like a happy cartoon. He was average in
height but extremely week. But if someone told you of his daily schedule you
would think twice before believing it.
I just realized I haven’t explained why I am happy
You see. I happy because in him I see a friend who did all
he ever wanted. He raised his kids, didn’t get them money, but he taught them
to be the best of people. He loved his family. He did everything for his
friends and it’s not like he was waiting for something in return. Had he been
waiting, I would wished that he got to see the fruit of his efforts. But he
wasn’t. And apart from that, you see he was so ready to step into the next
world. I really feel he deserves it. He seems like one of those people who you
know will get all the promises of the hereafter. Whenever I used to meet him I
would wish him to be stronger to be able to enjoy more and I think that the
life into which he is entering will give him that. The thing is, it is
difficult to wish for anything for a person who seems eternally satisfied.
Hereafter seems like the ultimate reward for him that he is finally getting
inshAlalh.
The last time I met him. I remember I went up to him nervously
and asked if he remembers me. I was guilty for not visiting him in a long time.
He was wearing glasses as thick as my thumb and I was sure that he would have
lost me in his old memory. He didn’t answer the question. He kept eating the
food in front of him while I looked down at floor embarrassed. Then he turns to
me and says “chalgosey laaye ho merey dost?”
That same night. I remember one other thing he said to me.
Now all of us have well-wishers and I have heard lot of people wishing for
success or money or happiness for others. Bhai Jan usdani however said this “allah
taaku dilli sukoon devey”. I live in a world where money success, promotions
and so many other things matter to people and there he is wishing for my hearts
inner peace. It was something that might never leave me.
May Allah bless him with the highest grade in paradise Ameen.
