True Teachings Of Islam

Azam Ali, an Ahmadi Moslem

Chapter 16 – Prayers

Man of Prayers

              The one word to describe what my father did by anyone who knew him would be that he prayed. Father’s prayers were accepted as he prayed, but often far better and more desirable results ensued that lasted for much longer .

On congregational prayers, wedding ceremonies and family gatherings the attendees asked him to lead the prayers because of their knowledge that his prayers produced results as he prayed the way God Almighty had directed and the Holy Prophet, s.a.w., had exemplified.

Ch Azaz Ahmad Bajwa was a District Judge like Father and a close friend. Both friends practiced law after their retirement. He offered Father half the revenue from their attorney’s law office if Father agreed to just contribute with his prayers.

Father gathered all his family as any of his children got ready to go off to college in some distant town. Then with a small lecture to the whole family and a treasure of his ever-flowing prayers the family ember was set off. No wonder they all reached the top of the line they chose.

I remember him praying for and along with me every morning before I left for the High Court while my clerk and clients waited and watched before we walked to the Court that was hardly three minutes walking distance from our office on 21 Edwards Road, Lahore.

Method

              Father’s all-encompassing spiritual training was uninterrupted by anyone else. Extending from our infancy to formative years to our adulthood and married life with our children, it was perpetually focused on praying, praying and praying, all the time, standing, sitting or lying down.

He was a total embodiment of practicing the following Command in the Holy Qor-aan.

           Ul-la-ze-na  yauz-ko-roo-na  ul-laa-ha                                                                                                Qay-yaa-maun  wa  qo-oo-daun  wa  alaa  jo-noo-bay  him                                                                                                                              سُوۡرَةُ آل عِمرَان    –   Ch 3, Verse:192 

            Those who remember Allah                                                                                                      Standing and sitting and on their sides.                          003:192 

Father led us into the habit of always praying, before starting daily activities and before taking every major or minor step in life. The words of prayer had a specific order of choice.

1. The best choice always was to use the divine words of the Holy Qor-aan.
2. The next choice was to use the compact nuggets of wisdom in some
3. Finally, choosing a prayer in our own language so that feelings from deep down one’s heart and mind could be expressed well.

Father had learnt and sought all his children to evolve and reach the Goal Of Creation. First, to recognize and start one’s journey on to harness his Tendency To Do Wrong as everyone is created with the Nauf-say Amma-rah (012:054). Second, to strengthen one’s inner soul and develop courage to accept Blame For One’s Actions, i.e., reach the Nauf-say Lauw-waa-mah (075:003). The ultimate is to is become Nauf-say Moot-ma-innah and receive the welcome of “You The Contended Soul, Return To Your God, Totally Pleased.” (089:028)

Father explained things in a manner that even a child could easily understand. Who creates a cause produces the effect of generally getting the results. Studying hard and working smart brings success. Taking proper medicine and good care of brings recovery faster.

Father taught us that the results and progress invariably follow the prayers. All religious people, saints and sages advocated that attaining God’s pleasure was the highest, noblest and the best purpose why the Creator gifts us with life. Prayers at every step resolved issues.

Preparation

              The rationale Father had in pursuing his determination to raise his children according to his dreams and in the form he raised was that food is the seed that produces blood that feeds the brain that conceives ideas that lead to action.

Father shared with us the elementary principle of success. God’s plan is to reward every doer the results of his efforts. Eating food is the first basic act which then leads us to whatever else we do in life. One becomes what he eats, and actions during the rest of the life are a natural byproduct of all our earlier actions – good or bad, whatever they be.

For example, asking the Almighty Provider to provide for oneself and family for a …

• ‘Clean and pure food,’ that produce
• ‘Clean, pure and healthy blood,’ that generate
• ‘Clean, pure, healthy and noble thoughts,’ that materialize in
• ‘Clean, pure, healthy, noble and productive acts’ to serve God and His creatures.

Eater of physical and spiritual food produces quality results. He stays on the quality track, makes quality progress and often in rapid strides. I wonder if enough words in dictionary are there or on my ability to fully convey my father’s emphasis on eating clean and lawful foods.

One who eats filth develops filthy habits of begging and living upon other people’s handouts like a scavenger eating out of others discarded trash. The fact is that whoever did a bad thing and was then surrounded with enormous other wrongs are destined to burn (002:082).

Father used to make his point by punctuating his approach with a summarized version of his life experiences. He explained that his conclusions could have unintended consequences that could be avoided by using the tool of prayers, an appeal to God soliciting His help..

Father maintained courtroom décor where that was the norm even when issuing simple order for litigants as once in a lifetime affair. He modified that technique for use at home where he prepared his children for their lives and they had to prepare theirs for their lives, and so on.

Father had a routine well stablished and prayer was the central pivot.

1. He stated necessary details of his experience and underscored that he prayed so that he may not be exposed to any unforeseen unpleasant consequences.
2. He repeated things in many ways, in many words, in many scenarios to make him clear, very clear, to the point that at times others construed that it was an over-kill.
3. He told us children at home: “You heard me. You think you understand me. Now tell me what is that you understand that I said.”

Father, in court as the presiding Judge, had to remind a witness sometimes that on oath sworn to tell the truth he must provide truthful testimony.

Once he reprimanded a woman witness telling her to answer counsel’s questions and not talk of things not asked for. She suddenly started screaming that the Judge had addressed her as Ma-ee, a term by which older women are customarily addressed in most of the Punjab province.

Father was confused over her screaming. Lawyers informed him that she felt offended for being addressed as Ma-ee because she was not a young damsel but a grandmother. Such unintended consequences are against which Father used and recommended prayer as the shield.

Circle

               Desired results are multiplied when a prayer is added to an effort made. Prophets’ prayers perpetuated in the Holy Qor-aan are known to produce far better and quicker results than mere acts done without those prayers. Prayers of the Holy Prophet s.a.w., are a proven key to success.

Using a prayer adds psychological boost to a beseecher’s acts. Such a declared intention of an innermost mind draws spiritual benefits as well. Progress becomes better and faster when prayer and causation are combined, hand in glove.

Determined efforts entail consequences. Genuine devotion produces success. Appropriate action generates consequences. Sincere prayers produce results. Invoking God’s benevolence  guarantees outcome. Conjunction of all these on one intended goal causes miracles do happen.

Our father was one such miracle who laid foundation for many more to materialize in its wake. It is no surprise because he had followed the Holy Prophet s.a.w., and tried to be a little Mohammad as recommended by the Khaleefatool Massih II, r.a.,

Progress

              Father impressed on us with a very simple but far-reaching concept relating to prayers and progress. One needs to contact a postmaster for a problem with mail delivery and visit a doctor if sick, and not a mailman. Likewise, one must pray to God when in need, and not a man.

God Almighty does what is best and that includes for a man. On the other hand, no human can ever do what he deems or even is the best for him.

Prayers verbalize the requester’s concentration, determination and resolution.                    Prayers taught to prophets have perpetually greater possibilities of being granted.        Prayers show precedents that had previously led beseechers to swift successful solutions. Prayers bring more than what man asks from the core of his heart.                                      Prayers nourish man’s soul and strengthen his bond with his Maker.                                    Prayers express intentions. If coupled with appropriate actions, they produce results. Prayers resolve situations; using proven words and concepts is a sure way to get results.

Father put us on that right road by practicing his Memorize-Internalize-Exercise drill.  He told us to select a prayer that was most suitable to meet a need at hand. He taught, tutored and trained us for success laying astronomical emphasis to take proper actions to reach our intended goals and by adding prayers to our actions.  He made it clear that doers reap good results whether they pray or not, but efforts by those who add prayers to their actions produce far superior results.

The presence of prayers in a person’s mind builds imagination, creates ideas, provides resolutions, forms goals, precipitates activity, and brings success. The more they are the better it is. This is what Father spent his lifetime in teaching us.

And his prayers showed even more spectacular was what we feared, expected and maybe wanted. Anything good we did, he knew it and prayed for more. Anything we did to the opposite, he knew it and prayed for forgiveness for the past and correction in the future. His prayers were on-going, and the progress they brought we are enjoying over half a century after his Transition.

Phrase O-laa-aiy-ka  aus-haa-bo  on-naar … “All are Friends of Fire”

اُولٰٓٮِٕكَ اَصۡحٰبُ النَّارِ‌‌ ۚ  هُمۡ فِيۡهَا خٰلِدُوۡنَ

O-laa-aiy-ka  aus-haa-bo  on-naa-ray  hoom  fee  haa-khaa-lay-doo-n

All are Friends of Fire. They are dwellers in it.

• اُولٰٓٮِٕكَ — Olaa-aiy-ka — They all (= Aforesaid facts, persons or things. Here the reference is to aforesaid folks, people, sinners and wrong doers)
• اَصۡحٰبُ — Aus-haa-bo … (on) — Friends  (= n., pl., This one word has many shades of meanings.   With closeness as an element … Associates; companions; families; fellows; folks; friends; heirs; people; populace; population.  With residence as an element … citizens; denizens; dwellers; guests; inmates; inhabitants; invitees; live ins; natives; residents; stayers; visitors.  With control as an element … army; controllers; fighters; masters; occupants;  occupiers; owners; possessors; soldiers)
• ٱلنَّارِ — Naa-ray — The Fire (= Anger, punishment or wrath of Allah; hell; hell fire; purgatory. The Fire of punishment. Literally, the rapid sustained reaction or source of releasing light and heat)
• هُمۡ‌ — Hoom — They (= pro., pl., m., 3^rd person. Refers to aforesaid Friends or inmates)
• فِىۡ   — Fee — In (= Contained in or amidst a duration, event, time, place, period, thing or situation; inside)
• هَا — Haa — It (= pro., s., f., 3^rd person., Refers to the Hellfire)
• خٰلِدُوۡنَ — Khaa-lay-doo-n — Dwellers (= n., pl., Those abiding, living, staying or residing for a time unspecified as in a hospital or rest house. To add words like everlastingly, for ever after, permanently and perpetually is inappropriate for those who will go   to hell. Adding such a qualification is appropriate only for the residents of Paradise . Some interpreters have incorrectly labeled this period to last forever. See Note 002:040)

The following verses have the above phrase. Such repetition emphasizes the primary message. The remaining words reiterate the message even with a change in surrounding circumstances. This technique highlights the importance of primary message.

All are of Fire. They are dwellers in it.

002:040: Who disbelieved and belied Our Signs are  “ “.                                                      002:082: Whoever commits a sin and all his wrongs surround him, then “ “.                      002:218: Whoever among you reverts from his right faith and dies, then “ “.                      002:258: Who disbelieved are friends of Satan who takes them light to darkness “ “. 002:276: Usuary is not but trading is allowed. Who lives on usuary except the past “ ‘. 003:117: Who disbelieved are whose wealth and children can’t help them against God ” “. 007:037: Who belied Our Signs and took pride in walking away are “ “.

The Holy Qor-aan                                                                                                           007:037

وَالَّذِيۡنَ كَذَّبُوۡا بِاٰيٰتِنَا وَاسۡتَكۡبَرُوۡا عَنۡهَاۤ اُولٰۤٮِٕكَ اَصۡحٰبُ النَّارِ‌ۚ هُمۡ فِيۡهَا خٰلِدُوۡنَ

                                   Except for additional words كَفَرُوۡا وَ in verse 002:040 and                                     وَاسۡتَكۡبَرُوۡا عَنۡهَاۤ  in 007:037, the text in both verses is the same.

Wa  ul-la-zee-n  kauz-za-boo  bay  aa-yaa-tay  naa                                                                  Was  us-tauk-ba-roo  un  haa                                                                                                              O-laa-aiy-ka  us-haa-bo  on-naa-ray   hoom  fee  haa  kha-lay-doo-n

And those who belied Our signs                                                                                      And acted arrogantly regarding that                                                                                They all are inmates of Fire. They are dwellers in it.

• وَ — Wa … (ul) — And (= Conj., Connects words, phrases or clauses. Also; but; additionally; though; when; while; yet; whereupon)
• ٱلَّذِينَ — La-zee-na — Those who (= pl., m, 3^rd person. Refers to the disbelievers)
• كَذَّبُوۡا — Kuz-za-boo — They belied (= v., past., pl., 3^rd person. Denied; derided, denounced, disowned, opposed, misrepresented, negated; rejected. Any translation in the present tense is not of what the Holy Qor-aan has stated in the past tense like ‘reject’)
• بِ — Bay — With (= Literally the word بِ  means with)
• اٰيٰتِ — Aa-ya-tay — Signs (= n., pl of … An argument, corroboration, indication, insinuation, pointer, portent, prof, sign, suggestion, symbol or token. See Note 002:074)
• نَآ — Naa — Our (= pro., pl., 1^st person. Us. Used with God’s name it is the                           authoritative way a higher-up talks to a subordinate)
• وَ — Wa … (us) — And (= Conj., It connects words, phrases, etc. See  وَ   above)
• اسۡتَكۡبَرُوۡا — Us-tuk-ba-roo — They Acted arrogantly (= v., past., pl., 3^rd person. Acted arrogantly. Behaved boastfully. Bragged haughtily. Deemed himself too big and proud. Pride-stricken. Puffed with pride. Scorned. Smug or smitten with complex. Took pride. Was egotist or vanity rich.  A/t/a, ‘turn away … with disdain’)
• عَنۡ– Un — From (= About; concerning; regarding; relative to)
• هَا — Haa — It (= pro., s., f., 3^rd person., Refers to aforesaid group)

See Phrase O-laa-aiy-ka  us-haa-bo  on-naar … meaning “They are inmates of Fire”

• اُولٰٓٮِٕكَ — Olaa-aiy-ka — They all (= Aforesaid facts, persons or things. Here the reference is to aforesaid folks, people, sinners and wrong doers)
• اَصۡحٰبُ — Us-haa-bo … (on) — Inmates (= n., pl., This one word has many shades of meanings.   With closeness as an element … Associates; companions; families; fellows; folks; friends; heirs.  With residence as an element … citizens; denizens; dwellers; guests; inmates; inhabitants; invitees; live ins; natives; residents; stayers; visitors. With control as an element … army; controllers; fighters; masters; occupants; occupiers; owners; people; populace; population; possessors; soldiers)
• ٱلنَّارِ — Naa-ray — The Fire (= Anger, punishment or wrath of Allah; hell; hell fire; purgatory. The Fire of punishment. Literally, the rapid sustained reaction or source of releasing light and heat)
• هُمۡ‌ — Hoom — They (= pro., pl., m., 3^rd person. Refers to aforesaid inmates)
• فِىۡ   — Fee — In (= Contained in or amidst a duration, event, time, place, period, thing or situation; inside)
• هَا — Haa — It (= pro., s., f., 3^rd person., Refers to the fire)
• خٰلِدُوۡنَ — Khaa-lay-doo-n — Dwellers (= n., pl., Those abiding, living, staying or residing for a time unspecified as in a hospital or rest house. To add words like everlastingly, for ever after, permanently and perpetually is inappropriate for those who will go   to hell. Adding such a qualification is appropriate only for the residents of Paradise . Some interpreters have incorrectly labeled this period to last forever. See Note 002:040)

Ch Azam Ali, an Ahmadi Moslem

Chapter 13 – Memory

Justice with Memory 

Father stared his service as a Judge around 1931 under the British Raj which ended on August 14, 1947, with the Partition of India and carving out of Pakistan. But the Rules of Service continued. Father retired in 1956 when he was 56.

The British enforced the rule to retire at 55 presuming employees’ reduced ability to perform. Diminished memory in some cases may also have set in. Father got an extension of service for 2 years. But far from a spent bullet, Father’s judicial skills remained very sharp.

Father started practicing law in Lahore a few years after retiring from judicial service. He took only some of the cases that came his way. He represented clients in court very well considering that the rumored diminished memory for people his age was not known to him.

Father was a huge store of knowledge consisting of facts, figures and citations. His legal knowledge, experience as a former judge, and general guidance that he so generously offered were what members of the High Court Bar used for instantaneous service.

Father’s tremendous reservoir of expertise coupled with his memory was a rare gift to everyone. He readily and freely released to anyone who requested it. I too benefitted a lot from his wonderful memory and readily available information.

Once I was laboring hard on a case and doing research on a crucial point of law. I recalled a High Court ruling that went in my favor, but it was held long ago and I could not find its citation. I asked Father if he could help.

Faster than the fastest computers today can get an answer, he told me something as follows. “Go to Munir’s Evidence Law. Take out Vol 3. Open page 1724 that is on the left-hand side of the book. Go down to the 26th case on that page. You’ll see what you want.”

I pulled the book out of the library and found the case at the precise location he said it was. The gist was there in one line; its citation was at the bottom of the page. For hours I had researched to find that case. But he at that time in his mid-70’s still proved to be the genius of man with fantastic memory, instantaneous recall and unbeatable generosity.

The only other comparable to his memory I ever experienced was some 30 years later when a personal computer reached our home, and I learnt how to use its feature of unearthing information in the pages of Wikipedia.

Memory

Memory is one of great gift given to man by the Almighty God is Memory. One definition is the faculty of the mind by which data or information is encoded, stored, and retrieved when needed. It is the retention of information over time for the purpose of influencing future actions.

Everyone cannot recall all things in his past or those of others. Testament, Bible and the Holy Qor-aan were reduced to writing after those divine teachings were first memorized by any or many disciples of the Messengers to whom they had been inspired and revealed.

Like spiritual traditions, all expertise in every field of secular knowledge has entirely been based upon this phenomenon. Aristaeus, Confucious, Socrates and there likes would have never benefitted man with their wisdom without God-Given-Gift of memory.

Father was abundantly gifted with memory. He openly used it to administer justice. He extensively utilized it in training his children and several grandchildren. He spoke of this extensively and greatly admired those who were gifted with it.

Father always admired and talked about the great memory of Khaleefatool Massih II, r.a., besides his spirituality, far-sightedness, wisdom and many other rare qualities. I went to see him without the company of Father in 1955 after my graduation from T.I. College.

This was my first ever visit to him alone. His first question was: Are you a son of Amina Begum or Sakina Begum, I mean grandson of Chaudhry Sultan Ahmad or Chaudhry Faqir Mohammed.” He remembered a member’s family details out of millions of followers.

Father continued using his memory in exemplary lawyering. Shura is the consultative group wherein annually Ahmadi masses express their opinion through their elected delegates. In one such session my father sat on stage.

An attendee raised a point of order why my father sat on stage when he was not even a delegate who could attend the session. The presiding Khaleefatool Massih III, r.a., replied that my father was invited as a special adviser due to his rare qualities and knowledge of law.

Extensive use of Memory

Father used memory in every aspect of his life. It seems the definitions and details of civil and criminal laws and procedures were on the tips of his tongue. He told lawyers about them when they were just leafing through the books to open a page with the pertinent info.

Father had memorized long portions of the Holy Qor-aan. He recited them aloud in the prayers he led, particularly the Isha prayers. I heard him recite many parts of the Holy Qor-aan so often that I too memorized them without making any special effort.

Father told us many times of the case in which the Privy Council wrongly interpreted  Moslem Law of Inheritance. Father decided the case before him contrary to the precedent by the Privy Council. When a British Judge remanded the case and directed him to follow the precedent, Father reaffirmed his earlier decision. Finally, a Full Bench of the Lahore High Court confirmed that Father was right in interpretating Moslem Law. See Tr – Azam Ali, an Ahmadi Moslem – Ch 11 – Knowledge.

A Judge has come

Father was travelling inconspicuously when he arrived at a railway station. Hundreds of travelers were arriving or boarding the crowded train at that time. Nobody was there to greet him or bid farewell or even know that there was a Judge in the crowd.

In those days, deformed and disabled people roamed around cities begging for money and food to eat. They thronged places where many people gathered. Railway Stations were one place that invariably attracted handicaps. Some of the beggars were genuine.

That day the crowds had a mentally disturbed person walking around naked without a stitch on body. Bursting out suddenly “A Judge has come; A Judge has come,” he started running, covering himself with hands, and looking at no person or place, but just screaming.

What had triggered in his imbecilic mind that he had lost and ran naked obliviously of anything and anybody? Nobody knows. But Father narrated the incident many times to tell us how a human mind can get momentary lapses or recoveries despite having lost memory.

Competition

 I deduce from circumstances the following incident even though I have never heard it.

Perhaps there was a spousal competition between Father and my stepmother. Father was known for his memory. Mother decided to outshine him with a competition in memory. The intent besides pleasing the Almighty God by memorizing His message to us was to prove who had more memory.

She started memorizing the Holy Qor-aan. She encouraged several of us children to hear her recitations and point out areas she needed to work in. She succeeded in her resolve and memorized nearly 6 Parts (20%) of Holy the whole Qor-aan by the time she passed away in 1957.

That match remained a Draw because it could not be conclusively proven that anyone we knew had more memory than that our Father. But Father was complementary to her in her efforts to show her beating him in a competition as to who had more of the memory.

Precedent

How much of Father’s known memory went with his research in the following case is I can’t say but the result became a reported precedent. The legal researchers will come across it whenever searching for the pertinent issue: the citation 1969 PLDJ 568 with Father’s name.

The police officer in that case did not furnish to the defendant all copies of statements made to him while investigating a murder case. The Criminal Procedure code mandated it. But when objected, the court of Magistrate brushed the irregularity under the carpet.

Precedent-setting cases are reported in Law Reports. The aforesaid irregularity was challenged by my father. His challenge was fortified by other decisions reported in the citations PLD 1966 BJ 30 and PLD 1953 Dacca 10. The High Court decided in his favor.

Father’s role in the administration of justice that ended by his retiring as a Judge will continue as that by a lawyer. Good lawyers seldom retire. Their achievements are crystallized and reported in the Law Journals. Legal value of their contribution stays perceptualized.

Results of Father’s memory and efforts will remain precious as long as the precedents by High Courts are accredited of any value.

Copying the Best Exemplar

Father always tried his best to recall and find in the life of the Holy Prophet, s.a.w., an example to light up a situation confronting Father. Father wanted to follow the example. For this purpose, he had memorized several occasions and prayers. He extensively used them.

Every day he went to his Court, Father specially offered the memorized prayer that the Holy Prophet, s.a.w., used to solicit for divine guidance in his daily chores.

Every crossroad in life, Father specially offered the memorized Istikhara prayer that the Holy Prophet, s.a.w., used to seek the best course out of all available alternatives.

Every drought that affected co-villagers crops due to lack of rain, Father specially offered the memorized Iss-tiss-qaa prayer that the Holy Prophet, s.a.w., used to seek rain.

Every funeral he attended physically or in absentia, Father offered one memorized Janaaza prayer that the Holy Prophet, s.a.w., used to implore forgiveness for a departed soul.

Every good or bad he faced, Father looked for and added to his memory what the Holy Prophet, s.a.w., had used in a similar situation and obtained intended or desired results.

Azam Ali, An Ahmadi Moslem

Chapter 12

Legend in his own Lifetime

            Father was nearly 79 years old in 1979 when for the last time he visited my family in Rosebud, Missouri. He arrived at the St Louis Lambert Airport in European coat and pants but changed into Pakistani garments shulwar, qamees, topi and a blanket as soon as he got home.

He was very frail. On our asking he told us that he did not eat anything on the plane. He had last eaten at the house of my youngest brother Majid Ali in New Jersey. He had not eaten anything for several hours because he was not sure what kind of food was offered in the airport waiting areas or in the plane during the flight.

We insisted that he ate something right away because we lived in Rosebud that was about ninety minutes’ drive from the airport. Father agreed to if we could get him hot milk and cookies not made with lard because he wanted to ensure that we comply with God’s command.

Hoor-ray-ma  alai  ko-mo ol-mai-ta-ta  waud-da-ma  wa  lauh-ma  ul-khin-zee-ray                                                                                      سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة   – Ch: 2, Verse 174                    Prohibited upon you is the Dead and the Blood and the Flesh of swine.                                                                                                                      002:174

We went to the nearest McDonalds located on North Lindbergh Blvd. We requested hot milk and cookies not made with lard. At that time Father’s eyesight was very weak. He wanted assurance that only vegetable oil was used to bake the cookies he ate with his hot milk.

He asked me to verify that cookies had no lard in them. I did the needful. Then one after the other our children read the ingredient panel of the cookie box – partly because Aba Ji asked them to do so to educate them of what was right and partly because of their own curiosity.

Father, my wife, our four kids and I were seven in our group. Restaurant customers noticed the commotion first at the counter where we talked to the manager and then at our table where we sat. Two Europeans from the next table walked up to Father. With visible hesitation and excitement, they requested Father for a handshake and then for a hug, saying it was the first time in their lifetime they met a Living Saint. Yes, that was our father, Ch: Azam Ali.

Moslem Boy

            Maybe Father intending to teach my children luckily found the right opportunity. This unobtrusively created situation became a real chance for us all to see that no matter where one happened to be, one could ask for and should get info about the food and scan for its cleanliness before eating it. I’m sure he would be pleased with another result of his training that followed.

All my life I saw my Father’s nature to never miss a chance to passionately teach and train anyone, any time, any place. At the time of the above incident our youngest son (Shahid A. Buttar, Esquire) was just 5. A few months later in winter Shahid’s Kindergarten teacher asked him if he celebrated Christmas. He replied, “We don’t eat pork; I’m a Moslem boy.”

Watch what you eat

            Nearly one-half century earlier in the fall of 1949, Father went on an inspection tour in connection with his job as Senior Civil Judge. He took with him his 3 teenager sons. I was 13. My half-brother Imtiaz was 12½. My younger brother Hamid was 11½.

We stayed behind in the Rest House when Father went for his work. We had lots of fun climbing up and down the hills near the Rest house like kids that age do when all by themselves. We were extremely hungry by the time Father returned after work, but he planned for us to climb one more hill. Finally, we reached the place where food awaited, and we were famished.

It was a small hut at the south of Attock Bridge. Roof was wild reeds. We had ‘dal’ (lentils) curry with fried fish freshly caught from the river a few-minutes’ walk down below. We sat on a wooden bench facing a small stool with our food. Abba Ji’s words still echo in my ears – thanking God for such a clean food, cooked so specially, served so simply.

Middle of nowhere and nothing around for miles that was the only place where we could eat. No Hilton or Intercontinental around, but the taste of that curry and fish is still fresh and better than all the other foods I have had in many 5-star hotels and restaurants around the world.

In 1965, driving a Beetle Volkswagen from Peshawar to Rawalpindi I wanted to visit that spot at the south end of Attock Bridge. But a flat tire interrupted the plan. I was struggling to change the flattened tire with the spare in car when a big truck stopped by.

The truck drivers changed the tire in no time as we chatted. As a courtesy they refused money for the service. I can’t say they knew Father. They left us advising my wife to cover jewelry on wrists:“Everybody don’t know that you are the daughter-in-law of so great a Judge.”    

1967 was the last time I passed that south end of the Attock Bridge. I wanted to eat fried fish freshly caught there. This was my third and last overland driving trip between England and Pakistan. This time we drove nearly 10,000 miles taking northern roads in Iran and Afghanistan of rough terrain, often with no road but just stones travelled and trampled over by many like us.

I drove a Zephyr with my wife and two sons, aged 21 mo and 9 mo. My sister-in-law drove Hillman Imp with her niece, mother and help Jugno. The timing didn’t permit us to stop but I said that someday I’d like to take them there and refresh my memory of Father’s words.

Near to that dream during the life of Father was when we bought fish in Herman (above photo) caught from Missouri River and cooked for him at our home in Rosebud. Mo. But Now the American invasion of Iraq and events in Afghanistan have made those roads and routes, gems of unsurpassed beauty, outside the reach of peacefully travelling citizens of the world. My children enjoying economic statuses and comfortable lives may never see that simple place where Father while having simple food had most wonderfully expressed thanks to the Almighty.

Legend in his own lifetime

Father was an ordinary human born to a farmer family. But his hard work and honest ways gave him the habit of always working persistently, always going the extra mile, always outshining his own previous performance. He became a legend in his own lifetime by practically illustrating another rule.

           Nae-ma  uj-ro  ol-aa-may-leen                                                                                                                                 سُوۡرَةُ آل عِمرَان   – Ch: 003, Verse 137 & سُوۡرَةُ الزُّمَر – Ch: 039, Verse 075                         The best rewards are for those who act.               003:137  &  039:075

Abba Ji’s and his children’s names were copied by other mothers in our village Kirto when they named their children, hoping and praying that they would emulate some of our Father’s greatness.

Father’s co-villagers yearned to be near him to gain from his temporal and spiritual knowledge. His colleagues sought suggestions regarding complicated issues of law and order. Even strangers came and asked for the benefits of his nearness to God by requesting for prayers.

For example, he was visited by the parents of a sick, dying girl with a terminal disease. Doctors finally discharged the kid from hospital and sent her home to die as they knew no cure. Father prayed to God Almighty for child’s recovery as “a proof to her parents the manifestation of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian as Mehdi and Promised Messiah, a. s.” Yes, God Almighty graciously restored full health to the kid. I believe she lived long enough to be a grandmother.

Abba Ji generously obliged anyone who came to him and requested advice and help. He gladly shared with anyone to try the time-tested methodology by beseeching God Almighty with a prayer and receive results usually far better than the requested. He pointed out that God Almighty had Himself urged all to try His following guarantee.

         O-jee-bo  dau-wa-tay  id-daa-aiy  ezaa  da-aa-nay                                                                                                                                                          سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة – Ch: 002, Verse 187                              I accept the caller when he calls Me                                          002:187

Practicing all above and other rules laid out in the Holy Qor-aan was what turned my father from an ordinary person at the time of his birth into an extraordinary person by the time of his death. Thank GOD, He made me a son of this great Achiever, Go-getter, Grateful, Legend in his own lifetime and Peacemaker.