A tribute to Shaharayar Ahmad, who has left for his heavenly abode on 3rd November

-->

My tribute to an elder brother and friend who left for his heavenly abode on November 3, 2013

My mobile phone’s ringer woke me up this Sunday morning at around 7:30 pm. A close relative of mine had called me at unexpected time, and I received the phone in hurry. As soon I said ‘Hello’, the voice on the other side left me totally shocked and mum. The words that I listened from other side were “Shaharayar bhai ka aaj subah inteqal ho gaya”. In great shock I could only murmur “Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Elaihe Rajeoon” (Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return). In no time I got ready and headed towards AIIMS where his corpse was being taken for embalming.  Death – the harsh truth of life is highly-placed in the religion of Islam and all have to taste this one day. However, death due to fever caused by some Viral attack within three weeks span sounds very awkward and panic as well. Since, in today’s biologically developed world when the scientists have got remedy (treatment) for more or less all types of sickness / illness / diseases, still people in India are losing valuable lives due to silent attack of some viruses. Shaharayar bhai was in the rare list of virus victims and lost his battle to life. The simple fever caused by some undetected virus led to worst and finally took his life.  

Shaharayar Ahmad

Delhi, the national capital of India is home to some of the deadly viruses that left many dead every year. Thanks to the lackluster policies of Delhi government and the Centre especially the Ministry of Health for being totally irresponsive towards the deadly post-monsoon (from August to early November) fevers like Dengue, Typhoid, Malaria and Chickengunia. Thousands hit by the deadly viruses every year in Delhi but the governments don’t have proper plan to get rid of same. Although the people recover after heavy fever and spending thousands in hospitals, but few of the not fortunate enough succumb to the virus. No any doctor could identify the virus or the cause that led to multiple organ failures of Shaharayar bhai.

Being a believer I had to accept that Shaharayar bhai was no more but the memories and moments associated with him enveloped my mind. He was my relative and first time we met was at my residence in Kishanganj sometime around 1997. Blessed with a charming personality, Shaharayar sahab was soft-spoken we had very little chat. Along with his relation with my brother-in-law,  I came to know that he is elder son of my National High School English teacher Janab Shafique Ahmad sahab. After the first meeting with Shaharayar sahab at my residence in Kishanganj for many years till 2005 we didn’t meet. In the year 2005 after I had shifted to Delhi from AMU and I got the chance to come across him in few occasions but hardly we had interacted with each other. 

However, my close bonding with him developed slowly-slowly after several brief meetings by the year 2010. I used to visit his flat and he too reciprocated by visiting my flat at intervals. We had long chats on personal issues and other issues related to area including AMU Kishanganj. Being the neighbours we too had met with each other at shops or on streets. Later on, he got married and blessed with a cute baby boy. In past one year frequency of our meetings increased. Reason was our evening strolls with our xhildren. We used to meet on the streets especially in the evenings while he was strolling with his son and I was accompanied by my twin daughters. 

Around one or two weeks ago before I was about to leave for Kishanganj to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha we met during evening stroll and had the brief chat. After celebrating Eid-ul-Azha at Kishanganj I came back to Delhi on October 23, 2013. As soon I came out of the railway station, I got the information about his deterrioting health and treatment under intensive care. The health condition of Shaharayar bhai explained to me especially the non-functioning of his vital organs over phone left me shattered. All of sudden I prayed to Almighty Allah, please bless Shaharayar bhai with quick recovery and proper functioning of his vital organs. From then till the unfortunate news of his death came to me, time-and-again I was praying for him and wishing to see him totally fit. However, Allah Ta’ala was wishing his ‘Banda’ back to heaven and didn't bless him with desired health to sustain in the world.

After the embalming at AIIMS the corpse of Shaharayar Ahmad bhai was put in the coffin and shuttled to New Delhi Railway Station. His final journey from Delhi (work place) to Kishanganj (native place) happened through Rajdhani Express on November 3, 2013. The train reached Kishanganj at around 10 AM, where hundreds of his near and dear ones were impatiently waiting to have a glimpse. Shaharayar bhai will never be back to this world, but his memories will be with me for a long time.

For me the harsh truth of ‘Death’ is the only solace for the void created by Shahrayar bhai in lives of many, as Allah says in Glorious Qoran “Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Elaihe Rajeoon” (Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return). I know this very well but still, it's obvious to feel sad and devastated when a close one departs. I too thought to give a tribute to an elder brother and a friend with this simple piece of article and explained my association in best possible way. 

May Allah forgive all the major and minor sins of brother Shahrayar Ahmad. 

May Allah bless him with Maghfirah! Aameen

May Allah bless him with a high place in Jannatul Firdaus! Aameen. 

May Allah bless his family members and all his near-and-dear ones with Sabr-e-Jameel ! Aameen.

May Allah help us all spend the short life of this world in a way that fills our account of the permanent life (akhirah) abundantly! 

May Allah bless us all with hidayah (guidance) of His right deen!!Aameen Summa Aameen.