Dr Liaquat
Inna Lillah Hi Wa Inna Eleyh Hi Raajhi’ Oon. Our lovely friend, our beloved brother stepped to eternal world, leaving uncountable of us grieving for him. Fortunately, a sizable segment of my youth-hood, I spent with Aftab Saheb along with our other friends. I feel honored to comment on some aspects of his life. He use to greet every time with God gifted melodious voice & bright eyes, standing on his feet with loving smile on his face, hugging you tightly (you may wheez if you don’t hold your breath) and holding your hand with his both warm hands for long, from the core of his heart. It was very touchy and you feel a true welcome. His, this generosity, was for everyone. He was our BUDDY but FRIEND of everybody across the board from youths to elderlies. He knew how to engage a person in conversation exploring his areas of interest. He was a child with kids, young with youths and elder with seniors. Everyone was enjoying his companionship. He was a swift reader, may flip all pages of a reasonable size book in one sitting. He used to actively participate in all occasions of joys and sorrows of community and friends. He was a leader, discussing ideas but people. He was brave person, never feared of anyone and stand still when needed. He was down to earth person, valuing the unprivileged the way privileged ones are. His obvious fame was politics. He had a rock hard and unaltered political stance and he watered it with sacrifices of all domains of his humanly life. This is phenomenal; this is beyond the thoughts of worldly person like me. Even then he was friend of people of all political thoughts. He used to sit on the table with people of different political opinions using logical and convincing conversation. He might have enhanced his rationale but never magnitude of his voice. He was so tolerant. He never gave even a gesture of being less rewarded, but always educated the people of rotten political & justice system, non-contemporary educational system, non-availability of even this incompetent health care system, social injustices and so on. He had virtues of a child, if ever, rarely gets annoyed or upset with you (never with me anyways), it used to get dusted off overnight, and next time he welcomes you as never any odd happened. He was innocent. He was a smile to shatter your pain, he was a shoulder to lean on, he had wings to take refuge under, he was a secret to disclose with, he was wisdom available when needed and he was a companion holding your hand always. I was raised in boarding schools for 12 years; I traveled 4 continents and worked in three of those, knowing tons of people of every walk of life ranging from less fortunate to high achievers in all disciplines. Despite of this all, Aftab Saheb was my only friend compounded with all virtues, those are scattered among others. He was unique. When I recall, he used to be called as Sufi Aftab earlier; and he was indeed a Sufi. There is hadith of Prophet PBUH. “He, who dies in Ramadhan, is rewarded with Jan’nah.†So, our lovely friend/brother must be resting with peace in Jan’nah. Insha Allah!!! May my Allah grant patience and comfort to Aftab Bhai’s mourning family, friends and his political companions.
