Wednesday, September 1, 2010

'The ambulance is more Muslim than you': Abdul Sattar Edhi

That was the answer Abdul Sattar Edhi gave to a question when once asked 'why must you pick up Christians and Hindus in your ambulance?' By any stretch of imagination, Abdul Sattar Edhi is an enigma to most people. None of us truly understand him. I often think that Edhi walks a fine line between passion and lunacy. I am not able to comprehend why this man insists on doing what he does, in the capacity that he does it, for as long as he has done it for. The heart wants to register it, but the mind questions the motive. Motive. What the hell is his motive? Please, someone tell me what this man’s motive is.
Through no easy deduction, I submit that I have discovered the answer to my question. It has taken every critical bone in my body to genuinely understand the answer, but folks, I can safely say that I have finally reached a verdict: there is no motive. There is. No. Motive. Edhi has destroyed my carefully built assessment of Man over the years. He has ruined my calculated analysis of the weaknesses of people. That he has negated all my years of hard earned views on Man single handedly almost leaves me infuriated with him. He has forced me to start over from scratch. For that, I cannot forgive him.
This is a man that I cannot imagine my own life without. Mind you, I have never met him. I don't want to. There isn't a single day in my life that has collectively added up in honor to justify me being able to sit opposite Edhi. I have at best, been able to find the courage to go and drop off some extremely basic things at one of his many, many, charity centers the world over. While there, I stay for just long enough to try to fathom what all this man has done for my country. Being an impossible task, I soon give up trying to reach to the bottom of that barrel and leave very quietly. I imagine it is pretty much what anyone what do.
For those unaware of who this man is, let me put it in a very simple way: Hollywood has Batman, Superman, The Hulk, and Spiderman. Pakistan has Edhi.
What has inspired me to write about Edhi? He certainly doesn't need any more press validating his incredible efforts or work done. He already has, safely locked away, the hearts of some 170 million people. But yesterday, I was brought to my knees by an action I witnessed that for lack of any other descriptive word, I can only describe as 'Edhi'.
I was in a market in Karachi buying some movies. As I turned to leave for my car, I was fully ready and in anticipation of the small army of beggars I would confront before actually reaching my car. The well trained and relatively well meaning average person already has a few small notes ready in pocket to quickly disperse so as to satisfy some of the beggars, yet be quick enough to plot for a speedy getaway. I too was ready.
As I made my way, a few kids and some adults quickly made their way towards me. I took out three 20 rupee bills and handed them to the three that looked most dressed for the part. 60 rupees and a satisfied conscience later, I reached my car, and quickly got into it. Of course, I still had to wait for a friend who was still in the store. While waiting, a young man no older than 18 years came to my window. He spoke through the raised window with just a loud enough voice that I could make out what he was saying. It started off relatively standard. He told me that he isn't a beggar, but that he is genuinely very hungry and hasn't eaten anything all day. He went on to say that he does get daily wages for work he does on a construction site, and that today had just been a bad day for him of no work, and hence no money. He was good. Very good. I was sold. In fact, I was more then sold. I was suddenly very sad. I concluded that I had to help him however I could. The irony is, I am the farthest thing from being a ‘good’ man. This is no reverse psychology. I am truly, incredibly average. I went into my pocket, however, to take out some change, and the only thing I had left was a 500 rupee note. By anyone's measure, that is a lot of money to give to any beggar. As I mentioned, I’m not a noble man, and I don't pretend to make a habit of it. I guess he was just good enough at the moment, and I was weak enough at the moment to give the whole 500 to him. His eyes practically popped out of his sockets when he saw the note, and in excitement, he accepted it and showered the usual blessings on me. He went away to the little hotel right next to where we were. I could see him get a bun kebab sandwich and a drink that must have together cost about 85 rupees.
While I was waiting for my friend, I saw him walk to the next store, where outside there was a collection stand for Edhi. You have already anticipated what I'm going to say. That young hungry man put the remaining money he had into Edhi's drop box for the Flood Relief fund. I couldn't believe what I saw. I quickly got out of the car, and called the young man over to me.
I asked him why he just did what he did. I also told him that I had given him that money because he himself was poor and he didn't need to do that. He told me, burger and drink in hand, that his countrymen were under water, and that the only man that could help them was Edhi. He said his hunger was now satisfied, and that he was confident of having paid work the next day, and so he was ok. He went on to say that he was a dumb and helpless person, who couldn't help anyone even if he knew how, but that Edhi would find a way. He smiled at me, chomped on his burger, and walked away.
I was destroyed. I can't remember the last time I felt the way I did. I just sat back in my car.
My friend came back, got in the car, looked at me, put on some music, and we drove away. I didn't mention what I just saw. It was pointless. It was just the moment in itself and it didn't need rewinding.
As I left the market, I couldn't get Edhi out of my mind. What level of reliable kindness does it take for an incredibly poor and hungry soul to give away his lion’s share of money and put it into the care of a man he's never met? More importantly, how powerful a name does one have to have, in a country where names are easily trampled on, that an unprotected drop box miles away from Edhi himself satisfied this young man's trust enough to blindly drop that money into it. Such is the power of this thin, fragile, 80 year old man who lives with his equally kind hearted wife in one tiny room of one of his charity centers. With a body that can hardly move a small table, this man has moved an entire nation. I would thank Edhi for all that he has done if thanking him was enough. I would recommend the Nobel prize for Edhi if that could sum it up. I would do this if I could. I would do that if I could. In truth however, none of it would matter to him. None whatsoever. And that is what makes him so great. So, so, great.

UPDATE: Please read my latest post when you get a chance, 'There is a Light that Never Goes Out: Governor Salmaan Taseer' http://usmangulfaraz.blogspot.com/2011/01/there-is-light-that-never-goes-out.html

116 comments:

  1. Edhi is not human, he is a saint. What he does seems unreal.
    He is very frail, and has fainted twice in public.
    I shudder to think what will happen to the excellent work he is carrying on once he is no more !
    I can only pray for his well being and good health.
    Thank you for sharing your thoughts about him, which we all agree with.

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  2. Usman, this is a lovely piece. So uplifting. And what a classy quote from Edhi I haven't heard that one before

    SAA

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  3. No other words to say except "inspiring."

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  5. I have goosebumps Usman...

    I can only hope and pray that Edhi lives a very long life. You have just reminded me of possibly the ONLY thing I can be proud of as a Pakistani. Thank you for reminding me that there is still some good there...there is still humanity remaining in the hearts of people...

    I still have goosebumps...

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  6. Wonderfully written... absolutely wonderful.

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  7. hats off to that beggar!

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  8. Very well written. Inspiration for all of us. I salute to young poor men who is not actually poor. We are much poorer person in front of him. He gave a lesson to all of us.

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  9. This blog not only reiterates the fact that Edhi is a god send, but it also shows that even the poorest person on the street is kind and compassionate and has hope. I hope all those who think that we have no hope in Pakistan or Pakistanis read this and see that as long as there are a few good men and women, inshallah we have hope.

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  10. if people like Eidhi could take up as a president of our country, pakistan will be far off the label.... (corrupt n unsafe) it will become a true home ,a nation to be proud off. the country our jinnah n all others wanted to actually built... May God bless our country n its precious people.....

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  11. He is a great human being. I wish all our culprit politician should learn from him. They will have billion dollars in their grave burried with them. But he had helped billions to pray for him.

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  12. What a heart warming experience.
    If it were not for your own bit of kindness towards that hungry man, you would have totally missed out on all of this happening. so, more power to you.

    cheers.

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  13. Absolutely inspiring story and thank you for sharing it.

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  14. Wow, that made me cry. Sitting here in my office in the middle of a work day. That was an unbelievably inspiring anectode. Thank you for sharing Usman. I really hope that more of us can find it in our hearts to donate to Edhi's worthy cause and help out our fellow countrymen.

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  15. even the downtrodden have a conscience we must never underestimate them.

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  16. There are people who do this out of a selflessness...without taking away nothing from Edhi's endeavours, have u heard about Mother Teresa?....who has been sanctified by the Papal Church as a Saint in honour of her work. Edhi will / should also be recognised as such...in his lifetime i might add

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  17. thank you all for the kind words. I am so glad that it connected with so many out there the same way it connected with me. It's easier to sleep with monsters under the bed if the light is on. All of us sharing such stories can be one such light.

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  18. unbelievable!... quite astonishing...

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  19. Lucky is the nation that have people like EDHI, May Allah bless him in both the worlds....

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  20. On the mobile web it was not easy to read the whole article (will read the whole when get back) but I do have an answer to the query in the first paragraph.

    What's Edhi's motive? Simple...he wants a place in heaven. He is securing that.

    Is that simple enough? What greater motive? Especially in the world of today, when despite the bearded clergy is screaming fanatically about the perils of hell (jahanum) no one seems to be scared of that. Cheating, lieing, stealing, robbing, raping, conning our fellow humans is now an expected and almost normal news for us to see/hear/read around, that we actually question a man's motive when he is securing his place in Jannat.

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  21. WOW. I Shudder to think what will happen once he goes. May he have a longer life still. MashAllah.

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  22. WOW..all i can say is thank you for writing

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  23. very inspiring & moving. Thank you for writing such a beautiful piece.

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  24. Thank you for sharing this experience. Indeed Edhi is our superman. We all need to stop thinking about just "ME", "MY CAR", "MY HOUSE" and start caring about "MY COUNTRY".

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  25. Can somebody give me a machine to clone Edhi ....

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  26. I recommend u all to read Edhi's autobiography 'A mirror to the blind'. Without reading this biography, u wont ever know what Edhi is.

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  27. There is a online petition to nominate him for the Nobel. On Facebook, I think.

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  28. mesmerizing article!...never read such an article before!...loved it!....

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  29. Very Very inspirational. And the fact that you weren't able to tell your friend the whole story when he came back to sit in the car, is something that I personally can relate to and totally understand. Wow.

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  30. I don't have words for this.. just simply beautiful.

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  31. A lot is lost but all is not lost. We still have hope. This is what I feel after reading your blog.

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  32. Wow... i usually never comment on these sorta things but this was very very well written. I wouldve never thought there were people in this country with a conscience . Im particularly impressed with the beggar who came to you and was honest. Its great to see that amongst all the liars and thieves, we still have some good souls in this country.

    Very inspirational. I was having a bad day and this just put a smile on my face and a tear in my eye!

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  33. This is a truly inspiring piece. And is extremely well written.

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  34. We actually need someone as selfless as Edhi to run Pakistan as a state that will truly help the millions of the poor and destitue.

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  35. I'm moved, I have goosebumps and honestly the truth of the article speaks to you in so many different ways. Thank you for this.
    My only question is what happens when Edhi is no longer with us? My prayers are always with him.

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  36. I honestly have no words to describe what I am feeling right now. But, thank you for sharing this.

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  37. one man can have a presence, and we are always riling him on one pretext or the other!
    pakistani's to the core !

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  38. i am so impressed! great article

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  39. MY EYE SOCKETS FILLED WITH TEARS...=) SUCH A LOVELY EXPERIENCE AND PIECE=)

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  40. I won't agree when you say that he has no motive. Edhi is a very religious person. What could be a higher motive than to please one's Creator

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  41. a great write-up, Usman. look fwd to reading more. x shayma

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  42. Kudos Usman, you related that incident with such animation that I felt equally destroyed as you did just by reading it. Edhi is a saint, if only those in the annals of power had the decency to submit his name for the peace prize.

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  43. Thank you for writing this article. Wish there were more like him. Wish I too could change into someone like that.

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  45. wow..truly an awe-inspiring experience..thanks for sharing this..I am just dumbfounded at the positive energy exuded by all 3 of you (Edhi of course, but nonetheless by the guy that asked for money, and you for initiating the whole deal, and then passing it on to/for everyone)..i guess the light passes on (in this case from Edhi to you to the guy n back to Edhi and all of us)..it is meant to...n it is unsung acts of hero-ism such as these found in day to day life that in the end keep us all going..cheers..

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  46. A beautiful piece of writing. About the motive thing, i guess a person like Mr. Edhi doesn't need a motive for doing good deeds. It's something that comes from within, its innate. May God bless him.

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  47. i am simply stunned and dumbfounded! trust me i didnt see it coming! it reminds of 2005 when embassy in turkey got a letter from a turk boy with 2 dollars attached. he wrote that he earned 2 dollars a day and consumed food out of it, but after watching the destruction, he and his mother decided to skip food for a day and donate the money!

    edhi has done something which cant be described in words. he has lit the light of hope!

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  48. I read this while sitting in my hotel room in Brazil, a country like Pakistan in many ways, but unlike in Pakistan in ways that hurt..(growing and prospering economy, foreign investment, absence of power cuts, energy nd food self sufficiency and of course no Taliban). There is however, many similarities, including the lots of distance between the have and have not, violent crime, corruption, abject poverty, ample farmland and rainfall. But Brazil is growing and prospering and slowly the ship is heading towards better waters....Pakistan can ONLY change its course when the people (the real people) force it to move - Edhi moves Pakistan without asking for anything from anyone and with humility and selflessness. We can go far as a nation if we really, really act with the courage and dignity of the beggar. When I see the bullet ridden favelas of RIO and Sao Paulo, I feel hope for Pakistan....our farmlands, our people, our culture, our children and their children. Thank you for sharing your experience. T

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  49. Calling the guy superman would be an understatement, a disgrace even, as superman can't really exist. He has showed us that a guy like him, with no resources and only good intentions can achieve something awe inspiring. Words and awards dont really reciprocate his contributions, only sustaining his good intentions and willpower will. Lets give him that.

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  50. I am truly speechless in front of the beggar and the young man(writer). Although I don't know but Allah praise Abdul Sattar Edhi for his great dead of humanity.

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  52. a salute to the man who live in hearts and minds of millions of Pakistanis .thanks to him we still have faith in humanity .truly a real life hero and not to forget the courage and faith of the young man who value life of his countryman more than most of us ever do

    thanks to the writer for sharing this story as i believe your words have helped everyone being more human . . .

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  53. While i was reading the last 2-3 para , literally my eyes become full of tears and i became emotional at that point in time.
    i salute Abdul Sattar Edhi who is noble/kind/ and KING of humanity.

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  54. This is quite touching. You're absolutely right, Edhi should get a Nobel Peace Prize for the tremendous self-less work he does that the leaders of Pakistan cannot do and will never do.

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  55. You think a noble prize(something Hitler & Stalin have been nominees of) would raise his respect for me or anyone else for that cause? That piece of metal cannot do wonders for him, he deserves something much better than rubbish like that.

    WE dont need to beg recognition for him from someone like them, we are not beggars and I am sure he doesnt care about that. What he deserves the highest prize from Pakistan i.e. Love, Care and Donations.

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  56. You made a grown man cry. The power of your prose combined with the unfathomable saintliness of this great man were just too much for my tear glands to handle. What is really tear jerking is the thought of what happens when the Lord summons this great soul into His abode. Who then will care for the wretched of the earth that are my brethren and my countrymen?

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  57. A beautiful piece of writing. I'm utterly moved by it.

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  58. the way it is written it is inspiring. i love edhiand wish we all pakistani follow him.best example of a true muslim.firdaus haider pakistan.

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  59. This piece is such a welcome relief after the News of the World’s Pandora box where net result of our callous regard of value system lie in tatters. Our beloved country has neat division of the wolves and those in sheep clothing and 99% honest caring people with a heart full of sincere fellow feelings. We had our greatness but last few years hve changed us to a faith in unbridled quest for wealth no matter where it came from—to our current lowest ebb despite the mighty message from the Himalayas.

    Thank you Mr. Edhi for waking us up from the deep slumber. May God extend his choicest place in heaven for you and your family?
    NOBEL PRIZE NOT WITHSTANDING

    Let’s rise from the ashes of a wonderful faith, a value system we inherited from our ancestors where ever they descended from

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  60. A message from my cousin:
    You article moved me. as long as we have people like the person who donated all he had- firstly his Emaan that Allah will provide him the next day, and secondly his compassion for the people even less fortunate than him- I am myself ashamed of being so insular- what ever I as a perso...n did was just a gesture but what he did was the true spirit of Islam. As far as Edhi is concerned that man's name is Humanity personified. May Allah give him a long life and . Regarding Nobel prize I think Nobel prize would itself be ennobled if Edhi's name is linked with it not the other way around. As long as such people you mentioned are there there is hope for us all. Thank you for sharing this with us jellyman, and thank you usmangulfaraz for this.

    I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A VERSE IN URDU:

    " SILAE HUSNE AMAL HUSNE AMAL HAI
    YANI KAY SILAE HUSNE AMAL HO NAHI SAKTA"

    THANKS
    VIQAR SIDDIQUI
    (viqarhasan@hotmail.com)

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  61. It kept me thinking all the time as i scrolled down the article..so much to take from this

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  62. This is what I saw in Pakistan, that beneath the many problems, chaos, and corruption, there is an indelible spirit of compassion, and more potential than one can fathom. If Pakistan saw its potential as I do, perhaps people would be as excited as I am for their future, a future that may seem far away but is very real and achievable. God bless Edhi and all those he inspires.

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  63. God bless you for this great post . Made me cry and very Happy on this already a wonderful day for me .

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  64. This is truly inspiring, and a solid eye opener. Being a Pakistani, I've never had faith in Pakistanis, ever! And this just tugged at my heart strings; I may need to reconsider my opinion. It's brilliant.

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  65. I have no idea who Edhi is... I will perhaps after posting this comment, go google him up...

    I just wanted to say, that readings stories of compassion and humanity still alive in small measures - such as narrated above - warm my heart and reassure me of goodness still breathing in the chests of mankind...

    Alhumdulillah-e-Rabbul-Alameen!

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  66. Beautiful! This literally brought tears to my eyes! May Allah bless that poor man, bless Edhi and bless our whole nation. Aameen

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  67. Its very thoughtful and wonderful!
    May we all have the spirit of that young man!
    Great piece!

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  68. The Washington Post recently wrote about A.S. Edhi that perhaps he is carrying on the responsibility of an entire state (or, I would say, an entire state's failings).:

    "Edhi has been helping the destitute and sick for more than 60 years, filling the hole left by a state that has largely neglected the welfare of its citizens. Part Mother Teresa, part Gandhi, with a touch of Marx, he is the face of humanitarianism in Pakistan."

    Aging philanthropist is Pakistan's Mother Teresa http://dlvr.it/4bHnS

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  69. What a wonderful written piece on our one true hero

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  70. that's highly inspiring....i can only imagine how life-altering that could have been for you...even if its for a few days!! if you believe in signs, take that as one guiding you to the most fulfilling way to live your life.Just imagine the kind of sleep Edhi gets every night.Edhi is one of the best things that happened to this country and which most like myself take for granted.

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  71. you have put it the best way that a man can...I was brought to my knees by an action I witnessed that for lack of any other descriptive word, I can only describe as 'EDHI'

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  72. Unblieveable, no other words, and tears running down after reading this episode, May Allah Bless Him and YOU for sharing this with us. Alhamdolilla.

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  73. It is very touching and inspiring writing. May Allah bless A.S.Edhi with more years of life for his good deeds of humanity. We should also learn lesson from the young man (begger) how to help others in the time of need.
    A great spirit of giving !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  74. Awesome writeup realy.............. when it comes to credibility, we do have PAKISTANIs whom we and otherz can blindly trust....

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  75. Great article! Edhi himself is doing exactly, if not more, what the young man did... He is giving everything he has to help other Pakistanis!

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  76. I have shared this with several thousand people. And some of the gracious ones are sharing further. Edhi has been gifted with divine grace, the grace that is the essence of being a perfected human being. Edhi is that perfect human. May you be blessed for sharing this.
    Regards. Munir

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  77. he is an angel in the society of Satan. May Allah grant this man long n healthy life as he is a hope for the neeedy,,,,,,,,,,,,uzi you have done a good job............i wish it may bring change in our thoughts

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  78. you made me cry...tahnks for sharing your thoughts and experience...this artical has left me with so many questions to ask myself!!!

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  79. Its too good to be true. Not about Edhi but about the young man who donated the remaining amount. I wish we had such selfless people in our government and not Babar Awans and others who will charter plans to distribute government funds to their friends.

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  80. An awestruck piece of writing! May God give us that courage to spend in His way with which that young lad has been blessed with. Ameen. Undoubtedly Edhi sahab truly deserves to win Noble Prize but more important than that is the high rank he has achieved before the eyes of Allah and above all the love and appreciation of people that he has earned. Long live Edhi sahab!

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  81. Edhi. Motives? Saint? Trust?
    I will sum up what Edhi is.
    He is a Muslim. He does it for Allah only. And May Allah reward him.

    We have lost our identity to not see that Edhi is doing what all of us should have been doing all along. Follow the unbelievable examples that Islam gives us.

    Rediscover your faith and you will discover Edhi too.

    May Allah bless you Edhi, your wife and every man and woman who works for your foundation and gives to it.

    My good friend you wrote a small preface to an book today. If we were to sum up what Edhi means to the people of Pakistan I think your article here is enough.

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  82. Abdul Sattar Edhi, is just an angel.... After mother tresa, I think he is presently the only one man which could be imagined as blessed cluod of God on present ailing humanity regardless of religion, sect, geography!
    Great man! need nothing from world! May Allah give him a long healthy life, amin

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  83. Just want to say that u have shared something very well understood thought in very inspiring way ... Thanks!

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  84. hey do read the book " EDHI" by Tehmina Durrani...its one of its kind...awsum article!

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  85. Your writing style is exceptionally good. This post and the one before it.. I won't have read those posts after the first few lines, after I understood what it was about, but the way you wrote.. I read till the very end.
    Looking forward to more posts by you. :)

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  86. Its important that we maintain the "jazba" which Usman has raised in all the readers - and start practicing small kindnesses which can later on create a chain reaction by inspiring more & more. We need to strive to bring our country out of the deplorable mess it is in - be it Flood, poverty, corruption etc. We all need to work hard. Great work Usman. May Allah bless Edhi. May Allah forgive us all and bless this country with more people like Edhi, Usman & the young man.

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  87. i guess it made me speechless..... jazakALLAH for sharing such a great piece of your life.

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  88. Aoa! wow...a very inspiring and truly touching piece of writing.Thanx alot for sharing it.

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  89. OMG......heart rendering....edhi is a powerful man in every sense of the word. and hats of to the boy....

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  90. Excellent article. I also read all the comments which are inspiring and admire the saintly Edhi sahib. Edhi sahib's exemplary deeds are extremely difficult to match by any standards in this world and that is how true muslim should behave.
    One should not forget that all creatures great and small are creation of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’la.
    When Allah SWT can send a person like Edhi sahib, will also send some more people like him when he is no more Inshallah.
    I always hope for the best for the mankind

    Wassalam

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  91. i wish there were more Ehdis is pakistan

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  92. sometimes I wonder if he is human at all. he may be just an angel sent down by god to give god's mercy to a land where there is not mercy to be found.

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  93. such an inspiring story. in this world full of hatred and greed there is still some good that is worth fighting for.

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  94. An absolutely awe inspiring tale. I met the great man himself many many years ago. His greatness emanates from his abject humility for self and total dedication to his cause - help those who need it, and an absolute disregard for the mouintains to be moved for that objective. He just decides to do and things get done - God opens the ways which we humans have too small an imagination to even imagine.

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  95. So inspirational, cant express my feeling using words....

    Thats the difference b/w motivaiton and inspiration.

    One can only inspire by doing it. So as EDHI has done.

    He is a HERO of our nation, but unforuntely our nation always rewards something bad for their heros.

    His work, life, inspiration must be contributed by at least our blogger community, and you did a wonderful job.

    GOD Bless you.

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  96. Well done on this post. Great writing skills and the subject matter "Edhi" is God's way of providing to alot of helpless people in Pakistan. Am turning into a fan, keep on writing.

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  97. loved your article...it has inspired me more than i can describe

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  98. Usman, very well-written. Thank you so much for conveying such an inspiring story to the multitudes. I echo your sentiments for Edhi. I always knew that I was too small compared to the giant that he is but after reading your article, I find myself smaller yet compared to the young man (no, he I would not demean him by classifying him as a beggar).

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  99. i only pray someone takes up his honourable position after him. people like edhi are born once in a million years. as for the poor man, he deserves our deepest respect. he wasn't a beggar !! a very inspiring article, and thanks a lot for sharing it !

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  100. Very moving. You write really well. Keep it up.

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  101. Wonderful post! i am happy that people like that young men are still here in our society. Even in desperation, he resorted to calmness and actually inspired all of us. Kudos to the goodwill of the man who just gave away 500 to the guy, which I guess was inspirational for that young guy!

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  102. Excellent article. I also read all the comments which are inspiring and admire the saintly Edhi sahib. Edhi sahib's exemplary deeds are extremely difficult to match by any standards in this world and that is how true muslim should behave.
    One should not forget that all creatures great and small are creation of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’la.
    When Allah SWT can send a person like Edhi sahib, will also send some more people like him when he is no more Inshallah.
    I always hope for the best for the mankind

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  103. Today Pakistan can boast of only one thing.....ie.....great Eidhis work...

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  105. we all know Edhi,,,,we can't but only try to tell how great he is....but here from this story, about that beggar, we have many more Edhis working at thier own scale....

    Edhi has a different stature in our society, that we treat him as a superstar, like writer said, superman,batman etc... what he does, we think its Edhi, he is great he has done it,,,coz none of us can do that,,,but that beggar, he is a very very normal person,,,and he did something which none of us commenting here, reading this article can ever do...what I am trying to say is,,,just praising Edhi, the beggar and the writer, is not enough, we need to make a resolution in our hearts, that we will follow these great men in our capacity...

    Mr.Writer,,,that was too good to put into words.

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  106. Wow! Great post! Thank you! This very incidence of sympathy and self-denial reminds me of a very astonishing incidence the happened when the companions of the Beloved Prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon him) fought during the Battle of Yarmuk. I will quote the hadith:

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    Hadhrat Abu-Jahm-bin-Huzaifah (Radhiyallaho anho) narrates:

    "During the battle of Yarmuk, I went out in search of my cousin, who was in the forefront of the fight. I also took some water with me for him. I found him in the very thick of battle in the last throes of death. I advanced to help him with the little water I had. But, soon, another sorely wounded soldier beside him gave a groan, and my cousin averted his face, and beckoned me to take the water to that person first.I went to this other person with the water. He turned out to be Hishaam bin Abil Aas (Radhiyallaho anho). But I had hardly reached him, when there was heard the groan of yet another person lying not very far off. Hisham (Radhiyallaho anho) too motioned me in his direction. Alas, before I could approach him, he had breathed his last. I made all haste back to Hishaam and found him dead as well. Thereupon, I hurried as fast as I could to my cousin, and, lo! in the meantime he had also joined the other two.Innalillahi wa Inna ilaihi rejeun.”

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    May Allah give us all hidayat (guidance) and show us the sirat-al-Mustaqeem (Right Path). Ameen.



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  107. really great and inspiring article..but am still confused about the reality.. I have heard that Abdul Sattar Edhi is not a Muslim, he's just pretending to be.. Beside, i also hv heard that he's involved in criminal activities like selling girls and children to other nations and having money for it. But all this is in disguise, as his appearance and living style resist people to think like this about him. I have searched for it though but couldn't find whats the reality. Keeping your wrath and anger aside, can any one justify that all what i have heard and of course what hundreds of people say is nothing except rumors.

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