He helped me in so many ways and he didn't even know it

After the accident, at the age of 10, he was abandoned by his family. Everybody blamed him for being over-egoistic.

Sana Ahmed May 15, 2014
Like all Karachiites, I love indulging in our local delights – bun kebabs, milk shakes and the famous Tutti Frutti ice cream have all been my childhood favourites. Every birthday, I remember begging my dad to take me to Sindhi Muslim so I could binge on all my favourite foods.

I still remember sitting in the back seat with mom and dad sitting upfront, enjoying a plate of scrumptious bun kebabs, when I noticed a physically challenged man manoeuvring through the crowd with a tower of tissue boxes in his arms. He didn’t beg anyone to buy one, instead he would just move around suavely with his crutches, wearing a calm expression on his face. I remember persuading my dad to buy one.

Photo: Sana Ahmed

At that age, all I could do was pity him or feel bad for him. But as time went by and I visited the same place year after year, my pity turned into admiration.

They say children have the ability to contain certain memories, even at a very young age, and somewhere down the lane, from images of my childhood memories, this person became my inspiration. Whenever I would get depressed, I would go to Sindhi Muslim, order a cup of coffee and just hang around the place. And when I knew I was falling deep into the pit of darkness, this man, unintentionally and unknowingly, helped me come back out all these years. He reminded me that I am blessed with everything. I would feel a pang of depression looking at the limbless man and his calm and peaceful approach towards life.

One day, I couldn’t help myself anymore and decided to strike up a conversation with him. I asked him what his source of inspiration had been all these years.

What I found out, left me in awe and utter admiration of this man. His name is Abdul Rehman, he is 42-years-old, is married and has three children. One of his kids is completing his matriculation and the other two are in primary school. He lost his leg in a bus accident at the age of 10. It was then that he was abandoned by his family and everybody blamed him for being over-egoistic. Nobody wanted their daughters or sisters to marry him but one of his relatives, seeing his strong will and determination, presented their daughter’s hand in marriage to him. He says he owes a lot to his wife as good life partners can change a lot of things.

He explained that initially he used to go all the way to Bolton Market to buy tissue boxes but now, after 22 years, out of respect, the whole seller would deliver the tissue boxes to him. He makes Rs20,000 a month selling these tissue boxes and owns a house which was built from his own hard earned money. He said that people from far and wide come just to buy his tissue boxes, and to appreciate his strong will and self-respect. I asked him why he chose not to beg, even though he could have easily taken up the option as he was physically challenged. In response he said,
“When our Holy Prophet (pbuh) has said that Allah will save only his dignity, who works hard and finds ways to make money, like carrying wood on his back and selling it, rather than asking people who may or may not give. So then why would I beg? Allah (swt) has been very kind to me.”

His eyes beam as he thanked the Almighty (swt) for all his blessings. His level of dignity and self-respect is at a place we couldn’t even imagine reaching. He is truly an inspiration.

Some of us opt to beg even in the easiest of situations, be it begging friends for money or asking their family. Yet, this man, despite his physical hardship, refused to beg. So the next time you happen to visit Sindhi Muslim, don’t forget to meet this inspirational human being and don’t forget to buy a tissue box.
WRITTEN BY:
Sana Ahmed A computer and information systems engineer working for a software house in Karachi. Reading and writing is her passion.
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (25)

Someone_Anyone_Everyone | 9 years ago | Reply i think the best gift we all can give him is a "Prosthetic Limb" ... pls someone from KHI, organize the effort ...
Anushe Noor Faheem | 9 years ago | Reply Impressive story!!
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