On the 19th of April, 2003, as I stood at the bedside of my grandfather after hearing of his death, I looked upon his face and all I saw was peace. He had done his job and exited this world with grace and dignity. As I stood there and was taking in the tragedy, mere feet away from me stood my abuser. absolute calamity had befallen me and no one knew it but me. God had embraced my grandfather but had broken my heart. How is a life remembered? By one’s deeds or achievements? By one’s reputation or legacy? A true tribute to a lifetime is how he is remembered by those he has left behind. I have met hundreds of my grandfather’s admirers and followers and one common thing that they all said about him is that he made them feel as the most special person in the entire world. In that moment with him he made you feel like you are the most important person to him, and in that moment you were. My grandfather was the defender of the wronged, the advocate of the truth and the protector of the weak . He stood firmly by equity and the truth, not taking in consideration whatever relation you had to him, only putting Allah first, he was the deliverer of justice. In my own personal experience, someone close to him (even closer than I was to him) made a false accusation against me. In his eyes it didn’t hold credence how close this person was to him, all that mattered to him that the truth prevailed. After an investigation, my grandfather decided in my favour even though on a personal level it cost him the anger of close one. He was giant amongst men and he stood tall. He was a pure soul who was in love with his Lord and The Holy Prophet saw. Every single day of his life he led by example because what he said, he did. He emulated humility and modesty and all that mattered to him was to help mankind and please his Creator. Men like my grandfather are born once in a millennium and because of this many were envious of him. Some have tried to diminish his memory and legacy but he is the star that shines brighter and brighter with time. There is a quote from William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ that reminds me of him, which is “When he shall die, take him and cut him out in little stars, and he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun”

Though it has been 2 decades since you went away, you are seared into our hearts and your memory lives on like an eternal flame. 20 years ago I suffered an unimaginable loss, but every single day I thank God that he blessed me with a grandfather like you.

Nida Ul Nasser Ahmad 19th April, 2023

(Nida reached out and ask that I share this hope that is ok with moderators)