You hastened to leave

Nasira Jabeen

Who amongst living beings is not to leave this mortal and transient worldly life for the immortal life hereafter. This life is as short – lived as a brief flame of a candle, burning bright till it ceases to burn and extinguishes. No high flames, no ashes…Nothing of it remains. The span of our lifetime is predestined, we cannot but abide by its laws and should value the fleeting time.

Nazir Ali Taj of Mastuj, my nephew, my childhood mate, my peer ceases to live. His sojourn in this world also came to an end. But his sojourn ended rather too soon. He hastened towards his eternal abode. His demise in the midst of the bloom of his youth left an indelible mark in the hearts of his acquaintances in general and his family and friends circle in particular. It is unbearably painful to accept that Nazir is no more. He is nowhere. He is neither in Karachi, nor in Islamabad, in Peshawar, not in Chitral, in Charun, not in Mastuj either. We can find him nowhere; nowhere we can contact him and meet him and indulge in our old gossips and crack our old jokes. How cruel are the customs of this world!

Nazir, who was an epitome of courage and strength, fought valiantly with the fatal disease for the past nearly six years, but eventually the monster prevailed and he yielded. During the course of his illness he took all the excruciating pains upon himself, never intimating anybody about them, and least of all his mother. To her he would always prepare make believe poses and responses of improving health and sound body and her eyes would brim with tears of relief. With other relatives and friends too he was as lively as ever.

Nazir was a very royal tempered youth, very hospitable, with a good sense of humour, extracting funny aspects of situations and exhausting them good humouredly. Selfless service and concern for others was his distinct feature. His personality traits had won him multitude of admirers from the length and breadth of his native land who doted on him and who flocked to Mastuj to attend his last rituals notwithstanding the pouring weather and the ensuing hazards. It was his goodness that every one, with no exception of a single child, wept bitterly at his funeral. Even nature itself symbolically wept for three days.

Despite his apparent easiness, Nazir had a keen sensibility. He had a peculiar susceptibility to any kind of impression and outlook and he would always speak of solutions and compromise and would withhold adverse and unhelpful judgment mainly save for his opinions and reasoning regarding politics wherein he was vocal.

In manners he was natural and unaffected. He was not meticulous about clothing and fashion but elegance and grace came to him effortlessly as though it were a genetic skill.

Nazir’s friendship with his friends was exemplary. He was kind and hospitable to them. No indebtedness shadows his friendship. He would saddle them with no demands, no obligations for his loyalty and allegiance. When it comes to recreation, particularly with carom or cards or hunt and dance for that matter, it was always Nazir who knew all the tricks of the trade.

But whilst he was living who knew that he would depart so soon. Though it was not all startling that caught us unprepared but we had nurtured hopes upon hopes of his ultimate recovery. We had hopes that he would subdue it with his unconquerable will, astounding courage, his high treatment, with his extreme caution and restraint and with the many prayers of the dear ones…

But who can prevent what is destined to happen. Before that larger force controlling our existence, we are all helpless. None can revolt against its decree. And so our dear Nazir, on March 25 ,2025, the 24th day of the holy Ramadan, with the advent of spring and Eid, amidst the riot of blossoms silently departed after patiently and kindly putting up with his pains. He departed, leaving a deep chasm in the hearts of his mother and father separating their past from their future. He hastened to render the old corners and squares of their home Romandur blank and awkward now for his brothers and sisters where they so often hopped together.

The compulsion to lament at the loss of Nazir is all too powerful but we have to patiently accept God’s control over our fate and bear His yoke, be it mild or harsh. May God fortify his family to bear this deprivation! May Nazir’s beautiful soul rest in everlasting peace! Ameen suma Ameen.

(Ms Nasira Jabeen is Lecturer in English at GGDC Booni, Chitral).