Yusuf Ali translation of Quran: Surah At Tawbah, Verse 29
One of the questions I frequently come across in social gatherings is that, in the tribal region of Pakistan Muslims are fighting against Muslims; so who is then martyred? “It is the Pakistan Army which is martyred because the Tehreek-e-Taliban is a mercenary force. They are funded by the enemy (Americans, Zionists and Indians) to destroy the Pakistan Army and Pakistan; they would do the same services for whoever funds them”, said a fearless young man Lt. Irtaza Abbas only some days before he sacrificed his life while protecting the sacred homeland of Pakistan. I will trust no one else’s opinion but this young hero of Islam, Pakistan and our family because he proved this claim with his life; who else’s words can be more pure?
Born in the year 1987, Irtaza Abbas nicknamed Razi was a fearless young boy with a strong passion to serve his country by joining the Pakistan Army. Raised by a middle-class family with loving parents, he was the youngest and most beloved sibling amongst four sisters and two brothers
When all of us were planning to become doctors or engineers, Irtaza who was much younger than us had something much bigger on his mind. He wanted to set out on the path of Hazrat Ali (RA), Hazrat Imam Hussain(RA), Hazrat Hamza (RA) and Salahuddin Ayubi (Rahmat Ullah Aleyh). Irtaza tried his best to join the Pakistan Air Force, but due to a minor medical complication he failed. This set back did not stop him from his most treasured desire and right after treatment he qualified to join the Pakistan Army.
From what I gather, the elders and everyone else advised Irtaza to opt a different career; in fact anything other than the Pakistan Army which did not involve danger. Realizing their genuine concern, Irtaza would just smile and explain to them how this is the job meant for him and nothing else. Despite all the pressure, he followed his strong passion and desire and after several attempts he eventually did join the Pakistan Army.
Irtaza recalled from his duty and told his aunt that when we are guarding the Nation from top of the mountain in blind darkness and cold, Allah feels really close to the heart. One cannot imagine the height of faith and courage at such a time. Irteza used to say, “My soul desires shahadat”. When sisters would ask him, “Razi, are you not scared of operating a tank”, he would say, “No baji, really it is nothing to be scared of. You just get in the tank, target the enemy, fire and close your ears”. We asked him, “Bhai, have you ever killed anyone in real?” he said, “Yes, I kill terrorists every day”. He always made it sound so simple and natural as if facing danger and fighting for Allah, His Prophet (PBUH) and Pakistan is a natural phenomenon.
Now with his career finally starting off, his family was planning to get him married and settled. Just then, we got the NEWS on 17 Dec 2011 that Lt. Irtaza has done something much bigger than our expectations. Our dearly beloved youngest brother, had given his life in the way of Allah while protecting his homeland Pakistan.
The NEWS came as a shock of pain and pride at the same time; it was hard to decide whether we should cry or thank Allah for the respect he has given us. So, we did what Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has taught us in the following Hadith: ‘Our eyes are filled with tears, our hearts with grief, but we say nothing with our lips except that which pleases Allah…. Verily, to Allah we belong, and to Him we return.’ (Bukhaari)
As Lt. Irtaza recited “Muhammad kay ghulamon ka kafan mela nahi hota”, translated that the shroud of the slaves of Muhammad (PBUH) does not catch the soil from grave, Razi left us for his true destiny; the journey of the hereafter and with the highest honor. Lt. Irtaza embraced Shahadat in an operation against the Taliban suicide bombers in Kurram Agency when he was leading a group of four soldiers..
Twenty three years of a so called ordinary life with an extra-ordinary ending is what became Lt. Irtaza Abbas’s earned destiny; a destiny which the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself desired.
His colleagues told us on the funeral that Irtaza would always be the first to volunteer for dangerous missions. In fact, he had done more dangerous missions than the one that took his life. His seniors said that his replacement would require at least a dozen soldiers, showing how dedicated and courageous our Lt. Irtaza actually was. Irtaza served the Pakistan Army for two years, and gave his life fighting for Pakistan.
At such a young age, he was upfront danger day and night while protecting our sacred homeland so that his Pakistani brothers, sisters and children sleep peacefully at night. Army Soldiers are more than just a fancy uniform and badges. They are extra-ordinary humans with families and loved ones closely attached to them; families who are willing to sacrifice their own loved ones for us Pakistanis. Imagine how these soldiers and their wounded families would feel when these brothers, sisters and children curse the Pakistan Army?
When Irtaza could have been getting married, making money, partying and having the time of his life he was surviving on water and pulses while doing a Lion’s job day and night. He left behind a proud Mother and Father in tears who kept thanking Allah for giving their son Shahadat; An elder brother and loving sisters who will always miss their “little brother”, a brother who earned them eternal respect with his blood. Allah does not test us more than our abilities, and a Shahadat is a very big test for the loved ones left behind.
It was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, no one is wounded for the sake of Allaah – and Allaah knows best who is wounded for His sake – but on the Day of Resurrection he will come with a colour like the colour of blood and a fragrance like the fragrance of musk.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2803; Muslim, 1876
Such are the ordinary sons of this extra ordinary Nation. A Nation whose very foundation was based on the biggest slaughter in World’s history; a soil whose every single grain is drenched by the blood of fearless young men like Lt. Irtaza Abbas and prayers of courageous mothers who send out their most precious belongings trusting Allah.
Major Faisal said regarding Irtaza’s shahadat, “We all have to return to our Almighty. Yes I have come across to know (regarding shahadat) it is difficult to hear that, I have lost two beautiful son like cadets. May Almighty bless them. I am proud of them. You people made me elevated”. Major Mehtab said, “What happened today is hard reality. 2 sons Hakeem and Irtaza not only made us proud but proved that they were true sons of this city. You guys are my strength and face and I am proud of you. Long live ubd 120”.
We are proud of Mothers who bear such sons and those sisters who have such brothers. Last Message from Captain Bilal Zafar Shaheed sums it all, “IN DA ROARS OF BULLETS…IN DA THUNDER OF BOMBS…THERE R FEW WHO JUST DONT STOP…KNOWING THAT THEY R SURROUNDED BY DEATH…KNOWING DAT THEY COULD LEAVE THEIR WIVES WIDOWS..N CHILDREN ORPHANS..BUT THEY JUST KEEP ON MOVING CUZ SOMTHING IS PUMPING IN THEIR HEARTS N FLOWING THROUGH THEIR VAINS KNOWN AS HONOUR,DEVOTION , MOTIVATION!!! DEATH OVER SURRENDER…DATS WHAT THEY SAY DEATH BEFORE DISGRACE…PAK ARMY ZINDABAD…”
0 comments:
Post a Comment