I never had the honour of meeting the great man, but I have a friend, who after retiring from a senior post in the gov’t, volunteered to work for Edhi Foundation for a couple of days each week. When you hear of the kind of work that Edhi Sahib personally did; you would think of him as no less than a living Saint.
Edhi Sahib never differentiated between Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Christian or any other religion. Nor did he care about sect, colour, race, nationality or ethnicity. In the true spirit of a good Muslim & a good human being he never turned away a person in need.
He never cared about personal grandeur or comforts, was humble to a fault and never desired or expected any reward for his benevolence. He donated wheat to Afghan Taliban as well, because many hungry Afghans were under their control and this was the only way to help alleviate their hunger. One only saw this kind of pure goodness in the behaviour of the great Sufi Saints of the past which disappeared with the spread of the bigoted versions of Islam.
I have always maintained that before anyone can be a Muslim or Christian or Hindu etc, he has to be a “Human” first. In my humble opinion Maulana Abdus Sattar Edhi was one of the greatest “Human” alive during my lifetime. India should be proud that such a great “Human” was born on Indian soil and Pakistanis should be proud that we had a true Saint living among us for 70 years.
It is impossible to describe the sense of loss I feel. Hamlet says “ What a beggar that I am, even poorer in thanks”. I am a beggar for words as I am speechless to describe my feelings at the passing away of Edhi sahib.
My heartfelt salute to a great Human being. May Allah rest you in peace and grant you a place in Paradise.