The Ultimate Sacrifice

"And say not of those who are slain in the way of God: 'They are dead.' Nay, they are living, though you perceive it not". (Qur'an 2:154) The morning of 4th December 2009 was sun-up as normal, not knowing that another few hours will change the entire spectrum of my life. Who knew that another few hours Allah Almighty has selected the most blessed precious trinkets and is all set to receive them as Shaheed in Heaven.
As usual I was on my way back to home after offering Friday Prayers, a fellow told me about the cruel incident of Parade Lane attack. The first words that came from my heart were "Ya Allah! Ali Hassan kher se ho" (O' God, Ali Hassan may be safe). I talked to my colleagues, and inquired about the incident but no one was aware of the exact details.
Later, I came to know about Ali's Shahadat and his act of bravery. Ali, acting as a guardian of the family in absence of his parents who had proceeded for Hajj, went to the mosque with his younger brother and two cousins to offer Friday prayers. Upon entering the mosque, the blossoming young boys carrying the banner of faith and belief, found a place on the left side of the mosque veranda. No sooner that Ali had stood for offering the prayer, first heard a loud explosion by terrorists outside the mosque.
Ali brilliantly comprehended the threat, and was instantly overwhelmed by his obligation for security of his guests and younger brother. Maintaining a chivalrous calm and composure, he acted with spark to escort the three youngsters towards a secure exit while standing behind them like a barrier between their life and sure death being unleashed by terrorists' indiscriminate firing and grenade lobbing.
During this endeavour, splinters of window panes pierced Ali's feet slowing his pace but not his unshakable determination. Emulating a saviour filled with Messiah's spirits, he brought the youngsters out of the mosque building. His audacity and valour continued against extreme odds. Once out of the building, he enabled them to cross the wall by picking them up one by one.
While so doing, he faced showers of bullets and grenade fragments flying around him. Undaunted by the thunders of death hovering around him, Ali at last had decided to climb the wall like an accomplished hero getting out of the battle. As he was negotiating the wall, one first bullet hit him in the leg. As the braver Ali came to his knees, Umer (the younger brother) turned back and approached his brother.
As young Umer reached out to help his brother Ali pushed him away and shouted at his younger brother for safety. Meanwhile, another bullet hit Ali in his neck. He gave a final and frail push to Umer saying in a fading voice, "My brother go away and save yourself". Hafiz Ali, who's heart was filled with the light of Qur'aan made his parting claim to young Umer saying, "do not tell my sister what has happened to me" and created a history for others to tell stories about him hence forth. When I came to know that one of my best friends was also martyred in this incident, my heart filled with pride.
I came out in open air, took deep breaths, looked up at the sky, and the first thing I said, "Ali Hassan, this is what you always wanted and Allah did not disappoint you here". The tears rolled down my cheeks. For a while I was just blank but soon Allah blessed me with tremendous courage and I thanked Allah for choosing my dearest friend and honouring him with such a great status of "Shaheed" and me as a friend and a brother of Shaheed.
Alhamad-o-Lillah, he is back to his command with added dynamism and spirits. Here I was, standing in Army Graveyard (Race Course Ground), offering his Namaz-e-Janazah; I was thinking about my Shaheed friend, how he spent the very little but valuable time of his life with me. All those memorable events of companionship just went through my eyes like a quick flash-back of priceless golden past.
I think that my friend had brought the trophy of pride back home for us to live with prestige. Hafiz Ali Hassan (Shaheed) like his noble childhood and teenage years had won an award for his family, for Pakistan and for us. He is just one of those abundant examples who have sacrificed themselves in the call of duty for the nation. In a rare display of supreme courage, the highest degree of selflessness and magnificent combination of gust and wits, Ali rescued three youngsters while losing his own life in the process.
Ali symbolises a folklore soldier and a legendary hero. In order to honour and symbolise this young hero, Ali has been awarded "Tamgha-e-Shujaat" by the Government of Pakistan. Hafiz Ali Hassan was born on 1st June 1995 (2nd Muharram-ul-Haram). As an elder son, he always got the special attention not only from the parents but from the whole family. His broad manly looks, smart dress, charged nimbleness with lots of gestures made him a very sought after young boy both with children and elders alike. My friend, my brother Hafiz Ali Hassan left us for his eternal home so bravely.
Engulfed in the flag of the Motherland, on his father's shoulders, with a winning smile, he was telling him: "Papa here is another dream comes true". As I now look into yester years of his life, I recall each of his discussions with me regarding his dream of one day having a brass on his chest. Not only Allah bestowed the brass on his chest, but also rewarded him with the highest award of Shahadat. May Allah rest his soul in Peace. Hafiz Ali Hassan undoubtedly, was a great son, a loving brother, and an adorable comrade. His fragrance would keep us alive, his ever smiling face would remain in our hearts, and his Shahadat would always make us proud.
In the current times of national desperation, economic recession and destroyed socio-moral fabric, one is just too vulnerable to be overwhelmed by a thought of "run for your life". But being a Pakistani, Hafiz Ali Hassan (Shaheed) proved it imprudent and not worth a deal to run away from your home and let the vultures tear it apart. The enemies of this Land should know by now that Allah has blessed this nation with the generation of iron-willed youth, who are more than ready to keep up the traditions of sacrifice in the way of ALLAH and in the hour of need. Hafiz Ali Hassan (Shaheed) did his part and now it's upon us to take it on to give a final blow to the enemy. We shall never forget the sacrifices of our Shuhada.
(In the Memory of Hafiz Ali Hassan Shaheed, Tamgha-e-Shujaat, who embraced Shahadat during Parade Lane attack by the terrorists)