I never imagined that flipping pages of Urdu Daily "Inquilab" in office bus would bring such a sadness today. As I reached the last pages of news paper, I was tearful to read that Aftaab Sir is no more in this world. Innalillah...
Allah Maghferat famaye.
As I read about him, suddenly, my memories took me to my childhood, I remember a pleasing personality. always in White Sharayi Libaas, the Baresh, Noorani face of him, just like a Farishta.
I still remember my first encounter with Aftaab Sir, it was june 1994 and I was in 6th Standard. Being monitor of the class, I was supposed to collect the money from students for Money Saving Scheme and submit the same along with account book to Aftaab Sir. Well, my first meeting was tough, Sir already had a impression of strict person that time, and I managed to make a mistake in the account. The date was 23 that day and I wrote 2 as in Urdu and 3 as in English. Such a funny number it looked.
He stared at the account book and asked me to correct the date. Being nervous, I couldnt figure out the error I made and I felt so helpless. Off course, there was a feeling of fear as well. Then he softly asked if I always write half of things in Urdu and rest half in English... Such a great help it was! That was the day and today is the day... I am always a perfectionist about accounts.
It was year 1996 and I was in 8th Standard. He came for a new subject, Farsi. Oh such a great year it was... I learnt the language so nicely that just within one year, I was able to read, write, speak and understand. It was possible only because of the through knowledge of Aftaab Sir and his unique way of teaching. Learning was such a fun that time. My feelings in Parveen Shakir's words:
yeh kis ka saamnaa karne se Harf Larzaan Hain
Sukhan Shanaasoon mein yeh kaun ba kamaal aaya
He continued to teach Farsi for 9th and 10th Standards. He taught us Urdu as well in 10th Standard.
During Standard 9, it was more than a month since school started and I still didnt have my Farsi Book. I always preferred to get that Chadi on my Hatheli rather than buying the Book. When I was last person in the class without book, he stared at me, at my face then searching something at my clothes and then he asked me to meet outside after his "Period".
He asked me if I have financial problem and if I would prefer to do some part time work. As I nodded, he asked me to come to his home and he gave me the job to check accounts of Madrasa e Usmania.
Perhaps he knew I am the guy who is perfectionist about accounts. It was a nice job generating enough money to buy me all books I needed. I later continued in Madrasa with different activities like checking exam sheets, result generation etc. During this period I realized the Great vision he had.
Unlike other teachers, after school hours, he didnt just spent time with family or started lucrative tuition business. He thought of the community, he thought of the people and he decided to continue the mision of enlighting people with Sahama e Ilm. He started Madrasa e Usmania which is most successful movement I have seen in Malegaon. He took right way by starting chain of madrasa at vacant rooms, terraces for few hours. Hence hundred of such branches were possible with no financial investments. He particularly targetted slum areas where Islah e Ma-ashra was needed. He also standardize the Deeniyat exam under banner of Madrasa e Usmania. Madrasa
Truely, he is one of the best person in memories of my life.
Dhoondoge Agar Mulkoon Mulkoon, Milne ke naheen Nayaab hain Hum.
During the Urdu lectures of Standard 10, I come to know aboit his vast knowledge of Urdu literature. He once claimed that he remembers more than 10,000 Verses orally. He used to have Ashaaar for every situation.
He used to give example of "Ameeran ke Baghaan mein Aaman ke Pedaan" about making plurals.
We do have word ending concept in Urdu but some alphabets are same for being in between word or being at the end of the word. Hence we tend to make mistakes in reading by joining two words. He used to give example that a guy used to read a sign board as "Naseera yand kora mapura stai-ate" while the board actually read "Naseer and Co. Rampur State."
His favourite Sher I heard so many times fom him
Yun Mila hai Gora Kale Se
Jaise Lail w Nihaar Milte Hain
Sauda ki jo Baali pe hua Shor e Qayamat
Khuddam e Adab bole Abhi Aankh lagi hai
Sarhaane Meer ke Aahista bolo
Abhi Tik rote rote so gaya hai
Last time I saw him on 19th March 2008. I went to invite him for my marriage. That was the last day I saw him.
Allah Marhoom ko Jannat mein Aala Muqaam Ata farmaye.
This Blog is about Aftaab Sir, Urdu/Persian teacher, The Malegaon High School and Junior College, Raunaqabad, Malegaon - 423203
