A Tribute to My Grandfather Syed Abdul Rashid Gilani
By Syed Majid Gilani
Reflecting on the people who shaped and influenced my early life, one person stands foremost in my mind, my late grandfather, Syed Abdul Rashid Gilani. He was born in 1927 at Khanquah Moulla, Srinagar, to Maulana Syed Mohammad Yasin Shah Gilani.
My grandfather, whom we lovingly called Abaji, was among the first generation of educated people from Kashmir and a pass-out of the prestigious Punjab University, Lahore. He began his professional career as a supervisor in the erstwhile Kashmir Valley Food Control Department, now known as the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department. Later, he retired in 1982 on superannuation as an Assistant Director at the age of 55.
Abaji had a deep love for reading and writing. Books, newspapers, and magazines were always his companions. He also had a great taste for poetry and wrote poems, ghazals, and Naatiya kalaam in Urdu and Persian, along with a few in Kashmiri. Despite his literary talent, he was never interested in publishing his poetry.
His life was deeply shaken when his only child, my father, Syed Iftikhar Gilani (1950–2001), passed away due to a cardiac arrest on 12 June 2001 at the young age of 50. His sudden demise left me and my two sisters, Yasmeen and Sabiyah, orphaned. From that moment onward, the entire responsibility for our care and guidance fell upon our grandfather.
Yet Abaji never made us feel that we were orphans. Our grandparents treated our grief-stricken mother, Shahida Chishti, not only as their daughter-in-law but also truly as their daughter. They lovingly took care of all of us. The goals of Abaji’s life shifted from literature and poetry to nurturing us with immense love and affection. He remained firmly committed and determined to ensure that my two younger sisters and I received the best possible education and became well settled in life.
Our grandparents, along with our mother, made it their mission to ensure that our late father’s dreams for his children came true. We were brought up in a disciplined, decent, and religious environment, for which we remain deeply grateful to them.
My grandfather Abaji was one of the most disciplined, learned, strong, and God-fearing men I have ever known. His key to a graceful and fulfilling life was truthfulness, honesty, and straightforwardness. I write this article as a tribute to his cherished memory.
He always remained optimistic, and his unwavering commitment to helping others was truly inspiring. Throughout his life, he proved himself to be a good husband, a loving father, a caring grandfather, and above all, a compassionate father-in-law. He encouraged us to preserve his memories with a spirit of gratitude.
Abaji’s day usually began in the pre-dawn hours with Fajr Namaz, followed by the tilawat of the Holy Qur’an and the recitation of Aurad-e-Sharif. After that, he never sat idle. He would spend time tending to the kitchen garden in the backyard and the lawn in front of the house, keeping himself busy with gardening. Later in the day, he would go to the market to buy daily household necessities and groceries.
Allah had blessed him with excellent health. Even at the age of ninety, he required no medication and maintained a habit of regular walking. He never parted from books and daily English newspapers, which perhaps kept his mind active and sharp even in his later years.
Alhamdulillah, Abaji believed that the Holy Qur’an and Hadith should not remain confined merely to recitation or reading; rather, one should practically follow the Qur’anic commandments and the noble sayings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and fulfill the true purpose of divine teachings. He was a devout and practicing Muslim.
When we were in school and college, he personally taught us English. He had an excellent command of the English, Urdu, Kashmiri, and Persian languages and spoke, read, and wrote them with remarkable clarity and accent. Abaji strongly believed in the power of hard work and prayer, and he instilled this lesson in us from a very young age. He taught us that success never comes easily and that dedication, discipline, and honesty are essential for achieving anything meaningful in life.
I still recall, with deep warmth, Abaji’s surprise visits to our reading room while we were studying. Those gentle and thoughtful gestures reflected his concern for our education and served as reminders for us to stay focused and committed to our studies.
His emphasis on self-discipline, truthfulness, and loyalty toward family, friends, and relatives has profoundly shaped our beliefs and practices to this day. These experiences reflect the deep bond we shared with Abaji and highlight the lasting impact of his guidance and teachings in nurturing us.
Despite living a very simple life, Abaji found immense joy in the company of his family and relatives. His wisdom taught us that true happiness lies in living simply—free from pomp and show—earning honestly, dedicating oneself to one’s profession, and strengthening bonds with family and loved ones.
He passed away peacefully on 13 March 2016 at his home “Gilan House” in Lalbazar at the age of 90. He was truly an extraordinary man who lived a life filled with wisdom, discipline, and humility.
Although he is no longer with us, his memories and life lessons continue to guide and inspire me and my younger sisters. The love of a grandfather is unique, and we are grateful to Allah for blessing us with such a caring, polite, and educated grandfather.
He played a significant role in our childhood, and we have countless cherished memories of sitting in his reading room, surrounded by books and learning from him. He was not only our grandfather but also our friend and inspiration.
It is rare for a grandparent-grandchild relationship to be so special and enduring, but Abaji, Syed Abdul Rashid Gilani, was truly an exceptional person with remarkable qualities. I will always cherish him and keep a special place for him in my heart.
This story of my grandfather would remain incomplete without paying homage to his noble and pious soul. His teachings will forever remain alive in the memories of our family and relatives. He has left a lasting impact on our lives, shaping us into the individuals we are today.
May Allah elevate his status in Jannat-ul-Firdous. Aameen.
Syed Majid Gilani is a government officer by profession and a storyteller by passion. He can be reached at [email protected].
