“Neither I have vain imaginations about myself nor do I make tall claims. However, I openly accept my shortcomings, and educational and practical weaknesses. But, I would be justified to say that on account of my outspoken nature, speaking only truth, pointing out the wrong and injustice, and fighting the evil have caused a lot of discomfort and agony to me during the past four years particularly the period when I reached the upper house as an elected Member of the National Assembly (MNA). It would not be an exaggeration to mention that no one in the 56-year history of Pakistan has ever endured the hardships which I experienced during the short span of time. With the blessings of Allah Almighty I am proud of myself that I never gave priority to the glittering world, I never compromised on my mission, never accepted higher posts in the power lobby, and never opted for any sort of monetary benefits. My character, my past and my present are clear and no one can point out that I have ever indulged in anti-Islam activities. I am loyal to my leaders and so would never leave my mission.”

These were the view of a martyr, a general of Sipah-e-Sahaba, Hazrat Maulana Muhammad `Azam Tariq (rahimahullah), who has recently been killed in the twin-cities. He was a human being. A human being who can commit sin, whose views can be opposed, who can be influenced by the environment and surroundings, and who can be overwhelmed by emotions. There is a possibility that some points or logics were beyond apprehension of his opponents but his character, simplicity, loyalty to the mission, courage, and other high qualities cannot be ignored. He lived a life for 42 years only. During which he faced hardships, imprisonment, police torture, illegal confinement, a lot of dangers, besides walking through the volley of bullets and fire of canons. He had about 80 scars of bullet wounds on his body. When he was released from the jail, most of the time he spent in traveling within the country and abroad. He devoted every single moment of his life in solving problems of common people and attending public meetings. This proves that Shaheed Maulana `Azam Tariq never saw the comfort of life.

However, real life, full of fun and pleasure began on the evening of Sha’aban 9 when his life ended with the sunset. He was a star that continued shining for about 20 years to warm up the hearts of Muslims and set many examples. He was a shining star who taught that when real faith of religion of Islam slips deep down in the heart, nothing like hardships, torture, glittering world, love for children and wife can change the courage. It was not true that he was unaware of all such things. But the path he chose for his own life, he had chosen when he stepped into the battlefield of Jhang when he stood in between the graves of two martyrs and he saw the future and fate. Under this situation when he approached the leadership and sought their opinion, he was told, “As long as one does not step into the battlefield, he has all choice to choose any path, but once he selects the choice between two and opts for Jihad then he should not run away. So, you should be steadfast, leave everything to Allah Almighty Who has given you life and Who will take it back. Allah saved you from those who wanted to take your life. He will protect you from all evils everywhere.”

Therefore, this Mujahid-e-Islam took this lesson and vowed to face every hardship and would never compromise on his mission. There he began with his campaign that contained sacrifices and nothing else. He was the man who was put into torture cell, who faced inhuman treatment, who staged hunger strikes against the brutalities and who never bowed before the evil designs. Shaheed `Azam Tariq’s history reminds the era of those who rendered sacrifices for the cause of Islam and never bowed before the state terrorism.

Maulana `Azam Tariq was so influenced by Imam Ahmad bin Junbal (noorullah marqadahu) and considered him his ideal. It was all his affection with Imam Ahmad that he proved himself a strong and courageous Muslim. During imprisonment, recitation of Holy Qur’an was the source of unbeatable courage for him.

At one place he wrote, “Recitation of Holy Qur’an was my routine during imprisonment and facing severe torture in the torture cell. In the first ten days of my imprisonment during which I was subjected to severe torture I could recite complete Qur’an for twice as I was taken out from the imprisonment a number of times during a day for investigations. But, later it was my routine to recite complete Qur’an and 15 Paras every day for sixteen days. Many times I could finish Qur’an twice a day. With the blessings of Allah Almighty during my 108-day imprisonment, I recited complete Holy Qur’an for 108 times besides going through the meanings and translation of the Qur’anic verses.

This story came to an end when Mujahid-e-Islam was martyred at a place which was so close to the power lobby. He sustained forty bullets and embraced Shahadah (martyrdom). Now the government has tightened the security to apprehend Maulana `Azam Tariq’s killers while there are protest rallies and public meetings are continuing in every nook and corner across the country. Lets hope the state machinery arrests the real culprits before they come out in search of another `Azam Tariq. May Allah bless us and protect us from all evils. Aameen