Here, Images on Sunday offers a chance to a few artists to emote in words and remember Abdul Sattar Edhi. We spoke to just a few of the many whom Edhi sahib touched deeply with his caring nature, and inspired them to do good as well. They recall their interactions with the great humanitarian and how he changed them and their lives forever.

Nabila Maqsood

I think it may be best if we celebrate the first day of every month as ‘Edhi Day’, and donated whatever we can to keep his good work going.

A man like no other, the passing away of this angel in human form has also affected the artist community as much as anybody else, although it may appear that nothing much affects the seemingly self-obsessed lot, writes Scheharyar Shaukat

Edhi was never about name and fame, but about action. So if only five per cent of our national population could average Rs80 a month; it would mean $10 per year by 10 million people, making it a $100 million a year!

Atiqa Odho

Edhi sahib was a great man … enlightened way beyond his time. He had a genuine love for humanity, and spent his whole life carrying the burden of others’ misery. I interviewed him for the first time in the mid-90s and found him worldly, chatty, and he surprisingly had a great sense of humour.

I enjoyed talking to him and Bilquis Edhi as they were so candid and humble. I asked him how he managed to retain his sense of humour while surrounded by so much suffering, which he dealt with every day. He answered that once you have witnessed human beings suffer so much, you can only thank God that you yourself haven’t ever suffered to that extent.

He also told me his humanitarian journey started when he was a boy and his mother used to give him two annas to take to school. She used to remind him daily to use one anna for his lunch and give one anna to someone needier than him. It was this lesson he learnt from his mother that made him the greatest humanitarian the world has ever seen.

I’ll never forget how, in our second interview together in the late-90s, he shared so many more words of advice and wisdom that left a lifelong impact on me. He said that he picked up the dead off the streets regardless of the colour of their skin, religion or cast. He said that God has made everyone equal and given them life, so who are we to judge anyone. His famous saying that ‘the ambulance is more Muslim than most’ comes from this belief as well.

I called him up to request him to join our rally for the girls in Swat a few years back when schools were being bombed. He immediately said yes and was the first to show up in a wheelchair. I was so touched and humbled. Greatness comes in all forms, and Edhi sahib is a tall example for all of us to try to follow.

Bushra Ansari

How many words can we use to praise a selfless and great human being like Edhi sahib? We donate money, clothes etc but how many of us can spare ourselves and our time for humanity? What needs to be done is to take Edhi sahib’s cause forward by helping the needy and especially by providing education to underprivileged children. We should invest in humanity for its betterment.

Cybil Chowdhry

It’s an honour for me to represent the same country as Abdul Sattar Edhi. A selfless humanitarian, Edhi sahib was inspired by his mother who instilled empathy and gratitude in him from a very early stage in his life.

Being a mother, I am inspired by his selfless humanitarian acts and hope that we, the mothers of Pakistan, can encourage our children to be considerate and caring of other human beings, regardless of where they are from.

Behroz Subzwari

I knew the family personally. He had this great personality which made every person he met in his lifetime a believer in his acts and deeds. Everyone in their own capacity must stand up to serve the less-privileged.

Javed Sheikh

Did you know that Abdul Sattar Edhi played a role in my film, Mushkil? I have never come across another like him. He was an inspirational being. His demise reminds me of a line:

Woh waqt bhi kya ajeeb hoga;

Jab ek farishta doosray farishtay ki jaan lene aayega.

We should carry on from where he has left off.

Shehzad Roy

Edhi Sahab used to call me ‘Saijaad’. At the launch of Zindagi Trust, he was there to support us. When somebody asked him, “Maulana sahib dua kara dain” Edhi sahib replied, “Oh bhai, mein maulvi nahi hoon. Mein ‘Saijaad’ kay liye aaya hoon, aur is ko Allah kay bandon kay liye support karoonga.”

On another occasion, when I asked him to appear in my video based on kalam-i-Iqbal (Ya Rab Dil-i-Muslim Ko), he said, “Hero, mein tere se aacha gaata hoon; tera competition barh jayega.” If you didn’t know anything about socialism and capitalism, Edhi sahib would explain it to you in simple terms … all in 10 minutes flat!

Honey Waqar

I don’t think there is any tribute that can do justice to Abdul Sattar Edhi sahib’s unmatched services, not only within Pakistan but humanity on the whole. He was a humanitarian to the core of his being and in every sense of the word. Edhi was a beacon of goodness that existed in this country amidst all the darkness. He was someone to be proud of, and most importantly someone the poor and wretched could turn to, to be watched and taken care by, with hope under his wings.

His glory lies in the fact that his efforts were delivered by self-actions; rather than addressing the system, he took the system in his own hands and achieved a milestone in helping the needy, the poor and the troubled … and he did all this without seeking any help, money or power.

The world has lost a great leader, a humanitarian like no other.

I was hungry, you gave me food;

I was naked, you clothed me;

I was homeless, you took me in. 

Rest in peace, Abdul Sattar Edhi sahib; may your legacy live on forever and ever.

Angie Marshall

It is not only a loss for us Pakistanis but a great loss for the world to lose a great and outstanding human being who lived for others, putting aside cast, creed or religion. He has left behind a legacy of serving humanity selflessly. It is now up to us to take a page from his life and try to do something for the deserving, and continue Edhi sahib’s mission.

Sultana Siddiqui

Edhi sahib had a huge personality. The work he has done for humanity is a lesson for all of us. What he thought was important in life; he would praise that without second thoughts. In my drama serial Marvi, the lead female character takes refuge in a shelter home braving the odds. Marvi was a village girl but she took the step and he praised that.

I met Edhi sahib many times and my experience with him was always awakening. He never sought publicity and he worked for people without a thought of any returns against his services. In death he was helpful too; donating his eyes so that after his passing away someone could benefit from it. He has left a huge void in our lives and a legacy which we should all emulate.

Nadeem Mandviwalla

It is a great honour to say something about a man whom I have always believed to be the most pious man in Pakistan in our times. May his legacy remain and inspire others with his unconditional love for humanity. Long live the name of Edhi sahib.

Ahsan Khan

Edhi sahib’s death is a huge loss. There can never be another like him, not only in Pakistan but the world over. If we want to show the world what a true Muslim is, show them Abdul Sattar Edhi.

To me, the best way to pay tribute to his life and work is to pick one of his exceptional qualities and live it every day with the same intensity and commitment as he did. 

Frieha Altaf

It’s heartbreaking … not acceptable. Another legacy comes to an end. Edhi sahib did what no one else could do in Pakistan. Only Allah can reward him for his services. For someone with no education, he fully realised and understood that there was no difference in people and humanity based on race, gender, colour or religion. Most ‘educated’ people still don’t get that!

Abdullah Kadwani 

The goal isn’t to live forever … it is to create something that will, and I believe that’s what Edhi sahib had achieved in this life. Words fail me when describing Edhi sahib’s selfless, humanitarian efforts for the nation and the world.

‘A life without cause is a life without effect’. That’s what Edhi sahib taught millions, not only in Pakistan but across the globe. May this lesson stay with us throughout our lives.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, July 17th, 2016