Edhi: A Mirror To The Blind

by Tehmina Durrani

Abdul Sattar Edhi Writer Tehmina Durani Weight0.5 kg

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Pakistan, Autobiography

370 pages

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Tehmina Durrani (Urdu: تہمینہ درانی‎; born 18 February 1953) is the daughter of a former Governor of State Bank of Pakistan and Managing Director of Pakistan International Airlines, S.U. Durrani and a granddaughter of Nawab Sir Liaqat Hayat Khan, prime minister of Patiala state for eleven years. He was the elder brother of former Punjab Premier Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan. Her first book, My Feudal Lord, caused ripples in Pakistan's male-dominated society by describing her abusive and traumatic marriage to Ghulam Mustafa Khar, then Chief Minister and later Governor of Punjab and her experience of a feudal society. She is currently involved in the emancipation of women in Pakistan.

Reviews

[W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wonder how many people outside Pakistan are familiar with the name Abdul Sattar Edhi.If services to humanity are any criterion,he should be as well known as Mother Teresa,but he isn't.

This is an inspiring book on the life of one of the most revered figures in Pakistan,one who did a lot of good for a whole lot of people.

His volunteers and ambulances were always at the scene of human tragedy.Personally I needed an ambulance once at a large government hospital for an injured family member.The only ambulance available was Edhi's.I won't forget that.

Homes for the destitute,animal shelters and morgues,he built them all.His organization offered cradles at his centres so that people could place their unwanted or illegitimate infants there instead of killing them !


The book is full of anecodotes from Edhi's life,how he began his work and how he unflinchingly faced the most dangerous situations while helping those in distress.

Once he walked into the middle of a shootout between two armed gangs.The shooting stopped and both parties waited till he had gone.

People trusted him,giving generous donations to help in all kinds of emergencies and natural disasters.

Edhi was human,he must have had his faults.The book is silent about that,but is still a great effort.

Postscript : When Edhi died in 2016,everyone who was anyone in the land attended his state funeral.His funeral procession stretched for miles.He was given a nineteen gun salute by the military.

Not that he would have wanted it,but that is the type of send off he got.

[Shahzad Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's one of those things that go really un noticed unless some one tells you about it, Edhi's life is one such life long journey.
I've been forced to re think a lot of what and how I do it, it's helped me understand some of the grave things a person has to go through once he decides to stand in the way to bring a better life to a nation.

It's a standing ovation to Abdul Sattar Edhi.

[Ismaeel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before reading this autobiography I knew only snippets about Abdul Sattar Edhi, from newspaper and magazine articles and short films. From those bits and pieces I gathered an impression of a deeply sincere man struggling, even struggling successfully against what can only be described as horrors afflicting the lives of many poor people in today's Pakistan.

Sadly this book is not widely available, and as it is as far as I can tell the only english language book on the subject of this remarkable individual, this is even more tragic, for when all it told this individual has achieved something perhaps unparalleled in human history, which is to create through his own passion and determination a welfare state system based on private donations in a third world country racked by rampant corruption, religious secrtarianism and ethnic conflict, which acts as THE welfare system for the country, even supporting the meagre state facilities. The extent of his success can be measured by the fact that the Edhi foundation can intervene to assist in disaster situations globally!

Edhi the narrator of his life is a lucid and entertaining story teller, he illuminates us to every facet of his life from being a small child and his interactions with his parents, to marriage, parenthood all the way through to being a grandparent, and the manner in which he built his incredible foundation.

We gain fascinating insights about the power of parental influence, both parents moulding the powerful and determined personality he would become, his mother instilling him the importance of compassion and charity and his father teaching him the importance of principle, simplicity of lifestyle and financial wherewithal.

We get to learn about the dozens of difficulties facing the poor and needy of Pakistan, from fatalism to fatalities, from government incompetence and neglect to religious obscrutanism and impracticality.

Like Edhi I am a Muslim, and much of the appeal of his writing is his refreshing approach to Islam, stripped to its core principles of worship of the Divine and service to humanity, Edhi doesn't even start to discuss sectarian divisions, he simply dismisses all Muslim leaders who busy themselves in theological hair splitting and do nothing for social uplift.

What I learnt most from his account is the power of sheer determination and self-sacrifce based on clear and unshakeable principles and the aid of Allah Almighty to achieve world changing events through a single man in the modern age. A man who started as a near peniless immigrant, who built a welfare system supplying medicene, education, employment and training to millions. It does not come easy, Edhi has for some seven decades never owned his own home, barely eats properly, has no time for any sort of leisure, but he has worked and worked and worked.

Another endearing aspect of this book is Edhi's relationship with his wife Bilqis, who has worked with him for most of his adult life, his quite clear devotion to her and his illumination of the manner in which her cheerfulness and joking helped to keep him going on his predetermined route. Behind every great man there is a great woman and it is clear her dedication to him and his mission were essential to his success.

The book at times does get bogged down in Edhi ranting a bit about his personal philosophy, however this doesn't really detract from the book, but rather gives Edhi perhaps his only opportunity to put his philosophy down in writing for people to consider and contemplate and he has much to say which is beneficial whether it be with reagard to religion, welfare, politics or psychology.

This book has been a great inspiration to me to reaffirm many of my own basic ideals and try and fulfil my calling, however hard it may be, however much sacrifice it may take, however long it may take, because for certain it can not be as hard as what Edhi has had to do.

This book should be compulsory reading for Madrassa students worldwide, as a means of grounding them in contemporary reality and focusing their studies on acheiving practical solutions for the Muslim world and not further hair splitting and obscurity.

[Rural Soul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in Urdu translation but I would like to write in English for foreign readers and my own Pakistani community of English enthusiasts a.k.a. "Desi Goray/Kalay Goray".

I remember this book when I was a teenager. I think it was 2004 and I saw this book in my elder sister's hands. I was obsessed with autobiographies like my sister just because of Shahabnama.
I don't remember why couldn't i read it on that time but my sister was so impressed with diction and real stories mentioned in the book.

I saw it some days ago and grabbed it in first chance. I always admired and respected Mr. Edhi for his lifelong struggle of social work. Unfortunately the obligations which are associated to the personnel in Govt power were never ever interested in lives of common men, so could be the reason that Mr. Edhi found this as Goal of life.

I rated with five stars because it is written so beautifully. The original book had been retrieved from 40 audio cassettes which Mr. Edhi provided Tehmina Durrani to write the book.

I guess still he left so much untold in this story of his life. Another reason that i loved the book is that i simply love the personality itself more than any white painted face in the showbiz or a fat belly robber in politics. For me these kind of people are that can inspire people.
I am highly impressed with whole Edhi family, specially with parents of Mr. Edhi who moulded him more into a moderate Muslim. Today what the legacy Edhi family has gotten is just because of their grandparents which had been sole supporter of their dad's social work which was kicked off from a small dispensary.
To be honest the book itself didn't have any dramatic touch but i don't know i couldn't help myself to read it with wet eyes. Specially the photographs which Mr. Edhi had with kids with the nickname they have for him "Maulana Abbu".

Book expertly summed up his his lifelong struggle along with his childhood memories.
It also provided the facts about family tragedies which Edhi family faced in shape of death of young Bilal who was burnt to death by a woman Nirmal who allegedly gave him bath with burning hot water. I found out with more research that Mr. Edhi had forgave her for death of his grandson.
Divorce of Kubra Edhi is another incident which broke Edhi inside. Though Kubra had been devoted worker afterwards but he was always feeling the grief for her beloved daughter.
Madam Biquis is another character that i respect more than anyone. She had been true boast of Mr. Edhi throughout life.

A part from other things, i love speech of Madam Bilquis. Her Urdu with Memon or Gujrati accent feels so refreshing. She is so jolly kind of character. I remember her first when i saw her on PTV in an interview with Tauseeq Haider.

Mr. Edhi had been very confident with her simple lifestyle and outlook whether He had to meet Heads of states. His old shoulder bag and ordinary rubber shoes with simple dress had been his mystical swagger which always represented him as a true devoted service man of humanity.
He never took aid from foreign NGOs.
He never built house.
He never approved professional beggars.
He had been avid traveller still when he was hand to mouth only to see difference between the first world countries and third world countries. He is honoured many times with different peace prizes but I think Noble Peace prize should have been awarded to this gentleman rather than to the puppets who had cashed in their controversial personas with aid of their clever dads.

Well off course he can't be member of that elite club (Nobel Peace Prize) as this could "wrongly" show that Pakistani are still "human". They had a better candidate who was equipped with arson which they needed to display to the world that Pakistan is being sabotaged by a savage animal militant group 'Taliban' who like to kill people but wait a minute they also don't like education for girls. (Don't misunderstand me that i have a soft corner for those barbarians.)

I am very thankful to almighty Allah that our country has people like him that still poor gets the food and mothers don't give birth their infants on roads.
I pray with my every breath that God would shower his mercies on his soul. I pray the rest of Edhi family would take this go on.

He was A Huge Shadow. (*Wet Eyes*)

[Rabiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

No man like Edhi, I'll tell you that =D In a constant struggle to save the majority of Pakistan whom he represents, Edhi was labeled so many names by the very people he wanted to help. Someone who has proved that literacy is not the requirement for a full life, but an open mind and an active body. In a time, when nothing can be seen as a solution to Pakistan's problems, Edhi takes the essence of true religion and has provided a workable formula. Establish a social welfare state, be humanitarians. Help yourself.

[Usman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great insight into a remarkable man's life, his humble upbriging, his non stop energy and the genesis of the world's largest private ambulance service of the world, run completely by charity. Some pieces about his upbringing, his interactions with his mother are especially moving. A very inspiring read.

[Shagufta · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book, though it reads a bit awkwardly. My full reflection/review on the book can be found on my blog Seriously Planning here: http://seriouslyplanning.wordpress.co....

[Hassaan Munir · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me a great biography is one which once put back on the shelf, leaves me with a lot of valuable insight into the person it was written about. This, definitely, is one such biography. Although technically, it is an autobiography because it was transcribed from Edhi's interviews to the book's author.

From this book, I learned that Edhi was much more than what his simplistic visage let on. He was a Marxist, a progressive, a serial entrepreneur, and a rebel who had an unquenchable desire for social justice and humanitarianism.

The book traces the majority of Edhi's life until 1996 (the year of its publication). We learn of his humble upbringing in Bantva, his immigration to Mithadar and his setting up of one of the largest private social welfare organizations in the world. We see a man of almost inhuman perseverance and fortitude. We see a dreamer whose dreams were imbued with a sense of extreme reality.

This book is as much a peek into one of the most remarkable lives in Pakistan history as it is a dissection of the Pakistani psyche. Seldom do we encourage people. Most of the time we are focused on tearing them down. As Edhi narrates, despite his noble endeavor, he was labeled an organ exporter, a yahoodi agent, and a womanizer. His organization's system was almost sacrificed in a failed attempt to instigate martial law. He faced contempt from his neighbors, fellow social workers, politicians, and surprisingly, even the army. Amid all this, only a man of Edhi's single-minded drive could have kept his life's work afloat.

Conclusively, when you come to the book itself, it is not edited that well and repeats itself on numerous occasions. The writing style is also quite verbose at times. But don't let that keep you from reading it because there is almost a criminal dearth of reading material on a life as great as Edhi's. Goes a long way to show how well do we treat our heroes.

[Wahab · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the book. The way it have been written. I opt for Urdu translation and looks like a novel to me. The book explain the ups and down an individual can face for the mere welfare of a society.
Its worth reading.

[Elsa Qazi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story of a beautiful soul.

[Ali Akbar Madraswala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my 150th book was definitely worth its spot, in fact was an honor, about a humble man who achieved the far beyond impossible, he created a system so much larger than life, and it was as if his spirit embodied the mercy and compassion of God. The book is about Abdul Sattar Edhi, the world's best social worker who dreamed of welfare for the downtrodden and worked his body, family, and self to the limit to achieve his dream of welfare for the people. He has passed away, and I pray for his soul and family. Edhi was simple. He did it without making things complicated. The effort he knew needed not to be wrestled with in mind, just owned and done. The intention behind effort matters, and his was always good, altruistic, and for others. He sacrificed his comforts and set an example throughout his life of living for others. An Edhi happens to the world once in every few centuries and it would be a sad day when he is not spoken daily at any given time by the country he served, he should be in books, curriculum and remembered for his unflinching fearlessness, steadfastness and his beautiful wife Bilquis, who entered this kings life as the author described Edhis dream of her before he married her as the moon itself had entered his room. An apt dream because the moon shines because of the sun's light, and their duty to our planet is compatible with one another. To Edhi, the king of men!

[Zulfiqar · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The tragedy of Karbala was an injustice underplayed by Muslim rulers for nearly seven hundred years. My father said, 'The children of the Shia sect are made to pursue knowledge from the early age of six or seven. They are encouraged not to remain silent at the misdeeds of the executive, and fear nothing except God so that they can stand up all costs against injustice. 'He told me, although we do not deny the tragedy of Karbala, some groups avoid reality and do not want to recall it. Much of the present Muslim trends of laziness, passivity against injustice, lack of passion, and honour are due to this escapism.' His words became implanted in a fertile mind. Although the Memons were from the Sunni sect and I knew no followers of the Shia sect, I staunchly upheld the memory of the martyrs on the tenth day of Muharram. I would sit at the Mosque listening to the Imams relating the heart wrenching story and cry bitterly." -Abdul Sattar Edhi 1928-2016 (Durrani, Tehmina."Edhi, A Mirror to the Blind)

[Rania Nasir · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really eager to read this book as I absolutely loved everything Edhi did. The book challenged a lot of beliefs I held about the man. I always assumed that people of such depth and philanthropic nature would be optimists with their heads in the clouds. Edhi did dream big but he believed that humans were naturally selfish.

Despite my love for the legend that is Edhi, I had a very difficult time getting past the really bad editing of the book. There were even spelling errors ('weak' instead of 'week') and it was quite unfortunate how badly written the book was. I've never been a fan of Durani's work but I was quite surprised by this book.

[Hammad Mehmmod]

I will Call Him As a Hero!!!!
Edhi: A Mirror To The Blind

[Atti]

i want to read this book , because i want improve my self in a way of Edhi.

[Rabia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book edhi was in my TBR before the death of Abdul Satar Edhi. The book is about personal life of him. As depicted by name An Autobiography.
Book start with the day when he born in India. So his struggle has been started from the day one by his mother. He speaks about his family conditions and the area and how his mother learnt him to donate. She was no educated women but she played the most important role in edhi's life. She in his early life told him to give things to poor people. Moreover she usually prefer the donation over education. So due to such frequently donation most of the poor people know edhi.
She usually ask him after giving some pocket money to share it with some needy person.
Later on edhi started working on a shop and he worked honestly but his colleagues are so sincere with the owner. While due to some understanding he left thr job. Edhi always make castle in air in his young age to old age for serving humanity.
The most tragic incident in edhi's life is when a women from his shelter home of mentally disabled people burnt his nephew. The nephew who was the one of most important person of his life.
But the work of humanity have not been stopped at the time of death. When two trains have been smashed at that time.
While Edhi's family migrated to Pakistan his tribe men open dispensery in that area but for particular memon caste people. No other have been dealt in that dispensery. Later on when Edhi ask to provide medicine to all people they criticise him and ask him to leave this area.
At that time he moved on and make his own dispensery in a backward area and started work properly and hier some people with him. Open nursing school and the network start expanding at that time but it take many decades and all efforts by edhi as well as support of masses.
While the memon tribe people criticise him at every step and has been started a blame game and this blaming continue till his death. Because the people tought Edhi is using all money for him self.
He married with Billqees when he was in his thirties and she was in twenties. She was partner of him in every work. She was not strict as far as Edhi in his work. When the both are getting married on wedding day he was also busy in humanity. Later on both were criticised by people on wedding and blame them as well.
The basic purpose if Edhi's life was to provide shelter to poor, help to poor and spend all the time and life for serving. When govt send him any aid cheques he softly refused to keep it. Because his father instruct him to don't use money of govt. Because people have right on that money. Later on once he faced an accident when travelling to Sialkot and that was happen according to him because he slapped a girl. Where the accident took place a dead body, ome companions of dead person, his wife and son was with but all remain safe. While in Karachi the rumor of his death has been spread. And people in state of crying gather in front of Edhi centers. At that time in which hodpital he was admitted no facilities was granted so the govt. Of Pakistan has sent special helicopter to pick him up.
After Z.a Bhutto's govt has been toppled zia added him in his Majlis-e-shoora but after sometime Edhi get it as waste of time and left it.
He never participated in the weddings tough the wedding of his on children. He consider all these are wastage of time and money. so he always stay away from this kind of activities.
The main porpose of his life is to serve and only serve. His wife usually call him miser usually but he always said he is here for help and serving. He never care for weather, health ir danger to his life. Sometimes he went to those palaces where he have no guarantee of his life. Or people warn him to go back. Edhi ambulance service is still the largest ambulance service of world and Edhi is the largest NGO in Pakistan which rooted in every city of Pakistan. Edhi always believe in himself and keep his struggle continue and never wasted a single minute of his life for any useless activity.

[P]

This book changed me, fundamentally. I can't believe I ever envisioned a life where I care for only myself and my family, think of advancing in a career and being financially sound, and enjoying some of the things life has to offer. It would not be a life well-lived, unless I also chose to put my time towards helping the people around the world who have much, much less than me; who struggle to fulfill basic needs.

To be clear, I think a life not spent caring for the underprivileged would be a life wasted. It also opened my eyes to how privileged and individualistic life in the West is. If they could only see what the third world suffers through, they may be a million times more at peace.

Edhi was one in a million, and I wish this book was more well-known. Pakistanis especially, need to read this.

[Iqbal Bakhsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is not a heroic tale. It is a tale of a man taking the next step and then the next and the next in a committed mission. The that’s what makes it real. That’s what keeps it honest. Do your work. Do it daily and do it forever. You can’t guarantee results so do guarantee the thing you can, effort. There are no heroes. The false prophets in the media are just that, false. Truth is in a lifetime of effort.

Fortunately for the destitute of Pakistan, this man’s mission was humanitarianism which he did for all his life.

Side note: Pakistans establishment trying to ruin a humanitarian only because he didn’t want to be political. Also, what an insight into the genesis of Imran Khan. He’s the establishment man after all. Like all before him. LOL

[Shehzad Ahmad Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

EDHI's phenomenal biography by Tehmina Durrani provides a great insight into the remarkable man's life, his humble upbriging, his non-stop energy and the genesis of the world's largest private ambulance service of the world. Some pieces about his upbringing, his interactions with his mother are especially moving. It was a very inspiring read for me, and definitely one of the best biographies I've ever read. Recommended for everyone.

[Nabeel Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was exciting book and i would like to recomend to my friend

[Shafiq · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Shahzad Ahmad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indeed best one.!!

[Beela · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the inspiring autobiographies ever. He made me realized how a person can work for human beings from the very simple level.you don't need to be rich always to help others💚

[Uzair · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read if you want to understand what selfless service to others really means. The standard that Edhi sahib set is intimidating and inspiring.

[Muhammad Arslan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to read or buy this book . Plz hlp . How can i access to it.

[Muhammad Javed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to read in urdu description

[Samira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This man is my greatest inspiration.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant man (and wife)

[Sumera]

A good biographical book but I am finding it to be too depressing. I think the book could have done without the gory details of the tragedies Edhi witnessed.

[Kathie]

Y