My Dearest Daughter Sarah,As I sit down today to write these lines, my heart overflows with memories and silent prayers. I want you to know how deeply you are cherished, how invaluable your presence is in my life, and how the day you arrived in this world became one of the most unforgettable moments I have ever known. It feels as vivid as though it happened only yesterday.
It was April 30th, 2014, a day forever etched in my heart, when our lives were illuminated by your arrival. From the moment you opened your eyes, you brought warmth and light into our home. I recited the Azaan into your delicate ears right after your birth, a cherished Islamic ritual, welcoming you to this world in the name of faith, love, and gratitude.
You were born at Modern Hospital, Srinagar. That day carried a mix of excitement, anxiousness, and heartfelt prayers. Your mother lay in the operation theatre while I waited outside, each moment heavy with anticipation. I remain grateful to Prof. Dr.Tasneem Gowhar, the kind and capable gynecologist who safely brought you into this world through cesarean delivery. I also remember Jan Sahib, the hospital’s owner, whose personal care still hold a special place in my heart.
The moment you let out your first tender cry, a storm of emotions surged within me….. joy, hope, and a silent promise of beautiful days to come.When I held you in my arms for the very first time, it felt as though time itself had paused. I pressed you close to my chest, my eyes brimming with tears, and whispered silent prayers of gratitude for this priceless gift from Allah.
In that precious moment, nothing in the world mattered more than your health and your mother’s well-being. I instantly named you Sarah , a name that means purity, brightness, and serenity, for you brought with you a radiant calmness that touched every corner of our hearts.
Your birth came at a difficult time. A strict curfew gripped Srinagar amidst unrest. Yet, by Allah’s grace and my then being as a uniformed Sub-Inspector in the Vigilance & Inspections Wing of the erstwhile Commercial Taxes Department, I managed all matters with ease. Alhamdulillah.
Soon after your birth, I made my way to Khanqah Moulla Shrine to offer a heartfelt Nimaz-e-Shukrana. That quiet prayer of gratitude remains one of the most peaceful and soul-stirring moments of my life.
Our home came alive when we brought you back. Every family member eagerly held you, admiring your delicate features and basking in the joy you brought. Not long after, Mohammad Shafi Sahib, our trusted hairdresser, performed your first sacred head shave, a tender, beautiful ritual that remains fresh in my memory.
Another cherished moment was capturing your first large studio portrait at Mimmic Colour Lab. That beautiful photograph graced the lobby of our beloved Gilan House, but what made it even more special was when your great-grandfather, my beloved Abaji, inscribed your name and birth date on its back in his graceful handwriting, a moment forever alive in my heart.
Your childhood was a garden of priceless moments. I remember the thrill of buying your first bright blue tricycle from Kawoosa Sons, Nowhatta. You would ride it gleefully around the house and garden, while your Daadi watched on, her face aglow with pride and love.
When it came time for school, your mother and I first took you to the Hazratbal Shrine, seeking blessings for your future. From there, we enrolled you at the prestigious Crescent Public School, Naseem Bagh, Srinagar. I still recall your first day, how our entire family, including your mom, Daadi, and Abaji, eagerly gathered at the main gate, anxiously waiting for the school van to bring you home. Your innocent chatter and radiant smile as you stepped out filled our hearts with indescribable joy and pride.
To support your early education, I arranged tuition at Madam’s home in our neighborhood, while Moulvi Muzaffar Sahib visited regularly to teach you the Quran, nurturing both your intellect and spirit.
Our morning walks, cycling trips, and family picnics remain among my most treasured memories. I can still hear your laughter as we rode a cycle rickshaw through Chandni Chowk, strolled leisurely around Gumat Bazar and Jewel Chowk, and explored the vibrant streets and narrow lanes of our beautiful city. Those simple, carefree days, filled with innocent happiness, live forever within me.
Our visits to sacred shrines, Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, Charar-e-Sharief, Hazratbal Shrine, Khanqah Moulla, Dastgeer Sahib, and Tujjar Sharief, were not merely religious rituals, but deeply spiritual experiences that tied our hearts closer to Allah and to one another. These moments of shared prayer and blessing became the spiritual threads of our family fabric.
As I guided you through your formative years, I often reflected on the noble legacy of our ancestors, especially my great-grandfather, Moulana Syed Mohammad Yasin Shah Gilani, a saintly scholar whose wisdom, piety, and kindness still illuminate my path. It is my earnest hope that one day, you too will proudly carry forward this sacred legacy.
Like all children, you too had your share of minor ailments, those inevitable coughs, colds, and tummy upsets. I ensured you always received the best care from Prof. Dr. Wajid Ali, your gentle and dependable pediatrician. I also remain grateful to the caring team at Tawheed Medical Hall, Alamgari Bazar, for managing your vaccinations with kindness and efficiency, making those visits easy and comforting for you.
As I look back today, from your birth, early childhood, school admissions, sacred rituals, to priceless family memories,I find strength, solace, and gratitude in knowing these moments shaped both your journey as a precious daughter and mine as a devoted father.
Though fate has placed a temporary distance between us, my love for you remains steadfast, unshaken, and eternal. Every memory of your bright smile, tender words, and innocent laughter continues to fill my heart with warmth. I fondly remember your love for books, your unique spark, and the pride I felt watching you grow into the remarkable soul you are.
On this birthday, my beloved daughter Sarah, I bow my head in gratitude before Allah once more and renew my heartfelt promise,to remain your loving, protective, and prayerful father for as long as life allows. To you, your elder brother Arshad, and your youngest brother Murshad, you three remain the purpose of my existence, my strength, my joy, and my unending pride.
Though temporarily separated by circumstances beyond my control, my heart beats with every breath for you three. May Allah Almighty protect you, bless you abundantly, and guide your every step. May your path be lit always with love, faith, and kindness. And with each passing moment, my love for you grows only deeper. Ameen.
Syed Majid Gilani is a writer who reflects on human emotions, family bonds, moral values, and heartfelt experiences drawn from the tapestry of real life. He can be reached at syedmajid6676@gmail.com
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