Amjad Hadi Yousafzai
Some journeys last for years, and some waits test a mother’s heart in ways words cannot describe. The return of my maternal cousin and brother-in-law, Asghar Ali, after 18 years is a story of hardship, separation, hope, and a mother’s unwavering prayers.
In January 2008, Asghar Ali left home after suffering financial losses in his car buying and selling business. Burdened by debt and afraid of being beaten by his father and uncle, he felt compelled to leave. What seemed like a temporary separation eventually turned into 18 long years.
Initially, he contacted my younger brother, Kamran Hadi Yousafzai (Commando), and shared that he was in Quetta before planning to travel to Karachi. He later joined the fisheries industry in Karachi. His journey took him through Quetta and Multan, then to Iran and Dubai. He is now working in Saudi Arabia.
Over the years, communication with the family repeatedly broke down. When Asghar Ali contacted some relatives, instead of offering encouragement, they frightened him by suggesting that he would not be spared if he returned. Such responses only deepened his fear and made coming home more difficult. Contact was eventually restored, then lost again, while the family continued to wait.
In 2022, I reconnected with him through a WhatsApp video call. We invited him home several times, but circumstances and work commitments delayed his return. Eventually, after 18 years of separation, the long-awaited homecoming became a reality.
The most touching part of this story is the patience of his mother, my maternal aunt and mother-in-law. Throughout these years, she carried her sorrow quietly, placing her hope in Allah Almighty. From Tahajjud and Fajr to the prayers throughout the day, she continued to pray for her son’s safety and return. Her recitation of the Holy Qur’an and her heartfelt supplications sustained her through the long wait.
A mother’s pain cannot truly be measured in words. Every unanswered question, every silent tear, and every passing day must have deepened her longing. Today, her son’s return brings joy to a heart that never stopped hoping.
Asghar Ali was also dearly loved by my late mother. He would often ask about her well-being, which is why he has always held a special place in my heart. I waited quite some time to have a photograph taken with him after his return. To others, it may be just a picture, but to me, it captures years of separation, cherished memories of my late mother, and the happiness of seeing a loved one again.
This experience teaches us an important lesson: people facing difficulties need encouragement, not threats. While mistakes should not be ignored, everyone deserves an opportunity to make things right. A compassionate word and an open door can help someone find their way back when fear and shame have kept them away for years.
Alhamdulillah, after 18 years, Asghar Ali has returned home. His return is not just a family reunion; it is the fulfilment of a mother’s long-held hope and a reminder that love and prayer can survive even the longest separation.
May Allah Almighty protect Asghar Ali, bless his livelihood, grant his mother many more moments of happiness with her son, and spare every mother the pain of such a prolonged separation.
Ameen, Ya Rabb-ul-Alameen.
