Maqdoor hoe to khak say poochoon keh ae la’eem

Tu nay woh ganj haai granmaya kia kiyay (Ghalib)

Integrity, courage, and competence defined Rehman Sahib. Even in the days of extreme adversity, he never compromised his integrity. This trait is usually associated with religion. The common belief that religion is the best, if not the only, instrument to instill integrity in a person was not supported by Rehman Sahib’s case.

The question of morality too is often addressed and understood in the praxis of a religion. In order to be morally upright, one is expected to be religious in both an esoteric and an exoteric sense. Anybody subscribing to secular or liberal ideals is often deemed morally inadequate and shorn of integrity.

A basic misunderstanding in Pakistan is a widely shared perception whereby secularism/liberalism is conflated with corruption and immorality. Rehman Sahib belied that notion. I personally reckon Rehman Sahib as the best exemplification of integrity. Rehman Sahib could never strike a compromise with a tyrant, misogynist, terrorist or advocate of some retrogressive ideas.

He left us at what is regarded a ripe age - 90, but I feel in all earnestness that he left us a bit too early. Given the many ailments that the Pakistani society is suffering from a person of his stature and insight was needed. If anything, the need may be more acute today than ever before.

When somebody representing the religious right in our society dies, he is usually succeeded by one of many like him. The secular, liberal class lacks such continuity. Consequently, its ranks are thinning out rather quickly.

With Rehman Sahib’s departure, I have been overwhelmed by the realisation that another irreplaceable soul has departed for its heavenly abode, leaving us markedly poorer in terms of human wealth.

In the eleven years of Gen Zia’s regime, Rehman Sahib remained steadfast in his campaigns for the cause of justice, freedom of expression and defence of human rights.

In those days, and afterwards, when Pakistan drifted into the abyss of obscurantism and religious bigotry, he remained rock solid in his ideas. Martin Luther King Jr once said of such people, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

When Benazir Bhutto came to power in 1988, Rehman Sahib and Aziz Siddiqui were made in charge of the Progressive Papers. Rahman Sahib was the chief editor of The Pakistan Times. On his watch, the paper was rejuvenated and its editorials resonated with progressive ideas. This was indeed a breath of a fresh air. When Benazir Bhutto’s government was dismissed, he did not think twice about tendering his resignation.

He belonged to a generation that learnt the art of journalism the hard way. Extensive reading and lucid writing, accessible to the laymen, and an ability to convey subtle ideas in simple language distinguished Rehman Sahib’s craft.

It is sad commentary on our society that a person of his stature remained unemployed for some time but this was never a consideration that was going to deter him. He epitomised what Albert Einstein once enjoined in one of his talks, “try not to become a man of success, but a man of value. Look around at how people want to get more out of life than they put in. A man of value will give more than he receives.” It sounds so much like he was talking about Rahman Sahib.

Once visiting him a few years ago, at an advanced age of 85, I found him working in the sweltering heat of May at his first floor office at the Human Rights Commission, editing some write-up in a traditional style. He was soaked in sweat. Several books were stacked on his table. He intended to read those within the next week.

He belonged to a generation that learnt the art of journalism the hard way. Extensive reading, lucid writing that was accessible to the layman and the ability to convey subtle ideas in simple language made Rehman Sahib stand out. He usually talked to me about history. I found him thoroughly conversant with the subtleties of the subject but he was never been pedantic about the enormity of his scholarship. When I insisted that he should write his memoirs, he laughed the suggestion away, saying he did have much to say. Such modesty was typical of him.

While at the Government College University, once on the occasion of Pakistan Day, I thought of inviting Rehman Sahib and Prof Muhammad Waseem. Usually, people conflating Pakistani nationalism with Islam are invited on such occasions. However, I wanted Pakistani nationalism to be viewed from a different standpoint. Religion, undoubtedly, is one of the constituents of Pakistani nationalism but it is not the sole constituent. Our nationalism needs to be revived in its inclusive character with plurality recognized as an essential trait. Rehman Sahib very kindly accepted my invitation and graced that occasion. Both the speakers made the memorable as their speeches were profound, analytical and exquisitely rendered.

Rehman Sahib had always been a speaker with a mesmerising impact on the audience. Once he regaled the audience by underlining Ziaul Haq’s paranoia for the colour red. (Zia was reported to have ordered that the colour of the street post boxes be changed from red to green. Urban transport buses, once red, were also painted over, allegedly because the red gave him a scare.)

Rehman Sahib will live on in the memories of the multitude of his admirers. I suggest that Asha’ar Rehman write his biography for the sake of posterity. His ideas and an account of his conviction and his struggle must be put together in the form of a book.

The writer is Professor in the faculty of Liberal Arts at the Beaconhouse National University, Lahore