Inspiring Devotion of Sheikh Fakhruddin

STORY FROM EENADU DAILY 27/07/2009.  NARPALA, ANANTHAPUR DISTRICT:
 
This is a story of another Bhaktha Ramadas, one of Dasa of Sri Ram’s dasa. He is no millionaire, nor a landlord, but a very ordinary painter, moreover a Muslim!
 
Sheikh Fakhruddin’s principle is that humaneness is more than any religion.  He used to worship regularly at Kesepally Anjaneya Temple.  He used to be troubled seeing the difficulties faced by ordinary worshippers because of lack of basic amenities.  One day he has decided to construct the Temple with all the amenities.  He has spent all his money and also sold off properties to build a marvellous Temple to the Lord. For amenities of the pilgrims he bought one acre of land near the Temple and built compound wall all around it.  Along with pilgrim rest houses, he organised drinking water facilities.
 
His life-savings of Rs.8 lakhs were spent by then, yet only half the works were completed.  Then he started seeking donations from the devotees and got Rs.5 lakhs which was spent.  Yet some more work was pending.  In the last moment, he was desperate – not a pie was in hand,even feeding the family was not possible.  He poured out his anguish in front of his better half, Noorjahanbi.  Without a moment’s hesitation she suggested that they dispose off their 3 acres of agricultural land and complete the Temple construction.  They realised Rs. 1 lakh from the sale and the work was finally over.  The couple were elated.  They expected a huge turnout for the consecration of the Temple and wanted to do Annadanam.  As there was a drought of philanthrophists, Fakhruddin once again approached his wife.  She told him to withdraw Rs.80,000 that was in the bank for his children’s studies.  Withdrawing this cash, they organised a liberal Annadanam feast on the day of consecration.  Fakhruddin claims that it is his good fortune to have Noorjahanbi as his wife.  He confessed having gone without food on several nights.  They declare that the satisfaction of building this Temple has overshadowed their pangs of hunger.  Noorjahanbi says, her husband is a King of large heart!

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