Gul Rahman Khattak was a man of simplicity and dignity—skinny in frame, but vast in heart. He carried himself with humility, never seeking recognition, never desiring wealth, and yet leaving behind a legacy that still speaks louder than words.
On the very first day that Masjid Al-Rahmah opened its doors to the public, while many marveled at the new building, Gul Rahman walked from corner to corner, sweeping, dusting, and putting things in order. No one had asked him, and no one offered him a wage. But he saw what was needed, and his heart compelled him to act.
At that time, ISB could not afford an imam, let alone a custodian, janitor, or handyman. The Musallah upstairs and the Sunday School downstairs still echoed with the sounds of settling dust and scattered footsteps. Yet Gul Rahman filled the gap with nothing but his own hands, his own sweat, and his own resolve.
He did not stop after that first day. Day after day, year after year, he remained a quiet caretaker—patching what was broken, cleaning what was dirty, and safeguarding the masjid during holidays and long nights of Ramadan. When others were at home with family, he was still there—ensuring Allah’s house was cared for.
And though he had a family of his own—his son Waheed Khattak running the well-known restaurant Mr. G’s nearby—Gul Rahman did not spend his retirement in leisure. Instead, he chose service. He chose sacrifice. He chose passion.
People like him are the true backbone of our community. They are the silent founders and keepers who shed sweat instead of seeking titles, who gave up ease instead of chasing comfort. Their reward is not written in community newsletters or plaques, but it is written in the unseen records that Allah (swt) keeps.
As Allah reminds us in the Qur’an:
“So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it.” (Qur’an 99:7)
Perhaps the world overlooked Gul Rahman. But Allah never did. Every sweep of his broom, every bead of sweat, every humble act of service was counted. And on the Day of Judgment, when all souls long for even a single good deed, his silent actions may rise as mountains in his favor.