THE MIRACLE OF SERVICE
In the English fortnightly India Today (15 August 1990), page 68 featured a thought-provoking incident.
Mohammad Hanif Sulaiman, 35, is a Muslim barber from Lucknow. For the past ten years, he has been cutting Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav’s hair. Initially, Mr. Yadav was only a political leader, but now he has become the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
One day, Mohammad Hanif Sulaiman told him, “You have achieved a high position. Please help me get a shop in Hazratganj Bazaar, Lucknow.” Mr. Yadav agreed but later forgot his promise. Suleman waited patiently for a few months and then stopped visiting the Chief Minister’s residence. When Mr. Yadav inquired about this, he learned that Suleman was upset over the broken promise and had therefore withdrawn.
When Mr. Yadav realized this, he directed his officials to find a shop for Suleman in Hazratganj. After extensive searching, they discovered that no shops were available in the area. However, the Power Department of the Lucknow Development Authority had an office in Hazratganj. By Mr. Yadav’s order, this office was vacated and given to Suleman so he could open his shop there.
According to the reporter, at that time, 1,250 people were waiting outside shops in Hazratganj. However, Suleman jumped ahead of them all and, in just a day, bought a shop in Lucknow’s most prominent market—worth about five lakh rupees then. He then started his business there under a signboard that read: Bombay Hair Dressers.
In response to a reporter’s question, Suleman stated: “I deserved this much for all my seva (service).”
The miracle of service, in other words, can also be called the miracle of being helpful. If you can convince someone that you bring value to them, they will naturally be drawn to you. The easiest way to win people over is to become a source of value for them.
Every person is naturally repelled by one thing and deeply fond of another. The first is harm, and the second is benefit. If someone believes that you will cause them harm, or that you could be a problem for them in some way, they will begin to strongly dislike you. A person who causes harm can never be loved by anyone.
In contrast, when someone is seen as beneficial—even in small ways—people naturally gravitate toward them. A kind word, quick help for another’s need, assisting someone through their struggles, or showing courtesy—any of these traits can make a person admired and respected. People start to see such a person as “one of their own,” trust them with their secrets, and hold a soft spot for them in their hearts.
If you find yourself among people you consider strangers—or even enemies—then make yourself helpful to them. Use your words and actions to show that you are not a problem for them, but a valuable asset. If you succeed in doing this, you will discover that others have no complaints against you, nor will you have any against them. Soon, you will see that your entire environment has become your ally and supporter.
