Dr. Fazlur Rahman Khan was a world-famous architectural engineer. Born in Dhaka, he obtained his degree in architectural engineering from Calcutta and went to the United States to gain his doctorate in the same subject. He started his practice by taking on a contract to design a 43-storey building in Chicago. His extraordinary brilliance enabled him to make great innovations in his field. The 110-storey Sears Tower in Chicago earned him worldwide fame as a master of modern construction. This highest building in the world was the outcome of his own unconventional concept, now known as tubular design.

Despite his extraordinary success, Dr. Fazlur Rahman was never inwardly satisfied. Mr. K.M. Amladi met him in 1982 in his Chicago office. As Mr. Amladi felicitated him on his success, Dr. Fazlur Rehman listened with an expressionless face. During the conversation he said to Mr. Amladi: “Life is more than engineering.”

Dr. Fazlur Rahman died on 27 March 1982 at the early age of 52. He left behind him a new concept in the field of architectural engineering. By developing this concept, the German engineer Robert Gabriel has made plans for a 365-storey building which will stand one mile above the ground. During their conversation, Mr. Amladi asked Dr. Fazlur Rahman whether such a building could be constructed. Dr. Fazlur Rahman replied in the affirmative. Citing this incident Mr. Amladi concludes’ his article by writing that Europe and America will have such buildings in future, but “the man who laid the foundation for making them possible, alas, will no longer be there to witness them.” (Hindustan Times, May 9, 1982)

Thinking most of saving oneself
from the punishment of hell

One day the wife of the Prophet, Umme Habiba, prayed in the following words: “May my husband, God’s messenger, my father, Abu Sufyan, and my brother Mu’awiya live long!” “Lifespans are measured with God,” the Prophet said to her. “When you pray, pray for salvation from hell punishment.”