Both Kidneys Damaged: Taizul defeats death to fulfill his mother's dream, becomes a judge

S M Taizul Islam was lying on a hospital bed counting hours to die as both of his kidneys were damaged and he had been on regular dialysis. 

A kidney transplant required approximately 30 to 40 lakh taka. But for a family where even arranging one meal a day was difficult, such an amount of money was unimaginable.

At that time, Taizul had a strong desire to live on and fulfill his mother's dream. The boy who lost his father at the age of just two and a half years—his mother, Hawa Begum, had only one dream: to educate her son and one day seat him on the judge's chair.

In that battle against death, Taizul ultimately emerged victorious. With the cooperation of friends, classmates, relatives, and well-wishers, and his mother's tireless efforts, his kidney was transplanted in India in 2017. He gradually recovered and returned to his studies. Then came a long preparation.

Now that dream has been fulfilled. S M Taizul Islam has finally passed as a civil judge by securing the 120th position in the 18th Bangladesh Judicial Service (BJS) examination.

The boy whose survival was once uncertain is now waiting to sit on the judge's chair. His journey contains a story of a fatherless childhood, a struggle against poverty, his mother's long sacrifice, a battle against a deadly disease, and rising again with people's cooperation.

A Mother's Struggle with Little Taizul

Taizul Islam is the son of Tota Mia Sarkar of East Alipur village in East Enayetnagar Union of Kalkini Upazila in Madaripur. He lost his father at the age of only two and a half years. After her husband's death, the responsibility of raising three children fell on mother Hawa Begum.

Poverty was a constant companion in the family. To keep her children's education going, Hawa Begum had to work hard. Sometimes she worked in the fields, sometimes she forgot her own needs to put food in her children's mouths. At various times, she also took help from her brothers.

Hawa Begum said, "After my husband died, I suffered a lot with my children. Sometimes it happened that I could not give food to my children. My brothers stood by us then. I worked in the fields, I labored. I had only one dream—that my son would one day become a judge."

Hawa Begum struggled alone for her children for 31 years. On the day of her son's success, she keeps remembering that long struggle.

Signs of Merit Even in a Family of Poverty

Even amid poverty, Taizul left his mark of merit in education. In 2008, he achieved GPA 5 in the Dakhil examination from Alipur Dakhil Madrasa. He was the first student in that madrasa's history to get 'A' plus in all subjects.

He then enrolled at Dhaka College. He also achieved 'A' plus in the 2010 HSC examination from the humanities division. Later, he secured the 58th position in the merit list in the admission test for the Law Department of Dhaka University and began studying law. He completed his LLB in 2015 and LLM in 2018.

By then, the dream of becoming a judge had become even clearer. But suddenly darkness descended on the path to that dream.
Both Kidneys Get Damaged

From 2013, Taizul began suffering from various physical complications. First, pain in the waist and back. In 2015, kidney problems were detected. At one point, doctors informed him that both of his kidneys had become useless.

Regular dialysis began. The cost of treatment kept increasing. At one point, doctors advised a kidney transplant. At that time, approximately 30 to 40 lakh taka was needed.

Taizul said, "When both of my kidneys became damaged, my studies stopped. I was then in the third year of my honors. There was not even rice to eat in our house. In such a situation, 30 lakh taka was needed for treatment. At that time, I felt that I might not survive, and I would not be able to fulfill my mother's dream either."

On one side was the fight to save his life, and on the other was a dream of many years. His studies came to a halt, and the future became uncertain.

People Stood by the Ailing Taizul

When news of Taizul's illness spread, university friends, classmates, his elder brother, relatives, and well-wishers stood by him. Everyone helped according to their capacity.

To arrange money for her son's treatment, Hawa Begum tried to sell her land and whatever else she had. Even then, there was still a shortfall in the required amount. Ultimately, with people's cooperation, the money for treatment was arranged.

In 2017, Taizul's kidney was transplanted in India.

Taizul's mother Hawa Begum recalled, "My son had fallen ill with such a disease that I felt I would not be able to save him. But by Allah's mercy and with people's cooperation, he came back. My son has become a judge today. That dream of mine has been fulfilled. I am grateful to Allah."

"If I Die, How Will I Become a Judge?"

Taizul still becomes emotional when he remembers the days of his illness. He expressed his emotions: "On one side was my life, on the other was my career—everything had moved toward the end. At that time, I felt that if I died, how would I become a judge? This thought broke me even more. But I did not give up."

After the kidney transplant, he gradually recovered and returned to his studies. Despite various physical limitations, he continued preparing for the Bangladesh Judicial Service examination with his dream in front of him.
Villagers take pride in Taizul. Agamir Somoy photo. 
Taizul said, "I fought against death and came back alive. My mother wanted me to become a judge. Friends, university seniors, relatives—many people helped me. If they had not stood by me that day, perhaps I would not be here today. By Allah's mercy, I am alive and have been able to become a judge today. I am grateful to everyone."

Dream Fulfilled by Securing 120th Position in Judicial Service Examination

After a long wait, that day finally came. S M Taizul Islam passed as a civil judge by securing the 120th position in the 18th Bangladesh Judicial Service examination.

The mother who once went from door to door seeking help for her son's treatment now has tears of joy in her eyes.

Taizul's brother Nazmul and sister Khurshida said, "We never thought our brother would recover and take charge of the family again. He had such a disease that everyone thought he might not survive. But by Allah's mercy and people's cooperation, our brother came back alive. Today he has become a judge and fulfilled our mother's dream. This is a matter of great joy for us."

"The Boy We Thought Would Not Survive"

The people of Taizul's area are also delighted by his success. The boy whose survival was once uncertain is now considered the pride of the area, they feel.

Local residents expressed their joy: "We thought Taizul would not survive. But with people's cooperation, he received treatment and recovered. Today he has become a judge. This is a matter of joy not only for his family but for our entire area."

From Hospital Bed to Judge's Seat

Abdul Mannan Sardar, former UP member of East Alipur village, said Taizul's story is not just the success story of a meritorious student. It is a story of a mother's long sacrifice, a son's struggle, and people standing by someone in danger.

From a fatherless childhood, he struggled against poverty to study at Dhaka University. Then both kidneys became useless and he faced death. Regular dialysis, kidney transplant, and after long treatment, returning to studies again. Every step was a new test.

He said that at one time, lying on the hospital bed, Taizul's only plea was—"I want to live." That fight to survive ultimately brought him to the doorstep of the judge's seat.

And throughout this path was a mother—who raised three children in a family of poverty, begged people for her son's treatment, and nurtured a dream in her heart for 31 years. Through her son's success, that dream has been fulfilled, the people of Taizul's area believe.