Book Review: Alif by Umera Ahmed
Alif: The One and the only one
Author: Umera Ahmed
اللہ کے نام میں ہے انسان اور اللہ کا تعلق ۔۔۔ الف ۔۔۔ ایک سیدھی لکیر جیسا تعلق۔۔۔ جس کے ایک سرے پر اللہ ہے اور دوسرے سرے پر بندہ ۔۔۔ الف سیدھا ہے تو اللہ بےحد قریب ۔۔۔ الف ٹیڑھا کردے انسان تو نہ بندے کو اللہ کا پتہ لگے گا۔ نہ اللہ بندے کی خبر رکھے گا۔
Alif just as its name is the one and the only one of its kind. Burried in the chest of this beautiful read are the treasures of mysticism and Sufism. Where you get to fall and engross in love of the writings of Umera Ahmed. I promise you to have your eyes fill with tears, lips escalate with a million dollar smile, heart wrench in the pang of seperation on reading this beautiful piece of Urdu literature.
It is the first ever novel which I followed in episodes. I never before had the chance to spend all the impatient days to wait for the next episode, which for me was an astonishing experience. I loved listening the episodes on my way back to the home from university while siting in bus staring outside the window.(Yes I followed the AudioBook and honestly the voice of Basit Faryad did wonders.)
The most beautiful thing which I absolutely adore about this book is that it takes place right in the midst of the country of Rumi. (I am in love with Turkey.) and how beautiful are the characters, deep yet shallow, cold yet warm. 🧡 There heart keep breaking until they open, setting their hearts on fire and seeking for those who can flame them.... Poetic !!!
Qalb E Momin, the heart of Momin but far from being Momin but he was Qalb E Momin how much time he would take to be Momin.
Momina, meant to love imperfections of Qalb E Momin.
Daada (Abdul Alaa),"There is nothing more beautiful in this world than a healthy, wise, old man."
Taha Abdul Alaa, responding to every call that excites his spirit.
Husn E Jahan, the sufferer and the survivor of love and betrayal.
Sultan, he was an entire ocean in a drop.
Daood and Aksa, the most candid & sincere friends.
Faisal, who lost the gem for stone.
I loved the way Umera Ahmed steals my heart this time. Although some of my friends considered this novel to be exaggerated, too poetic and extra emotional but I absolutely adore this novel. I can recall to you all the beautiful moments when my heart sank to the pond of sentiments & vehemence.
These pains you feel are messengers. Listen to them
-Rumi
Those letters to Allah by Qalb E Momin, those master pieces of Abdul Aala for Qalb E Momin which were meant to be a beacon of light in his darkest times.
One thing which amazed me about this book is the sense of nomenclature, just incredible. How beautifully the characters complement their names.
I would definitely rate this book 10 out of 10.
Plot Summary:
Husn E Jahan, a dancer and actress, turns to Allah when she met an artist Taha Abdul Ala. She got to married him despite Taha's father being against this marriage but due to conflicts in their marriage Taha left his wife and son never to return again. Misconceptions of Taha regarding Sultan, former Makeup artist of HusnEJahan, also broke their marriage.
Husn E Jahan wrote letters to Taha and asked him to come back home. Little did she know that he was no longer in the world.
When she came to know about his death she flew back to Pakistan but she was not warm-welcomed. She sent Qalb E Momin back to Turkey to live with his grand-father for his good. Qalb E Momin hated his mother during all these years.
Abdul Aala sent air tickets for Husn E Jahan to come back to Turkey. He, on her consent, got her married to one of his student and asked Qalb E Momin to accept this for her mother to be happy.
Years went by, Momina Sultan and Qalb E Momin paths crossed only to complete the uncompleted chapter of their lives.
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