Words about author: Mumtaz Mufti was considered a non-conformist writer having liberal views

“TALASH” (search, to look for), is a book in which the author quest for the definition of a true and simple “Muslim”. He is startled to find out that despite of being born in a Muslim family and raised in a Muslim country, the meaning of his own identity is vague to him. The book convinces reader to discover his inner-self and expresses the liberal views of the author about the so-called Islamic scholars and their preaching to our younger generation. It also highlights the true spirit of Quranic teaching in our daily lives. BUT WAIT, this does not mean that Talash is a book full of lengthy mystic lectures rather it is free from rhetoric and is simple to understand.

The First point the author tries to accentuate is the rapport between Allah and human. He strongly criticizes the Illiterate and so-called Islamic scholars ( molvis or ulmay dein) as they are relentlessly depicting a negative and strict image of Allah-man relationship . They are molding the Islamic laws as per their wishes and benefits, due to which there always exists discrepancies in all Islamic issues. This is one of the most obvious reasons that are stopping our younger generation to develop their interest in understanding the real meaning of this balanced religion. Younger generation have clung to the belief that Allah is very strict and is ready to punish us for our every single misdeed. Where as in reality, this is most reliable and strong relationship then any other. He is with us in all the moments of grief as well as joy, he acts a friend and at sametime as a mother, he is always listening to you and no matter what you do he always loves you all time and is always ready to forgive you . Instead of being of scared from him (as molvis tell us) it is better to respect him and in order to create a good relationship with Allah we need to take him with us in every single moment of our life.

Next point highlighted by author is that in order for Muslims to prosper it is of extremely important to follow the characteristics (actions) of our Prophet (S.A.W). He have presented some really good examples in the book. Now a days Muslims are taking islam as a ritual or rather a source of identification. Following the characteristics (serat) of Prophet (P.B.U.H) is paramount way to create the harmony and balance in ones life.

Later the authors’ states that Talash (search) for knowing oneself doesn’t end here rather it is chronic process and one need to struggle for it through out the life. When one will struggle then one will search and this is the basic purpose of Islam. “To find, to discover the underlying secrets” and the only key to reveal these secretes is “HOLY QURAN”.

“Pyar ka Pehla Sheher” is one of the most interesting romantic Novels. It is a story about pure and innocent love. The author tries to delineate two points through this novel. Love has never reserved itself for beautiful or physically fit people rather everyone falls in love once or many times in their life. It just happens and sees no boundary, country, nationality etc. Second, in today’s world we define a handicap person as “a person who is either physically or mentally unfit”, whereas in author’s point of view everyone whether he/she realize it or not at some point in their life become handicap. We all desire to mold the life in our own way but most of the time constraints such as culture, poverty, hunger, family, education, job etc make us handicap and we are bound to make the tough and unwanted decisions.

It is a story about a Pakistani tourist “Sunan”, who on this way to France meets “Paskal” , a handicap (lame) yet beautiful French young lady. Paskal seems to be in the complex of inferiority due to her disability to properly walk. Sunan decides to spend sometime with Paskal and help her in getting back to the normal life again. They spend some time together and soon they both realize that they are deeply in love with each other. Paskal on getting the true love becomes ready to sacrifice everything for Sunan and now Sunan due to the cultural and social constraints needs to make a decision. …….To find out whether Sunan marries Paskal or not , read and enjoy the novel………………

Mustansir Hussain Tarar not only did a wonderful job in expressing the feelings of novel’s characters with his magical words, but while reading this novel one can enjoy also enjoy the history and description of some famous places of Paris. I strongly recommend this novel to all Urdu literature readers.

The characters in Raja Gidh are everyday characters (basically it’s us). The writer compares the ‘human nature’ with ‘Gidh’ (scavenger) and tries to convince the reader that humans are just like Gidhs (even worst then them). If a Gidhs eat meat of only dead animal so are humans, who always like to take advantages of weak /disturb and emotionally dead people. In trying to gain what is beyond his/her destination he often choose the forbidden path which leads him to earn Rizq-e-haraam. The writer comprehensively explains the adverse effects of Rizq-e-haraam on human’s genes mutation process. It could lead to insanity and abnormality which is then genetically transferred to next generations.

The second point which is strongly highlighted though out the novel is the concept of “Ishq–e-Lahasil” (love with no destination) . Love for forbidden desires always leads a person in earning rizq-e-haraam which in turn destroyes one’s life and at the end the person is left alone with nothing except his discontented life. In order to convince the reader on this point, characters of Qayyum and Semi Shah are introduced in novel. Qayyum, a middle class member of society falls in loves with Semi Shah, a liberal and beautiful women who had a true love for her other class fellow. Due to some circumstances Semi is unable to marry her beloved and this makes her emotionally upset and weak. During this time of depression and loniless Qayyum takes physical advantage of Semi Shah but as always remains unsuccessful in emotionally molding her love feeling towards him. This was Ishq-e- lahasil of Qayyum. He ran after someone who was never meant for him and his desire lead him towards the wrong path and he kept moving in the wrong direction and at the end was left alone with nothing but regret and dissatisfaction.

This novel strongly reflects on the negatives points of our society today. If only we can understand the concept and adverse effects of Rizq-e- haram and learn to strongly believe in Allah and the fate decided by him , we are likely to prosper as a good Muslim and a perfect member of society. I strongly recommend this novel to all and lot of thanks to Bano Qudsia for such a great contribution to Urdu literature.

~Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Well, let me elucidate my reason for this curiosity. Today, I met an exceptionally intelligent and diligent bachelor degree holder, Ayesha. She is daughter of our close family friends who love to have their daughters being educated. I use to consider  parents of Ayesha as very liberal and understanding. Ayesha told me that she had the same view  but her perception has changed when she was refused to pursue masters in the field of her choice, “Mass communication”. She was forcefully registered in MS English program, as it was solely her parent’s choice.  She discussed her desires, dreams and plans with her parents for mass communication but each time she failed to convince them.  She even realised that they don’t have valid argument to deny her this opportunity and the only thing they want is the tag of “Masters”. When she resisted, her parents warned her, that if she have to pursue her studies she must go for English else she would have to quit her studies.  Finally Ayesha went by her parents choice as the consequence of not getting further education is too much for her ,even though the last thing on the earth she wants to do is to teach. Trust me it was not a financial problem. Her father thinks that Ayesha is just a kid and not logical enough to make right decision and after all English will give her a good teaching career. REALLY, a bachelor degree holder who is passionate and focused  cannot make decision??? Haven’t these 14 years of education empowered her to make her decision? Am I hearing this right?  How can one be creative if he/she can’t make decisions of their own? In developed countries, students make decisions at their own even before they hit eighteen.

I feel so saddened that in in our society we are only excited about the education part and rarely empowering women on decision-making. Even after years of education , we believe that they don’t have enough sense to think good for themselves or solve a logical matter.   In my view,  education and empowerment polishes ones ability to make rational decision. Its fine it the decision doesn’t give you expected results after all we all are humans and failures are a natural learning process. After talking to Ayesha, I feel that when we talk of education empowerment we should not forget to highlight the power of Decision-making. After all, this is one of the gifts given to us by education.

A proud Pakistani

To me any message without an action is useless. What good a message will do if it fails to call an action from its audience.  There is no rocket science involve in telling audience the steps  he or she needs to take in response to the message.  It can be anything from a  simple phone call, email, donation, SMS, registrationetc. Actions with message always help in  initiating an effective communication. Let me rephrase a messages with the relevant action, “Stop Child abuse  by calling Madad helpline (24/7) ”  or ” Donate your blood and make a difference through Bloodsaves Foundation”. 

Here I use to put alarm and install azaan software on to my PC and even went to mosque sometimes but still its not the same . I just can’t wait to be in Pakistan to feel the feel of Azaan.

We tend to loose so many opportunities in our lives just  because we believe in negatives more than positives. There exists no human being  on the face of  earth without a talent and no one in this world knows you better than your own self.  So learn to believe in yourself . To be honest, I have totally lost the count of the people whose have demotivated me in my life and I am sure this statistic  doesn’t matter anyway. I strongly believe in being humble but with this I equally weight the importance of appreciating oneself.  Never forget to stretch your hand to pat yourself, its must for you.

Good luck with your dreams and plans.