Kashaaf Iqbal's Mus'haf- Novel Review by Shoby

Kashaaf Iqbal is now a known name in the world of monthly digests. He is one of those very few male writers, who are continually striving hard to pave the ways to get a name for themselves, as currently we do not have much male writers in the digest world and this is undoubtedly in rule by females. After Zulekha, Mohabbat Rooh Ki Ghiza Hai, Mus’haf is his third attempt, which is published in a monthly digest.

First thing first, do not confuse this Mus’haf with the long novel by Nimra Ahmed, which is one of the most beautiful pieces of current Urdu literature. Nimra Ahmed wrote a classic with an excellent theme behind it and top notch characterization amalgamated with bang on incidents and captivating dialogues. This Mus’haf has nothing to do with later one and is an altogether a unique novel on its own, be it theme or execution.

Coming back towards Kashaaf’s Mus’haf, it is a story revolving around two strangers, who happen to meet by an incident and fell in love, however they (almost) sacrifice their love and do not reveal it in front of each other for a reasons better to be known to themselves.

What I actually liked about kashaaf’s Mus’haf was the usage of some beautiful words and phrases. Check the scene, where Mus’haf (the male protagonist) asks Rania “Yeh ansoo apney ander sanbhal kar rakho... jab main wapis ao ga, tab yeh gham ke ansoo khushi ke darya mein baha dena” on their first departure and when he says “Insaniyat ka rishta”, when Ayat asked him tumhara mujh se kiya rishta hai. Very well written lines indeed and it really deserves applaud.

In one scene, when Mus’haf gives himself some logical reasoning of Why to live with Ayat and say Acha khana peena or acha ghar thing to himself is yet another excellent line which truly depicts the real thought of a common man. Brilliant work Kashaaf.

Some short comings of the novel. At times, it gives you a feeling that you are reading a travel itinerary and looks a bit mechanical, when Kashaaf drags you in the detailing of the locations. Same was also felt in his earlier novels and to me (as a reader) it is his weakness that the technical details (which at times include geographical and demographical details of the spots) overshadow the exact essence of the story.

At some points, Kashaaf has over exaggerated the things. Like when Mus’haf says, “As I am an engineer, I knew it was Lamborghini. (I reckon, it does not need to be an engineer to understand that the vehicle is Lamborghini and that too even after having a mere look at it. Then he used a word yaar (for Rania’s husband) which did not go well with the proceedings (as we are not at all supposed to use cheap words for depicting the happenings, especially when the protagonists are shown from some good background).

Overall, Mus’haf is a bit laid down, as if you are reading a story from the City of love and lights you always expect something much more intensive and greater in terms of scale and emotions. My best wishes are always with Kashaf and I believe, he will pay attention to what I humbly pointed out.