Husnul Muab Or Concludes... Novel Analysis by Shoby

Husnul Muab Or Concludes... Novel Analysis by Shahbaz Ali Naqvi (Shoby)

By Al-Asr. Indeed, mankind is in loss. Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. (Sura Al-Asr)

And I say, we the human creed is seriously in loss. Do you know why, because either many of us do not Believe and for many others in case we believe, we don't believe it wholeheartedly on embracing truth & patience, leave aside the aspect of advising it to others.

Husnu Muaab Or, a Saira Raza novel gained my attraction initially just because of its very unique title. And when I started reading the pilot episode, it instantly took me into a trance as I fastened my seat belts & got ready to read a magnum of treat in the form of this written endeavour. To me, this thirteen episodic novel is more of a spiritual endowment theory than a mere social assignment.

To give you the gist of the story, it primarily revolves around the lives of our protagonists Husnul Muab and Musa B. It is about how their fortunes unites & apart them with certain tricks & twists along while battling out with the stories of many other characters who contribute to make the mega plot. As per my habit, I obviously am not going to tell you the story, as I want you to experience the thrill by reading it yourself. :-) 

First of all let us examine the most important characters of the novel. Although it had a plethora of characters but all of them are well justified considering the canvas of the subject matter. Starting with Musa B (aka Sami Uddin), he is the heart of the story. An international signing sensation, a rockstar, heartthrob of thousands of fans, a style icon who unfortunately started the very first day of his life with a regret of having (self-confessed) worst parents and went on to live each & every day of the remaining life with the same regret. His parents have stories of their own, and although they never tried to justified how they lead their lives but indeed they were not to blamed, in the totally. After all, we as a Muslim believe that every child is born on the phenomenon of Fitrat: state of intrinsic goodness.

Lets now talk about Husnul Muaab, an enthralling combo of beauty & mind. Her brought up was of a highly respected religious family and she had the knowledge in tons of volumes but due to what we may call the rigidness of some of the family member's attitude, she got diverted from the path as she was all set to fly high with new horizons to explore. After all, who cares whats good & bad. What matters the most is the self satisfaction. Manasa Rao says, “A question that always haunts me. Why can’t people just be real? It’s easier being real than pretend being real. Give yourself a chance.”

Sheher'Zaad, an ageing celebrity who needed the support of an established artist (Musa B) to be in the game. Showbiz is said to be a fad event in celeb's lifeline and she was almost out of the game, just when Musa B entered into her life. From nowhere she grew love for Musa B out of this friendship and later on played a vamp and did every written task to separate Musa B & Husnul's pair.

Then comes another very interesting character Mehru (aka Merry), an off spring of a Muslim (by birth) father & a Muslim (converted from Christianity) mother. You noticed, I hereby unintentionally drew a line between the religious school of thought of her parents and this is the same thing which people associated closely to her have done all through her grooming days and this paradox floating around dual gods made her live a confused life which ultimately lead her to bear no religion.

I don't want to make the review more lengthy so I am just cutting of the character anatomy here, however I must mention some other important characters which were pertinent in growing up the story. Khadja, Haleema, Scarlet, Badruddin, Abdul Mubeen, Ram Nath (in a strong cameo) and this list is literally a never ending thing, however not even a single of these characters was placed by the writer in the heart of the plot to make things look exaggerated. 

Coming towards the narrative part of the story, I would give 10 on 10 to Ms. Saira for the utmost perfection in her execution. You may find no or very little loopholes in the script. She was crystal clear about the idea she conceived and she went on to project it quite impressively. The circumstances she built for the pertinent incidents in the story were truly make-belief. Although it was quite evident that Husnul's prayers (to marry Musa B) would be answered positively but I was wondering how will she manage to look it realistic on papers and let me say, she did a very commendable job in this perspective.

Saira presented in front of us diverse atmospheres in the story. From glitz & glamour of entertainment industry to the orthodox religious mentality, from a church attached Christian family to to a balance Islamic following school of thought family, she was spot on in the projection of many different envelops that wrapped up the story nicely.

It would not be false if I say that we, the humans are selfish & above all hypocritical in nature. We assume we are the best and the version of any particular entity we have is the best one available. We overlook the other party's side of the picture and being judgemental, we are always in a hurry to announce someone as doomed.

Let us confess many of us are in the pride of being righteous ones but in fact, it is not true. How can we be a true Muslim, if other Muslims (or even other creations of ALLAH) are not saved from our hands or tongues. People like Mehru & Maria have to go through a tragedy which no one else can understand. They are being stereotyped and we as a society totally disowns them. This whole episode was beautifully materialised by Saira in this novel.

Talking about my favourite scenes, I still cant get over the frame where lost Mus B is finally discovered and then abused by Ram Nath. It brought tears to my eyes literally. Specially these lines:

Us ne kaha, kaisey Muslim ho? Apney NABI (saww) ke barey mein kuch jantey nahi. Mujh se pooch lo kisis bhi devi devta ke barey mein. Tum kaisey Muslim ho. Tumhain k,uch pata hi nahi.

Woh mujh se UN (saww) ke Father (asws) or Mother (sa) ke Naam pooch raha tha. Mujhey nahi maloom they. Main un ke Bachon ke Naam bhi nahi janta tha.

Naam to tumhain bataeney parhey ge... Woh meri charpai ke gird chakar laganey laga.

"Mujhey maloom hi nahi tha. Bohat zor deney per IMAM HUSSAIN (asws) ka Naam bataya to us ne naya sawal ker diya...

Acha to WOHI HUSSAIN (asws) Jis ka tum logon ne pani band ker diya tha... Yaar kaisey log ho tum... Wesey pani kiyo band kiya tha..."

Mujhey jawab nahi aya...

This one specific scene gave me goosebumps. Hats off Saira on penning this one.

Apart from this, music concert scene where Husnul Muab noticed Musa B for the first time was also impressive. Maria's wedding with Fayaz was also a notable scene. Another scene that managed to gain my attention was the rift & fight sequence which took place at Mufti Abdul Rehman's home. When Scarlet & Samiudin goes to meet Musa B and he finally agrees to meet them was emotional at its core.

Saira's research in the subject matter was also very authentic. She properly used Ayat e Mubarka from QURAN PAK & some verses from Bible wherever she found appropriate & necessary. Her dialogues were pitch perfect and went smoothly with the characters for which they were written. One thing I must highlight here that she intentionally avoided the cheesy so-called romanticism in this novel & the dialogues, whereas she was having all the liberty to showcase this in the form of Husnul Muaab and Sheher'Zaad's characters.

The most beautiful part of this story is the way Saira depicted multiple shades of different characters. It is said that every person has more than one personality and he discovers (or presents) his face according to the need of the times. Similarly, all the pertinent characters went through a transformation and Saira was very convincing in this display of transformation. We have seen multiple shades of personalities pertaining to Husnul Muaab, Musa B, Mehru and others in the novel.

I loved the ending parts, where she ended the story with a new ray of hope, a bright light, a new beginning by telling that Husnul Muaab Or is not only the story of Husnul. In fact, Mehru completes the pending phrase. Thankfully, Saira didn't made the finale cheesy by making all love wins. If she would have shown Husnul Muab & Musa B once again united, it would have been a unrealistic & unjustified affair.

On the whole, I would rate this novel as a very good read. The author emerged as victorious in telling what she wanted to tell. Do tell me, how you found Husnul Muaab Or...

PS: Please don't forget to provide your valuable feedback in the below comments section.

Hussn ul Muaab Or (Saira Raza)- Episode 4 Review by Shoby

Hussn ul Muaab Or (Saira Raza)- Episode 4 Review by Shoby

Raquel Cepeda said, “The things that come to us easily, our propensities, are carried on a deep subconscious level into our next life. There are no coincidences.” Sometimes, these materialistic desires becomes a source of our journey towards the reality of things. I feel, love of Munna became a pathway for Maria to achieve the reality of Islam, the only true religion.

Munna hits an accident and while nursing her in the hospital, Maria happens to meet her sick father. He was worried and has been vouching her but looks like she has got what she was up to. Aik insan ki mohabbat ne mazhab tabdeel kerwa diya... Phir mazhab ne mujhey badal diya...

So unlikely what other were feeling, nothing on the Earth has been changed for Husnul Muaab. In fact, she has gone several steps ahead in search of sacrosanct. On the other hand, we get to see another side of Musa B. Although he is an established star a singing sensation but somewhere inside, he possess a very traditional belief system, especially when it comes to Islam and Pakistan.

In the desert, he is still dying. Dying of thirst, hunger, starvation and most importantly helplessness. But the best thing is, he has not lost the hope yet. I reckon, he is going through the most pertinent time of his life and he is therefore not at all going to die at least here. It is a make or break point of time for him and I feel, he will come out of the darkest patch with head touching the skies. Zindagi ko samajhney ke liye maut kjo samajhna zaruri hai. 

Maria desperately wants to meet the dying father and we have the master stroke of this episode:

Abhi nahi pichtai ammi... Lakin agar daddy meri taraf se yeh hasrat liye marr gaey to phir aisa pichtaon gi jaisey suraj maghrib se tulu honey ke baad gunaah'gaar pichtaey ge. Thumbs up Saira. 

See this happens when you restrict (almost bind) your children in a four by four wall boundary. Husnul was a rebel and she has doing the stuff just to stay in the business. She has brought a radio just to listen Musa B's tracks. Music that is simply forbidden and as far as the household of Husnul is concerned, it was prohibited and strict compliance was required. Anyways, Sibgha is having serious doubts , thus she is spying on her quite visibly.

To me, last episode of Husnul Muaab Or... was way more interesting with many innovative thoughts and awesome execution by author. Unfortunately, this episode lacks the thrill that Husnul Muaab was successfully carrying since the first episode. Story is still roaming around the same vicinity and only thing that has move forwarded is the story of Maria with the advent of Marry & Maggie who I suppose are going to play a key role in the upcoming episodes. Let's see, where hte story heads from here.

Hussn ul Muaab Or (Saira Raza)- Episode 3 Review by Shoby

Hussn ul Muaab Or (Saira Raza)- Episode 3 Review by Shoby

It is not very often that I get stuck in the very first scene of an episodic novel. Husnul Muaab Or is different. By stepping inside the other side of the wall, we witness a bigger extravaganza waiting our eye sight. Muslim Munna is all set to tie the knot with none other than Christian Maria in a Masjid and this is all but good for the bride's family.

The way Saira Raza has compared Maria's mother situation with blind, mute & handicapped cat, a deer standing in front of a lion ready to swallow her fawn and a feather headed dove just about to fall, is simply out of this world. Woh aik maa ka chehra tha... Dunya ki sab se bebus makhlooq... 

She made us look two altogether diverse side of stories in one single frame. At one side, there was a happy contented family where everyone including Khadeeja, Maria and Munna were considering themselves blessed for becoming a source of converting a non Muslim into a Muslim, whereas on the other side, Maria's family is seriously thinking of being cursed as GOD might have left them for something like infinity.

Yeh asman bhi un ke gham mein barabar ka shareek tha... Or Maria usey baarish ki awaz jaltarang lag rahi thi...

Effortlessly, Saira's words are soothing as ever:

Maria ne wohi alfaaz duhraney shuru ker diye they, jo nijaat ka bais hain... (Subhan ALLAH... Beshak).

You know what... there is another type of pride which we do not realise and which flows in all of us, the pride of being the modest one. It is rather irritating to notice that the most down to earth persons, the ones who really think they are nearest to ALLAH sometimes fell in the prey of Satan and start developing a pride of humbleness. Same is the case with Khadeeja who was fortunate enough to be a Muslim by birth and Maria was unfortunately not a born Muslim, rather she selected the religion for her. 

The dilemma is, we do not accept the converted Muslims as pure & complete in their religious views & characters as ourselves. Maria has learnt the Bible by heart and this one thing is enough for Khadeeja to have enormous volume of doubts regarding her religious beliefs. Commendable job indeed by Saira for picking up a very delicate topic and treating it with utmost honesty & sensitivity. Exceptional writing indeed.

He is still stuck in the desert and he is ready to die of hunger, thirst & the worst of all, the loneliness & helplessness. He is in one such condition where man finds himself standing in front of the one and only ALMIGHTY ALLAH. I feel, he is about to change. He will surely be rescued even in the worst of these conditions but he will come out of the catastrophe as a completely modified personality.

Now the story of Musa B is getting real interesting. He works with a new comer Soha Khan in the next video and this has not gone well with his earlier partner Sheher'zaad. However she thinks of taking him in confidence again and extend a hand of friendship which he welcomes warmly. After all, it is all about self survival for her.

Yet another engaging aspect of the novel Husnul Muaab Or is obviously the tale of the lead protagonist. The Gang of Girls is trying to clear Husnul's mind but she has one thing which makes her stand out in the folk. She is all belief... Non shake-able belief that ALLAH will surely answer her prayers...

Jis ALLAH ne, jis Maalik ne mujhey us ki janib matwajah ker diya... Main usi se usey kiyo na maang lu??? 

Husnul is in search of a dua, a wazeefa... Any thing that can bring Musa B in her life and Abdul Mubeen has given her the lesson of the life... 

Dua ki qabooliyat ke liye eham cheez niyat or talab ka ka sacha hona zaruri hota hai...

Neem ke pair per gulaab khil janey jaisi dua... Ahhh... The beauty of writing... Stunner indeed. ..  In this episode, Nana jaan's character has emerged with the whole lot clarity for the very first time and it is pleasantly surprising... The conversation between Nana & Husnul is awesomely soothing.

So, Husnul is now head to toe all obedience as she now wants Musa B at any cost and there is only ONE who can help her in her cause...  ALLAH ALMIGHTTY.

Kal ki uktaahat, apni gharz ki khatir lagaawat mein badal gai... See, how mean we human beings are in the nature. We can do anything for our own personal gains. Anything... I repeat....

In the flashback, due to their busy schedule, cannot give Badar ample time. So his parents hire an atheist Philip as a caretaker for the growing Badar but this was not at all a very good decision as far as morality is concerned. After the death of Philip, he meets Scarlet who went on to define the rest of his life.

Us ki naazuk ungliyan jaam banana janti thi... Us ne baqi sari zindagi BadrudDin ke hathon se paimaney ka kaam liya... Wah...

And although Badar knew she was not good for him but he still cannot afford to lose her:

Woh mera cancer zada haath tha... 

At this part of life Mohiy-un-din have realised that they themselves were the whole solely responsible for the drastic life of Badar and they wanted Sami not to become something like his father and he has surprised him. He wants a girl a totally opposite of what his mother was.

I really do not want to be a spoiler but let me give you my own personal take to this. I get a feeling that Sami, the person lost in the desert and the celebrated musician Musa B is same and the prayers of Husnul will be answered positively but I really don't know where it all heads to. (I may be totally wrong in my predictions and I take no responsibility for whatever is coming up next) :p

Nevertheless let me tell you honestly, Saira Raza achieves 10 on 10 for this episode. Such an exceptional depiction of some serious dose of melodrama that was all pertinent to move the story. I enjoyed each & every sentence of this episode and literally wanted to quote almost every master stroke penned by the writer. The wedding scene of Munna & Maria, the scene featuring Husnul and gang of girls and the conversation between Husnul and Nana were the highlights of the whole episode.

It has been so long that I was looking for one powerful writing and I believe Husnul Muaab Or Episode 3 has never disappointed me. Way to go Saira...

PS: Don't forget to give your feedback in below box.

Hussn ul Muaab Or (Saira Raza)- Episode 2 Review by Shoby

Hussn ul Muaab Or (Saira Raza)- Episode 2 Review by Shoby

So here is the second instalment of Saira Raza's episodic novel Husnual Muaab. Lets see, what the episode has in it for the readers.

She has apparently saw this dream multiple of times earlier as well but every time her dream was ended rather abruptly, without giving her the opportunity to see the face of her beloved. Hoover this time, in her dream, Husnul Muaab was all set to meet one on one the most anticipated face and just before she was interrupted in between, she seems to have a glimpse of Musa B.

Khadeeja Begum has brought up her son Munna as a single parent after being the widow and that Munna is now the most eligible bachelor in town and if this was not enough, same Munna is now interested in none other than Maria who belongs to an altogether different religion (Christianity). Munna's real name & identity will surely be revealed in upcoming episodes.

The age with which Husnul Muaab belongs is no doubt the make or break age. It is now clear that Husnul is simply fed up of her conservative domestic family atmosphere and it is evident from her behaviour as well that she is everything but happy on her fate. Worse part is that she has started developing a rather forbidden feeling for someone who may never become her companion by any means. 

After trying his luck in Indian music industry, Musa B has realised that he has only one path to follow and that is to make Pakistan his home country the place to make a career in pop industry, so he retruns to the country and launches his first video song which goes on to become an instant hit.

Husnul is developing quite an interesting mode of love with Musa B who is hanging around with an actress Sheher'zaad. However their growing relationship is more of a materialistic in nature.

Meanwhile this real moody Sami has made the life of his cooks hell. But one thing is for sure, he has just said what I really feel and categorically say, Khana banana cook ka kaam hai, wife is kaam ke liye nahi honi chahiye. And needless to say, my wife is quite happy :-)

This episode introduced some more characters. a little cameo of a girl travelling trough a train in a foreign country, which I guess might be Scarlet, who is the love interest of Badr. Meanwhile, someone has Straggled and is now wandering in the deserted area of UAE and it is really not revealed who he is.

To me two of the scenes in the whole episode were excellent. The way Khadeeja was putting up her stance in the favour of her son was tremendously written by Saira Raza. I was bowled over for Khadeeja's sheer simplicity Saira narrated this Munna's proposal part in a masterly manner. I liked the term #SaabitKijiye and the elaboration of the same. My second favourite scene in the episode was the dream sequence. Beautifully executed.

This episode moved the story ahead in a nice brisk pace. It ended with two open corridors to move ahead the things. Husnul Muaab seems to be truly madly deeply in love with some one who does not even know her name (the latest singing sensation Musa B) and Khadeeeja has accepted what destiny has written for her Munna. She has given her nod for his marriage with Maria.