|
|
January 1, 2002
REVIEW: For reforming society
A PROMINENT contemporary of an eminent fiction writer/journalist, Molvi Abdul Halim Sharar, Maulana Muhammad Usman Diplai (1908-1981) is credited as being one of the master fiction writers of Sindh who created socio-political awareness among the people of the province. With a view to expressing his anguish and inciting mass protest against the exploitation of the people by the feudals and the colonial power, Diplai chose the pen which has proverbially been mightier than the sword. He was the first creative writer who used tough expressions and a hardhitting style in Sindhi literature. His genuine and original progressive approach in literature endeared him to the masses.
Besides scores of short stories and leading columns he wrote in his own and other publications in Sindhi and Urdu, he also produced about 150 novels which appeared after regular intervals. His writings inspired self-esteem, self-reliance, unity, human dignity and respect for Islamic ideals in his readers. Thus he spread the message of equality between men and women, love, peace and tolerance which he advocated as the cardinal principles of a welfare society.
The book under review is a novel on the majestic life of the Holy Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), and the rise of Islam. It is divided into four parts, namely, “Noor-i-Tauheed” (exalted birth of the Holy Prophet and the advent of Islam); “Shaukat-i-Islam” (the exaltation of Islam); “Urooj-i-Islam” (the rise and spread of Islam); and “Fateh-i-Islam” (bloodless conquest of Makkah). These novelettes had appeared separately in 1940-41. The present combined issue is its fourth edition published posthumously by his son, Muhammad Ali Diplai, after 52 years.
Many Arab writers have written novels and dramas on various aspects of the life of the Prophet of Islam and some of them were translated into Urdu. Diplai’s novel is not only original but it deals with the moral side of the teachings of Islam and exemplary behaviour of the commanders of Islam throughout the Arabian Peninsula, besides the neighbouring empires of Qaiser and Kisra (Roman and Persian empires).
The book is dedicated to the late Arbab Haji Allah Juriyo, President, Jami’at Hizbullah, Tharparkar, whose efforts paved the way for rooting out the pre-Islamic tradition of burying female children alive. This was practised in most of the desert areas of Sindh until not too long ago. One of the objects of the book under review is to create awareness among the masses against anti-social practices and religious taboos which lead them to poverty and backwardness.
Diplai knows the skill of including anecdotes in his writing and has incorporated in his book many anecdotes from his own life experience to elaborate a point mentioned in a passage.
The book is not free from the printer’s devil. And it is regrettable that even the Quranic verses are not free from printing errors. However, it is a valuable book and is a timely endeavour to improve the deteriorating social fibre of our times.
Noor-i-Tauhid
By Muhammad Usman Diplai
Published by Sindhica Academy, B-24, National Auto Plaza, Marston Road, Karachi-74400.
425pp. Rs150
|
|
|
