KARACHI: An Urdu translation of Prof Sadiq Unqa’s book Hayat Ke Makhfi Zavyey compiled and edited by Nargis Murtaza was launched at the Arts Council Karachi on Tuesday evening.

Prof Sahar Ansari presided over the programme. He expressed satisfaction at the fact that in an atmosphere where works of fiction and poetry were promoted on a regular basis a book on philosophical and spiritual ideas was being launched. He commended Ms Murtaza for being meticulous about each and every aspect of the translated work.

Speaking on the salient features of the book, Prof Ansari said it’s important to understand the relation or correlation between God, man and the universe. In that regard, the Sufi thought had a secular outlook on life, which didn’t mean moving away from religion. We often noticed theses getting published suggesting that man was a blend of nature and culture. This often led to the subject of the supernatural that could not be defined by empirical thought. To comprehend the supernatural phenomenon, as the Greeks had suggested, the most useful way was to study man himself. So other disciplines, such as psychology, too, had helped us understand spirituality in a better manner, as Carl Jung famously said ‘modern man was in search of a soul’. It is in that context that Prof Sadiq’s effort was significant, he said.

Prof Ansari argued the writer focused on spiritual and metaphysical issues using his immense knowledge of science.

The book basically dealt with how human beings should live in society and what was their relation with the ultimate reality and the sources to reach that reality. He mentioned the author who had talked about electromagnetic fields with reference to the human body, something which was accepted by every branch of knowledge. This implied that the whole exercise was part of human evolution.

Prof Unqa had rediscovered the eastern tradition that had gone missing for a while, he said, and wrapped up his speech by quoting a couplet:

Tu hi hota hai bazm mein mojudBazm mein tu jahaan se uth’ta hai(You never disappear from the groupEven when you leave it)

Ms Murtaza thanked the participants in the event and told the audience that Prof Unqa in his book had written about the cellular life which effected human acts.

According to the author, there were 13 magnetic points in every human being and they were directly in contact with every magnetic field in the universe, understanding which could enable man to discover himself.

Prof Abbas Hussain said 63 per cent of the Pakistani population was 24 years of age or under. The young generation was looking for a solid discipline but the way Islam and its teachings were being taught to them made them run away from spirituality. Therefore, they’re more inclined towards studying science. Prof Unqa was well-versed in western teachings but he didn’t get overwhelmed by it. His book sheds light on the relationship between the Almighty and his creatures, which would open doors for the young ones to study religion and spirituality.

Poet Shahida Hassan said Hayat Ke Makhfi Zavyey, originally written in the Persian language in 1975, was a treat for all those who understood Urdu. Prof Unqa was a poet, writer, scientist and spiritual teacher belonging to the Maktab-i-Tareeqat-i-Awaisi. The book invited every human being to expand their spiritual existence. It came about as the response to the 16 questions put to Prof Unqa by a member of the International Multidisciplinary Research Association.

Writer Mubin Mirza said he was happy to see a book which was based purely on eastern tradition and wisdom and at the same not shying away from scientific disciplines — quantum physics, biology, organic chemistry etc.

The event was conducted by Agha Masood.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2014