Ask the Author: Haala Humayun
Answered Questions (4)
Haala Humayun
The old bookshop was empty when I entered, yet as I flipped through a dusty novel, a handwritten note on the last page read: **"Stop turning the pages—I’m reading over your shoulder."**
A cold breath brushed against my neck, and the book slipped from my trembling hands… turning one last page on its own.
A cold breath brushed against my neck, and the book slipped from my trembling hands… turning one last page on its own.
Haala Humayun
I would travel to the mystical and spellbinding world of Tilsim-e-Hoshruba, where magic reigns supreme, legendary warriors roam the lands, and ancient secrets lie hidden within enchanted realms.
In this world, I would step into the shoes of Cihan, a character of my own creation—one whose journey is yet to unfold in the depths of Tilsim-e-Hoshruba.
Cihan is not just a traveler; he is a seeker of lost truths, a man burdened by the weight of his own destiny, walking a path carved long before he was born. He does not belong to any kingdom, nor does he swear allegiance to any ruler—his loyalty lies only with the unseen forces that whisper to him from beyond the veil of this world.
His journey is not of swords and battles, but of wisdom and awakening. He does not chase power, yet power bends before him. He does not crave magic, yet magic flows through him like an untamed river. In the grand game of sorcerers and queens, he is the anomaly—the one who exists outside the rules of their world, yet holds the key to its greatest secret.
If I were in his place, I would walk through the shattered ruins of forgotten civilizations, tracing the footsteps of those who once tried to unlock the mysteries of the universe. I would sit beneath the ancient trees that whisper prophecies and listen to their echoes of fate. I would break the barriers of illusion, not just in the world, but within myself—to discover whether I am truly the master of my destiny, or merely a piece in a game played by forces far beyond human comprehension.
For Cihan’s journey is not just about breaking an enchantment—it is about breaking the very concept of reality itself. And maybe, just maybe, in the end, he will find that the greatest tilsim was never in the world—but within him all along.
Would you dare to step into such a world? Or is reality the only magic we truly need?
In this world, I would step into the shoes of Cihan, a character of my own creation—one whose journey is yet to unfold in the depths of Tilsim-e-Hoshruba.
Cihan is not just a traveler; he is a seeker of lost truths, a man burdened by the weight of his own destiny, walking a path carved long before he was born. He does not belong to any kingdom, nor does he swear allegiance to any ruler—his loyalty lies only with the unseen forces that whisper to him from beyond the veil of this world.
His journey is not of swords and battles, but of wisdom and awakening. He does not chase power, yet power bends before him. He does not crave magic, yet magic flows through him like an untamed river. In the grand game of sorcerers and queens, he is the anomaly—the one who exists outside the rules of their world, yet holds the key to its greatest secret.
If I were in his place, I would walk through the shattered ruins of forgotten civilizations, tracing the footsteps of those who once tried to unlock the mysteries of the universe. I would sit beneath the ancient trees that whisper prophecies and listen to their echoes of fate. I would break the barriers of illusion, not just in the world, but within myself—to discover whether I am truly the master of my destiny, or merely a piece in a game played by forces far beyond human comprehension.
For Cihan’s journey is not just about breaking an enchantment—it is about breaking the very concept of reality itself. And maybe, just maybe, in the end, he will find that the greatest tilsim was never in the world—but within him all along.
Would you dare to step into such a world? Or is reality the only magic we truly need?
Haala Humayun
My summer reading list is dedicated to two authors whose words are not just stories but reflections of faith, destiny, and divine wisdom.
📖 All Novels by Nimra Ahmad – Nimra Ahmad’s storytelling is mesmerizing, but what sets her apart is how she seamlessly weaves Islamic concepts into her narratives. Each of her novels carries a profound message, hidden within the lives of unforgettable characters:
• Jannat Kay Pattay – The story of Haya Suleman, a girl who embarks on a journey of faith, hijab, and self-discovery, while Jahan Sikander remains one of the most beloved male protagonists in Urdu literature.
• Namal – A masterpiece of suspense and justice, with Zumar Yousef, Faris Ghazi and Saadi navigating through a world of deception, corruption, and Quranic wisdom, while Hashim Kardaar remains an unforgettable antagonist.
• Mushaf – A life-changing story of Mehmal Ibraheem, a lost soul who finds guidance through the Quran, discovering its power to transform lives.
• Haalim – A mesmerizing blend of history and time travel, where Taliya Murad and Fateh Bin Qais are caught between fate, politics, and the unseen forces shaping their destinies.
• Pahari Ka Qaidi – A gripping tale of tests, trials, and divine wisdom, as Haya Binte Jameel struggle with choices that redefine their lives.
• 📖 Mala – A gripping tale of black magic, divorce, and an unfinished love story. The novel follows Mala, an intelligent and ambitious girl, whose life takes a dark turn when she becomes entangled in the sinister world of black magic and supernatural forces. As she struggles to break free from its grip, she must also confront the pain of a broken marriage and the lingering emotions tied to Mahir, the man she once loved. Caught between illusion and reality, faith and deception, Mala’s journey is one of spiritual awakening, self-discovery, and the battle between good and evil.
📖 Novels by Umera Ahmad – Umera Ahmad’s works have a timeless depth, exploring faith, redemption, and human complexities through unforgettable characters:
• Peer-e-Kamil – The legendary story of Imama Hashim, a girl who sacrifices everything for faith, and Salar Sikander, a man of extraordinary intelligence and inner turmoil, finding redemption in Islam.
• Aab-e-Hayat – The continuation of Salar and Imama’s journey, where they navigate the struggles of faith, love, and worldly distractions in a rapidly changing world.
• Amar Bail – A deeply emotional story of love and sacrifice, where Umar Jehangir and Aleezay Sikander face the harsh realities of power, corruption, and a love that was never meant to be.
The reason I have chosen these books is simple: they don’t just tell stories—they inspire, they transform, and they leave an everlasting impact on the soul.
What’s on your reading list this summer? 😊📚✨
📖 All Novels by Nimra Ahmad – Nimra Ahmad’s storytelling is mesmerizing, but what sets her apart is how she seamlessly weaves Islamic concepts into her narratives. Each of her novels carries a profound message, hidden within the lives of unforgettable characters:
• Jannat Kay Pattay – The story of Haya Suleman, a girl who embarks on a journey of faith, hijab, and self-discovery, while Jahan Sikander remains one of the most beloved male protagonists in Urdu literature.
• Namal – A masterpiece of suspense and justice, with Zumar Yousef, Faris Ghazi and Saadi navigating through a world of deception, corruption, and Quranic wisdom, while Hashim Kardaar remains an unforgettable antagonist.
• Mushaf – A life-changing story of Mehmal Ibraheem, a lost soul who finds guidance through the Quran, discovering its power to transform lives.
• Haalim – A mesmerizing blend of history and time travel, where Taliya Murad and Fateh Bin Qais are caught between fate, politics, and the unseen forces shaping their destinies.
• Pahari Ka Qaidi – A gripping tale of tests, trials, and divine wisdom, as Haya Binte Jameel struggle with choices that redefine their lives.
• 📖 Mala – A gripping tale of black magic, divorce, and an unfinished love story. The novel follows Mala, an intelligent and ambitious girl, whose life takes a dark turn when she becomes entangled in the sinister world of black magic and supernatural forces. As she struggles to break free from its grip, she must also confront the pain of a broken marriage and the lingering emotions tied to Mahir, the man she once loved. Caught between illusion and reality, faith and deception, Mala’s journey is one of spiritual awakening, self-discovery, and the battle between good and evil.
📖 Novels by Umera Ahmad – Umera Ahmad’s works have a timeless depth, exploring faith, redemption, and human complexities through unforgettable characters:
• Peer-e-Kamil – The legendary story of Imama Hashim, a girl who sacrifices everything for faith, and Salar Sikander, a man of extraordinary intelligence and inner turmoil, finding redemption in Islam.
• Aab-e-Hayat – The continuation of Salar and Imama’s journey, where they navigate the struggles of faith, love, and worldly distractions in a rapidly changing world.
• Amar Bail – A deeply emotional story of love and sacrifice, where Umar Jehangir and Aleezay Sikander face the harsh realities of power, corruption, and a love that was never meant to be.
The reason I have chosen these books is simple: they don’t just tell stories—they inspire, they transform, and they leave an everlasting impact on the soul.
What’s on your reading list this summer? 😊📚✨
Haala Humayun
If I were to turn a mystery from my own life into a book, it would be called "The Unfinished Tale."
It all began with a story I never intended to write. A dream—so vivid, so detailed—that it felt like a memory borrowed from another lifetime. It wasn’t just a fragment; it was a complete world, filled with characters who had lived, loved, and fought battles unknown to history. Their names, their struggles, their destinies—everything was as clear as if I had read it before.
But here’s the mystery: I had never written this story. It existed only in my mind, yet it felt like something I was meant to complete. Every time I tried to ignore it, strange coincidences followed—an old book with eerily similar themes appearing in a forgotten corner of a library, symbols I had never studied yet somehow recognized, and the creeping feeling that the story was waiting for me to return.
Was it just the overactive imagination of a writer, or was I unknowingly connected to something greater? A lost legend? A forgotten prophecy? A story trapped between time and ink, waiting for the right hands to give it form?
The answer remains unknown, but one thing is certain—some stories don’t belong to the writer. The writer belongs to the story.
And perhaps, just perhaps, this is one of them.
It all began with a story I never intended to write. A dream—so vivid, so detailed—that it felt like a memory borrowed from another lifetime. It wasn’t just a fragment; it was a complete world, filled with characters who had lived, loved, and fought battles unknown to history. Their names, their struggles, their destinies—everything was as clear as if I had read it before.
But here’s the mystery: I had never written this story. It existed only in my mind, yet it felt like something I was meant to complete. Every time I tried to ignore it, strange coincidences followed—an old book with eerily similar themes appearing in a forgotten corner of a library, symbols I had never studied yet somehow recognized, and the creeping feeling that the story was waiting for me to return.
Was it just the overactive imagination of a writer, or was I unknowingly connected to something greater? A lost legend? A forgotten prophecy? A story trapped between time and ink, waiting for the right hands to give it form?
The answer remains unknown, but one thing is certain—some stories don’t belong to the writer. The writer belongs to the story.
And perhaps, just perhaps, this is one of them.
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