Alakh Nagri / الکھ نگری

by Mumtaz Mufti

ممتاز مفتی کی خودنوشت کا دوسرا حصہ 1992ء میں "الکھ نگری" کے عنوان سے سنگ میل پبلیکشنز کے زیر اہتمام شائع ہوا۔
ممتاز مفتی نے یہ کتاب اپنی صحت کی خرابی اور شدید علالت کے باوجود مکمل کی اور پیش لفظ میں اس کی تخلیق کے محرکات پر روشنی ڈالتے ہوئے لکھا۔ ۔ ۔
علی پور کا ایلی میں میں نے یہ بات چھپائی تھی کہ میں ایلی ہوں۔ پھر بھید کھل گیا اور میں نے تسلیم کر لیا کہ میں ایلی ہوں۔
الکھ نگری میری آپ بیتی کا دوسرا حصہ ہے۔ جو 1947ء سے شروع ہو کر آج تک کے عرصے پر مشتمل ہے۔
علی پو کا ایلی میں میرا سب سے بڑا مشاہدہ عورت تھی۔
لکھ نگری میں میرا سب سے بڑا مشاہد قدرت اللہ شہاب ہے۔
اگر قدرت اللہ، شہاب نامہ میں آخری بات کا اضافہ نہ کرتا تو میں الکھ نگری لکھنے پر مجبور نہ ہوتا۔

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Pakistan, Autobiography

848 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Mumtaz Mufti (Sitara-e-Imtiaz) is a Pakistani short story writer. He started writing Urdu short stories while working as a school teacher before partition. In the beginning he was considered among his contemporaries, a non-conformist writer having liberal views, who appeared influenced by Freud. His transformation from Liberalism to Sufism was due to his inspiration from Qudrat Ullah Shahab (Another well known Pakistani Author). At the same time, he did manage to retain his individual accent and wrote on subjects which were frowned upon by the conservative elements in society.

The two phases of his life are witnessed by his autobiographies, Ali Pur Ka Aeeli and Alakh Nagri. According to forewords mentioned in his later autobiography, Ali Pur Ka Aeeli is an account of a lover who challenged the social taboos of his times, and Alakh Nagri is an account of an acolyte who greatly influenced by the mysticism of Qudrat Ullah Shahab.

Talaash ("Quest") was the last book written by Mumtaz Mufti.

Reviews

[Rural Soul · Rating 5 out of 5]

کبھی کبھی عجب مخمصے میں مبتلا کردیا جاتا ہوں. جو تحریک و بندگی ایسے لوگوں کے بارے میں محسوس کرتا ہوں، کیا یہ باقی لوگوں کا بھی حق نہیں؟
جیسے کچھ حضرات ایک سیاسی شخصیت کے ہر عمل کو پاکستان کی ترقی سے تعبیر کرنے کی کوشش کرتے ہیں. اسی طرح ایک شعلہ بیاں اسلامی عالم کے پیروکار یہ ماننے کو تیار ہی نہیں ہوتے کہ ان کے پیرومرشد کو لانچ بھی کیا جاسکتا ہے اور ڈنڈے ٹھوک کر گھر بھی بٹھایا جاسکتا ہے. اسی لیے مجھے کیا حق پہنچتا ہے کہ میں ان کے استدلال پر سوال اٹھاؤں. کیوں کہ کہیں نہ کہیں میں بھی اسی برصغیری جینیاتی علّت میں مبتلا ہوں کہ شخصیات کو ان کے مقام سے بڑھا کر نیم دیوتا سمان بنا بیٹھوں۔
میرا خیال تھا کہ کئی سال بعد اسے دوبارہ پڑھنا شاید میری رائے بدل دے گا مگر میں اس میں ناکام رہا۔

[Ammara Abid · Rating 5 out of 5]

ہمارا یار تھا رنگین و خوش نوا مفتی
مگر اسے بھی جناب شہاب لے بیٹھے
:-) :') :'(

Exceptional
Exceptional
Exceptional ...............................
I'm in awe after finishing it. How to rate it how to write a review on it, seriously I have no idea.
Very Very difficult to put it down, secondly I want to sleep peacefully that's why really want to end it soon but don't know how to sleep now. For me it falls under the category of "most influential books".
A Must (with Capital M) read book.

[Hassan Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

الکھ نگری ایک ایسے انسان کا قصّہ ہے جسکو ماننے سے زیادہ جاننے کا جنوں تھا. جو شاید ہر چیز کی ایک تکنیکی یا نفسیاتی توجیح کھوجتا تھا. پھر
.کچھ ایسے مشاہدات اس پر منکشف ہوۓ جنہوں نے اسکے سارے منطقی اور نفسیاتی عقائد کو تہس نہس کر دیا
جب قسمت میں کچھ ملنا لکھا ہو تو وہ مل جاتا ہے، اسی طرح ممتاز مفتی کو قدرت اللہ شہاب مل گئے. ایلی کی
حیرانگیاں بڑھتی چلی گیں، وہ انکے اثر سے بھیگتا چلا گیا اور جانے کب وہ ماننے
.والے راستے کا مسافر بن گیا
قدرت اللہ شہاب کون تھے؟ اسکا اسرار اور بھید باوجود کوشش کے مفتی جی نہ پا سکے. وہ ایک ایسی عمارت تھے جسکے سارے دروازے کھلے تھے
..پھر بھی کوئی اندر داخل نہ ہو سکتا تھا. بہت قریب ہو کے بھی بہت پراسرار اور مخفی

[Komal Ehsan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Alakh Nagri", by Sir Mumtaz Mufti is the second part of "Ali Pur ka Aili"_ his autobiography. It is a remarkable novel that takes its readers to a world that is not common to common people_ to the tremendous world of 'Sufis', 'Saints', 'And Mystics' and their incredible lives and how they all impact the life of Mumtaz Mufti himself. "Alakh Nagri" sang the praise of Qudratullah Shahab startlingly. Mumtaz Mufti also converted from 'liberalism' to 'Sufism'. So one can say that in "Ali Pur ka Aili", Mumtaz Mufti behaves like a 'lover' who challenges the social taboos of his society while on the other hand "Alakh Nagri", is an account of an adherent who was greatly influenced by the mysticism of Qudratullah Shahab.

(Komal Ehsan..)

[Bushra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate the honesty of Mumtaz Mufti in writing out those feelings that hard to confess for any one in his situation and in his time. Also, his honesty in writing accounts of partition in Pakistan is incredible.

[Tariq Mahmood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, second in the series after Alipur ka Ali. Mufti sahib has a certain magical pull and certainly tell a story. I think the strongest effect after reading this book is the quest for truth. Mufti should certainly be given a great amount of credit for cataloging his life story as he saw it, as it gives certain very important details of a lost era. One small incident with Allama Mashriqi's Khaksars in Lahore was very illuminating indeed as his movement has been completely white washed from the Pakistani history very similar to the Badshah Khan's Khudai Khidmatgars. Both these movements were heavily influenced by Ghandi's pacifist ideology in the India of the time. But I digress...

This book can be divided into two sections, one is autobiographical and the other is Sufi oriented experiences which the author had with Qudrat Ullah Shihab, which is sort of portrayed as the author's alter ego. Mufti has great faith into the hallucinatory/revelatory uttering of Qudrat Ullah Shihab who seems to place Pakistan as a special present of the Almighty to the Muslim Ummah. So Pakistan according to the book's definition has a special purpose, a unique role to play in the Muslim revival, and Qudrat is specially placed in close proximity with the president Ayub to deliver. Trouble with this narrative is that Mufti seems to loose the thread when it comes to the constant failure of the Pakistani state to deliver and blames the non-Islamic leanings of the Western influenced government servants for this failing. At the same time there are very romanticized stories of Pakistanis in the Europe and America making a great impression. For me this is the starting of the great love/hate relationship of the Pakistanis with the West, this notion that West is mesmerized with the very righteous and virtuous Islami Pakistani people. Whether Mufti sahib is guilty of starting this trend or recording it I don't know, but this very wrong reading of the relationship has cost the Pakistani nation in my opinion. Instead of following the West and acknowledging their strengths the Pakistanis have instead wasted a lot of time thinking the West is actually enamoured by them!

Maybe I blame him for too much?

[Seher Alvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

After quitting "alipur ka aili " and cursing the writer for his extreme liberal views I decided not to read anything by Mufti.After seeing that book for over many years in my book shelf I finally let myself open it Not because of Mufti but the only reason behind starting Alakh nagri is 'Ashfaq Ahmed' ,, but now at this stage i have no idea what to do . I am literally in awe after finishing it .Now views about Mufti are completely changed for me No doubt he is one of the best urdu writer having unique ability to write about pretty much anything he feels.

[فیصل مجید · Rating 3 out of 5]

سچ کہوں تو مزا نہیں آیا۔ تقسیم، اور اسکے بعد کے حالات بیان کیے ہیں۔ اور اپنی زندگی، اور اپنے دوستوں کا احوال بیان کیا ہے۔ وقت کے ساتھ شخصیت پرستی کے معاملے میں دل nihilistic ہوگیا ہے۔ تو اب مفتی صاحب کی آراء اشخاص کے بارے میں ذاتی ہے نہ کہ تجزیاتی۔ دوسرے حصے میں تسلسل کی کمی ہے۔ البتہ چھوٹے جملے مفتی صاحب کی خاص پہچان ہے۔ آخری بات راجہ شفیع میرے دوست کے والد ہیں

از فیصل مجید

[Basirat Atif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alkh Nagri Is Not Just A Biography, It Is A Spiritual Journey. I Never Understood Sufism But This Book Has Removed All My Doubts Regarding It. The Title Of The Book Truly Depicts The World Of Sufis And Spiritual Forces. The Book Has Also Made Me Fall In Love All Over Again With Pakistan. The Writer As Well As The Reader Is In Awe Regarding The Spiritual Forces That Work To Protect Pakistan. I Really Wish That Our Leaders And Common People Understand The Value Of This Land And Strive For The Betterment Of Their Country. Thirdly, What I Really Love About The Book Is The Writer Explains Human Psyche In A Wonderful Way. He Is Extremely Bold In What He Writes About Himself And His Friends And Isn't Afraid Of Anyone Judging Him. I Wish I Were Like That. I Recommend Everyone To Read This Book But You Have To Have An Understanding Hearth And Keep All Your Beliefs And Biases Aside. The Book Will Only Benefit You If You Read It With An Open Mind.

[Ahsan Fraz · Rating 3 out of 5]

It starts very well and Mufti described the pains of partition in a detailed manner which is enjoyable to read. But later on it becomes Shahab nama 2 and you don't get the clear picture of environment during that period

[Gulshan Ali]

I have listened that its great book for psychology lovers.

[Hammad Bajwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for every Pakistani. A unique spiritual insight which remains a mystery.

[Sher Alam · Rating 4 out of 5]

“All this bloodshed and killing was firming up the foundation of Pakistan. Otherwise the partition was considered to be a temporary one and it was believed that both the countries would soon become united again in a matter of fortnights. Hatred was required for the establishment of Pakistan.”

I read this book for two reasons. First, because i had read the first part [Ali Pur Ka Eli. And second, because it was about Qudrat Ullah Shahab (whom i has great regards for). Otherwise i would never endure reading such a huge book.

[Abdullah Mumtaz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read it without reading any reviews. I had both the books:"Alipur ka Eli" and "Alakh Nagri" at once and read them one after another. I had the impression that "Alakh Nagri" is the SECOND part of "Aliput ka Eli" but i was wrong :/. Somehow i finished the book but without any liking.

[Rizwan · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading first part my concept regarding this 2nd part didn't support me.Though liked the first half of the novel but didnt enjoy the later one. But good honest writer he is.

[Hammad Hassan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It takes you to the mystic world. A world full of mystery and fascination.

[Shernawaz Gul · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd part of Alipur ka Aili, the magic continues but Alipur ka Aili was true classic.

[Amjad Hussain]

A Great Read Indeed

[Saad · Rating 4 out of 5]

If someone is thinking to buy Alipur ka aily then I recommend the one not to buy, you can buy Alakh Nagri if you really want to read sir Mufti...

[Arslan · Rating 4 out of 5]

قدرت اللہ شہاب سے متعلق تعارف کو مدنظر رکھتے ہوئے اس کتاب کے ایک چوتھائی حصے تک یہی انتظار رہا کہ شہاب کا ذکر کب آئے گا گو کہ تقسیم سے متعلق واقعات بھی دلچسپ اور معلومات سے بھرپور تھے۔ اور بالآخر جب ان کا ذکر آیا تو اتنا آیا کہ ختم ہونے میں ہی نا آیا۔ ہر صفحہ شہاب کے ذکر سے بھرا پڑا ہے۔ شہاب کی زندگی کی “چوتھی سمت” کو مفتی صاحب نے اپنے مخصوص ہلکے پھلکے انداز میں دنیا کے سامنے آشکار کیا ہے گو کہ شہاب صاحب نے اپنی آپ بیتی میں اپنے عجز و انکسار کے باعث اس موضوع کے حوالے سے صرف ایک باب پہ اکتفا کیا تھا۔ خود مفتی صاحب کے الفاظ میں “اگر شہاب نامے میں آخری باب شامل نا کیا جاتا تو میں الکھ نگری نا لکھتا۔” بے یقینی سی بے یقینی ہے، اسرار سا اسرار ہے۔ واقعات کی صحت اور صداقت سے قطع نظر اتنی ساری روحانیت اور پراسرار یت کے متواتر ذکر سے عام قاری اکتا بھی سکتا ہے۔ اور یہ حقیقت بھی مسلم ہے کہ مفتی صاحب نے کچھ بھی منوانے کی کوشش کیے بغیر اپنے مشاہدات بیان کر دیے ہیں۔ اپنی ذاتی زندگی سے متعلق واقعات بیان کرتے ہوئے بھی مفتی صاحب صداقت اور دیانت کی آخری حدوں کو چھوتے دکھائی دیتے ہیں۔ اور آخر میں ان کے اپنے الفاظ میں “میرا ایمان ہے کہ میری تمام زندگی کا سب سے بڑا مشاہدہ قدرت اللہ شہاب ہے اگر کوئی مجھ سے پوچھے کہ اللہ تعالی نے تم پر سب سے بڑا کرم کون سا کیا تو میں جواب دوں گا کہ سب سے بڑا کرم یہ ہے کہ اللہ نے مجھے قدرت اللہ شہاب عطا کیا۔”

[Hasham Lodhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book can be divided into two sections, one is autobiographical and the other is Sufi oriented experiences which the author had with Qudrat Ullah Shihab, which is sort of portrayed as the author's alter ego. Mufti has great faith into the hallucinatory/revelatory uttering of Qudrat Ullah Shihab who seems to place Pakistan as a special present of the Almighty to the Muslim Ummah.

So Pakistan according to the book's definition has a special purpose, a unique role to play in the Muslim revival, and Qudrat is specially placed in close proximity with the president Ayub to deliver.

At the same time there are very romanticized stories of Pakistanis in the Europe and America making a great impression. For me this is the starting of the great love/hate relationship of the Pakistanis with the West, this notion that West is mesmerized with the very righteous and virtuous Islami Pakistani people.

[Sadiq. PhD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alakh Nagri is Mumtaz Mufti's autobiography describing the second phase of his life and the second part of Ali Pur Ka Eili. Mumtaz Mufti divided Alakh Nagri in two parts, first part (29 chapters) is the continuum of Ali Pur Ka Eili (Mufti's autobiography) while the second part is about and mainly describing Qudrat Ullah Shihab (a renowned bureaucrat and Sufi) and the author sufi oriented relationship and experience with Qudrat Ullah Shihab. Though at the end I was quit fed up with the constant encounters of the author and his friend Qudrat Ullah Shihab with Sufi mystics, but yet It's a great book to read and learn......Especially Mufti's honesty to confess hard feelings no one is able to do.......

[Umardurrani durrani]

it is very interesting and excellent book

[Muhammad]

hjfxgh

[Umar · Rating 4 out of 5]

i want to read it

[Memona · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite books as it contains much information about Qudratullah shahab my favourite personality

[Moby Syed Mubashir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes 5 stars , my favorite book in Urdu, it tells about the human thinking,problem,desire and above all its close to unconscious ......

[Wasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

i want to read this book becasue i want to know about mumtaz mufti thoughts .

[Rizwan]

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