How have your personal experiences influenced the direction of your writing?
The most influential personal experience was almost dying in 1986, and the out of body experience I had because of it. I was in the hospital for six weeks, and after I came out, by the grace of God, I had a new outlook and also many unanswered questions. I found the place to ask those questions on the Sufi path, and so that is what I write about — those eternal questions and way in which I am finding the answers to them, or finding how to ask better questions.
What would you say are the biggest challenges that you face?
As far as personal challenges, advancing on the path, as to professional challenges, finding publishers and agents that believe in my work. And always to find better and more specific ways to tell the truth.
How do you deal with these?
One day at a time. I can't do anything about the relentless commercialism of modern publishing, especially since it is a Sufi novel, about Muslims, published after 9/11, that no one wanted to touch. So after a couple of years of sending it out to agents and publishers, I decided to publish it myself.
As for telling the truth, it is a matter of finding what truth there is within myself, and my knowledge of the path and the world, and telling a story in that framework. Since I personally am deficient in knowledge and the path, all that is good in the book was God-inspired; all the rest is my own doing.
What is Master of the Jinn about?
It is a mystical adventure tale on the Sufi path of Love, wherein a modern-day Sufi Master sends seven companions on a quest for the greatest treasure of the ancient world - King Solomon's ring. The legendary seal ring is said to control the Jinn, those terrifying demons of living fire, and in seeking it the companions discover not only the truth of the Jinn, but also the path of Love and the infinite mercy of God. That's from the Amazon description, and fits nicely.
Article comments
1 - Mahmood Ahmad
Irving Karchmar
this name was new for me but in short time this new name became very much known to me.
I saw, first time his statement on facebook,"Allah is both pain and cure! Turn to Him in sickness, and in health.
Ya Haqq!"
I replied him,"I really love ur statement"
He replied,"Thank you, brother :) But it is a Sufi saying, not my own. I will be honored if you accept my friendship, however :
Ya Haqq!"
Then he became my friend, as i asked him,"sir i thank to Allah as i could meet u, as my new but forever friend"
He replied,"Thank you, brother :) Alhamdulillah that I have you as a new and always friend :)
Then time came when he asked,"You are my friend on facebook and in my heart now"
Really, it was for me a great honour if he ask me as i am in his heart now. Thanks Amu(as firend called with this name, he told me the meaning of this name is uncle)
His concept is very much true regarding Shriat as i asked,"shariat is the first of every thing, it is said, shria is the main of tasauuf"
He said,"right you are :), it is indeed the base from which the rocket takes off, without that base, one cannot go anywhere, please spend as much time as you can with your Pir"
I asked,"in silsala Saifia outer physical as well as inner should be exactly according to Prophet Hazrat Mohammad sallahu Alihi Wassalam"
He said,"yes, his example of love and kindness and adab is the model for us all"
For great Islamic country Pakistan, his views were such as, i said,"sir one thing i will say and it is truth, although Pakistan is nothing financially and politically but
it is university of sufias, no doubt, Sir it is all with the grace of Allah as i born in Pakistan and i could get chance to lead some part of my life with great peoples of Islaam"
He said,"yes, that is why i would love to visit Pakistan, money and politics mean nothing, a poor darvish is one step closer to Allah, Indeed you are right. By Allah's grace we are led to the path of Love, and by His grace we walk the path"
Then i said,"sir when u will visit please inform me about ur programme before as i will try to go Pakistan to see u, i will show u the life of sufias there in Lahore exactly on the path of our Prophet Mohammad sallahuAlihiWassalam"
He said,"inshallah, I will be sure to do so, and thank you brother for the offer, Alhamdulillah! It would be my honor :)"