How long did it take you to write the novel?
Master of the Jinn took five years to write, another few years of sending it out, having it rejected, re-editing it, sending it out again, etc, until technology caught up with my intention and I could publish it inexpensively.
Where and when was it published?
It was published in the English edition in Sept. 2004 by Bay Street Press through Booksurge, a print on demand publisher in the U.S.A. They are now owned by Amazon.
The Russian-language edition was published in 2001 by Sophia Publishing of Moscow. The Indonesian edition (in Bahasa, the national language) will be out in 2007, published in Jakarta by Prenada Media, as will the 2007 Turkish edition, published in Turkey by Inlan Yayinlari Publishing.
The Indian edition is under contract, to be published in Kerala State, in Malayalam, the language there. It will be out in 2008. I am in negotiations for a Dutch edition, and one in Hebrew, Arabic, and Farsi, God willing.
Which aspects of the work that you put into the book did you find most difficult?
Of course, the most difficult part of writing the book was what comes next. And also being true to the Sufi path and myself, as well as the story.
Being a darvish of the Nimatullahi Sufi Order, I could not make up wise sayings, for instance. I am not wise. All that the Sufi Master in the book says as dialogue are actual words of Sufi masters of the past. And I wanted to start each chapter with a quote that fit the chapter. That was fun too.
Researching the story of King Solomon and early Hebrew life and culture, as well as the Taureg culture of the Sahara, was also a learning experience. All of what is written about it is factual, though woven into a fictional story.
Sometimes I would wait for six months between inspirations, until I read enough or learned enough, or something happened in my life and meditation that led me to the next sentence. It was a process of learning and becoming, of growing with the book.
Which did you enjoy most?
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 :)"