Honestly, the entire experience was the best time in my life. Writing a book you love with characters you love, or just writing and then reading a sentence or paragraph that works, that conveys what you have in your heart, of love and hope and God's mercy, is one of the joys of being a writer. I could have kept working on it forever, and sometimes wish I was still working on it.
What sets the book apart from the other things you have written?
This is nothing like I have ever written, since it is my first book, but looking back over my poems and stories, I see a pattern emerging of a romantic nature to my writings. Perhaps the book is just an extension of that, with the influence of the Sufi path leading the way. The Sufi also consider God the Beloved.
What will your next book be about?
I am writing a sequel entitled Tale of Jinn. It will pick up where Master of the Jinn left off, and be a cosmology and a history as well as extend the tale into the future. It may turn out to be three or four books, I don't know. The tale has taken on a life of its own.
What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?
I don't know that I have achieved anything significant as a writer. I loved writing the book, and many readers seem to love it also. One reader told me she can't wait to have children so she can read the book to them. That may be the nicest thing anyone has ever said to a writer, as least to this writer.
How did you get there?
With the love and teaching of Dr. Javad Nurbakhsh, Master of the Nimatullahi Sufi Order, and by the grace and mercy of God. There is no other way to get anywhere.
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 :)"