Umera Ahmed is one of the most widely-read and popular Urdu fiction novelist and screenplay writer of this era. She completed her Masters in English Literature from Murray College, Sialkot. Later she became an English language lecturer for the students of O and A levels at Army Public College, Sialkot. However she left the job a few years back in order to devote her full attention to writing. She began her writing career in 1998 at a quite young age. Her initial stories were published in monthly urdu digests and later came out in the form of books. She has written about 16 books , comprising of complete novels and compilations of short stories. However it was her novel "Peer-e-Kaamil (S.A.W.W)" which became her identity.
Umera Ahmed's novels are classics. They force you to think on issues you never have before and change the way of your thinking and analyzing life. Same was the case with this one! I was initially angered by the girl "umm-e-maryam" , and I find it weird when girls just fall in love instantly! Anyways, but the main story was about kathy, aka Khadija Noor! I loved her spiritual journey and I learned how you have to remain thanking Allah nomatter what, because He always knows the best and we shouldn't do "shikwa" on petite things and never to lose hope! I just hated everything Maryam did, I was amazed how could someone treat her own mother like that. I was hoping n hoping that she'll be finally go0d but when she realized her doings, it was too late till then :( ... n , last 30% or so of the novel , made me cry like a baby :'(...I cried for Zalaed, her mother and all that they had to go through to finally be together..n for such a short period of time :( it was bitter-sweet!..hah... I would summarize it by Umera's own saying that, she couldn't have written it better!
The writer rightly says that she could not have written this book better than that:) it is probably the first book that i finished in less than 24 hours:-)
A nice novel set in Pakistan. The writer is famous for her novels being adapted into popular Pakistani TV dramas. The story while having a strong moral overtone, is still quite nice to read with likable characters, a little too black-and-white they are.
For the first time in a along time I finished a book in a matter of days, I definitely could have finished it in a matter of hours but I wanted to cling on to every single word. Only reason it took me days instead of hours to finish this masterpieces was I wanted to savour every word, every dialogue. Umera Ahmed is a true gem! It's not the first time I have been inspired by her works and it surely won't be the last either!
Brilliant. She did it once again. None of her books have come as a disappointment to me ever. Forgiveness, desire, selfishness and lessons. Loved every bit of it!
Ok so, after spending fair count of hours contemplating upon the story, I must say that this novel lacks on so many levels. The narrative, the characters, and the dialogues. Everything is predictable and just average. I wish there's at least one strong character that could be inspiring enough to move the readers. The character of Khadija Noor was good but I've questions about it...
Like how she stayed silent when she's supposed to open up to her husband-to-be?? Why did she hide things when there're so many ways to communicate? Plus her entire life, she kept suffering with a very ordinary sort of life where she chose to settle for less. Why? And... about Maryam. This girl is always complaining. I wonder, why did she grow up to be someone like that when her mother had her story of change...why didn't that story affect/ inspire Maryam? Why was she so fed-up with her mothers percepts? Why and how did money seem more attractive to her than contentment? And near the end, What's the point of changing her art style though? Like whyyyyy? (。・・。)
There's just one thing that's quite adequately conveyed in it and that's the concept of: "A Muslim by chance and a Muslim by choice" because only at this point, it touched things effectively closest to reality.
Otherwise, There are things that make this novel deficient. I was expecting better things to learn from this one but now, I'm sad and a bit disappointed because it has more drama in it than a story :(
معاف کرنا اللہ تعالٰی کی صفت، نبی پاک کی سنت ہے.. لیکن روسروں پر انگلی اٹھانا، الزام لگانا اور سزا دینا انسانی فطرت. اللہ اور اسکے رسول نے معاف کر دینے کو سزا اور بدلا لینے پر ترجیح دی پر ہم وه اعلیٰ ظرف حاصل کرنا ہی نہیں چاہتے. خدا تو بخش دیتا هے پر انسان کبھی معاف نہیں کرتا.
ماما جان کا کردار دنیا کی ہر ماں کی عکاسی کرتا ہے اور ام مریم کی ناشکری ، احسان فراموشی اور وقت گزر جانے کے بعد کا ہچہتاوا ہر اولار کی.
عمیرہ احمد کی یہ کہانی بہی نہ صرف سبق آموز پر دل کو چھو لینے والی ہے.
4.5 ⭐️ After a long time, I finally read a mature and well-written Urdu novel and I truly enjoyed it. I finished it in just 5–6 hours because the story was so gripping that I simply couldn't put the book down. Not even for a moment did the story feel boring it moved in a straight, fast-paced way without any unnecessarily long preachy paragraphs.
Umera Ahmed explained such a deep and powerful message with such clarity and simplicity that I doubt anyone else could have expressed it this beautifully. Reading this book was genuinely a delightful experience for me.
The story of La haasil reflects upon one of the worst human traits; our predilection for judging others around us for their actions, their words and their choices when our own lives are blemished. It is the story of a woman: Khadija Noor, her transformation, her pain, her struggles, her joys and smiles, but most of all; the hurdles in her life which were created most often by humans eager to punish and never ready to forgive.
Allah is the judge of our lives, of what we do today, tomorrow, every day. Imagine the catastrophe created if the end judgement of our lives was placed in the hands of an ordinary man.
Mankind has many vices, but one of our greatest faults is the superiority complex we develop if we possess even a little better knowledge or a better asset than someone else. This superiority leads us to look down on our peers, to judge the weak and punish the dependent, harshly. read the full review at https://www.pinatamagazine.com/magazi...
Being a die-hard fan of Umera Ahmed, I love everything she writes (except for Zindagi Gulzar Hai, sorry but no sorry ZGH fans).
But Laahasil has a special place in my heart as this novel revolves around the negative desires of a human heart. The desires that, when not checked and controlled, leads you astray.
It is beautifully executed. The characters are incredible. The storyline is intriguing. Scene description, dialogues. Everything spot-on. Umera couldn't have done better.
Laa-Haasil is my third read from Umera Ahmed! From Peer-E-Kaamil through Alif, Umera A. has grown so very deeply in her content and analysis. Laa-Haasil is an older work comparatively... The story is captivating but okay okay! I especially like the prayer miracles that her works carry. She has an appeal when it comes to defining human-God relations! A good read!
A 3.9 This is a well-written book with nice plot. Kinda similar to other UA books but still i liked reading it. 3.9 because -Plot twist was too predictable -Mariam was annoying Journey of Catherine's life was so sad like no one deserves that. She went through tons of shit but still remained grateful to whatever life has to offer. This is the type of book u can take some life lessons from not some insta authors jo har dusre page ma zabardasti islam ko ghusadete ughh
I loved reading it. Marian annoyed me SO MUCH but at the end her behaviour made sense Zalaid ahh i loved him but i never really understood why he was so indifferent about the fact that HE HAS A MOTHER (who left him)like bro GO find her He never tried to search his mom until he met and felt connection
When everything has lost, your faith always is with you. Khadija Noor, What A Character !! A Symbol of Love, patience, tolerance, faith, selflessness, piousness and a true follower of Islam. Amazingly done by Umera Ahmed.
The book "La Hasil" (Hollow Pursuits) by Umerah Ahmed is a beautiful and thought-provoking novel that explores the consequences of the futile pursuit of worldly desires and the deep-rooted hypocrisy in our society. The story revolves around various characters each struggling with their own challenges.
Cathy is a lonely, poor, orphan girl, is forced to make poor choices in order to deal with the hard challenges of life. Her life takes a turn when she meets Mazhar, a Pakistani man, who falls in love with her and brings her closer to Islam. Another protagonist in the story is Umme Maryam, a poor yet exceptionally talented artist who is depressed and frustrated with life due to her poverty. Another important character in the story is Mama Jan, who is Maryam’s mother, a pious woman who finds peace and contentment in little things. Lastly, we have Zulaid, a rich guy who falls in love with Maryam and marries her against his family’s wishes. This decision leads him to form a bond with Mama Jan, transforming his perspective and ultimately changing the course of his life. All these characters have a connection that I want the readers to find out themselves because I don’t want to spoil the story for them.
It is very difficult to delve into the story without revealing the twist, but I will try it anyway. The story highlights the hypocrisy of our society that harshly judge others based on their past, often ignoring their own flaws. Also, it shows that the pursuit of materialistic desires leads to hollow satisfaction, as true peace and contentment come from within. This theme can be seen through the character of Maryam whose ambitions drive her to disregard important people in her life. The story also serves as a moral lesson that pride has a fall which can be seen through the character of Mazhar and Maryam. Mazhar is one of the the two characters I disliked the most in the story. The other was Asim. They both were filthy hypocrites and I am not surprised that they were friends as their friendship reminds me of the saying: “Birds of a feather flock together.”
Previously, I have read four or five novels by Umerah Ahmed, some I really liked and some I didn’t like. However, for me, this novel was a compelling read as I stayed up till 8:00 in the morning to finish it (I am not exaggerating. I mean it). I also watched the drama adaptation of this book a long time ago and I really liked it which is why I was tempted to read this novel. Glad to not have a disappointing experience.
La hasil Novel is basically a combination of a harsh realities of Life, This novel show how behaviours of people changes with society & how someone live in own rules of life... i just simply say that This novel teaches me how difficult, drametic & harsh realities of life , we face.... Superb novel :)
Why is the character of Um e Maryam so annoying? The rest of the characters in the book are so good, I personally liked how I was more interested in knowing the life of Katherine (former name) than Um e Maryam and her ungratefulness, nitpicking about almost everything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
this story is just marvelous.. i have no words to describe how much I was heartbroken at the end.. . . We should never hurt others, specially our loved ones. . .
Upon finishing this book, I found myself sitting in silence, reflecting on the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Khadijah Noor. This was my second time reading it; the first was in Urdu when I was in 9th grade, and now, after graduating, I revisited it in English. With my life's experiences, I found myself appreciating it even more this time around.
The writing is, unsurprisingly, exceptional. Compared to other books of Umera Ahmad this book is more focused and profoundly impactful.
The narrative revolves around three central characters: Catherine Brown/Khadijah Noor, Umme Maryam, and Zalaid Awwab. The parallel stories of Catherine and Maryam, initially seemingly unconnected, gradually intertwine in a compelling manner.
Maryam, who has grown up in poverty, despises her circumstances. A gifted artist, she longs for fame, wealth, and an escape from her miserable home and her devout, unassuming mother.
Zalaid, raised in opulence but without a mother, is an art aficionado who encounters Maryam's paintings, leading to their eventual crossing of paths.
Catherine's life has been marked by relentless hardships since her teenage years, evoking a deep sense of empathy and a yearning for her to find some semblance of relief.
"Indeed, with every hardship comes ease." (Quran 94:5) This quote perfectly encapsulates Khadijah Noor's journey.
The book explores numerous themes with such finesse that their depth only dawns on you upon reflection.
Motherhood: Does a mother's past influence her future? Can her sins affect her children? Can a mother with a sinful past raise virtuous offspring? Does a blood bond, especially between a mother and child, transcend all distances?
Sins: Is any sin too great to be forgiven? Who are we to judge others for their sins? Haven't we all sinned? Is a born Muslim superior to a convert? Does being a Muslim guarantee paradise?
Desires: Is there a limit to human desires? When is enough, enough? Can one achieve everything in this world and still find happiness? Do we forget our Creator in our pursuit of desires? Is worldly success better than the promise of the hereafter?
Belief: How firm is your belief that patience will be rewarded? Do you trust that Allah will not abandon you? Do you believe in the forgiveness of sins?
Doubts: Can you find happiness if you distrust everyone? Can you be at peace if you constantly worry about others' intentions? Do you think the world revolves around you, that every action is meant to harm you? Can others not live their lives independently of you?
The book also touches on themes of marriage, divorce, poverty, wealth, fame, and reality, among others, each portrayed with brilliance. The plot maintains a perfect pace, seamlessly transitioning between stories without a single dull moment.
This is why I’ve given it 5 stars! 😍😍 Read this for a scintillating experience.... ❤️🔥
I just sat there for a while, staring at the wall after I finished this book. Thinking about Khadijah Noor and her beautiful life and her legacy.
The writing of course is spectacular. This book is more streamlined than Haasil and deeper.
The story is mainly about 3 people - Catherine Brown/Khadijah Noor, Umme Maryam and Zul Eid Awwab. The stories of Catherine and Maryam run parallel to each other. Initially it seems they are two completely different stories but slowly the connection starts to build up.
Maryam has grown up in a poor household hating every bit of it. She is a brilliant artist and wants name, fame and riches for herself and to get away from her disgusting house and plain, religious mother.
Zul Eid has grown up without a mother in an extremely rich household. He is a connoisseur of art himself which makes him come across Maryam's paintings and their paths cross.
Catherine has lived a very hard life since she was a teenager, and it seems life can never get better for her as she is faced by hardship upon hardship. Your heart goes out to her wishing for any sort of blessing to befall her.
"Indeed with every hardship comes ease." [Quran 94:5] This is truly Khadijah Noor's story.
There are soo many themes in this book. Each of them is so beautifully portrayed that you don't even realize you're reading it until it suddenly clicks!
Motherhood: Does a mother's past affect her future? Do her sins reflect upon her children? Can a mother with sins in her past not raise pious children? Does blood recognize blood no matter where you are, especially a mother and child?
Sins: Which sin is too large? Which sin is unforgivable? Are we as humans allowed to punish others for their sins? Have we not committed any sins ourselves? Is a Muslim by birth better than a revert Muslim? Does being a Muslim guarantee Jannah?
Desires: Is there a limit to human desires? How much is too much? Do you know when to stop? Can you attain everything in this world and be happy? Do you forget your lord in pursuit of desires? Is attaining everything in this world better or the hereafter?
Belief: How strong is your belief that your patience will be rewarded? Do you believe that Allah will not leave you in despair? Do you believe that your sins will be forgiven?
Doubts: Can you be happy if you doubt everyone's trust? Will you be at peace if you keep thinking about everyone around you? Does the world revolve around you that every action by anyone is to ruin your life? Can others not live for themselves?
There are sooo many more themes which I can't all mention here related to marriage, divorce, poverty and riches, fame, reality etc. Just brilliant!!!! The plot had a perfect pace, shifting between stories and I never found it slow anywhere. This is why I've given 5 stars!! 😍😍. Read this for a scintillating experience.... ❤️🔥
When I gave up reading Peer-e-Kamil because of the difficult Urdu, my dearest friend gave me this book, saying it’s short, a love story, and easy to read. Let me make one thing clear: if you’re going to read it thinking it’s a love story, don’t. It is a love story, but at the same time, it isn’t. If you know, you know.
This book is about desire, faith, love, prejudice, and so much more. It deals with some heavy topics. I should have known, considering Umera Ahmed has written some intense dramas in the past, such as Shehr-e-Zaat, Alif, Sinf-e-Aahan, Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan, Dur-e-Shahwar, etc. The only show that was somewhat less intense was Zindagi Gulzar Hai.
LaHasil is extremely sad. It reminded me of the Pakistani drama Meri Beti. I can’t decide whether I hate Mazhar or Maryam more (definitely Mazhar). I absolutely loved Zalaid. What I loved even more was his relationship with Khadija Noor. If the entire book were just about them and their mundane life, I would still have read it.
If you enjoy Urdu novels and are okay with heavy, intense topics, give this book a try.
Umera Ahmad is the emerging and popular weiter in Urdu litreature she started writing in 1998 and now almost 35 novels has been complied by her some of them became very famous like Peer e Kamil,Aab e Hayat, and now she is considered as notable Urdu novelist.is a set of all the novels present. Her Novels used to publish in monthly digest. The writer holds a great repute owing to a vast readership especially in the youth of Pakistan. Her novels and stories are even projected on TV dramas and they also carve a great spot in the heart of viewers. Her novels are basically based on spirituality love emotions and humanity.The writer has also achieved lux award.She got married in 2014 and now living a happy life. freebooksmania provides the download link of all her novel in pdf format . Get Yourself a Copy
This, right here, was a masterpiece. I find many of Umera Ahmed's writings conflicting; but this one left me speechless. A story of redemption, and of regrets; bringing one's self out of filth, out of darkness, finding the right path, bearing the trials of being in the eternal light, achieving self-righteousness, and being grateful for everything no matter what. It's brilliant, the message, the storyline, the events. Even the details I loved. The character of Khadijah Noor, her resolve, her determination, her sheer love for Allah, and the Iman in her heart. I cannot praise enough for the detailing, and the depth Umera Ahmed put into Maryam's paintings. Those paintings were really magical. The inside of one's mind must be a terrible, terrible place to put out such a level of art. You have to read this one yourself.
La hasil is 5th novel of umera ahmed I have read...it has a very profound reality based story..Khadija Noor is my favourite character as how she has lived with patience throughout her miserable journey of life and how she connected with Allah..Zalaed is also a remarkable character who learns so much from his mother in just 3 years which umme maryam could not learn in 25 years!..Umme maryam was too much annoying and unfortunately her desires are a reality in which humanity is captured now..her desire to attain wealth with no limit is literally miserable..we all think that life is only about earning money and not attaining spirituality...Mazhar was quite astonishing character for me as I thought he would forgive khadija! In the end ..I must say that life of Khadija Noor is no doubt best example of patience,piousness,faith !!!!!
I don't know why this novel is do underrated this novel deserve more recognition.....tbh🤌 what a story even in the beginning that I had a feeling that I'm gonna like this novel but reality is I loved💞 this novel. so well written. Best short novel that I have read do far🤌...... Catherine character was the best ☺️her journey from Catherine to Khadija Noor 💕....🤌 and man like shuja is all she needed they literally derseve each other I love how they respect and always take care of each other 🫂 at first I felt so heartbroken about Khadija death but then I realized... to understand something you have to go through the worst. Mama Jan death was slap on Maryam face to wake her up, so that she can realize what she had lost 😞 For zaleed he didn't deserve someone like Maryam.....he deserve to be with his mother but .....🥹🫂
This is one of the best novel I've read so far. It clear depicts the reality of the one who prefers the love of this world over his closest relationships .i couldn't Have guess how beautifully, writer was successfully able to join the dots from nowhere you have imagined. Really Loved the character of khadija Noor. Being late is better than regret. The end of the novel was very emotional at some point, I was thinking how many of us are still planning such a false role like maryam and Mazhar , yet we still expect to happen Everything Good all the time. We should change ourselves before it's too late. Let's forgive others and Start a good life. Life is too short to complain ...
This book is splendid work by Umera Ahmed. This book reflects the life of a boy who is desperate for affection because of his childhood sufferings. He falls in love with two girls, one who makes him rebel against Islam and one who leads him towards Islam. She lefts great impact on his life and later on becomes his soulmate Argument #1: I highly suggest this book because it highlights different circumstances which lead the youth yo rebel against Islam and makes them more attracted towards other religions. Argument #2: Secondly this book describes that a woman can change a person. She holds the power to make people go astray or she can guide them towards the right path. It inspires young girls to take up the path provided by Islam.