Title: Ji Chahta Hai Naqshe Qadam Choomte Chalen (Urdu)
Author: Khan Yasir
Published by: White Dot Publishers,
D-300, Abul Fazl Enclave, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi-25
Price: Rs 150, Pages: 342
Reviewed by ZAID ARIF
Being a legend or a hero has always been a dream of most, if not everyone. But only a few can transform this dream into reality. Among what stops many from fulfilling this dream of theirs is improper guidance and poor strategy. Also, the idea of a legend differs from one person to another as some of the ace scholars are of opinion that being legend is God-gifted and it does not depend on endeavour and efforts of an individual. This betraying opinion has played its role to stop many from even thinking of being a legend. The book “Ji Chahta Hai Naqshe Qadam Choomte Chalen” (How I Wish I Go on Kissing Footprints) is all about being a celebrity. Written by a young enthusiastic M.Phil student of the University of Delhi, Khan Yasir, the book consists of short and inspirational biographies of around 40 legends worldwide.
In a very long but interesting Preface of the book, the writer, while describing what made him compile the book, writes that he has always seen the students of his university debating productively and enthusiastically on different lines. But when it comes to Islamic topics all become tight-lipped or ultimately say how one can prop-up Islamic values in this hi-tech era. This made the writer remain on toes for years in search of those who have upheld the Islamic values even in this modern period, and now the outcome is before you.
The writer, at the very outset, proves that being a legend is not a God-gift and it depends on “how sincere one is about his being a legend.” But, the writer has his own definition of being legendry. “There is no concept of being legendry in absence of Taqwa (fear of Allah) in Islam,” reads a sentence in the preface of the book. Further throwing light on the distinctiveness of a legend, the writer says he not only dreams big but also leaves no stone unturned to transform his dreams into reality and when he thinks his individual endeavour does not suffice he forms a group or an organisation for the purpose. Also a legend is always ready to face high tides in his way to fulfilling his dreams and never compromises with his principles. Moreover, a legend does not try to justify and stick to his mistakes.
All the legends included in the book are highly inspirational and motivational and the author has very smartly placed them in accordance with their dates of birth. By doing so, he has very smartly dodged the question “Who is better than whom?”Or perhaps he wanted to give a message that everyone is a perfect ideal in his respective field. The more one goes through the pages of the book the greater his enthusiasm becomes. At the end of the book one finds himself in deep meditation, thinking of his contribution towards promotions of Islamic identifications through his daily activities.
The book is very special in terms of its selection and way of presentation. The couplets and the quotations at the starting of each biography add more colours to the prism. Also the writer should have made categories of Muslim legends e.g. the legends from the fields of Science & Technology, Politics & Leadership, Business & Trade, Academics et al. Obviously, the book is highly inspirational but what about those who are in search of a Muslim ideal or legend in some specific field say in the fields of Technology, Entrepreneurship and so?
Though the writer has also tried to be objective in presenting the biographies yet his likes and dislikes clearly peep from some of the biographies. Also, he has mentioned some of the legends with some “extra” details which should have been avoided. Some great names like Mail Khairabadi and Maryam Jameelah are missing here. However, the book is a complete source of inspiration and I recommend all especially the youngsters to go through the book with an eye on becoming a legend like them.