Alright, diving into Aab-e-Hayat was quite the journey! The entire pir-e-Kamil fandom is completely divided over this sequel with many not satisfied with the way things unfolded in book 2 . Lets dive into the world of Salaar and Imaama. I will leave it up to you to form a judgement but I personally think that Umera Ahmed really stepped up her game with this one, and there’s a lot to unpack.
Firstly, the level of research and the plethora of references woven into the narrative were impressive. It added depth and richness to the story. I can only imagine the amount of research and hardwork she put in this novel, and that is clearly visible. However, there were moments when the grammar felt a bit off, which was a minor hiccup. Aab-e Hayat, unlike pir-e-kamil, is not a love story, it’s a neatly and deftly woven tapestry of interconnected stories, people, and timelines. It gives answers to many questions left unanswered and ties the loose ends in Peer-e-Kamil which I wanted so much to hear.
Now, onto the storyline – it was a rollercoaster of emotions! Imama and Salar’s journey had me completely engrossed. Imama and Salar finally get their happily ever after in Aab-e-Hayat. But, let’s be real, their journey isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. They face some bumps along the road, as expected. Yet, in the end, love triumphs and religion prevails. It’s kind of like a fairy tale ending, right? But for me, it felt a bit too perfect, a tad pretentious even. I mean, where’s the drama, the twists and turns that keep us hooked? That’s what made Peer-e-Kamil so captivating. I just wish Aab-e-Hayat had a bit more of that romance and unpredictability element to it. Still, it was a captivating read and I ship them the most.
One thing I absolutely applaud Umera for is her stance against usury and conscious effort against the abolishment of interest and establishment of interest-free banking system( an open rebellion against the system) through our ever so perfect hero: Salaar Sikandar. It’s an important issue, and she addressed it with sincerity, even if it came across as idealistic at times. It was a major eye-opener to read about the World Bank and the impact of its hypocritical and ruthless policies on the third world countries like Africa and the role of CIA in this.
I loved reading the bit about their children; Haneen ,Jibrael ,Anaya and their adopted daughter Raeesa(yes! Salaar adopts a child). Only when I reached the end of the page did i relize how attached i had grown to Salaar and Imaama and their small family. Umerah Ahmed has this ability to immerse readers in her books in this way.
But let’s talk about pacing – The beginning of Aab-e-Hayat felt a bit off, especially considering where we left off in Peer-e-Kamil. I mean, how could Salar act so indifferent right after finally finding the love of his life? The courtship was sweet, but the jealousy felt a bit over the top. Maybe I’m just a super fan of Imama and Salar (who isn’t?), but it felt like a missed opportunity to bridge the gap between the two books more smoothly.those initial chapters felt like a bit of a slog. It took a while to get to the meat of the story, which tested my patience. Imama acted so out of character in the first few chapters that I almost stopped reading, it infuriated me how childishly she behaved after everything Salar went through. Although her being sceptical about Salar was somewhat understandable but it in no way justified how selfishly she behaved.However, once the story picked up and she began trusting him, it was hard to put down and eventually they became the power couple that I so desperately wanted to read about and met my expectations in every way possible.
DISCLAIMER : SPOILERS AHEAD
This isn’t just Salar and Imama’s story; it’s a narrative about the future generations. Saad’s family saga hit me hard – it was like a wake-up call about the darker side of our society. Umera’s boldness in addressing these issues, using harsh language to portray the truth, was commendable. Saad’s redemption through another generation was a powerful moment, though it left me wondering how supposedly knowledgeable characters could be so misguided. It seems a bit judgmental, and I wish Umera had delved deeper into the complexities of the matter.
The theme of redemption was beautifully portrayed, especially with the mentions of old age homes, Alzheimer’s, and family reunions. I kept fearing for Salar’s life throughout, so I was relieved when he didn’t die, although a part of me feels that his passing would have added a poetic realism to the story, aligning with Umera’s vision for his character.
Dr. Sibt-e-Ali’s discussion with Salar about usury was a standout moment, reminiscent of similar impactful scenes in Peer-e-Kamil. I was captivated by it, much like Imama’s continuous counsel to Salar on the subject.
I applaud Umera for breaking the societal stereotypes by showing Salars children growing up to marry a divorcee, people from different nationalities and a relatively new convert. Reading about their children in the third and last half of the book was refreshing and I enjoyed that alot.I loved the character of Salar’s youngest son,Haneen. His interactions with his grandfather were everything.Haneen’s grandfather, suffering from Alzheimer’s, could only remember his grandson but forgot everything else. The heartbreaking scene where he failed to recognize Haneen left me in tears.
Raeesa’s journey to reclaim her roots and clear Salar’s name was a bold and commendable choice. Her involvement in social work added an extra layer of depth to her character, making her storyline all the more enjoyable.
Overall, Aab-e-Hayat is a compelling read, albeit with its flaws. Id rate it a solid 4 out of 5 . Had it been a separate novel entirely and not a sequel, it’d have gained far more recognition and applause. In my opinion this novel is sadly very underrated and is deserving of equal, of not more, hype as pir-e-kaamil. Umera Ahmed’s storytelling prowess shines through ever so bright, and I’m curious to see what she has in store next. Stay tuned!
