A small bookshop at Aftab Market & some memories

Today, if I write some words, it is due to Allah and a small bookshop at the Aftab Market, Lal Chowk. I have been going there since 2014. I have many memories associated with it. I buy weekly magazines from this shop. Moreover, sometimes I buy books, written by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, Maulana Jami, Maulana Rumi and Sheikh Saa’di. I am happy to go there whenever I am to Srinagar.

In this piece of writing, I will share three experiences that always bring happiness, whenever I am in passive mood.

First, I wrote a poem about Malala Yousufzai before the revocation of Article 370. The poem compared and distinguished the Kashmiri girls and Malala Yousufzai. I was fascinated by her courage and foresightedness. I, majority of times, differ with the futile use of the energy of girls of Kashmir in some temporary upsurges.

The poem was published in the weekly “ Voice of Kashmir” on the front page. A week before the revocation of Article 370, I received two copies of it from this shop. After a week, Article 370 was revoked. Being habitual to newspapers, I again went to the same shop to get something to read.

As I reached this shop, as expected, I couldn’t find anything new to read. I asked the owner about newspapers. He sighed and said that it was a close chapter. Don’t expect anything in this part of the world. I was saddened by his words.

I could see many policemen there. They were guarding the capital city. In the meantime, an SSP was telling history to some illiterate persons. The listeners were listening to him all ears. I interrupted him and drew his attention towards me. I reminded him of one of the books written by Alastair Lamb. He was shocked to know it. He could not believe that a layman could know hidden facts. He opened up a bit and started narrating it in different order.

He spilled the truth by saying that we are taught history in an unprofessional manner. He was happy with my gesture and promised me to give the Xerox of one the books that had been banned in India. I thanked him and requested him to keep his promise. He was in a hurry and was out of sight in few moments with his subordinates. I smiled a bit and was thankful to Allah that I know something.

In the meantime, all the listeners began to praise me for my ingenuity. I was on the seven heaven. I thanked all of them, particularly the owner of the shop, for helping me through thick and thin.

As I was gazing at different things because it was told by our ministers that heavens would fall if Article 370 was abrogated. I was wondering whether they were falling or not. I think it was conjectures of their minds. Suddenly, my eyes fell on the above-mentioned magazine. I saw a layer of dust gathered on it. I began to wipe it. I was wondering whether this non-living magazine knew what had changed in a week’s time. All the promises were broken in a broad daylight. I couldn’t gauge the truth at that time but now I am thinking that the magazine knew everything. This memory is still etched in my mind.

Second is when I bought the book of Maulana Jami. In this book, he praises Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It is written in Persian. It is an irony that Kashmir was called “Iran-e-Sageer” or “The Lesser Iran” because Persian was spoken by all and sundry.

Maulana Jami praises Prophet Muhammad in such a manner that one is reminded of Hassan Bin Saabit. I myself cannot understand Persian, though my great grandparents knew this language. It is translated into Urdu that made it easy for me to understand. I was wondering how Jami knew Prophet Muhammad. He praises every trait of Muhammad (PBUH) in an original manner as praised by the holy Qur’an.

This book costs 50 rupees. But knowledge, contained in it, is invaluable. This memory is also safe in my mind.

Last is when I bought a book written by Maulana Wahidudin Khan. Khan has a trait that he tells what is already told in the world. He wants us to live as suggested by the Creator. I bought some books of Wahidudin Khan from this shop.

One book was “The Teachings of Islam”. It contains what I want. It answers the question that is haunting all of us. The question is: Why are we here? What is our destiny?

I was sad on the day when I bought it. As I reached home and began to read it, I found that I was wrong. Life is something else. I was also reminded of Gyanvatsal Swami. He, in one of his speeches, says that we waste our 50% life without knowing what we are doing. In the same way, I was in dilemma. I found his book answering my queries. I became happy and resolved to live life according to the wishes of my Creator. This gift is from that very small shop.

My life has been spent in or at these shops. I stop there and begin to read brilliant minds. I want to know my worth when I read others. I am happy that I have passion for these things. Long live the owner of that bookshop!