A whirling Sufi revival

Author Moin Mir talks about how and why he expertly weaved history and philosophy into his first fiction novel

- Shruti Nair

FACT AND FICTION

Author Moin Mir has written his first fiction book, which delves into tragedy and Sufism

Author Moin Mir's latest book, The Lost Fragrance of Infinity, is an intensely atmospheric novel which marries history and philosophy. Narrated through the lives of a young craftsman, Qarar Ali, and the girl he is in love with, Abeerah, the book dwells with tragedy, chaos, and Sufism. While he does not philosophise, Moin lets his philosophies take centre stage in this novel.

Sufism is a mystical or a spiritual belief and practice in Islam to seek the divine. So, when Moin is asked how the lines between spiritual and ritual are often blurred, he quotes the Sufi poet Hafiz: 'Of this fierce glow which love and you within my breast inspire, the sun is but a spark that flew and set the heavens afire'. These are lines with which he begins his latest book, too.

"Hafiz is trying to say that when you have the beauty of love and compassion within your heart, you as a human being will rise to such an extent that even the sun will be just a mere spark in your achievements. So, today when you see where man has gone in terms of science, you would want to go back to this verse and that begins with a spiritual journey and not a ritualistic journey," says the London-based author.

Philosophies of the heart

Fiction is the most complex genre of literature and this latest work is Moin's debut fiction, after his previous book, Surat: Fall of a Port, Rise of a Prince became an acclaimed bestseller.