Shab e Chiragh By Hamna Tanveer

About this novel

Shab e Chiragh by Hamna Tanveer is an Urdu family novel that continues straight from where the first part of the story ended. It follows a married couple, their family and the trials that test them.

The writer tells us at the very start that this story begins exactly where the first part finished. It has been a year since Shayan and Noor returned from Hajj, but their arms are still empty of the blessing of children. Shayan comes home from the office to find little Miral, his niece, playing on the shining marble floor of the lounge. “Arey, mera baby yahan kya kar raha hai,” he says, picking her up and laughing as she smiles shyly.

Noor brings him water, surprised that he is home so early, and Shayan just plays with Miral. Then Afaq comes down the stairs looking for his wife, Maryam, and is clearly upset. Noor gently asks what is wrong, and Afaq admits he is worried about Maryam: something seems to have happened, she has been missing since he got home, and he is tired of these tensions. Noor, kindly, tells him that he is a human and not an angel, but he should give Maryam a little space, because if she is at peace the whole house will be peaceful too.

Later, in their room, the mood is lighter. Shayan teases Noor that she is getting late for the friend he jokingly calls her rival, and she pretends to be annoyed with him. They laugh about who she should “complain to,” and Noor reminds him she still has to pray namaz. “Tum ne abhi tak namaz nahin parhi?” he asks, looking at the clock in surprise. She says she did, but she wants to pray again.

Hamna Tanveer fills these pages with love, gentle humour and quiet worries, especially Noor’s sadness over not yet having a child, and sets up a story about patience, faith and family bonds.

صبر کا چراغ اندھیری راتوں میں بھی امید کی روشنی بنا رہتا ہے۔

Readers of Tum Bin Jeena Mumkin Nahi will recognise Noor and Afaq here. Read more by Hamna Tanveer: Tum Bin Jeena Mumkin Nahi, Ye Ishq and Tawaif, or see all Hamna Tanveer novels.