Humsafar Novel by Farhat Ishtiaq

Humsafar Novel by Farhat Ishtiaq Summary

Humsafar, the story penned by Farhat Ishtiaq, is one of the most famous romantic novels in Urdu language which throws the light on the issue of misunderstanding between boy and girl and their forgiveness. KhModification:irad is a modest woman with good moral character and basic education that is forced to marry Ashar – wealthy, educated man unaware of the life circumstances of the woman he has chosen to spend the rest of his life with.

Khirad’s mom, who’s ailing, wants her to be married to Ashar, her nephew so as to ensure that her daughter’s future is secured. Khiraad forces Ashar to marry him although at the start Ashar is reluctant to do so due to his father’s insistence. Their marriage is arranged but, like most marriages at that time, they did not like each other at first but over time they do fall in love.

However, they do not stay happy for long as Ashar’s friend Sara who is in love with him as a friend and Ashar’s mom, Farida collusion and devise a plan to cause misunderstandings between the two. Scheming and jealousy play a major role on Khirad’s side making her leave Ashar’s life while she is pregnant for him.

Khirad faces a lot of hardship in an attempt to provide for her daughter, Hareem alone. Many years later fate unites Ashar and Khirad when Hareem who was suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)/Heart disease needs her father’s assistance. This reunion thus brings out some hidden facts and the past betrayals where Ashar gets to know how much his family betrayed Khirad.

Like any successful play, the novel portrays themes like love, sacrifice, classes and the vices of pride and jealousy. It portrays the beautify of togetherness especially within the realms of relationship, including facing challenges such as betrayal but forgiving and moving on to mend the relationships.

There is much emotional depth in Farhat Ishtiaq’s Humsafar; the character development is quite well done, especially the role reversal wherein Khirad as a woman demonstrated considerable strength in spite of all the odds. This novel also received a large audience reception when it was later incarnated into a popular Pakistani television serial.