Professor Farooq Ahmed Siddiqui with reference to his book "Afkar wa Tassurat"

Anwarul Hasan Wasitvi

Professor Farooq Ahmed Siddiqui needs no introduction in the Urdu world. Professor Siddiqui has held the position of Head of the Urdu Department and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at B.R. Ambedkar University, Muzaffarpur (Bihar), but his identity in the academic and literary world is not due to these positions, but due to his literary stature, scholarship, capability, and talent. Although he retired from the profession of teaching 15 years ago, he is still active as a writer, critic, researcher, commentator, poet, and orator, and his creative journey is even more rapid than before. The proof of this is that during his service, only two of his books, "Diwan Riyaz Hasan Khan Khayal" (edited) and "Afham o Tafhim" (a collection of critical essays), could be published, while after his retirement, nine of his books have been published in a span of 15 years. It is likely that with the start of 2026, the number of his writings will reach a dozen.

The book under review, "Afkar o Tassurat" (published in 2025), is a collection of Professor Farooq Ahmed Siddiqui's critical and research essays. Prior to this, five of his books of this nature, "Afham o Tafhim" (published in 2005), "Tafhim o Tajzia" (published in 2015), "Maqalat Farooqi" (published in 2019), "Ehsas o Idrak" (published in 2020), and "Irfan o Agahi" (published in 2023), have been published and have received accolades from literature enthusiasts and critics. Almost all the essays included in the book under review have been published in reputable journals and magazines, but these essays are so important and useful that it was necessary to publish them in book form. We are grateful to Professor Farooq Ahmed Siddiqui for compiling these essays and transferring them to the present and future generations of Urdu literature.

The book "Afkar o Tassurat" consists of 27 essays, some of which are quite lengthy, while others are brief or very brief. Reading and studying these essays gives a clear idea that Professor Farooq Ahmed Siddiqui expresses his thoughts on any writer or work in the same manner and with the same words, so that no one can criticize him, and the person being discussed does not feel any disappointment or inferiority. This is a unique characteristic of Professor Siddiqui, and to my knowledge, no one shares this trait with him.

One notable aspect of the book under review is that the author has dedicated it to his esteemed teacher, Professor Najm ul Hadi (late), former Head of the Urdu Department at B.R. Ambedkar University, Muzaffarpur. By dedicating the book to his late teacher, Professor Farooq Ahmed Siddiqui has not only paid his dues but also paid a sincere tribute to his teacher.

The first essay in the book, "Ghalib ka ek Murabbi: Allama Fazl e Haq Khairabadi", aims to introduce the new generation to the role of Allama Fazl e Haq Khairabadi in shaping Ghalib's personality and poetry. The author has presented a magnificent introduction to Allama Fazl e Haq Khairabadi, which is worth quoting:

"Allama Fazl e Haq Khairabadi was a great scholar, a master of rational sciences, a leader of the 1857 War of Independence, a spirit of Delhi's intellectual, literary, and cultural life, a poet of Arabic, and a connoisseur of Urdu and Persian poetry. Such a personality, with his noble qualities and characteristics, holds a prominent position in the religious, political, cultural, and literary history of the Indian subcontinent."

("Afkar o Tassurat", p. 11)

These lines not only introduce Allama Fazl e Haq Khairabadi but also demonstrate Professor Farooq Ahmed Siddiqui's excellent writing skills. His critical and research essays, as well as his literary and religious writings, are all marked by a fluent, refined, and healthy language. God has blessed him with immense writing abilities. As an Islamic scholar, he has a strong command of Arabic and Persian languages. Among Urdu scholars and writers, there are few who, like Professor Farooq Ahmed Siddiqui, possess a strong academic background in Arabic and Persian.

The book's second essay, "Iqbal: Shair ya Mufakkir", explores Iqbal's position as a poet or thinker. Critics are divided into two groups: one considers Iqbal a philosopher rather than a poet, while the other group believes that Iqbal's primary identity is that of a poet, and his philosophical aspect is secondary. Both groups have their arguments. Professor Siddiqui has expressed his unique thoughts on this matter, stating:

"In my opinion, Iqbal is both a poet and a thinker. However, his primary identity is that of a poet. If he were not a great poet, his thoughts and ideas would not have the same value and importance that they have today. A mere philosopher like Dr. Radha Krishnan may have existed in modern India, but who knows him outside of a specific circle, and how many people have been influenced by his thoughts and philosophy? Iqbal's stature is such that his poetry is widely recognized and appreciated across the world, including Europe, America, Russia, and the Islamic world."

("Afkar o Tassurat", pp. 18-19)

The book's longest essay, "Naat Goi ka Fun", spans 18 pages. Professor Farooq Ahmed Siddiqui has a well-known interest and passion for the art of Naat Goi. This divine gift has been with him since childhood, and he has not only made a name for himself among Naat Goi poets but has also become an authority on the subject. He has written extensively on the history, tradition, art, and delicacy of Naat Goi, making it a worthwhile read.

The book under review includes essays on various prominent personalities, including Professor Naim Chishti, Professor Najm ul Hadi, Maulana Mahmood Rafiqati, Professor Talha Razvi Barq, Syed Shah Shamsuddin Ahmed Manemi, Dr. Syed Ahmed Qadri, Master Muhammad Obaidullah, and Dr. Rehan Ghani. Professor Siddiqui has made a commendable effort to highlight their unique contributions and services.

The book also includes about a dozen essays reviewing various books. Professor Farooq Ahmed Siddiqui is a prominent figure in the field of book reviewing. He has written numerous reviews during his academic and literary career, and it is likely that even he may not remember the exact number. His reviews are always comprehensive, balanced, and engaging. In my opinion, his reviews can be categorized into three types: first-class, second-class, and third-class. It depends on the author's luck as to which category they fall into. The book under review also reflects this aspect, and the authors whose books have been reviewed include Maulana Shabnam Kamali, Qayyum Khizr, Dr. Shaikhul Azami, Maulana Yasin Akhtar Misbahi, Professor Abu Zarr Kamaluddin, Dr. Naseem Akhtar, Dr. Aslam Jawed, Dr. Arshad Masood Hashmi, Dr. Ahmed Bader, Dr. Al-Tafat Amjadi, Muhammad Shaikh Khalid, and the humble author (Anwarul Hasan Wasitvi).

These reviews not only introduce the books but also provide in-depth discussions, making the books even more valuable. Moreover, Professor Siddiqui's reviews are not only encouraging for the authors but also serve as a guiding light for new writers. I pray that God blesses Professor Siddiqui with a long and healthy life, so that people like me can continue to benefit from his knowledge and wisdom.

The book "Afkar o Tassurat" has been published with the financial support of the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Memorial Committee, Government of Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow). The 163-page book is priced at Rs. 250 and can be obtained from Book Emporium, Sabzi Bagh, Patna-4, as well as from major cities across the country. The author can be contacted directly at 9835660835.