Rayees Ahmad Kumar
“History remembers conquerors only as names, but saints and thinkers live on through the fragrance of their words.”
South Kashmir’s Anantnag district has long been celebrated not only for its breathtaking landscapes and famed health resorts, but also for its rich intellectual and cultural legacy. Over the decades, the region has produced eminent litterateurs, poets, scholars, administrators, political thinkers, and philosophers who have shaped the Valley’s literary and social consciousness. In recent weeks, however, it was not a seasoned intellectual but a young adolescent from the quiet village of Kandiwara Sagam in Kokernag subdivision who brought renewed attention to this legacy.
Sheeba Ashraf, at the remarkably young age of fourteen, has emerged as one of the youngest authors in Kashmir with the publication of her debut book Aye Musht-e-Khaak. Her achievement quickly became a talking point across social media platforms, where her story resonated widely and drew admiration from readers across age groups. Several digital platforms interviewed her, exploring her literary journey and the challenges she faced while compiling a book at an age when most students—particularly young girls—are still grappling with the pressures of school curricula and examinations.
Published by the reputed GNK Publications, Aye Musht-e-Khaak is a thoughtfully curated collection of essays spanning 112 pages. Dedicated to her parents, the book opens with a deeply introspective proem in which the author describes her work as a voice for silent cries and an attempt to respond to questions that lie buried deep within the human heart. Sheeba clarifies that her book is neither a conventional story collection nor a romantic narrative. It does not aim to instruct in a didactic manner; rather, it is born of lived experience and reflection, written through breath and feeling, not merely with ink. To truly engage with its essence, she suggests, a reader must bring not only eyes to read but a heart capable of feeling.
The opening chapter, Insaan ka Wajood, sets the philosophical tone of the book. Spread across eighteen carefully composed chapters, the work begins by reflecting on the absolute sovereignty and omnipotence of the One God, who has created not only humanity but the entire cosmos—planets, stars, galaxies, animals, and all living beings. The chapter draws attention to divine mercy, highlighting how sustenance descends from the skies and forgiveness is granted despite human frailty and disobedience. The author urges readers to reflect deeply on their own creation, suggesting that true introspection naturally leads to unwavering faith and constant remembrance of the Creator.
In Aye Insaan Kis Baat Ka Guroor?, Sheeba Ashraf addresses the theme of pride, which she presents as one of the gravest moral failings. Drawing from Islamic teachings, she reminds readers that arrogance—even in its slightest form—stands as a barrier to spiritual salvation. Pride rooted in wealth, intelligence, beauty, or power is exposed as fleeting and deceptive, as none of these attributes endure beyond time. Significantly, the author notes that rejection of pride is not unique to Islam alone; all major religions of the world emphasize humility and affirm that ultimate greatness belongs only to the Almighty.
The chapter Khuda aur Mohabbat explores the transformative power of divine love, described as ishq-e-haqeeqi. This love, she writes, dispels darkness from the heart and illuminates the mind, body, and soul. The believer who loves his Creator selflessly is portrayed as truly fortunate, for such devotion invites boundless mercy. Even those burdened with sin, the author suggests, find forgiveness through sincere love and repentance, underscoring the compassion at the heart of faith.
In Khak ki Sada, the transient nature of worldly existence is brought into sharp focus. Sheeba Ashraf reflects on humanity’s relentless pursuit of fame, wealth, and recognition, often at the cost of forgetting life’s impermanence. Man, created from soil, is destined to return to it. History, she reminds us, bears witness to the fall of once-mighty figures—Pharaohs, Nimrods, Qaruns, Alexander the Great, and Genghis Khan—who now exist only as names in history books. Even legendary lovers such as Farhad, Majnun, and Heer lie beneath the same earth. In contrast, saints, philosophers, and poets emerge from a different, blessed soil—one imbued with fragrance. Though their bodies turn to dust, their ideas and words grant them a form of immortality.
The ninth chapter, Ishq-e-Haqeeqi, stands out for its poetic depth and spiritual insight. Here, the author emphasizes that when a believer values God above all worldly possessions—even above life itself—worship acquires sincerity and depth. Such a soul, constantly immersed in divine remembrance, attains inner peace, clarity, and purpose that worldly success can never offer.
In Ruḥ ki Azan, the eleventh chapter, Sheeba turns her attention to the role of conscience and soul. She describes the soul as an inner voice that reprimands unlawful actions while guiding individuals toward righteousness. Without this moral compass, she argues, humanity would lose its very essence. The presence of the soul is what gives meaning to human existence and distinguishes moral awareness from mere physical survival.
Taqdeer ki Thakan reflects on the complex relationship between human effort and divine decree. The author acknowledges the importance of striving for goodness and success but ultimately places destiny in the hands of God. What is written for a person will reach them, often through unexpected paths, while what is not destined may remain unattainable despite tireless effort. The chapter invites readers to reflect on acceptance, patience, and trust in divine wisdom.
Collectively, the essays in Aye Musht-e-Khaak reveal an extraordinary level of maturity and insight. That a fourteen-year-old author has engaged so deeply with themes of existence, humility, faith, destiny, and moral responsibility is both impressive and inspiring. Sheeba Ashraf demonstrates a rare ability to articulate profound truths—truths that many struggle to grasp even later in life—with clarity and emotional resonance.
At its core, the book serves as a reminder that humans emerge from soil and ultimately return to it, leaving little room for arrogance, injustice, or betrayal of one’s Creator. It urges introspection, ethical reform, and a return to higher moral values. Aye Musht-e-Khaak is not merely a literary debut; it is a reflective journey that invites readers to pause, think, and reconnect with the deeper purpose of life.
I strongly recommend this book to readers of all ages. Beyond enjoyment, it offers enlightenment—and in today’s restless world, that is no small gift.
The author is a columnist based in Qazigund, Kashmir.
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