Ibn-e-Safi


Ibn-e-Safi, also spelt Ibne Safi, was the pen name of Asrar Ahmad, a Pakistani fiction writer, novelist, and poet who wrote in Urdu. The name Ibn-e-Safi is a Persian expression meaning “Son of Safi,” with Safi translating to “chaste” or “righteous.” He began his literary career in British India during the 1940s and continued writing in Pakistan after the country's independence in 1947.
His main works were the 124-book series Jasoosi Dunya and the 121-book Imran Series, with a small canon of satirical works and poetry. His novels were characterised by a blend of mystery, adventure, suspense, violence, romance and comedy, achieving massive popularity across a broad readership in South Asia.

Biography

Early life and education

Asrar Ahmad was born on 26 July 1928 in the town 'Nara' of district Allahabad, India. His father's name was Safiullah and mother's name was Naziran Bibi. His ancestors were Hindus of the Kayashta community, specialised in the fields of education and administration, who converted to Islam many generations ago.
He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Agra University. In 1948, he started his first job at 'Nikhat Publications' as an editor in the poetry department. His initial works date back to the early 1940s, when he wrote from British India. He also studied at the University of Allahabad where he was class fellow of Professor Mohammad Uzair and one year senior to Mustafa Zaidi . After the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947, he began writing novels in the early 1950s while working as a secondary school teacher and continuing part-time studies. After completing the latter, having attracted official attention as being subversive in the independence and post-independence period, he migrated to Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan in August 1952. He started his own company by the name 'Asrar Publications'.

Later life

He married Umme Salma Khatoon in 1953. In the period from 1960 to 1963, he suffered an episode of severe depression and spent some time in the psychiatry ward of a hospital, some arguing that it was a result of his prolific literary output, as he used to publish 4 novels a month during that time, but he eventually recovered, and returned with a best-selling Imran Series novel, Dairrh Matwaalay which was published in India by the to-be -Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. In fact, he wrote 36 novels of 'Jasoosi Duniya' and 79 novels of 'Imran Series' after his recovery from depression. In the 1970s, he informally advised the Inter-Services Intelligence of Pakistan on methods of detection.

Death

Ibne Safi died on 26 July 1980 of pancreatic cancer at age 52. He was buried in Paposhnagar graveyard in Karachi.

Literary career

Early attempts

Ibn-e-Safi started writing poetry in his childhood and soon earned critical acclaim in whole South-Asian community. After completing his Bachelor of Arts, he started writing short stories, humour and satire under various names such as "Siniki Soldier" and "Tughral Farghan." In the Nakhat magazines, he published several satirical articles which commented on various topics ranging from politics to literature to journalism. His early works in the 1940s included short stories, humour and satire. For his literary works he was inspired by both British cinema and Hollywood, especially Alfred Hitchcock, while among writers he was fond of Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Earl Stanley Gardner, Harold Robbins, Alistair MacLean and Louise L'Amour for his Westerns.

''Jasoosi Dunya'' and ''Imran Series''

According to one of his autobiographical essays, someone at a literary meeting claimed that Urdu literature had little scope beyond sexual themes. To challenge this notion, Ibn-e-Safi began writing several detective stories in January 1952. These were published in the monthly digest, Nikhat, under the series name Jasoosi Dunya. In 1953, Ibn-e-Safi, along with his mother and sister, moved to Karachi, Pakistan, joining his father who had migrated there earlier in 1947.
In 1955, Ibn-e-Safi started Imran Series, which gained as much fame and success as Jasoosi Dunya. Ibne Safi's novels – characterised by a blend of adventure, suspense, violence, romance, and comedy – achieved massive popularity by a broad readership.
On many occasions, Ibne Safi crafted imaginative settings for his stories. The mesmerizing tapestry of his writing brings these fantastical realms to life in the minds of his readers. Devoted fans have become connoisseurs of the people and cultures inhabiting realms such as Shakraal, Karaghaal, Maqlaaq, Zeroland, and many other creative domains. Across cities in India and Pakistan, discothèques, bars, nightclubs, and hotels have been named after iconic venues from his novels, including Dilkusha, Figaro, Niagara, Tip Top, and High Circle.

Other prose works

In addition to his humorous and satirical works, Ibne-e-Safi penned several short adventure stories, including Baldraan Ki Malika, Ab Tak Thee Kahaan?, Shumal Ka Fitna, Gultarang, and Moaziz Khopri. These adventures transport readers to a series of exotic, imaginary worlds born from his own creative vision.
In 1959, Ibne-e-Safi embarked on writing Aadmi Ki Jarain, a book exploring human psychology. Unfortunately, his illness forced him to leave the work incomplete.

Poetry


Ibn-e-Safi was also a poet. He used to write poems under the pen name of "Asrar Narvi". He wrote in various genres of Urdu poetry, such as Hamd, Na`at, Manqabat, Marsia, Ghazal, and Nazm. His collection of poetry, Mata-e Qalb-o-Nazar, remains unpublished.
Following is the list of his Ghazals:
  • Daulat-e-Gham
  • Zahan se Dil ka Bar Utra Hai
  • Chhalakti aayay
  • Kuch to ta-alluq...
  • Aaj ki raat
  • Baday ghazab ka...
  • Yun hi wabastagi
  • Lab-o-rukhsar-o-jabeen
  • Rah-e-talab mein kaun kisi ka
  • Kuch bhi to apne paas nahin...
  • Aay nigaraan-e-khoobroo
  • Kabhi sawab ki hain...
  • Kabhi qatil...
  • Qafas ki daastaan hai...
  • Maan
  • Shakist-e-talism
  • Talism-e-hosh-ruba
  • Tanhayee
  • ''Bansuri Ki Aawaz''

    Dhamaka – A film by Ibn-e-Safi

Ibne Safi wrote both the story and screenplay for the film Dhamaka, adapted from his novel Bebakon ki Talash. Despite its merits, the film did not receive the publicity and acclaim it deserved, and it remains largely forgotten.
Produced by Muhammad Hussain Talpur, Dhamaka is based on the Imran Series novel Baibaakon Ki Talaash. The film introduced Pakistani actor Javed Sheikh in the lead role of Zafarul Mulk. Producer Muhammad Hussain Talpur also appeared in the film as Jameson, while actress Shabnam portrayed Sabiha. Notably, the characters Imran and the X-2 team were not featured in the movie, although Ibne Safi himself recorded the voice of X-2. Additionally, actor Rehman made his debut as a villain. The film includes a rendition of the ghazal "Rah-e-talab mein kaun kisi ka," sung by Habib Wali Mohammed and written by Ibne Safi. Dhamaka was released on 13 December 1974.

Reception

Influence in Bollywood

Renowned Bollywood screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar was deeply inspired by Ibne-e-Safi’s Urdu novels, which he avidly read during his childhood. He was particularly drawn to the Jasoosi Dunya and Imran Series detective novels. The fast-paced action, tightly woven plots, and vibrant use of language in these thrillers left a strong impression on him.
Akhtar fondly recalled Ibne-e-Safi’s unforgettable characters with their distinctive, often whimsical names—an element that significantly influenced his own writing. Many of his Bollywood scripts reflect Ibne-e-Safi’s narrative style, including the use of vivid character names, sharp dialogue, and larger-than-life personalities. Akhtar credited Ibne-e-Safi with teaching him the power of memorable characters, a lesson that helped inspire iconic Bollywood villains like Gabbar Singh in Sholay and Mogambo in Mr. India.

Translations

The first English translations of Ibne Safi's mystery novels began appearing in 2010, with The House of Fear from the Imraan Series, translated by Bilal Tanweer and published by Random House India. In 2011, Blaft Publications in association with Tranquebar released four more novels, this time from the Jasoosi Duniya series, translated by the highly acclaimed Urdu critic Shamsur Rahman Faruqi.

Awards and recognition