The Forty Rules of Love


It's quarter past 12 and here I am with a dry throat, aching head, sunken eyes and a mind questioning its capabilities.

But still, I feel like giving a form to the incessant thoughts that had been sedimenting in the inner vicinities of my heart for the last couple of days.

From that very safe womb of our mothers', we all stepped into this world, full of beauty, charm and audacious adventures.

But when we steadily climb the ladder to adulthood, we start witnessing this so-called 'beautiful world' slowly transforming into a world of competition, comparison, judgements and preconceived notions.

Let me tell you something about the book I finished reading a few days back, 'The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak ( a book that some think that I haven't even heard of).

This book has a soothing sensation as it speaks of all kinds of love. And the best thing is the way the story is told, throughout the book I just loved the way the writer combined the stories from the 13 th century with that of a modern woman.

However, unlike many other readers, I didn't like the book as, when Shams changed Rumi,   the transformation should have been reflected in Ella too. In contrast, Ella's character was always leaning towards the love for Aziz. We see no spiritual enlightenment happening in Ella, which in my opinion should have happened.

And now to all those who had been extremely astonished by the fact that I didn't like the book 'Forty Rules of Love', let me be very clear to you, we are all born with a different eye and so will be our perspectives and opinions. And that is why some love Khalid Hossaini more than Elif Shafak, and it's not because they don't know them.

 If everyone had the same opinions and likings then why should have God-created differences?

And as Husam says there is nothing called 'good' or 'bad' in this world as at the end of the day it is not up to us to judge anyone or anything.

 To conclude, reading 'Forty Rules of Love' becomes a more rejuvenating experience if you read it not just for the sake of reading but to absorb its essence too.

-Rana Fathima

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