(Acknowledgment: Mr. Mirza Hamid Baig)

Shabnam Minarvi, whose real name was Malik Muhammad Hussain, is counted among those Urdu poets who managed to bring together literature and professional responsibility at different stages of their lives. On one hand, he held a respected position in the field of engineering; on the other, he is remembered in Urdu poetry for his simple, sincere, and thoughtful poems. His personality, his work, and his literary services remain a living legacy in the hearts of lovers of literature. This article presents a detailed account of his life, character, literary contributions, and memorable poetry, so that his literary and human values may be better understood.

Minara is a union council in district Chakwal, located to the southwest of tehsil Kallar Kahar. Though small in size, it is rich in meaning. The soil of this village carries the fragrance of rural life, the greenery of fields, and a sense of stillness shaped by time under the shade of old trees. Chakwal is known for its history, culture, and strong social bonds, and Minara is an essential and charming part of this landscape.

Malik Muhammad Hussain was born in this village on June 1, 1940. Later, he became known by his pen name “Shabnam Minarvi.” This name not only preserved his bond with his village but also became an integral part of his literary identity.

Shabnam Minarvi received his early education in his village and in district Chakwal. Later, he moved to Rawalpindi. During his student years, his interest in literature and poetry began to grow. For this reason, he never set literature aside at any stage of his life.

In Rawalpindi, Shabnam Minarvi advanced his professional career while also actively participating in literary life. He served as Secretary of Halqa-e-Arbab-e-Zauq, an institution regarded as highly credible in the history of Urdu literature. In this role, he played an important part in organizing and sustaining literary activities.

The gatherings of Halqa-e-Arbab-e-Zauq became more vibrant due to his presence. Later, figures such as Mazhar-ul-Islam, Rashid Amjad, and other prominent writers carried this tradition forward, but Shabnam Minarvi’s name has always remained associated with it.

Shabnam Minarvi was primarily a poet of nazm. His three poetry collections, Khwab-e-Hayat, Pani Pe Behta Phool, and Pankhri Aur Kainat, stand as evidence of his creative ability.

Khwab-e-Hayat: This collection reflects dreams of life and the subtleties of human emotions.

Pani Pe Behta Phool: This book expresses the beauty of nature and the transience of time.

Pankhri Aur Kainat: Through these poems, the vastness of the universe and the fragility of human existence are portrayed.

There is a simplicity, sincerity, and honesty in his poetry that mirrors his personality. His verses carry a truthfulness that touches the reader’s heart.

His poems were also published in Auraq, the respected literary journal edited by Dr. Wazir Agha. This publication was not only an acknowledgment of his creative expression but also a means of introducing his poetry to serious readers and critics. As a result, his literary identity became more firmly established, and his work earned a respected place in literary circles. Being featured in a journal like Auraq gave new direction to his poetic journey and brought him into sharper focus within contemporary literature.

His professional life took him to Saudi Arabia, where he worked at the institution of the Indian novelist and entrepreneur Salahuddin Parvez. During this time, the critic Siraj Munir was also among his colleagues. In literary circles, it was often suggested that Shabnam Minarvi helped Salahuddin Parvez with writing nazm, though this cannot be conclusively verified. Even so, such discussions reflect the influence and presence he had in literary matters.

Satya Pal Anand always remembered Shabnam Minarvi as a sincere friend and a compassionate human being. During his stay in Riyadh, when Satya Pal Anand felt restless with memories of his ancestral village Kot Sarang, it was Shabnam Minarvi who informed him that the well-known poet Ali Muhammad Farshi belonged to the same village. Years later, this information helped reconnect Satya Pal Anand with memories of his homeland.

Shabnam Minarvi was a gentle, simple, and sociable person. His contemporaries often recall his decency and humility. After returning from Saudi Arabia, he would meet friends at Shalimar Restaurant in Rawalpindi, where literary gatherings took place with Rashid Amjad, Mansha Yaad, Fateh Malik, and other writers.

Shabnam Minarvi passed away on October 20, 2004, in Saudi Arabia. His memories and poetry remain alive. He was a poet who kept the lamp of Urdu literature burning while living abroad and kept human emotions alive through his poems.

Selected Works

Hum Apne Aap Se Aagay Guzar Jatay To Acha Tha (ghazal)

Phoolon Ke Rubaru Tha Sitaron Ke Samne (ghazal)

Dairon Ki Faseelon Se Dartay Ho (nazm)

Doobti Kiranain (nazm)

Narasai (nazm)

His poetry reflects depth of thought and feeling. His ghazals and poems express human emotions, the beauty of nature, and the fleeting nature of time.

Muhammad Saqib Farooq Awan, in his research paper “An Analytical Study of Shabnam Minarvi’s Poetry,” has highlighted his literary contributions. This paper was published in the journal Roshan Ara (Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad). The study analyzes the intellectual and technical aspects of his nazm and ghazal. According to the researcher, Shabnam Minarvi played a notable role in promoting Urdu literature, especially while living abroad, and through his simple, sincere, and thoughtful poetry, he gave new dimensions to the Urdu language.

The life and poetry of Shabnam Minarvi teach us that literature is not dependent only on big names. Poets with simple hearts, sincerity, and genuine feeling can also carve out their own place in literature. Through his poems and ghazals, Shabnam Minarvi gave Urdu literature a fresh direction and kept its lamp alight while living in exile. The decency of his character, the simplicity of his poetry, and his literary services grant him a distinct place in the history of Urdu literature.