Sufi Comics: God meeting his beloved friend

We have all heard the saying “There are 2 things certain in this world Death & Taxes”. We all know that none of us can escape death. It is the destiny of every person.  It is strange that something so inevitable we hardly talk or prepare for it.  Somehow we think of death as a bad thing and fear it. The fear is not so much of the pain at the time of death, but it is the ending of the relationship with the things of this world.

But maybe that is not such a bad thing and we don’t have to fear it so much.  We would have less to fear if we realize that death is not the end, but rather a beginning of new life in a new world.  Death is a homecoming to where we came from.  So instead of fearing death, we should prepare for it by becoming aware of our connection with God who created us out of love, sent us in this world to grow & calling us back to to be with him.

An excerpt of a prayer by the great grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (‘s), Imam Zainul Abideen:

“O God…
Appoint for us from among the righteous works a work
through which we will feel the homecoming to Thee as slow
and crave a quick joining with Thee,
so that death may be
our intimate abode with which we are intimate,
our familiar place toward which we yearn,
and our next of kin whose coming we love!”

Sufi Comics: On Business

A new comic is being released after a long while! One request that I’ve received frequently is to have the comics in color. So I’m trying something new with the style of the comics from now on. It’s going to be in color and will use elements from Persian & Turkish miniature paintings. This is the first Sufi Comic using this style. Hope you all like it

A Sufi Comic on how to make Business transactions? A Sufi is not a person who shuns the world and secludes himself from society, but he’s one who engages himself with the world and at the same time submits himself to divine values.

Sufi Comics: Walking on water

Hassan Al-Basri & Rabia Basri are two well known personalities who lived in Iraq during the 7th Century. I came across this beautiful story that I thought would make a wonderful comic.

Then earlier this year to my surprise I read in the papers that India organized their first Comic-Con in Delhi, and the next one was coming up in Mumbai.  In a way the timing was perfect ’cause “40 Sufi Comics” had just gotten released.  Arif didn’t waste any time in booking a stall and in Oct of 2011 we found ourselves behind a stall in Comic-Con Mumbai promoting “40 Sufi Comics”. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet Comic Artists & enthusiasts around the world.

Just by the sheer number of footfalls at the convention, one could see the rise in demand for Comics and Graphic Novels.  Comics are a very powerful medium and instead of just mere entertainment, I hope they are used for spreading positive messages to tackle the social issues our World faces.

“40 Sufi Comics” received a very warm welcome from visitors and the media. Our books got sold out, and many expressed their interest in future volumes.  We’re looking forward to participate in Comic-Con 2012!  Press clippings & Photographs below:

Photographs:

We’re pleased to announce that Sufi Comics will be participating as an exhibitor @ Comic Con Express Mumbai on the 22nd & 23rd of October.  We’ll also be doing an On-Stage book launch of “40 Sufi Comics” at 1:30 pm on 22nd October.  If you’re in Mumbai during this time, please drop by, we would love to meet you!

Sufi Comics: Hijab of the Eyes

We live in a world where modern man is seen as nothing more than a glorified animal whose purpose is to maximize his sensory & sensual pleasures. It’s a world where we’re constantly bombarded with images of sexuality, and lowering the Gaze has become uncool.

Is “seeing” nothing more than processing of photon particles? Is beauty only in the external world of form? The External world is just a tiny reflection of Real beauty. Real beauty lies is in recognition of the formless.

To recognize Real Beauty, one should be careful of what they see ’cause the Eye is a window to the Soul. What we see changes who we are, and who we are reflects what we choose to see.

“There is nothing more gainful than lowering one’s gaze, for the sight is not lowered from things, which Allah has forbidden unless the witnessing of majesty and glory has already come to the heart.” ~ Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq (as).

Sufi Comics: God's Happiness

In this time’s comic I’ve tried something different. It contains no words other than the saying of the Imam. A similar saying has also been attributed to the Prophet (‘s), but I’ve not been able to find the exact words & reference.

This is the month of Ramadan. It is a month where we have been invited to be the guests of God. Instead of giving us food, He asks us to Fast, because it is an invitation to get close to Him. Just a few days are left and the month of Ramadan will come to an end. Let’s make the best use of these last few days by sincerely seeking his forgiveness, and seeking his help to improve ourselves for the better.

The Prophet (‘s) has said “Unfortunate is the person who is deprived of the forgiveness of God during this great month.”

Perhaps you know this Donkey

“This is a Book full of Blessings that we have revealed unto you so people ponder upon its verses and men of intellect may reflect.” (Quran 38:29)

“Seek truth in meditation, not in moldy books.  Look in the sky, to find the moon, not in the pond.” – a Persian proverb.

Television

IBN-TV, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania did a talkshow on Sufi Comics

Print Media

Marathi Newspaper Mumbai

Hindustan Times – Mumbai

DNA – Mumbai

Mid-day – Mumbai

http://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/2011/oct/181011-Mumbai-guide-Life-in-a-comic-book.htm

The Hindu (Using Comics to explain Islam)

The Indian Express (Breaking the ice through comics)

Islamic Voice (Sufi Wisdom served with great elan)

Deccan Chronicle (Dervish duo’s comic relief)

Hindustan Times (Sufi stories in comic format)

Online Media

“Comics and graphic novels have come a long way. Once seen in India as a clever ploy to make children read history and mythology, it is now viewed as one of the coolest literary forms there is, with a steady following amongst the old and the young. Taking the form a step ahead, Bangalore based brothers Mohammed Ali Vakil and Mohammed Arif Vakil have complied 40 comic strips, titled 40 Sufi Comics, in the form of a book that visually depicts the teachings of Islam.”  Sufi Comics trying to help people understand Islam by Shweta Sharma

“Graphic novels have a cult-like following from the very young, to the academically wise. Who knew they could teach you spiritual, or Islamic life lessons?” Muslimness.com: Behind 40 Sufi Comics – India’s Muslim Blogging Brothers by Zaufishan Iqbal

“The art was beautiful, so the teachings. Each story taught a moral value, and had verses from the Qur’an and traditions with special notes from the artist. 40 Sufi Comics is actually a collection of illustrated eternal truths of life.” - Comic Addicts: Sufi Comics by Nishkarsh Chugh

“One of the great beauties of this work is its suitability for all audiences and ages. An 8-year-old child, a 55-year-old adult, or an open-minded non-Muslim – indeed almost anyone – will enjoy and benefit from this material.” - Islamic Insights: Sufi Comics Book Review by Diana Beatty

“The subjects that they have chosen include Love, Knowledge, Ethics, Spirituality, Mother, Prayer, God et al. Alongside, there are translations of relevant verses from the Quran and quotes from the Prophet and other teachers.” - Citizen News: Philosophy can be fun by Pushpa Achanta

“A short comic is a preferable medium these days for many to read and assimilate new subjects. One can go back to it as often as one wants because they are not boring, They convey esoteric philosophy in simple language and cartoons without compromising on content or quality.” - ChummaChumma: 40 Sufi Comics by Gopal S.