Are you looking for the best Urdu novels to read this year? Choose your top picks with this article. Below are the 12 best novels in Urdu to satisfy your reading cravings.
Urdu novel is a popular art form in Pakistan. Many great writers in Pakistan have penned masterpieces of all time. Reading is a way of learning and gaining insight. Some of the best Urdu novels make you connect with the story so well.
Reading is the best way to escape from the monotonous life routine. Given below is the best novels list for readers to indulge in.
Peer-e-Kamil by Umera Ahmed
Peer-e-Kamil is one of the iconic Urdu novels by Umera Ahmed. The novel is a must-read. It was published in Shuaa Digest in 2004. The novel has its readers all over the world.
The story revolves around the characters of Imama Hashmi and Salaar Sikandar. It is a story about the deviational sect of our society that does not believe in the finality of the Prophet (PBUH).
Umera Ahmed has beautifully written down this story by narrating the tragic journey of the two unhappy souls. Salaar is portrayed as a genius with an excellent IQ level but has complex questions related to life. At the same time, Imama Hashim is shown as the complete opposite girl.
They are both different regarding spiritual awakening. However, destiny makes them meet each other, and Salaar falls in love with Imama Hashim, and their life changes completely.
Mushaf by Nemrah Ahmed
Nimra Ahmed is a prolific writer who has provided her readers with amazing reads. Mushaf is another must-read by the writer. The novel’s title, “MUSHAF,” is the Arabic name for Quran.
The story revolves around a young orphaned girl named Mehmal Ibrahim living with her uncles and aunts after her father’s death. Their behavior with Mehmal is not good, but she has to bear it for her mother. She is full of frustration, anger, and ingratitude.
However, she meets a girl carrying a book with a black cover. She tells her that the book has answers to all the problems upon asking. The book turns out to be ‘Quran,’ and it changes the life of Mehmal.
The novel takes its readers through a rollercoaster of emotions. The novel elicits spiritual and religious awakening and is a masterpiece by Nemrah Ahmed.
Jannat kay Pattay by Nemrah Ahmed
Jannat k Pattay is Nemrah Ahmed’s best novel. The story is an amalgam of romance, emotions, suspense, and mystery. The novel’s story revolves around the life of a beautiful girl ‘Haya’ and ‘Jahan Sikander.’
The story is actually about Haya and her religious awakening. Her family’s modern and beautiful girl turned out to be a hijabi girl and went through a lot of criticism from her family. She identifies the actual reality of some men and society.
The novel is a complete set of emotions from beginning to end. The mysterious story is made so interesting with a great underlying spiritual awakening, as seen in most of Nemrah Ahmed’s novels.
Namal by Nemrah Ahmed
Namal is another best Urdu novel to read. The novel is written based on Quran Surah ‘Namal’, meaning ants. Hence the story highlights the people considered the weakest in society.
The story’s plot is actually about a murder case and highlights the importance of money and its significant evil nature in society. The novel revolves around Faris Ghazi, who is an intelligence officer and
Namal is a deep story that combines brutal murder with treacherous deception. Faris Ghazi, an intelligence officer, is sentenced for murdering his step-brother and wife. However, it turns out that Faris Ghazi is not the actual murderer.
Nemeth Ahmed has beautifully portrayed the characters in shades of grey, and relating every novel to religious awakening is why people love her novels.
Abdullah by Hashim Nadeem
This spiritual novel tells Abdullah’s journey from Ishq-e-Majazi to Ishq-e-Haqeeqi. Sahir, who is later named ‘Abdullah,’ is the main character of the story and falling in love with Zohra completely changes his life.
The story is about Sufiism and explains the actual meaning of love. He belongs to a modern family where praying is considered strange. However, Abdullah leaves all those facilities for finding meaning in his life.
The story explains that love is not just a union of two bodies but souls. The novel involves different spiritual journeys of Abdullah and is a must-read.
La-Hasil by Umera Ahmed
La-Hasil is among the best Pakistani novels in Urdu for novel lovers. It revolves around the life of a girl who faces many hardships while growing up. All the hardships lead her to become a call girl. However, her pure soul never accepted that.
The novel tells the harsh realities of this society and life. It explains that the never-ending desire cannot satisfy the souls. Must read this amazing novel by Umera Ahmed.
Umrao Jan Ada by Mir Hadi Ruswa
This iconic novel by Mir Hadi Ruswa depicts the story of Amiran, who gets kidnapped and sold at Lucknow by Dilawar Khan. The story reveals the social and moral hypocrisy present in our society.
Amiran, after being sold, becomes a famous courtesan of Lucknow ‘Umrao Jaan Ada’. She gets famous for her appealing beauty and charm. Umrao Jan Ada also happens to be a talented poet, dancer, and singer.
Mirat ul Uroos by deputy Nazeer Ahmed
Mirat ul Uroos is another marvelous novel by deputy Nazeer Ahmed. The story revolves around the two main characters, “Akbari” and “Asgari,” and their grandchildren. It shows the difference between the two. Akbar’s granddaughter is arrogant yet raised with love.
Whereas the Asgari’s granddaughter is portrayed as the complete opposite. Their grandsons fell in love with them and ultimately married them. The novel reveals harsh circumstances that made them decide between forgiveness and faith.
Amar Bail by Umera Ahmed
Another best Urdu novel by Umera Ahmed, amongst others, Amar Bail’s story revolves around the love story of Umar Jehangir and Aleezay Sikandar. Umar belongs to the family of a corrupt bureaucrat, whereas, Aleezay is a child of a broken home and lives with her maternal parents.
The novel reveals the true bureaucrat culture in Pakistan and the impact of broken families. It is not just a story of Aleezay and Umer but about lust for power in our societies, insecurities, sacrifices, broken family, and imbalanced relationships.
Umera Ahmed has beautifully highlighted prevailing social evils, such as nepotism, corruption, rule of power, and injustice. This amazing novel was published in Shuaa Digest in episodes (March 2000 – March 2003).
Udaas Naslain by Abdullah Hussain
Everyone must read the best Urdu novel penned by Abdullah Hussain. There are three parts to the novel. It narrates the time of the British Raj, the Indian Independence movement, and the partition of India.
The story revolves around the Muslim families of Roshan agha, Niaz Baig, and Ayaz Baig. Roshan agha belongs to a strong family with political influence. At the same time, the family of Niaz and Ayaz Baig lives in the village of Roshanpur.
Naeem, the son of Niaz Baig, gets into the army as the first world war begins. After coming back, he joins politics after realizing the injustice done to Roshanpur.
Hamsafar by Farhat Ishtiaq
The very popular novel ‘Hamsafar’ by Farhat Ishtiaq is among the best Pakistani novels in Urdu. A famous drama has also been made in the novel with the same name. The story reveals how selfishness, ego, and misunderstandings can lead to broken relationships and families.
The story is about Third, Asher, and Harem (daughter). The Khird is the story’s main character and the only child, grown-up by her mother as her father passed away. Khird gets shocking news of her mother being diagnosed with last-stage cancer.
The novel is full of twists, with Khird getting married to her uncle’s son Asher. They face many hardships in their life but with patience and endurance. The novel is a roller coaster of emotions and is a must-read.
Aangan by Khadija Mastoor
Aangan is referred to as the masterpiece by Khadija Mastoor. The novel was published in 1962. Angan is available in almost 13 languages now for its best story about the partition of India. The novel is about the background of the Independence movement and political developments.
The story revolves around the characters of Chammi, Alia, and Jamil. They belong to a prosperous family. However, the story has beautifully depicted the importance of women in developing a house.
It shows how the country’s political situation has an impact on their family. After the death of their father, the family members sell the mansion, and their decline begins. Must read this amazing novel by Khadija mastoor.
The novel concludes the 12 best novels in Urdu of all the time you must read, written by popular writers of Pakistan. The novels mentioned belong to different genres, including history, romance, and religious novels.
