An Analysis of the Concept of Time in the Novel Jaage Hain Khwab Mein

Abstract

This research paper explores the concept of time in Akhter Raza Saleemi’s Urdu novel "Jaagay Hain Khwab Mein". The study highlights how the author blends religious, historical, and personal memories to explain time as both a divine and emotional experience. Time in the novel is shown not just as hours or days, but as a journey through memories, love, and human struggle. The main character, Zaman, shifts between the past and present, using nostalgia and dreams to reflect on his personal life and cultural history. The paper also connects Islamic beliefs and Quranic verses to explain time as a limitless force created by God. Saleemi’s storytelling blends fantasy, real history (like Sikh rule), and Sufi spirituality to portray how time shapes people’s lives. His use of flashback and myth highlights that time is both timeless and personal. The novel shows how memory, loss, and love live on through time, making it a central theme of both the story and human life.