BRIEFLY ON THE LIFE STORY OF THE BOOK “HALQA”

By the grace of Allah, the prayers of great people and the help of good people, the book “Halqa” has been published, alhamdu lillah. This forlorn book has a hard life story. This poor book was born in prison. It grew up in freedom. Its voice spread everywhere, but it could not walk on its own. Finally, in May 2021, “Akademnashr” published it for the first time. But the troubles that arose over this were extremely painful. Then came another edition, and this one is remembered for even more painful memories and mistakes. Then they printed it again — and put on the cover a picture we did not like. Although we had said, “Don't use this one,” that was exactly the one they chose. Then it was released twice more: the printing did not go as we had hoped. Then, hoping for good quality, we published it in Turkey. But, as luck would have it, the book was detained all at once: ten thousand copies are still lying in a customs warehouse, gathering dust. Then all sorts of rumors spread about it: “Halqa” has been banned!” “The owner of a training center was fined for having the book “Halqa”!” Some Telegram channel even ordered: “The book “Halqa” is banned, everyone must bring the copy they have to the internal affairs department and hand it in!” When we followed up on this order and made inquiries, it turned out to be groundless. The thought came to mind that it might be the personal initiative of some devotee left over from the Soviet era. But we did not lose hope. We wrote a letter setting out the situation to the Head of our State. We also applied officially to the government portal. A problem that had not been solved in a whole year was resolved in less than a week: at last, an official recommendation was given for the printing of the book “Halqa”. We were glad of this and gave praise to Allah. Now the questions from most readers among the general public do not stop: “Has “Halqa” been edited? Has it been changed?” We would like every reader to find the answer to these questions personally. Come on, see for yourself: has the work been abridged? If so, which part has been removed? How has that removal harmed the main idea of the work? Please, try to look for answers to questions like these too. As for us, as the author, we are overjoyed at the publication of the novella “Halqa”, which turns five next month. We praise Allah that it has been read for five years. Some mention that its first copies are being sold for four hundred thousand soums. We have absolutely no information about how many copies have been printed, distributed and sold without permission. Our request to our dear readers is this: the talk, appropriate and inappropriate, about the book, its publication and quality, its editing and proofreading, is never easy for the author to take; every bit of it, however slight, leaves a trace of pain. My dear ones, refrain from various groundless and needless discussions — better to make dua! For example, like this: “O Allah, You have made the book “Halqa” beneficial for us; make its benefit lasting for our descendants as well! Grant that the book “Halqa” become a strong ring that hearts hold on to firmly! O Allah, let the book “Halqa” go on being published freely and without hindrance! Forgive the author's sins! Keep him under Your protection! Give him inspiration and strength to write even better works! Protect him from the evil eye and evil words! Give fairness and goodwill to those who mean to be hostile to him! And help us to be his friends and to be a support and a helping hand to him with our duas!” Is there any greater kindness in the world that could come from you than duas like these? We are in great need of such support from you, both for “Halqa” and for the new writings to come!

With the utmost respect, your humble servant Akrom Malik wrote this on the 8th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, 1446 AH; June 4, 2025 CE; on Wednesday, the day that grants wishes.