A Heart-to-Heart with Nasreen Variyawa on Tuqburni – Bury Me Softly
To me, Tuqburni felt like a journal poured out in fictional form. Award-winning author Nasreen Variyawa wrote this remarkable novel after the sudden passing of her husband. What began as scribbles on sticky notes – an attempt to make sense of her grief – eventually transformed into a story about love’s petals, the strain of loss, the finesse of faith, and the sanctity of friendship.
I soon found myself immersed in the tender moments between husband and wife, and equally stung by the fears and uncertainties that shaped Inara’s journey. This beautifully written book is a heartfelt homage to the author’s beloved husband.
We caught up with Nasreen for a conversation that was part laughter, part tears, and entirely real.
Q: The title Tuqburni is so unusual. What does it mean, and how did the book begin?
Tuqburni literally means “bury me,” but it’s not a morbid story at all – it’s a feel-good love story that makes you believe in love again. In Arab culture, it’s actually a term of endearment – dramatic, yes, but deeply sentimental too. Readers will discover the true meaning as they journey through the book because it’s the heart of the story.
The idea came from the hardest chapter of my life – losing my husband. While sitting with family after his passing, reflecting on what we had been through, I realised our story might help others. It was strange to have a light-bulb moment in the middle of grief, but writing became my way of making sense of it all.
Q: What was it like to write in that season of loss?
Messy. My balcony became my office – it looked like a stationery shop had exploded. Sticky notes everywhere, a giant board on the wall… it was part therapy, part madness. Neighbours would glance over, watching me work feverishly, perhaps wondering why this new widow was working as if nothing had happened.
My immediate neighbour, a passionate and over-the-top woman, would bring me breakfast throughout my iddat period. Sometimes, she’d simply watch me from her balcony as I cried and pressed my head in my hands.
The hardest part was revisiting memories. Every edit felt like reopening a wound. I used to joke that my developmental editor was putting me through a paper shredder – but looking back, I needed it. Slowly, draft by draft, the book took shape.
Q: Inara, your protagonist, leans heavily on her faith. Why was that important for you to show?
Because I’ve learned that sharing your pain with everyone doesn’t always help. It often brings more noise, opinions, and confusion. But when you turn to Allah, you gain clarity. Inara’s strength comes from her private conversations with her Creator, and I wanted readers to see how powerful that reliance can be.
Q: You explore an age-gap relationship and a cross-cultural marriage – topics that often attract gossip. What’s your take?
Oh, people do love their labels—gold digger, sugar daddy, off the shelf – I’ve heard them all! But honestly, if Allah has written a union, those labels mean nothing.
Of course, health and compatibility matter – I’m not suggesting anyone marry someone half-bent over with a cane – but if you’ve found someone kind, supportive, healthy, and steady, why should age or culture matter?
Our beloved Prophet SAW married Khadijah (RA), who was older, and Aisha (RA), who was younger – both were beautiful marriages. Perhaps we need to stop the side-eyeing and instead support men and women who are emotionally, physically, financially, and socially ready for commitment.
Q: Inara’s friends – Elif, Gul, and Harun – bring so much colour to the story. Why was friendship such an important theme?
Because friends really do save us. I’ve lived in Turkey for years, far from family, and the friends I made there became my anchor. Gul and Elif are real people I love dearly, while Harun is the male friend I always wished I had – protective like a brother, yet part of the circle.
True friendship is about acceptance. You don’t have to agree on everything or live identical lives to love someone. The best friends are the ones who show up – no judgement, just love.
Q: Your story takes readers across countries. Which one captured your heart the most?
Tunis, which ironically doesn’t feature in the book. There’s something calming about it – it feels as if the whole city is exhaling peace. Doha comes close too. It’s a modern city with all the frills, yet it feels grounded and simple. And Bursa, in Turkey, where I lived for five years, has the same soul-soothing quality. I always choose places that make the heart feel lighter.
Q: Kareem’s journey touches on ADHD and RSD. What do you hope readers take away about mental health?
Three things:
- Don’t ignore it – if something feels off, explore it and seek help.
- Talk about it. The more open we are, the less scary and misunderstood it becomes.
- Keep your faith strong. When everything else slips, faith is often the rope you can still hold onto.
Q: Finally, what do you hope readers will carry in their hearts after finishing Tuqburni?
Three things again:
- The deepest love isn’t about roses or grand gestures – it’s about connection.
- Health is precious and worth guarding every day.
- Allah is our one forever love. Everything else is fleeting.
Why You’ll Love Tuqburni
Tuqburni redefines love – it tears you open, then mends your heart. Nasreen has written a story that is raw and real, engraving in the reader’s heart a deeper understanding of love that defies all odds.
So go ahead… dive in, and get buried softly in the story that is Tuqburni.
About the author
Faeeza Nakhuda – AMWASA Correspondent
Faeeza Nakhuda is an author, artist, and devoted mother of two, with a passion for writing poetry and thought-provoking articles that inspire positive change. With a keen eye for observation and a unique perspective on the world, she brings depth and meaning to both her words and her artwork. Faeeza’s creative expressions aim to spread knowledge, encourage reflection, and leave a lasting impact.
