POETRY
Hum Dum — A Poetry Collection
by Saniya Ruqiah Ahmed
Overview
The intention of the collection is to capture companionship, family, home, and love. Hum Dum in Urdu is difficult to capture as a simple translation into English. At its simplest, it can be translated as companion, but its true essence goes much deeper: derived from Farsi, ‘Ham’ (ہم) means ‘we’ or ‘us,’ and ‘Dam’ (دم) means ‘breath.’ When combined, ‘Ham Dam’ literally translates to the one you breathe with.
These pieces strive to do and be the same. A breath of fresh air to the themes of identity as a first-generation Muslim Indian American woman navigating the turmoil and revolution to exist in completion, this collection aims to provide reflection, to bring voice to words that begin as roars and fall as tears, to bring wholeness for all our souls. This is a poetry collection to honor a legacy beyond just the author; may it bring you solace and ease.
Good to know
• Under 100 pages
• Faith-inspired
• Love & loss
About the author
Saniya Ruqiah Ahmed is a poet and storyteller whose work explores faith, identity, and the quiet strength of womanhood. As a first-generation Muslim Indian American, her writing is rooted in love, longing, and the search for home — both earthly and eternal. Hum Dum is her debut collection.
Find Saniya here: https://www.instagram.com/saniya.ruqiah.ahmed/
Reviews
Saniya’s collection of poems is genuinely captivating—richly imbued with Islamic principles and linguistically exquisite. This book is a must-have for your collection!
Subhan Allah, a collection of poems so beautiful, so Islamically centered, SO linguistically rich. My soul is so touched every time I read Saniya’s poems, her heart guides her pen. I know she spent a lot of time writing and perfecting every piece Ma Sha Allah. And the COVER?!!! Gorgeous 😍 a must have in your collection!
A very personal book but every Muslim and immigrant can relate to every poem. Very powerful words & real yet lot of love & humbleness in it. Although all poems are great my favorites are: Warrior Women, Fruits of Labor, The Burning Heart and Paradise Lost. The author is very gifted and exceptional, I can’t wait to read your next book. Loved this book, I recommend that everyone should read HUM DUM !!!!!