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Thursday, March 23, 2023
Sunday, January 1, 2023
The 2022 Big List of Muslim Authored Books by Muslim Girls Read, Inc & Author Umm Juwayriyah
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Alhamduleelah, this is our 7th year curating the BIG List of Muslim Authored books. We started 7 years ago just highlighting Muslim fiction then year after year expanded to more genres. We've been blessed with many opportunities over the years to embrace and to highlight emerging Muslim authors just starting out with book reviews, interviews, consultations, sponsored programs and contests for our youth as well. Through Covid, floods, tornadoes, relocations, marriages, pregnancies, divorces, inflation - and other major life events, Muslim writers commit each year to writing the story. Our stories and experiences matter and help us represent the richness and expansiveness of our culture, our families, our communities and our faith in action.
As every year, this is the BIGGEST Muslim Authored book list! There is enshallah something for everyone to read, discuss, laugh with or cry to. We at Muslim Girls Read, Inc are beyond proud and excited to share this list with you and we hope that will spread this list far and wide as you have for the last 7 years. We appreciate the support, the networking, and every opportunity to meet with you all that we have been able to.
Until next year, enshallah: Keep reading and keep writing!
Children Books
Join Ahmed the Puppet as he prepares for the week's most important day. Can you guess what day it is? Yes, it's Yaum ul-Jummah in Arabic and Friday in English. Friday is the day Muslims around the world gather together in mosques in their cities, towns, or neighborhoods to learn about Islam and pray a special Friday prayer in congregation. In this book, children will learn some essential things to do to prepare for Friday prayer and the benefits of this day.
Hold Them Close is a picture book celebration of Black past, present, and future—a joyful love letter to Black children.
As affirming as it is touching and warm, Hold Them Close encourages young children to hold close their joy, the words of their ancestors and elders, as well as their power to change the world. A perfect book for shared story time, this book will inspire young people to march forth with pride, glow, and happiness.
True stories from the Hadith
Discover five fascinating stories from the hadith that are sure to capture your child's imagination while nurturing their character and knowledge of their deen.
This book explains important Islamic concepts such as taqwa, tawakkul, and actions of the heart in a child-friendly manner, providing lots of opportunities to engage in conversation with your child.
This book aims to familiarize kids with the hadith by including a complete Arabic hadith reference at the back of the book.
My Babysitter Wears Hijab by Sabirah Lucas
Vicky has a new babysitter! Though she's not Lauren, Vicky's favorite, Sabirah seems nice.
There's something different about Sabirah, too. She doesn't shake Vicky's dad's hand when she gets to the house, and she wears a scarf to cover her hair. Vicky has a lot of questions, such as what this scarf is called, and why Sabirah doesn't want to take it off!
The curious Vicky learns that it's called a hijab, and that a lot of Muslim women wear one. Her new babysitter is happy to explain why she wears it, teaching Vicky about a culture that's new to her, while reminding Vicky how important it is to embrace diversity and people who are different from her!
Whether they are familiar with hijabs or not, readers young and old will laugh and learn along with Vicky and her babysitter!
The Great Labne Trade by Eman Saleh
Ahmed was reluctant to pack labne sandwiches for lunch. He didn’t want to stand out. With the help of his mother, he learns to embrace his Arab heritage by spreading his love of labne sandwiches with the world. But what happens when the rest of the school gets a taste of this delicious spread? Chaos ensues in the cafeteria and Ahmed learns his first lessons in business…
A Sense of Gratitude: Exploring the Five Senses by Halimah Bashir
Explore the blessings of our five senses with hints of Islamic cultural practices, vibrant colors and entertaining rhyme. In a world riddled with so many distractions, it is crucial that we teach children to be grateful and appreciative for all they have. Let us do our part and teach our children how to exercise and value another sense...A Sense of Gratitude.
Super Sister Shine: A Celebration of Super Sisters by Asha Z. Hagood
The Masjid is the Muslim place of worship. Super Sister Shine is a love letter to the women who make the Masjid a place of fun, family and learning. For storytime, young readers can enjoy joining in the refrain, "I know a super sister..." as they listen to the rhyming text and enjoy the vibrant illustrations. Readers young and old will love this celebration of African-American Muslim life!
Our World: Egypt (board book) by Aya Khalil
Come along for a day in Egypt! There's so much to explore -- candy-colored boats, thumping tablas and warm pita bread. Author Aya Khalil and illustrator Magda Azab draw on their personal experience of life in Egypt to create this appealing board book for very young readers.
Don't You Know by Mariam Poppins and Sunnah Abdus-Samad
“A mother is your first friend, your best friend, your forever friend.” -Unknown
Don’t You Know is a fun, thoughtful, and uplifting book showcasing the love between a mother and her child. Each moment is different but relatable to those upon this journey called motherhood.
Under the Sana'a Skyline by Salwa Mawari
Belquis lives in Old Sana'a, an ancient city in Yemen. An exciting writing competition is announced for her class but there's just one problem: the story is to inspire the world. Belquis is surrounded by the hardships of war and and struggle. What has she seen that is inspirational?
Under the Sana'a Skyline is a story for children and adults alike that beautifully weaves community and history with one girl's search for humanity.
Yasmin the Doctor by Saadia Faruqi
Baba's not feeling well, and Doctor Yasmin is determined to find out why. After giving Baba a checkup, Yasmin is stumped. But when she sits down to work on Baba's puzzle, inspiration strikes. Doctor Yasmin to the rescue!
Summer is here and Heba is so excited to wear her new, yellow burkini to the community pool for the first time! She can't wait to look like the other mermaid girls in her family and sparkle like the sun.
But when Heba arrives at the pool and her friends start asking her questions about her new special swimsuit, she feels like she's standing out too much. Suddenly her burkini seems like a bad idea.
Luckily Mama helps Heba to find strength in the mermaid girls who came before her.
Hassan and Aneesa go to a Nikkah by Yasmeen Rahim
Hassan and Aneesa’s cousin wants to get married. The families are excited and eager to help her find a good match. The couple will need to meet and do salatul-istikharah before they decide. Join Hassan and Aneesa as they help the couple with the preparations for the wedding. Even the family cat is involved!
Zahra's Blessing: A Ramadan Story by Shirin Shamsi
Zahra hugs her cherished teddy bear and prays that Ramadan will bring her a longed-for sister. When her bear subsequently goes missing, Zahra finds herself grappling with intense feelings of loss. Over the next few weeks, as she volunteers with her mother at a local shelter for asylum seekers, Zahra befriends a displaced child, resulting in a newfound sense of gratitude and an unexpected Ramadan blessing.
One Wish: Fatima al-Fihri and the World's Oldest University by M.O. Yuksel
Fatima had one wish . . .
Fatima al-Fihri loved to learn. She wanted to know everything, like how birds flew, why the sky was blue, and how flowers grew. But more than anything, she wanted a school for all, where anyone could study and become whatever they wanted, like teachers, scientists, and doctors.
As she grew older, Fatima carried her one wish inside her, through good times and bad. Fueled by her faith and her determination, she worked hard to make her one wish come true. For over a thousand years, Fatima’s one wish—her school—served students and scholars from around the globe, and it continues to do so today!
Do You Know the Ramadan Moon? by Ayanna Abdul-Mateen
Do You Know the Ramadan Moon is a non-fiction children's book which chronicles Islamic Ramadan customs, including the sighting of the moon, early morning Suhoor, daily salat (prayers), iftar, Qur'anic recitation during Taraweeh prayers, and the joyous Eid celebration. Narrated by Abdullah, the eldest sibling of a trio of young Ramadan Moon Explorers, this book also shares facts about the moon and its continuous phases.
Abdullah's Special Morning: A Story of Love of Salaah to Please Allaah by Kifayah Ajibade-Bakare
It was no ordinary morning. It was a special morning. Five year old Abdullah had his mind made up to pray Fajr Salaah for the first time! He wanted Allaah to be so pleased with him. And my oh my how determined he was.
Readers will enjoy following Abdullah as he goes about his special morning. From finally getting to pray his Fajr Salaah to learning Islamic adab (manners) and adhkaar (remembrance of Allaah) along the way!
Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian
Welcome to the imaginative brain of Omar!
Omar and his family have just moved, and he is NOT excited about starting at a new school. What if the work is too hard or the kids are mean or the teacher is a zombie alien?!
But when Omar makes a new best friend, things start looking up. That is, until a Big Mean Bully named Daniel makes every day a nightmare! Daniel even tells Omar that all Muslims are going to be kicked out of the country . . . Could that possibly be true?
Luckily, Omar's enormous imagination and goofy family help him get through life's ups and downs.
Omar's funny, relatable narrative is the perfect answer to the call for both mirrors and windows to fill bookshelves with diverse stories.
Boom, Boom TAP! by Nafisah Abdul-Rahim
For as far back as Khalid could remember, he could hear the music of the world around him. Whether at the park swinging on the swings, walking down the street, or inside the classroom, Khalid could hear the sweet melodies every environment provided. Come see how this gift transformed Khalid into a Hip Hop Artist, music producer, and performer he is today.
Margeaux Weston
This vibrantly illustrated compendium explores the beautiful diversity of the people who live, work, and love across the USA in this joyful follow-up to The 50 States.
Across 51 charmingly illustrated infographic maps, covering every state of the USA from Alabama to Wyoming, We Are The United States celebrates the glorious rainbow of different heritages, religions, hobbies, vocations, and cultures that populate this great country.
Abdul's Story by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
A little boy who loves storytelling but struggles with writing learns that it’s okay to make mistakes in this charming and encouraging picture book from the author of Mommy’s Khimar.
Abdul loves to tell stories. But writing them down is hard. His letters refuse to stay straight and face the right way. And despite all his attempts, his papers often wind up with more eraser smudges than actual words. Abdul decides his stories just aren’t meant to be written down…until a special visitor comes to class and shows Abdul that even the best writers—and superheroes—make mistakes.
With Her Head Held High by Nour Abdullah
Many young Muslim girls love to look like their mothers. They love to wear hijab and should be comfortable doing so. This is a story of an American Muslim girl who wants to wear her hijab to school as she begins her first day in First grade. It is with great hope that young Muslimahs find themselves in this book and relate to its content.
I Have So Many Emotions by Jullanar Shukree
The emotions of a little girl named Alia are endless. Follow her as she explores her feelings when unexpected events happen during her day. The development and well-being of children depend on social-emotional skills. Children who need help identifying, managing, and expressing their emotions will benefit from this book. This book is perfect for parents, teachers, and school counselors. This book is a perfect way to open a conversation with young children about their emotions. Reading ages 3 to 8.
Novels
Tiff’s journey to adulthood was shaped by her uncensored exposure to family dysfunction. This story takes readers on a trip down memory lane, recalling the good and bad times of growing up in New Jersey during the late 80’s, 90’s and into the 21st century. Tiff seeks to validate the life experience of her older sister who suffers from the disease of addiction, while simultaneously reconciling how she was directly impacted. She shares a perspective that honors her sister as her unconventional hero, despite her lifetime of trauma and consequent addiction. This is a story about unconditional love, hard truths, tragedy, addiction, and awakening. Get ready to laugh, and cry, as you relate to these unpretentious characters, in this captivating story, based on true events.
In I Bear Witness, readers were introduced to Anaya, a young Muslim woman who struggles to cling to her faith in the midst of her marriage disintegrating. A devout Muslim woman, Anaya rejects anything and anyone she views to be at odds with her Islamic faith, including her older sister Sadiya. While both sisters were raised in the mosque under the watchful eyes of their father, the Imam, and their mother, who is content to spend her days cooking and baking for the community, Sadiya grew up yearning for a life beyond the walls of the mosque. Set in the vibrant city of New Orleans, Sadiya’s Story brings readers along as she makes a series of choices, each one seeming to steer her further away from the path her parents have chosen for her. As she steps away from the safety and comfort of her family and faith community, the journey includes love and loss, and leaves Sadiya asking herself, “How far can you go before there’s no turning back?”
Love from Mecca to Madina by S.K. Ali
Adam is in Doha, Qatar, making a map of the Hijra, a historic migration from Mecca to Medina, and worried about where his next paycheck will come from. Zayneb is in Chicago, where school and extracurricular stresses are piling on top of a terrible frenemy situation, making her miserable.
Then a marvel occurs: Adam and Zayneb get the chance to spend Thanksgiving week on the Umrah, a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, in Saudi Arabia. Adam is thrilled; it’s the reboot he needs and an opportunity to pray for a hijra in real life: to migrate to Zayneb in Chicago. Zayneb balks at the trip at first, having envisioned another kind of vacation, but then decides a spiritual reset is calling her name too. And they can’t wait to see each other—surely, this is just what they both need.
But the trip is nothing like what they expect, from the appearance of Adam’s former love interest in their traveling group to the anxiety gripping Zayneb when she’s supposed to be “spiritual.” As one wedge after another drives them apart while they make their way through rites in the holy city, Adam and Zayneb start to wonder: was their meeting just an oddity after all? Or can their love transcend everything else like the greatest marvels of the world?
Forever Friends by Sahar Abdulaziz
Love is in the air!
—along with anxiety, obstruction, and uncertainty.
Irwin Abernathy is a walking, breathing, emotional wreck, and his chosen family isn’t faring much better. Harper and Christopher’s wedding is only days away, and the wedding gift Irwin tried to finagle falls through. His late friend’s house next door now has new mystery owners, and even Bones, Irwin’s insufferable cat, is acting like a lovesick jerk. It’s a mess.
Drowning in Shallow Waters by Lyndell Williams and Fahmida Bheekoo Zedan
He waited decades to find someone like her. Now, he must have her!
Growing up, Brandon was an observant Muslim. In law school, he focused on his education and career. Having built a firm filled with wealthy clients, he is now looking for someone with whom he can share his success. It’s not easy.
Hawwah Did everything right in her life, except marrying the wrong man. Now she is constantly on the run, afraid that her abusive ex will catch up to her.
Brandon falls deeply for Hawwah, releasing years of pent-up desire. He must have her, but what price will he pay to be with her? Will he be able to protect her, or will he end up in danger too?
Ayesha Dean Novelette: The High School Heist by Melati Lum
Read how it all began in this sweet Ayesha Dean novelette!
Ayesha Dean has recently started wearing hijab and on top of that is going to a new high school. She thinks this gives her more than enough reason to lie low. But when things keep going missing from the Year Eight students’ lockers, Ayesha is determined to find the culprit.
The Chronicles of Deosai by Tayyaba Amir
Tayyaba Amir's The Chronicles of Deosai is an original Muslim fantasy folktale. Young adult readers will thoroughly enjoy her exciting, breathtaking and inspirational story. With the folktale of Prince Saif-ul-Malook and the fairy Badr Jamal as the backdrop, stepbrothers Usama and Ali and Ali’s cousins Sarah and Zohaib, along with their sets of parents, find themselves in a thrilling, death-defying adventure with giants, a troll and fairies in Deosai in Pakistan.
Silence is a Sense by Layla AlAmmar
A young woman sits in her apartment, watching the small daily dramas of her neighbors across the way. She is an outsider, a mute voyeur, safe behind her windows, and she sees it all—the sex, the fights, the happy and unhappy families. Journeying from her war-torn Syrian homeland to this unnamed British city has traumatized her into silence, and her only connection to the world is the magazine column she writes under the pseudonym “the Voiceless,” where she tries to explain the refugee experience without sensationalizing it—or revealing anything about herself. Gradually, though, the boundaries of her world expand. She ventures to the corner store, to a bookstore and a laundromat, and to a gathering at a nearby mosque. And it isn’t long before she finds herself involved in her neighbors’ lives. When an anti-Muslim hate crime rattles the neighborhood, she has to make a choice: Will she remain a voiceless observer, or become an active participant in a community that, despite her best efforts, is quickly becoming her own?
Home is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo
Nima wishes she were someone else. She doesn’t feel understood by her mother, who grew up in a different land. She doesn’t feel accepted in her suburban town; yet somehow, she isn't different enough to belong elsewhere. Her best friend, Haitham, is the only person with whom she can truly be herself. Until she can't, and suddenly her only refuge is gone.
As the ground is pulled out from under her, Nima must grapple with the phantom of a life not chosen—the name her parents meant to give her at birth—Yasmeen. But that other name, that other girl, might be more real than Nima knows. And the life Nima wishes were someone else's. . . is one she will need to fight for with a fierceness she never knew she possessed.
The Friend Zone: A Muslim Romance by Seyna Rytes
I’ve known & loved him forever, but he only sees me as his sister in Islam. How do I get him to see me out of The Friend Zone?
The Impatient by Djaili Amadou Amal
Three women, three stories, three linked destinies . . .
In North Cameroon, well-to-do young Ramla is torn from her true love and wed to a manipulative older man. Safira, her co-wife, juggles envy and empathy for this new bride with disappointment in the husband she desperately loves. Like her older sister, Ramla, Hindou is married off to a man she does not know or want, a distant cousin whose instability and violence terrifies her.
From an early age, these women were raised to submit to men, or risk shame and repudiation of themselves and their families. They are advised to have munyal—patience. They are told that their fates are the will of the All-Powerful, and that it is unthinkable—or rather, impossible—to defy tradition. They are reminded of the Fulani proverb which holds, “At the end of patience, there is the sky.”
Yet Ramla, Safira, and Hindou are tired of waiting for a happiness that may never come. Their lives are driven by impatience and clouded by the suffering rooted in forced marriage and physical abuse, but it is this oppressive culture that binds them together. In a society that demands female obedience, how will these three impatient women free themselves?
Blackwater Falls: A Thriller by Ausma Zehanat Khan
Girls from immigrant communities have been disappearing for months in the Colorado town of Blackwater Falls, but the local sheriff is slow to act and the fates of the missing girls largely ignored. At last, the calls for justice become too loud to ignore when the body of a star student and refugee--the Syrian teenager Razan Elkader--is positioned deliberately in a mosque.
Detective Inaya Rahman and Lieutenant Waqas Seif of the Denver Police are recruited to solve Razan’s murder, and quickly uncover a link to other missing and murdered girls. But as Inaya gets closer to the truth, Seif finds ways to obstruct the investigation. Inaya may be drawn to him, but she is wary of his motives: he may be covering up the crimes of their boss, whose connections in Blackwater run deep.
In this fun and fresh sequel to Saints and Misfits, Janna hopes her brother’s wedding will be the perfect start to her own summer of love, but attractive new arrivals have her more confused than ever.
Janna Yusuf is so excited for the weekend: her brother Muhammad’s getting married, and she’s reuniting with her mom, whom she’s missed the whole summer.
And Nuah’s arriving for the weekend too. Sweet, constant Nuah. The last time she saw him, Janna wasn’t ready to reciprocate his feelings for her. But things are different now. She’s finished high school, ready for college…and ready for Nuah. It’s time for Janna’s (carefully planned) summer of love to begin—starting right at the wedding.
But it wouldn’t be a wedding if everything went according to plan. Muhammad’s party choices aren’t in line with his fiancée’s taste at all, Janna’s dad is acting strange, and her mom is spending more time with an old friend (and maybe love interest?) than Janna. And Nuah’s treating her differently.
Just when things couldn’t get more complicated, two newcomers—the dreamy Haytham and brooding Layth—have Janna more confused than ever about what her misfit heart really wants. Janna’s summer of love is turning out to be super crowded and painfully unpredictable.
Inaya turns to her female colleagues, attorney Areesha Adams and Detective Catalina Hernandez, for help in finding the truth. The three have bonded through their experiences as members of vulnerable groups and now they must work together to expose the conspiracy behind the murders before another girl disappears.
Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf
When Najwa Bakri walks into her first Scrabble competition since her best friend’s death, it’s with the intention to heal and move on with her life. Perhaps it wasn’t the best idea to choose the very same competition where said best friend, Trina Low, died. It seems that even though Najwa is trying to change, she’s not ready to give up Trina just yet.
But the same can’t be said for all the other competitors. With Trina, the Scrabble Queen herself, gone, the throne is empty, and her friends are eager to be the next reigning champion. All’s fair in love and Scrabble, but all bets are off when Trina’s formerly inactive Instagram starts posting again, with cryptic messages suggesting that maybe Trina’s death wasn’t as straightforward as everyone thought. And maybe someone at the competition had something to do with it.
As secrets are revealed and the true colors of her friends are shown, it’s up to Najwa to find out who’s behind these mysterious posts—not just to save Trina’s memory, but to save herself.
Zara Kaleel, one of London's brightest legal minds, shattered the expectations placed on her by her family and forged a brilliant legal career. But her decisions came at a high cost, and now, battling her own demons, she has exchanged her high profile career for a job at a sexual assault center, helping victims who need her the most. Victims like Jodie Wolfe.
When Jodie, a sixteen-year-old girl with facial deformities, accuses four boys in her class of an unthinkable crime, the community is torn apart. After all, these four teenage defendants are from hard-working immigrant families and they all have proven alibis. Even Jodie's best friend doesn't believe her.
But Zara does—and she is determined to fight for Jodie—to find the truth in the face of public outcry. And as issues of sex, race and social justice collide, the most explosive criminal trial of the year builds to a shocking conclusion.
Not To Be Forgotten Edited by Muti'ah Badruddeen
Original essays, short stories or poetry, rooted in lived experiences of Muslim Women; stories about people's lives and relationships affected by the pandemic, and its resultant lockdown and travel ban.
The COVID-19 pandemic is undoubtedly one of the most significant historical events of our lifetime and, if mankind survives long enough, the events of our times will be studied and mined for history. The lived experiences of those of us living today would form the bases of those explorations.
Every human being living through this event has a story to tell, of their experiences and how this event has shaped their individual lives. As Muslims, the impact on our faith, and vice versa, of living through these times cannot be trivialized. As Muslim women, we consider it important that our stories—experiences, struggles and triumphs—centering this pandemic be documented for prosperity.
Contains works of
Warda Abbas. Leila Aboulela. Nadirah Ashim. Muti'ah Badruddeen. Reem Faruqi. Papatia Feauxzar. Basheerah Jones. Hameedah Kehinde. Shoohada Khanom. E A M Lymer. Afshan Malik. Sarah Musa. Aisha Oredola. Aminah Oke. Gina Petonito. Maryam A. Sullivan (Umm Juwayriyah). Tayyaba Syed. Tumkeen
Islamic/Academic
Futuwwah and Raising Males into Sacred Manhood by Dawud Walid
Futuwwah and Raising Males into Sacred Manhood concisely discusses the principles within futuwwah, or spiritual chivalry, that young men should strive to embody and should inculcate into our communities. While the virtues discusses in this text are not all exclusively related to young males becoming men, this book is tailored towards males, and the specific issues faced by males as they strive to grow into the path of manhood. Just as young women need their own spaces to learn from women how to become honorable sisters, young men require their own special places to instill in them the virtues of upright brothers.
The Islamic tradition calls for a revival of organized training relating to spiritual chivalry and sacred manhood - this is the task of the hour. There are beautiful and majestic qualities embodied by the Prophet s that he passed down to his family members and pious Companions. Those upright men were methodically raised up: they undertook rites of passage, and manly responsibilities which were placed upon them with expectations that they would be executed with excellence.
This book begins by establishing the linguistic and operational definitions of the Arabic word futuwwah, translated here as "spiritual chivalry." The text then discusses the essential virtues for developing healthy manhood, in a specific order of their priority in teaching. The Qur'anic verses, Prophetic narrations, and sayings of pious Companions and scholars on the subject of futuwwah are related with sound meaning, accompanied by meticulous citations in footnotes and endnotes.
Meeting Muhammad by Omar Suleiman
“My eyes have never seen anything better than you. No woman has ever given birth to anyone as beautiful as you. You were created free from all flaws. As if you were created exactly as you wished. – Hassan Ibn Thabit (RA) Allah has never sent a Prophet except that Prophet had a beautiful face and a beautiful voice. In the case of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as Ali (RA) said, “I’ve never seen anything like him, before him or after him”. However, as stunning as the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) appearance was, his character was even more strikingly beautiful. Do you ever wonder what it would be like to be in the presence of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, as his companions were? What would it be like to see him, to host him in your home, pray behind him, and have him as a teacher and friend? Through 30 beautifully detailed chapters with narrations from companions, take a journey from only knowing about him to knowing him and loving him and feel what it was like to be a companion of his in this life and strive to be companions of his in the next.
Contemplating the Qur'an: A 29 Day Reflection Guide and Journal by Umar Quinn and Umm Suhailah Khadijah Taylor
Contemplating Over the Qur’ān in Ramaḍān: A 29 Day Reflection Guide & Journal is designed to help the reader attain greater understanding and benefit while reading the Qur’ān in Ramaḍān.
Each day provides valuable information for each Surah of the Qur’ān such as the main themes, chapter summaries, and the approximate time of the revelation. Each section is concluded with section challenge questions and provides extra space for recording beneficial points from tafsīr books or one’s personal reflections.
These comprehension tools are a tremendous help for anyone who wishes to read or memorize the Qur’ān.
40 Hadeeth on Wealth and Earning by Joe W. Bradford
Throughout Islamic history numerous scholars have authored compilations of Forty Hadith. Al-Imam al- Nawawi is perhaps the most prominent of them, while one of the earliest is al-Hasan b. Sufyan al-Nasawi. Following "...in the footsteps of the aforementioned notable scholars and hadith masters of Islam" this work collects 40 hadith on the topic of wealth and earning. This text's goal is to mention the fundamental texts through which concepts vital to the study of wealth, earning, economics, finance, and financial ethics will be introduced from an Islamic lens. This novel work is essential for Muslims of all levels of knowledge and aptitude seeking to better understand how the sacred texts of Islam address the above topics in a rational and principled manner.
The Muslim Guide for Understanding Structural Racism and Its Impact on Black America by Hakeem Muhammad, ESQ.
The Muslim Guide for Understanding Structural Racism and its Impact on Black America was written to empower Muslims to revive the Islamic agenda of Malcolm X in the fight against racism. The book highlights how systemic racism functions in policing, the criminal legal system, the educational system, opportunities for economic mobility, housing opportunities, and healthcare. The book presents the African American Muslim case in favor of critical race theory. Lastly, the authors propose solutions for African Americans to combat the effects of structural racism on their community.
Sharia Wa Minhajaa - Islamic Law by Imam Yahya Shabazz
This book, SHARIA Minhaa-Jaa-Islamic Law, was written for two reasons. Firstly, this book is to give the broader society a clear picture of Al Islam so they can see for themselves that all our faiths are the same. The Ten Commandments of biblical scripture are right in tune with what I read in the Holy Quran. Although our rituals may be different, our faith Is one. Secondly, this book will clear up a lot of political controversies because it is based primarily on the Quran itself. Many politicians use sharia to put fear into the hearts of the people. This book removes any doubt that Al Islam is the religion of peace. Another book by the author is New Leadership into the 21st Century.
The Muslimahs Guide to the Sunnah Hijab by Qylah Umm Jannah
Allaah commands the believing women to cover themselves. Notice This is a command and not an option.
Ask the average Muslimah how she learned to wear Hijaab, and likely the answer will be that she followed her familial, cultural, or favorite social media example. The proof of this is apparent when you look around at our ummah and see that most do not cover properly, while genuinely believing they do. Surprisingly, even some niqaabi sisters do not fulfill all the conditions of Hijaab. To most the command is clear, so the question becomes, how should she cover?
To answer that question, this book was written. With a comprehensive poem to outline the eight critical conditions of Hijaab, thirteen concise chapters on the essential subjects, and a visual catalog of proper covering examples; this is The Muslimahs Guide to Sunnah Hijaab.
There is No Male Preference in Islamic Law: Translation by Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali
The Lamppost Education Initiative is pleased to present this unique work by one of Morocco’s brilliant legal scholars of the 20th century, Dr. Muhammad al-Ta’wil (May Allah have mercy on him). The debate about Islam’s purported unequal treatment of women is thoroughly addressed with cogent proofs and arguments. This book is an insightful response to Islam’s detractors and ammunition for Muslims who are proud of their faith.
This book has been translated by one of Shaykh Muhammad al-Ta’wil’s former students, Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali, the Founding Director of the Lamppost Education Initiative.
Al Qur'an, Our Vibranium to Fuel a Renewed Society by Laila Qadira Yamini
A thought-provoking treatise that portrays a vision for achieving Quranic Arabic scholarship among African-American Muslims in order to create a high-tech, moral and ethical society for the benefit of humanity.
Self-Help/Nonfiction
The book Purposefully Annoyed & Other Short Stories is an extensive collection of poems and scenarios.
This book will definitely make you think
Not once,
Not twice,
but three times
about every Moment,
just like the show Seinfeld does,
because well, life is Fantastically Complicated.
Dear Damsel: A Detailed Guide for Adolescent Muslim Girls by Dr. Khadijah Tijani
This book is a heart-to-heart conversation between a loving mother and her adolescent daughter. This mother understands that many parents of preteens and teenagers find it awkward to talk to their daughters about sexuality and personal care. She shares these discussions as an ultimate guide for all adolescent Muslim girls. She demystifies the female reproductive system in a way that can be understood by a 9-year-old. Parents and guardians can easily replicate these teachings with their daughters, in a sensitive and non-judgmental manner. Every topic in this book is well-referenced using the Qur’an, authentic hadiths and current medical literature.
11 Steps Playbook: The Beginners Guide to Growing a Community that Trusts and Supports You by Bibi Watts
Likes, comments, followers, customers, etc.; throw all of that out of the window! Yes, everything except for building authentic relationships using a blueprint that works; and then we can come back and talk about the former.
The era of vanity metrics has officially ended, and we are now in the age of sincerity and connection.
Having a place of belonging is an innate human desire that we cannot escape, and this emotion guides our movements. In essence, we will naturally gravitate towards people who provide a welcoming, safe, and non-judgmental space for us, whether that be a physical or digital space.
Because I understand this, I chose to write a book simplistically and get straight to the point. I left out all the fluff and went straight for the facts, most important information, and ended every chapter with action steps.
You can build the community you may have once needed yourself. You can be a thought leader, or leader of any kind. You can have the success you want, and a group of people who genuinely love and support you. Not because you're popular, but because you hold space for them in a way that no one else in your field can.
That is how you will build and grow a community that trusts and supports you, through thick and thin.
Biographies/Memoirs
“My entire life I have been less fat and more fat, but never not fat.” Rabia Chaudry was raised with a lot of love—and that love looked like food. Delicious Pakistani dishes—fresh roti, chaat, pakoras, and shorba—and also Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen, and an abundance of American processed foods, as her family discovered its adopted country through its (fast) food.
At the same time, her family was becoming increasingly alarmed about their chubby daughter’s future. Most important, how would she ever get married? In Fatty Fatty Boom Boom, Chaudry chronicles the dozens of times she tried and failed to achieve what she was told was her ideal weight. The truth is, though, she always loved food too much to hold a grudge against it.
At once an ode to Pakistani cuisine, including Chaudry’s favorite recipes; a love letter to her Muslim family both here and in Lahore; and a courageously honest portrait of a woman grappling with a body that gets the job done but refuses to meet the expectations of others. For anyone who has ever been weighed down by their weight— whatever it is—Chaudry shows us how freeing it is to finally make peace with body we have.
At the same time, her family was becoming increasingly alarmed about their chubby daughter’s future. Most important, how would she ever get married? In Fatty Fatty Boom Boom, Chaudry chronicles the dozens of times she tried and failed to achieve what she was told was her ideal weight. The truth is, though, she always loved food too much to hold a grudge against it.
At once an ode to Pakistani cuisine, including Chaudry’s favorite recipes; a love letter to her Muslim family both here and in Lahore; and a courageously honest portrait of a woman grappling with a body that gets the job done but refuses to meet the expectations of others. For anyone who has ever been weighed down by their weight— whatever it is—Chaudry shows us how freeing it is to finally make peace with body we have.
The Wonders We Speak: Thirty Incredible Muslims Who Helped Shape the World by Sadia Faruqi, Aneesa Mumtaz, and Saffa Khan
In this biographical collection, with stunning portraits and illustrations by Saffa Khan, authors Saadia Faruqi and Aneesa Mumtaz highlight some of the talented Muslim physicians, musicians, athletes, poets, and more who helped make the world we know today.
A brilliant surgeon heals patients in the first millennium.
A female king rules the Indian subcontinent.
A poet pours his joy and grief into the world’s best-selling verses.
An iconic leader fights for civil rights.
And many, many more.
Throughout history—from the golden age of the empires of Arabia, Iraq, Persia, and India, up to modern day—Muslims have shaped our world in essential ways, with achievements in music, medicine, politics, human rights, literature, sports, technology, and more. Give this book to readers who are excited to learn about the great figures and thinkers in history!
The authors introduce their book with a personal letter to the reader, setting out their motivations and hopes for the stories they are telling. The backmatter includes a glossary and bibliography for readers’ further research and learning.
Abdul-Mateen is currently in a high-maximum security prison in the high-aggression unit of Menard Correctional Facility with top killers that have been running the streets of 'Chiraq'. He has spoken to and shared cells with the top ‘hittas’ who done many of the drills throughout the streets of Chicago. His confinement is the result of being convicted of first-degree murder. In this book, The Deception of Street Life, Abdul-Mateen reflects on his time in the Four Corner Hustler gang and how he came to realize that street life is based upon deception. He provides Black youth a powerful account of what gang life is really about and encourages them not to fall into the same traps that he once fell into.
A Journey to Leadership: From Pain to Inspiration is memoir from author Basheer Jones. The gritty and honest narrative shines a light on the tragedies and triumphs that form a leader. Basheer takes readers from his humble beginnings as a child navigating the rough inner city, to a man who conquered the obstacles in his path and became the first Muslim City Councilman in Cleveland. Jones’s inspirational journey is an illuminating example of what it takes to become a true leader.
The Day Little Condors Flew by Halima Sultana
The Day Little Condors Flew details the author's journey from child bride to her traumatic exodus from Somaliland, while giving readers a personal look at the events that lead to her escape with her babies. It gives readers the opportunity to explore Somaliland and its culture through the eyes of the author, while witnessing her growth and courage amidst adversity, romance, poverty, love, abuse, travel, and new birth. Hear her voice as she explains a riveting story through the lense of empowerment, true love, and resilience. In this exciting, " Not Without My Daughter" type story, prepare for an emotional heart-wrenching journey through life, love, and beyond.
At Their Feet: 50 Black Muslim Elders Share Stories of Faith and Community Life Edited by Zarinah El-Amin
AT THEIR FEET is a rare opportunity to both pay homage to, and learn from, one of the most unique communities to ever grace the planet: African-American Muslim Elders born in the 1930s-1950s.
To sit “at the feet” indicates an exchange between student and teacher. Sage and apprentice. Master and disciple.
Inside, you’ll learn and read stories on a variety of life experiences. You’ll read how some of our elders accepted Islam as their way of life on their own in their early teens. You’ll read about experiences traversing Jim Crow. You’ll read about family and business and building communities from the ground up.
The 50 essays within are ripe with secrets and insights that can help the current and future generations usher in new social heights.
AT THEIR FEET is a call to rediscover the powerful age-old practice of learning from elders so that we may illuminate and become the best of humankind.
I wrote Submission to explain some of the reasons why I chose Islam as my way of life. I believe I have a duty to relay my experience because, through the years, many asked me why I am a Muslim and why I decided to wear the headscarf. A five-minute answer does not do justice to the topic. I have watched many debates about women in Islam, and one element was often missing: Muslim women. I believe that it is essential to get their perspective on the topic for anyone who genuinely wants to know the truth about their choices. The human brain works in a way that other species do not. Therefore, every person who is capable of thinking rationally must ask themselves what the purpose of their life is. It must not be to simply live and disappear as if they never existed. The easiest thing to do for a Muslim or anyone else is to live by what we were taught or what we observe others do. The book invites minds to think beyond what they learned and overcome biases that everyone has if they are sincerely in search of the truth.
Dear Abayo, It Be Like That Sometimes by Aisha Yusuf, Juweria Yusuf, and Maymuuna Yusuf
Dear Abayo is a collection of poems, letters, memories, and lessons. This book is a sincere and intimate recollection of the growing pains of Somali and Muslim womanhood.
Modest in the West: An Untainted Journey of Wearing Hijab by Hadiatou Wann
A deep look at the personal and professional challenges of wearing the hijab while living in the Western world, Modest in the West uncovers the spiritual journey of a girl born a Muslim who grew up not abiding by Islamic practices. While working for one of the largest companies in the United States and most influential in the world, Hadiatou Wann learns to fully embrace her Islamic identity, but could that make her a victim of Islamophobia or help her forge a relationship with non-Muslim co-workers grounded on mutual respect? Islam being the fastest growing religion, non-Muslims and Muslims are bound to come into contact. But can they see eye-to-eye? Here in these pages is a rare look behind the hijab and the woman wearing it.
The Giants in My Midst by Masood A. Haqq
"The Giants in My Midst" contains 40 emotive tributes to living people who inspired the author, Masood A. Haqq, to become more than another inner-city statistic. Each of the stories he shares hold principles that are universal to anyone seeking success, especially those that helped him overcome his biggest vice - procrastination. Each dedication is full of compelling stories, vivid descriptions, potent quotes, powerful lessons, and Masood's signature one-liners. These individuals are alchemists in their own right, slowly but surely transforming not only Masood's world but the world for the better. Each feature leads the reader to a more macro truth... we are all history in the making. We are all Giants. We are writing our collective story with each individual deed and are all charged with the responsibility of greatness and glory. "The Giants in My Midst" is a beautiful reminder that although it's imperative to honor and remember our leaders from the past, there are giants among us in the here and now that deserve our full attention and support.
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