15 Black Muslim Poets You Should Know

Have you seen those  "Best of" list or "Get to know" list that are constantly put out by well intended non Muslim publications  websites serving up the type of Muslims that they want other Muslims and non-Muslims to  be impressed with or follow/buy from/support, etc as the next big thing? Yeah, I am not too cool with selection or representation that is chosen from outside of the community. Don't get me wrong now,  I love supporting and cheering on Muslims who have earned acclaim.  You will often see me using my own platforms to push other Muslim writers/artists/filmmakers because support is needed and is important to give. However, I truly believe that it's important that any Muslims who are looking for the community's support - should also support the Muslim community! If you're a Muslim artist and your only fans are outside of the Muslim community, something is a little off with the tea. No, a Muslim artist's work doesn't have to be solely attached to or rooted in  Islam or in Muslims to be valuable or noteworthy.  Buut, we should see you in the community, helping the community, praying in the community, building in some meaningful way with the Muslim community that you want to support you in return. 

No, it's not too much to ask for Muslim artists to lend a hand - however they can, whenever they can. Many Muslim artists are doing just that and they still manage to put out dope works, stay fresh,  and make connections across platforms and demographics. They don't forget us, even as they shine! Which is why I choose these 15* Plus*  Black Muslim Poets/Artists that you SHOULD know and SUPPORT because they put in the work in and outside of our community:

1. Najmah 53 -  Nicole Najmah Abraham (www.najmah53.com) is 1 hard-working sister. A native of Brooklyn, NY, she is a mother, a spoken word artist, a business owner, a photographer, a youth worker, a radio host, and motivational speaker. She is always making moves in the community and beyond! Check her out.

2. Youssef Kromah, b.k.a Seff Al-Afriqi, is a Muslim first, published poet, author, entrepreneur, humanitarian, activist, HUDATV host in Egypt. His catchphrase is: "DoItFortheDeen"! 

3. Amir Sulaiman (www.amirsulaiman.com) is a poet, recording artist, Harvard Fellow, actor, screen writer and producer born in Rochester, New York. His poems cross subjects of love, tragedy as well as what it means to reconcile humanity with the unprecedented trials of modernity. The Jalaluddin Ar Rumi of our generation - his poems are master classes not just in writing, but in emotion, activism, love, faith and sight! I could on, he does so much ....blessed to have shared the same stage and opened for him at Mount Holyoke College.

4. Ibrahim Jaaber (http://gijaaber.com) is a third generation American Born Muslim, a graduate from the University of Pennsylvania, a basketball player, spoken word artist, published author, a husband, a father and the Founder & President of Color Me Muslim which is an identity based organization that focuses on the advancement of Muslim Youth. He puts in a lot for the community and is always willing to give back! 

5. Asmaa "Bee True" Watts is born Muslim American poet and spoken word artist, business owner, and mother originally from Philadelphia, PA currently residing in Houston, TX. I had opportunity to see the sister perform in person last year and she was phenomenal! 

7. Aginah Monique & Khadijah - sisters, by blood and faith, they are teachers, community workers, mothers, always smiling, giving and helping. I've seen them perform live in Boston and the chemistry is wonderful.

8. Tyson Amir (tysonamir.com) from the Bay, he is a published poet, a rapper, and an educator that has been putting in work over a decade. His book, Black Poems, on October 15th, 2016 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Black Panther Party.

9. Bonaa Muhammad (boonaa.com) is a Canadian poet that has been called the voice of our generation. Reppin' Canada, Boona is spoken word artist, motivational speaker, TedEX speaker, youth worker and a community activist. In the last five years, Boona has been every where blending Islamic history and poetry and hip hop seamlessly. There is probably not a week that goes by that I don't use something by Boona in my classroom.....

10. The Legendary  Wilmore Minkah Sadiki (www.sadikimusic.com) - I had to do it! I had to put  our elder on the list because brother Sadiki has been writing and singing poems for Allah my entire life and he is STILL going, Alhamduleelah! If you were born Muslim in the United States in the 70's or 80's - you had his cassette tape or your parents had a record or two by him or you borrowed his tapes from somebody and dubbed it! Brother Sadiki taught us how to spell Allah (Capital A.L.L.A.H - Alhamduleelah!) and that one day the "Muslim Child" will shape the world. He taught us that: "Allah did" and that being "Covered all over" was beautiful and that everything that we as Muslims go  through  is because "It's Him" and He is worth it. *Honorary!*

11. Alia Gabres ( creativeummah.com/alia-gabres) is a Melbourne based Poet and Storyteller. As Creative Producer in Arts Programming at the Footscray Arts Centre and also Undertaking Victorian College of the Arts Masters research, her main interest is in using arts practice as a site for knowledge generation and cultural transmission. She was part of the Global Poetics Tour 2011 with New York slam champions Mohagany Brown and others. 

12. Poetic Pilgrimage (poeticpilgrimage.co.uk) is a female Hip Hop and spoken word duo from London who express the world as they see it through the art of rhyme for over a decade. These sisters have had such amazing careers and they always with a new project supporting the Muslims worldwide. Much respect. 





13. Brother Dash
Brother Dash is an Author and Poet. He has been featured on BBC World Television, BBC Radio, Al-Arabiya, The Islam Channel and a variety of other media outlets in the U.S., Canada, England, Africa, and The Middle East. He is the author of the novel, The Donor: When Conception Meets Deception, a play (Black Mirrors), has released three spoken word albums, performed throughout the US, the UK and Canada and is currently working on a second novel and his first series of non-fiction books. He is a graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in English and Sociology and resides in New Jersey.

14. Muslim Belal  is an English actor, screen writer, spoken work artist of Jamaican descent. 

15. Miss Undastood - Brooklyn's finest and one of the first Muslima MC's, mother, youth worker, and independent artist. This sister has been hustling for over 15 years spreading her words and uplifting her sisters. I remember when I called her up for an sisters' Eid event in Western Mass and through a -----blizzard-- she showed up and entertained and shared a different 

Bonus: Khalil Ismail 

Bonus: Alia Sharrief

Bonus: Asim Sujud

Flashback 70's : The Propagators - Choose Al Islam

The Say That I am Voiceless - spoken word by Umm Juwayriyah

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Have Muslim/Islamic Bookstores lost the books?

When was the last time you left the house with the intention to visit and purchase brand new books from a Muslim bookstore? Was it last month? Six months ago? A year ago? Have you even been to a Muslim bookstore and purchased books? I know finding brick and mortar Muslim owned and operated bookstores is not as easy to do if you don't live in a major city with a large Muslim population. But what about the online Muslim stores, do you visit them often?

I love books, I love reading, and I love bookstores. My ideal Saturday afternoon is a visit to a bookstore with a cup of French Vanilla coffee. I like to browse the aisles and then sit down with my chosen books and read for like an hour uninterrupted. That's really hard to do with my littles in tow, but a girl always has her  dreams. Last week though, I had an opportunity to catch my dream and stop at a Muslim bookstore in Connecticut. I was excited right up until I went into the store and walked around.

Now, overall it was a nice bookstore. It was spacious (so much could be done in that space). There were a lot of books.  In fact, the books were all over the place. Books published in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India, and even Canada. The majority of the books covered many Islamic topics like Tawheed, Iman, Ramadhan, Zakat, Nikah and there was even a small Islamic Children books section that I eagerly walked through in hopes to find some treasures for my four year old. On the plus side the children's books were colorful and well organized. Some had characters, but many did not.  There were stories for Muslim children about Allah, the prophets, and Islamic adab (manners) - but no Islamic fiction stories for children at all. Soon I veered off to the section that showcased Islamic accessories like incense, oils, hijabs, and kuffis.

When I returned to my car, I had a  bag of hijab pins, two kuffis, and two packs of incense. What I didn't have in my bag were books. Let me write that again: I went to a Muslim bookstore and bought hijab pins, kuffis, and incense!  I didn't buy any books from a Muslim bookstore. And I assure you this is not an isolated experience or a regional problem. I've visited many Islamic book stores all around the country last summer and I was left with the same feeling -- where are the books?

Nothing wrong with Islamic/Muslim bookstores only catering to a certain genre. That's wonderful actually. What isn't wonderful is for them all to only cater to one genre and exclude and deny other Muslim authors, especially Muslim authors from their country an opportunity to present their work to their community. Also, I am going to keep it 100 - a lot of Muslim bookstores are not inviting at all. There are so many books everywhere, it's hard to focus and really browse the racks. There isn't usually any reading nooks to sit and read or flip through the books comfortably before you decide to purchase either. Furthermore, selling thobes, abaya, incense, car stickers, lotion, and hijabs right next to the books isn't wise because they will often  upstage the books. So you're not selling books because the books aren't the main attraction (and lack real variety/diversity of subjects).

Next big issue: Why aren't there any activities at Muslim/Islamic bookstores? I have never been to a book reading, poetry reading or book signing at a Muslim bookstore. All of my own events have been held at big box stores like Barnes and Noble. And it's not because I didn't reach out to the Muslim/Islamic bookstores. I reached out to them first and was politely told that they don't carry/won't carry Islamic fiction. Okay, cool, if that is your personal beliefs. I can respect that. But how can Muslim/Islamic bookstores in America and other parts of the Western world survive if they don't provide the Muslims with the books they want to read? And another issue that ticks me off is: why are Muslim authors from the East prioritized and green lighted over Muslim authors from the West? That's bigoted and if you think a Muslim author needs to have been born in Karachi or Makkah to present something of value to the ummah -  you need to check your discrimination outside of Islam and not bring that attitude into a Muslim bookstore.

And why can't I sit down with a cup of French Vanilla coffee and read at a Muslim/Islamic bookstore?! Creating an inviting atmosphere might actually attract more buyers in the store. During my visit to the bookstore I was one of three people in the store plus the shopkeeper. Again how can Muslim bookstores survive without book readers? I am not sure how some Muslim owned and operated bookstores are bank rolling their businesses without traffic and sells - but can you all get back to the business of actually selling and promoting books and Muslim authors?

Muslim bookstores are essential, necessary, and special places. Yes, I want a place to browse and find a color coded Qur'an, a book of dua, seerah of nabi (sallallallahu alyhi wa sallam), or the latest jewel by sister Yasmin Moghahed, Ingrid Mattson, or Bilal Phillips. But a Muslim bookstore with a Muslim children's section without Hena Khan's Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns or any of Umm Zakiyyah's books, or sister Janette Green's Ramadhan and Eid coloring book, or Youseff Kromah's book of poetry, Ameerah Rahim's books on homemaking and herbs, or brother Shafiq Abdus Sabur's book on Law Enforcement and Black men, or Rufus &Jenny's books on Surviving Marriage, Ell Muslimah, Nasheed Jackson, Malik Salam or Karimah Grayson  is doing his/her community a disservice. GOOD Muslim authors deserve to be in every bookstore across the world but, they especially deserve to be in Muslim bookstores across their own country.

Don't loose the books, Muslim bookstore owners! Don't deny Muslim authors a home to showcase their  writing. Don't lose the bookstore. Bookstores need books. Muslim authors need Muslim bookstores. Book readers need bookstores and authors to work together!

Black Muslims Matter: A Webinar Hosted by Boonaa Mohammed

Today our brother Boona Muhammad hosted an informative webinar with diverse speakers.  Boston's own, Dr. Abdullah Hakim Quick, Dr. Donna Auston, and  Imam Shadeed Muhammad all spoke about the history, struggles, and overall plight of Black Muslims around the world. It was a much needed dialogue between Black Muslim thinkers, educators, and speakers that provided a platform for  a well-rounded response to the  #RIS2016 Conference in Toronto, Canada and some of the outrageous and unfortunate statements that came from Zaytuna College's, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, a few weeks back.

If you weren't able to catch the live webinar, check out the recorded event on Youtube and come back and leave some comments for me. I'd love to hear what y'all thought of the dialogue. Next month, I will be sharing my own commentary on the program and some other Black Muslims Matters that need to be addressed in education, community, and women's issues. 

Book Author Umm Juwayriyah for Read Alouds

Hey everyone! As salamu alykum! I am now booking dates for 2017, enshallah! If you would like for  me to come to your Muslim school, daycare center, MSA banquet, Masjid fundraiser, sisters' event, youth retreat/program, -etc, shoot me an email for details.  

Read Alouds are just the beginning. I also offer an assortment of workshops, presentations, professional development trainings for educators onsite and online for you to choose from - or we can work together to develop something unique for your audience. 

Enshallah, I hope to see you all soon!

The BIG End of the Year Book List: Islamic Fiction Edition

Here we are with just a couple of days left in 2016 and it's certainly a time for reflection. New lives were birthed, many lives sadly were also lost and returned back to their Creator. Through it all we prayed, fought through fear, created new loves, was inspired by people, travels, and good stories. I know I was! This was a dope year for Muslim authors and Islamic fiction, y'all. There were so many good books released - I'm talking instant classics! And there were lots of brand spanking new authors that  jumped into the canon to claim their right to share their stories. My Kindle is still stuffed because I bought more books than I could read. Now, I know that probably sounds bad, but I assure you,  I was working on my own writing. 2016 was very productive for me as well. Alhamduleelah, I finished writing three books and put a serious dent into a fourth book during NaNoWriMo. But we'll talk about alladat, enshallah, in 2017.

Back to these Islamic Fiction books by our fab Muslim Authors. Too often Muslims and non-Muslims alike can't find our literature and prose. We talked about this last year and unfortunately, it hasn't really changed this year. So these lists are really important not only for readers, but also for schools, colleges, and media to see the representation of Muslims in the arts. That said, it's really important that if you read this blog, hit the share button and send it to everybody. It's about sadaqah (charity), it's about representation, it's about liberation and it's bigger than all of us. 

Without further ado, it's The BIG End of the Year Book List: Islamic Fiction 2016 Edition + a few extra goodies. 

1. The White Elephant by Aishah Adams - New author, Aishah Adams, serves up a great story. In an age where divorce is rife and couples are frustrated and miserable, marital issues can no longer be swept aside. Just as an elephant in a room signifies an obvious problem that isn’t being addressed, Aishah Adams sheds light on marital matters which communities across the world would rather not talk about. 

2. Behind Picket Fences by Hend Hegazi. My home state sister does it again. I know it's that Massachusetts air, but truly sis. Hend can tell a story! This is one of those instant classics and enough feel good twists and turns to keep you turning the pages hoping for the best outcome. I would love to write the screenplay for this one, enshallah. Grab this book for a vacay read. "Behind Picket Fences is a fast moving, intricately weaved, and timely story about every day people navigating the realities of life. Author Hend Hegazi has crafted a story that is sure to entertain and make her readers reflect as well." - Umm Juwayriyah, author

   

3.It's Ramadan, Curious George by Hena Khan and H.A.Rey It's Curious George, so you couldn't go wrong here! We all grew up reading about the curious, sweet monkey get in and out of trouble! Throw Ramadan in the mix and his Muslim friend Kareem and you've got a winner.

4. Owl & Cat Ramadan Is...by Emma Apple. Speaking of winners, everything my sister paints, draws, and writes sings victory (mashallah)! This sweet story follows Owl & Cat, and "their family and friends as they celebrate the 30 days of the Islamic month of fasting. They learn that Ramadan is about patience, prayer, kindness and many wonderful traditions!"

5. Cinderella: An Islamic Tale by Fawzia Gilani Sis. Fawzia is a prolific children's writer. Even though she grinds hard, don't think for a second these new fairy tale books don't make the cut. "In this version we follow the trials and tribulations of the sweet, gentle, and pious Zahra when her parents die and she is left at the mercy of an uncaring stepmother and stepsisters. This is a well-crafted Islamic version of the classic tale in which faith, goodness, and prayer are rewarded in the end. The charming, richly detailed illustrations of Shireen Adams, set in medieval Andalusia, help bring the text to life."

6. His Other Wife by Umm Zakiyyah. She needs no introduction as she is prolific novelist and her stories are well loved,  alhamduleelah! You may have started reading this new 2016 book in her online group, but if you haven't read it in it's entirety yet - what  are you waiting for? Sisters, brothers, marriage guardians, and Imams talk about this ting in Islam called polygyny much, but how does it actually go down in the West? "Jacob and Deanna are a power couple. Aliyah is Deanna's best friend...whom Jacob wants to marry." Find out!

7. Nothing But Love: Is This Love Worth Fighting For? By Zaneefa Zaneer.  Sis. Zaneefa is another *new author* and her fave genre is romance! So decided to flip the script and spice up Islamic Fiction with a little love - halal style. If you haven't read any Islamic romance novels yet, Nothing But Love is good starting place. "Barakah has survived the unthinkable, but unresolved feelings of hurt and anger still plague her. And her trouble is far from finished when her friend's last will threatens to complicate her destiny further."

8.Destiny by Amina N.  Georgia, Stand up! Senegal, stand on up! Sister Amina is here for you and is a new author after my own heart! Destiny easily fits in the Islamic fiction category while still owning a strong narrative. This is a quick read and would be great for book clubs. And shout out to sis. Hend Hegazi for the editing.










9. The Broken Half by Sahar Abdulaziz This sister can write both children's books and deep, dark novels. If you are looking for contemporary women fiction with a slice of Muslim voices throw into the mix, The Broken Half will not disappoint you! " The Broken Half, is the harrowing story of a young American Muslim woman, Zahra, whose marriage has been anything but peaceful. Faced with the difficult and dangerous choice to either stay in her abusive marriage or leave, Zahra soon realizes each step she takes towards freedom is riddled with risky and uncertain repercussions."






10. Bismillah Soup by Asmaa Hussein. My kids love this book. I love this book. The story, the illustrations -- the story! I am so proud of Asmaa for this book. I am happy that my son loves to read it over and over again, each and every single night because he sees himself in the characters.  This is the caliber of story-telling that Muslim children deserve! Buy it for your kids or buy for yourself. Either way, you'll be happy you did. "A spinoff of the classic Stone Soup folktale, Bismillah Soup is a story about Hasan, a young Somali boy who ventures out to prepare a delicious feast for his mother. With a little bit of elbow grease, a lot of trust in God and the help of his friends and neighbours, Hasan quickly turns his idea into a magnificent plan and gathers the entire community together for a spectacular feast at the local mosque. Hasan's journey is full of unexpected twists and turns that lead him down a path of discovering what community, generosity and reliance on God truly mean."

11. Princess Diversity and the Golden Rule by Gulmakai Saleh. Sis. Gulmakai takes a spin on the golden rule and weaves a story that addresses bullying and diversity for a home run! Shout out to the talented Ms. Kat Phillips for the beautiful illustrations. Princess Diversity is great read-aloud book and  should be in every library and public and private school. Recommend you local libraries carry it or donate it to your favorite library or school today. 







12. Jannah Jewels Book 9: Surprise in Syria by Tayyeba Syed and Umm Nura. JJ is the chapter book series for bright, curious, fun, and adventurous Muslim girls! In book 9 the authors bring us to our beloved Syria in the Aleppo before the war. Readers get to read about what the city was like before the bombs when light, knowledge, kindness, and faith still reigned all while helping to solve a mystery. JJ is good reading and sets the bar high for tween Islamic fiction. 



13. Ayesha Dean - The Istanbul Intrigue by Melati Lum. We see you, Australia! Come on through and welcome your sis. Melati and her new tween fiction series. A criminal lawyer and mother, Melati's attention to detail and strong characterizations  will have fun with Ayesha Dean! "  Ayesha and her friends Sara and Jess jump at the chance of accompanying Ayesha's uncle on a trip from Australia to Istanbul. But when Ayesha discovers a mysterious note as a result of visiting an old bookshop, their relaxing holiday starts to get a whole lot more complicated!"






14. Spin - Off Cite: A Collection of Flash Fiction by Papatia Feauxzar Papatia is a hard working sister determined to hem the game up! From Islamic romance stories to tween fiction, she has a story to grab you in. So it is fantastic and super cool for her to put out Spin - Off Cite for her readers to taste a little bit of each one of her stories and spices. 









15. Hector Hectricity and the Missing Socks by Elizabeth Lymer.  If your kids love fun, silly, adventurous stories, this is book is a must have! Sis. Elizabeth is multi-talented. She writes poetry, rhymes, songs, and storybooks that all inclusive and yet still diverse, and that breaks down Islam for our children. Hector Hectricity and the Missing Socks, " A fun story for young children that shows how praying to Allah SWT, asking for help from others, and taking a good walk outdoors can help to overcome a sock monster." Make sure you request it at your local libraries and your favorite brick and mortar book store.

16. Mia Power: Helping The Soup Kitchen by Tauheedah Stephens.  I was in a writer's group with Tauheedah Stephens and didn't even know it. I stumbled upon some older books of hers and rushed to purchase them. A quick search for information on her brought me right back to my writer's group. Stehphens is carving out a really nice path for herself. Her style of writing is really fun. It's very reminiscence of Herman Parish and Lynne Avril's Amelia Bedelia series. The Mia crew will have your children giggling and learn a valuable lesson as well. Enshallah, we will get an interview with sis. Tauheedah in 2017.






17. Drummer Girl by Hiba Masood. One of the first children's books by Day Break Press and  the first release from sis. Hina Masood. Drummer Girl is "[t]he tale of a unique dream and the family that helped make it come true." Hina has crafted a beautifully simple bedtime story! Right now this book is only available from Day Break Press, but I am told that enshallah, it will be available on Amazon.com in 2017.




18. I'm So Angry by Sarah Javed. Another first time author author, Sister Sarah has been homeschooling blogger for some time. I'm So Angry addresses a common  issues that all parents deal: temper tantrums in our our little ones. Sis. Sarah has crafted a sweet story from an Islamic perspective and it would be a great resource in Muslim daycare centers, homeschooling families, and for read-alouds. 

19. Adam to Zamzam by Kareemah Alhark and Jamilah Alqarnain. This is another one of my son's favorite books to look through on his own before he drifts to sleep. It's bright and has lots of familiar word that helps Muslims preschoolers on the their way to reading. If you have preschoolers or work in a daycare center with Muslim children, Adam to Zamzam is a must have. 








20. The Shoulders On Which I Stand by Karimah Grayson. This is Muslim/Islamic Fiction and sis. Karimah does it well. Grayson tackles the education system, marital issues, and discrimination in this fast past novel. For avid reader looking for fast paced, engaging stories for vacation, this is one to have.  



21. No God But God: From the Streets to Salah by Jihada. Another new Muslimah author reppin' Philadelphia proudly with some urban Muslim/Islamic fiction. No God But God take you on an engaging ride as one women with many demons transforms her life from the high life of the streets to a more steady life in the masjid. This book definitely was reminiscent of Omar Tyree's Flyy Girl and Sista Souljah's Coldest Winter Ever. So if you love those classic Urban Fiction novels, Jihada is your author to watch. 

22. Ilyas and Duck in A Zakat Tale by Omer S. Khawaja. Loveable Ilyas and Duck are just a great series. Omer has done a great job creating characters that are relatable, cool, funny and able to teach morals to Muslim kids. All of the books are great for Muslim schools, Islamic Sunday schools programs, read-a-louds, and daycare centers. Enshallah, I hope to get an interview up on the blog with brother Omer in 2017- so watch out for that! 






Wait! Hold -up! I am not done yet! Extra! Extra! Read all about it!  I have a few non fiction books that I had to share on this list as well. I know everyone is not into fiction, so I hope these books hit the spot for you.

NON FICTION BOOKS


23. Muslim Cool by Su'ad Abdul Khabeer.  Dr. Su'ad's seminal work on race, faith, and Hip-Hop is an instant classic. Her ethnographic research from the lens of indigenous American Muslimah is ground breaking and is a critical need in academia. Enshallah, her work will open many doors for other indigenous American Muslims to follow.









24. Generation M: Young Muslims Changing the World by Shelina Janmohammed. Sis. Shelina dives into analyzing the new generation of young Muslims, the talents, the struggles, and their growing faith in a world that is plagued with many challenges directly facing them. Generation M comes after her success first book, Love in a Headscrarf. 







25. Bismillah and Bean Pies: How Black American Crafted An Islamic Expression  Through Nationalism  by Asad El Malik. "Although its genesis is in the Nation of Islam, the bean pie has grown to be a part of every African American Islamic expression. It, more than any other item, symbolizes the unique Muslim culture developed by blacks in America. The bean pie in many ways mirrors Islam in black America. Both find their roots in black nationalism and are a deviation from the overarching black culture in the United States."


26. Random Lamentations, Protest Chants, and Affirmations: Selected Works from a Blackfemale/Muslim female. I grew up listening to lectures by this cherished elder sister. Sis. Islaah is an educator, a community organizer, a leader, a historian, and a poet who was gifted with the ability to draw you in. This book was a long time in the making. 40 years in the making actually and digs deep into the intricacies and nuances that the urban Muslim woman, specifically, the Black Muslim woman has had to learn live with, carry, and build on to resist and persist in faith. This is an instant classic and is an excellent resource for colleges, universities and those in academia interested in studying the history of the lives of Muslim women in America. 



27. Beneficial Herbs for Believing Women by Ameera Rahim and Ameer Rahim
 A new release from the dynamic duo that includes Tradional Homemaker,  master herbalist, and Habeebee Homeschooling advocates Ameera and Ameer Rahim. It is such an honor to add this book by these two, but unfortunately it is posthumous award for our dear brother Ameer Rahim, who passed away last week. We ask that the Most Merciful rewards him for his good and accepts him into paradise without reckoning. Beneficial Herbs for Believing Women is a resourceful book that every home should have on their bookshelves. 
If you would like to support Ameera, a mother of seven, in her recovery from her husband's death, please use the family's Go Fund Me page.



All right! That's it folks. Alhamduleelah, I am proud of every author on this list. As I stated before, 2016 was a dope year for Muslim authors. Enshallah, 2017 will be even better. If you're a Muslim author planning on releasing new material in 2017 and would like to be interviewed for the blog or have your Islamic fiction or non fiction book reviewed, please email me: ummjuwayriyah@gmail.com

After Difficulty

It happened. You watched it on the television with your family or you followed it on the internet through your smartphone while you worked over-time. Maybe you didn't watch it at all. Maybe you went to bed exhausted from running errands, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of  everyone but yourself. Hours later the adhan on your clock/phone/desktop computer  flowed into your heart and ears and beckoned you out of your lush and warm bed. Like any early morning prayer soldier you made ablution, you prayed, and then the news hit you...


Trump had been elected the 45th president of the United States and you - YOU, American Muslim women and girls and babies....be afraid! Fear Trump! Cry! Check your surroundings! Fear! Don't go out alone! Fear! Your co-workers are mean muggin' again? They're plotting against you! Fear! Trump's supporters will get your babies at school! Fear! Take off your hijab! Fear! Make your daughters' take off their hijabs! Fear! Trump is coming! Fear! Don't pray in public! Fear! Don't pray at all! Fear! Fear Trump - wait?! What?

Hold up!

If you didn't know, please non-Muslim media - write this down: There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad ibn Abdullah, is His Slave and Messenger! Muslim women fear none but Allah!

But now, these people who are writing these articles, tips, reporting the news with these flat narratives about American Muslim women - who are they? Where did they come from? Are they even Muslim? Did they call for a American Muslim women get together on SKYPE or WhatsApp, in the basement of the masjid (#sideeye) or during someone's nikkah and decided it was okay to define us as so fragile? To shame us? To steal our voices? To scare us? Or is this really just a ploy to cancel all of the fall and winter hijab fashion shows with their rhetoric?!

What I know after being born, raised, and living as a Muslim for over 30 plus years is that American Muslim women are some of the strongest, faithful, giving, creative,  proud, resolute, "making things happen" and trendsetting women in the entire world. Our names, our clothing, our style, our vocabulary/slang has permeated all of America's cultural fabric! None of that happened by chance. Of course we believe our Creator, Allah, willed it, but we also know that generations and generations of American Muslims, men and women, struggled for it as it well!

Too often America - non Muslim Black Americans especially - and the world at large generally, forget or are just plan ignorant of the enslavement, the battles, the hiding, and even the escape of American Muslims and the powerful roles American Muslim women played and have maintained in our communities. They claim not to know the names of any important American Muslim women - except for recent immigrant Americans, yet are so quick to throw on a shirt emblazoned with Al Hajj Malik or Muhammad Ali's faces across them as if these dynamic American Muslim men became who they were without the influence of American Muslim women! Really?

When those first boats of slaves landed in Jamestown, Virginia in the early 1600's, Muslim women were aboard! They worked, they slaved, they endured, and they fought when and how they could  to maintain their faith so that many who have chosen not to continue to carry their faith today, can vote and live how they want. How quickly we forget that many American Muslim women suckled and cared for their masters' children just like Christian women did. How shameful that we don't recognize the accomplishments of American Muslim women from various ethnic backgrounds that have contributed to education, science, law, and fashion in America!

Oh, you're were too busy looking for one of those Muslim bean pies this fall? Well, what do you know, another sweet invention of American Muslims. And what's that, you don't want any pork in your collard greens so you are skipping over those "gentrified greens" Nieman Marcus is pushing and grabbing a platter made with Halal turkey ham and beef bacon from your local mosque, Karim? Thank an American Muslim woman! Looking for introductory Arabic class? Need to raise my money to pay the light bill at your local masjid or Islamic center? Someone to babysit during the weekend classes? You son is short on money needed to attend basketball camp? Your daughter is getting married and needs someone to sew her a modest and fashionable dress? Your ex-husband and his new wife is cutting up with you and they need some stern Islamic advice? Call your American Muslim mother, sister, aunty or grandmother to handle it.

See, the Muslim women that I know were not raised to hide their faith! They weren't raised to feel less than or cower in front of any men, be they kings or presidents! The American Muslim women that I know are business owners, lawyers, students, homemakers, and world travelers. They proudly take their Islam where ever they go. Any hardship they face, they plow through it with their heads held high. "Allah tests those whom He loves the most," a sister-friend just reminded as we discussed an interview for a job that she didn't get. Was it because of her hijab? Was it because she's Black-American? Was it because she took a couple of years away from working to raise her children? Was the H.R. rep an Islamophobic Trump supporter? Will she even find a job in the new Trump era?

Muslim women arrived with faith on ships as slaves to America and they were tested. My mother became a Muslim in Harlem, NY during Nixon's era and she was tested. I was born Muslim in the 80's during Reagan's presidency and I have weathered through many tests and I know many more are waiting. My oldest child was born in 2001 two months before 9/11. As an Afro-Arab Muslim American, she has lived through two  presidents, Bush, Jr. and Obama. Now Trump is coming. I know she will face some hardships in this world for sure. But I don't tell her to be afraid. I don't let her surround herself with those who question her ability to thrive and overcome challenges. I don't let others write her narrative! No! Not when she has two grandmothers on two sides of the world who have fought, loved, and prayer through everything for Allah. Not when she can see and learn from the resolve of American Muslim women  walking proudly throughout this earth and battling every single day for none, but Allah.

I whisper into my daughter's ears every night words of armor that American Muslim women from the days of old have passed down to us in Arabic and English:

"Verily, with every difficulty comes relief" (Qur'an 94:5)


American Muslim are not your sob story! We are prepared. We have faith. We have each other. We are resolute.

Sisters, don't try to dodge the difficulty because "they" want you to be afraid. Know that this life was created to be a test for the believers. Know that you are not ever alone! Know that a great line of American Muslim women have been tested before you. Stand tall and never doubt your gift of Eman. Trust in His Sovereignty and know that truly, there is but one Almighty King of all Kings and He is your greatest protector and friend. He only needs to say "Be" and  it is ---- ease and relief. Trust that it will reach us again!