Faith
-
Muslim Women’s Bookshelf (A) – A Temporary Gift
Welcome to the latest instalment in our series on A-Z inspirational reads for Muslim women! In this post, we'll be exploring Asmaa Hussein's "A Temporary Gift," a powerful novel that explores the themes of grief, loss, and resilience.
-
How to prevent mom burnout?
My story: On a late night, last September, when our baby was asleep and I was mindlessly scrolling on my phone, I asked my husband, ‘What is your opinion about me buying a domain/hosting and getting serious about blogging?’ His instant reply was, ‘Go for it if that makes you happy. Maybe it might end up as your turning point.’ It had been a few months since I resigned from my job. I had fully immersed myself in diaper-changing and puree-feeding duties. Hobbies – I had no time or energy or both to indulge in one. It was impossible to read with a baby in tow. I was not continuing with…
-
Review : Hidden Pearls Hijab
Growing up in the Middle East of Indian origin, my hijabs have always been either Khaleeji Shaylas/Shawls or Indian Pashmina shawls. So imagine my excitement when I get to try two very different hijabs. (Yes, I am a hijab-hoarder-who-hoards-hijab-of-every-colour-but-wears-only- the-regular-few?) Hidden Pearls contacted me a couple of months back about a collaboration project and review of their products. This review has been at least 2 months in the making but with a long India trip, it got delayed. But then, better late than never. The hijab is a very personal subject to me. I have worn it since I was 11 or 12 and it is like second-skin to me. It…
-
Book Review : Mommy, Who is Allah?
Name of the Book: Mommy, Who is Allah? Author: Zainab Jones Illustrations: Vicky Amrullah Publisher: Djarabi Kitabs Publishing Availability: (Affiliate link) Amazon Every Muslim parent comes across the question – Who is Allah? – from their child eventually. I had earlier reviewed another excellent book which help introduces to children the concept of different names and attributes of Allah. Similarly, this books talks about the name Al Khaliq and explain this attribute – The Creator. Review: Mommy, Who is Allah? This book is about a wise mother and her curious child who notices every thing that the mother is doing. He notices his mother doing Tasbeeh with her fingers after her Salaah…
-
Book Review : Kamillah the Butterfly
Name of the Book: Kamillah the Butterfly Author: Shoohada Khanom Illustrations: Harriet Rodis Publisher: Djarabi Kitabs Publishing Availability: (Affiliate link) Amazon Review : Kamillah the Butterfly The minute I started reading this book, the first thought that crossed my mind was – ‘A Muslim version of The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ Yay. Though the initial two pages of the book – caterpillar eating everything in sight – is similar, rest of the story, thoughts, concepts and illustrations are very different and unique to this book. It talks about a caterpillar who is going through an immense change and is quite worried about all the alterations happening to her. She then asked her…
-
Book Review – Tight Rope
Book review of Tight Rope Author: Sahar Abdul Aziz Availability: (Affiliate link) Amazon and Fofkys The story revolves around Nour, Maryam, Zaid, Shane, Eugene, Russell and the story finally culminates at a protest rally where they meet each other. Nour is a social activist and the main character. A hardworking young Black woman in modern America who undergoes vile racist reactions for her faith and her skin. Maryam is a new convert to the faith and a nurse by profession. Zaid works in his dad’s store. Without going into the details of the story, I’ll list some of the main concepts which the story talks about that is not usually portrayed…
-
7 books for Muslim moms-to-be
( EDIT APRIL 2023: Join me in my new series, Muslim Women’s Bookshelf: An A-Z Guide to Inspirational Reads where I review, recommend or list Islamic Books – mostly contemporary books – helpful for women in their spiritual journey) (This post contains Amazon Affiliate links) As a new mother or a mother to be, we are often anxious and worried about this new and different phase of our life. Worrying about feeds and diapers is extremely common. From a religious aspect, we also start thinking about Aqeeqah, hair shaving etc – things we are not so well versed with/do not think about until we become a mother. I went…
-
Book review : Alhamdulilah For Series
For a few days now, I have been living with the guilt and sadness of having taken a break from my career, for which I have worked since 2006. There are so many factors that made me take this decision. Some days , I feel guilty that all I do from morning to night is change diapers, cook food and clean the house. In my head, I have called myself unproductive or wasting my youthful years inside the four walls of my home. I realized I needed a battery recharge. Or this might end up taking me down like the severe quarter-life crisis I underwent. I need to protect myself…
-
Book Review – The One by Manaal Jafrey-Razaque
Author – Manaal Jafrey-Razaque Illustrator – Tanya Emelyanova Publisher – Prolance Available – Official page & Amazon Growing up in an average Muslim household, we are taught that Allah has 99 names right from a young age. This book is a perfect aid in helping children understand about His different attributes and create awe and love for Him through that knowledge. THE WRITTEN CONTENT: Children are visual learners. They learn by seeing and watching. Hence it is very difficult to teach of the 99 names in the traditional manner. How can we bring it to their level of comprehension and grasp ? 18…
-
Review – Islamic Thinking App
I love quotes. Quotes with an Islamic twist – then I am a fan! During my initial days on twitter, I came across an interesting account @IslamicThinking. This was way before the copy-paste-quote-account trend had taken over twitter. The account usually updated relevant quotes, stories and some times, relevant inspirational anecdotes. A few months ago, they announced the launching of the Islamic Thinking app. I downloaded promptly and I am quite impressed with it. The shade palette of the entire app is shades of yellow in tune with their icon which comes on the first screen. The home screen has the English and Arabic calendar dates. Along with a…
-
Madinah
An Oasis land, The land where the Beloved lies, under the Green Dome. The land where a third of revelation gushed forth. The land which imbues an aura of serenity and calm. The land which gives a sense of peace to the believer. The land which is a piece of every believer’s heart. The land which has a portion of Jannah. The land which openly accepted the believers when they were tortured by the Quraysh. The land of Ansar – the generous lot. The land under which is buried the Prophet’s father – Abdullah. The land under which lies the thousands of Sahaba, in Baqii. The land protected from…
-
Laylathul Qadr – A poem
Ramadan 28, 1437. July 3, 2016 Laylathul Qadr As the angels come in groups of seventy thousand each, with whispers of ‘Peace’ to the believers standing in remembrance of their Lord… Peace shall fill this transient earthly abode until the break of dawn… On a night better than a thousand months… On a night, 1400 years ago, The Book, to lead mankind from darkness to light was revealed… On a night, the Mercy to Mankind (PBUH), was granted the honor of the seal of prophet hood… On a night, when people who submit , ask forgiveness from The One they submit to.
-
Role of parents in inculcating Deen in children
17th Ramadan 1437. 22 June, 2016 Role of a parent. It was October of 2006. My first Ramadan away home. Just two months since I joined college. I was the only one in my class who was fasting. Most of my friends didn’t know what Ramadan was. Completely different from 18 Ramadans before. No one to wake me up for Suhoor. No ifthar. No taraweeh at the masjid. For the entire month I ate bread and jam for Suhoor and bread and jam and Maggi for Ifthar. Normal dinner – Chappathi with some daal curry- for night-time. Yet, I survived it. Never did I think of missing any fast unnecessarily…
