Prophet | Islamic School Librarian

Eliyas Explains: What was Prophet Muhammad (saw) Like? by Zanib Mian illustrated by Daniel Hills

Zanib Mian once again fills a void in the literary world for our children using her easy to read and relate to protagonist’s voice. Over 149 pages, filled with illustrated doodles, details about our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) flow through the fictional framing of Eliyas and his family heading to the airport to pick up their Mamoo. It starts with the standard introduction of characters that all Eliyas books have, so while it is part of the series it can be read as a standalone as well. But really if you have children 5-14, you should invest in the entire collection. Also, as with the rest of the series, the book is checked by a Shaykh who is named at the beginning so that the reader can enjoy the Islamic details that are to follow. I know there is some debate about the cave and the spider, a story shared briefly within the pages, but I will leave it to those more knowledgeable to decide upon. The book works well read aloud and independently, either way I’m confident children will enjoy the story, learn something new, and grow in their love of our Rasul Allah, alhumdulillah.

SYNOPSIS:

Eliyas’s dad’s uncle, Haroon Mamoo is coming for a visit, and while Mum wants to make sure they leave at a specific time to get to the airport, Dad isn’t stressed, he had a dream about Prophet Muhammad saw the night before and the kids want to hear all about it. The story progresses weaving in things around them with Mum and Dad tying them to the sunnah. From a fight at the airport, to a pigeon getting stuck, to Haroon Mamoo seeming to have gotten lost. The book is preachy, in the best way possible, as Eliyas and Aasiya banter, crack jokes, and learn along with the reader.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I love Eliyas’s voice and the weaving of a fictional story to convey the non fictional sunnahs that are truly the heart of the book. The information presents in an easy way for children to hopefully remember it, and to also see how they should be behaving and acting in their own lives. The fun fonts, illustrations, and layout make it inviting to pick up and keep reading.

FLAGS;

None

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
This book is not a journal, like some in the series are, but provides ample opportunity to discuss points on each page.

Bedtime Sunnahs Emaulating the Prophet one night at a time by Alia G. Dada illustrated by Robin Boyer

A beautiful rhyming 11 page story for toddlers and up to learn parts of the Prophetic routine for bedtime. Yes, 11 pages, the book in total is 28 pages, six are Appendixes, one is about the author, one is a dedication, and the rest are blank or title pages. For a $15 book, I’m a little disappointed, which is unfortunate because the illustrations and information on those 11 pages is great. The references are informative and important to see what Hadith the Sunnahs come from, but I think the story itself could have, and should have, been longer.

Each page has a different family getting ready for bed and doing various acts. I love that moms and dads are involved in bedtime routines. The illustrations show diversity and the text is simple, flowing, rhyming and straight forward.

From brushing teeth to reciting Athkar, making duas to Allah and laying on our right side, each page has wonderful detail in the warm full color pages. I love the decorations on the bedroom walls, signs with Allah’s name, statements saying “Strong like Zainab, Brave like Fatima, Smart like Khadija”, as well as “Smile! it’s Sunnah!”.

The book is for Muslim children obviously, and makes getting ready for bed seem like a fun and bonding event.

The first Appendix is a Parents Notes on what the purpose of the book is and the second one is Islamic Terminology. From the their Appendixes address the Ahadeeth about sleeping in a state of Wudu and on your right side, bedtime Atkhar, and reciting the three Quls, I wish it would have including the Quls, seeming as the book is meant to provide information for caregivers to convey to a child, and many households may have non Muslims or new reverts in that role.

The remaining two reference pages are Additional Sunnahs for Advanced Children which include Reciting Ayah al Kursi, the last two verses of Surah al Baqarah, the dua before bed and when waking in the morning. The dua texts are given, the Ayats are not. There is then a final page about the author.

The hardbound glossy cover and thick inside pages are well done in this 8×8 perfect sized book for bedtime, I just wish there was more of it.

Islamic School Librarian

Reviewing Children & YA Islamic Fiction, Books by Muslim Authors, & Books Featuring Muslim Characters

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Eliyas Explains: What was Prophet Muhammad (saw) Like? by Zanib Mian illustrated by Daniel Hills

Bedtime Sunnahs Emaulating the Prophet one night at a time by Alia G. Dada illustrated by Robin Boyer