Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, has arrived and although we are often focused upon how we are restraining ourselves from food, drink and bad behaviors, this month is also Qur’aan focused. During this time we are reading and reciting from Al Qur’aan and many Muslims complete reading or reciting the entire text by the end of Ramadan. Qur’aanic memorization is an important aspect of the deen and there is a hadith from Sahih Muslim which relates:
Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, “Read the Qur’an, for it will come as an intercessor for its reciters on the Day of Resurrection.” Muslim, Book 9, Hadith 991
The process of learning and memorizing Al Qur’aan, also known as Hifdh Al Qur’aan, is something that all Muslims accomplish on some level, whether it be in the form of the Surahs learned for offering during salaah, or through the classes that one takes at Islamic school from childhood. For this reason, when I stumbled across the children’s book, A Qur’aanic Odyssey, written by author Umm Muhemmed and published by Greenbird Books, I was immediately intrigued. As a revert to Islam that converted as a young adult, I did not get the benefit of having been taught Al Qur’aan as a child or at an Islamic School and this book introduced me to a perspective that I had not been privy to before.
A Qur’aanic Odyssey is a gem that can benefit children and adults alike. The narrative revolves around five year old
Ibrahim, his two year old sister Amna and their mom, Khadija as they embark upon on a journey of Hifdh (Qur’aanic memorization). Other colorful characters such as their father Abdurrahman, their cousins, grandmothers, uncles, aunts, neighbors and friends add a rich, communal element to the story as the children acquire a love for the Qu’raan while learning what the verses mean and how to apply them to their lives.
The author, Umm Muhemmed, effectively conveys the importance of the many principles required for successfully completing Hifdh Al Qur’aan, such as patience, intention and faithfulness. When Ibrahim worries that he may not be able to remember one of the surahs that he recently learned as they start learning a new one, his mother Khadija reminds him to be patient. An excerpt from Chapter 20 on page 69 reads:
“Baita, you take as much time as you need. Remember what Papa told you that night when we were working on Surah Al Fil: your hifdh is not for me, or him, it’s for Allah Subhanahu wa-ta’ala and also for you; it’s like your own treasure map for this world, and inshaa Allah you will find lots of treasures as you make your way through it. . . ”
Another section reminds the reader about the effect that hifdh has upon the heart and in Chapter 21on page 74 Ibrahim declares:
“Then I was just thinking this morning when you got so excited about us passing through Bayyinah that it’s sort of like heart surgery. All this learning . . . like I’m learning Qur’aan by heart and I’m almost getting a new heart.”
Ibrahim and Amna’s maternal uncle Abdullah concisely sums up a major lesson from the book: that of living Al Qur’aan in our lives daily. In the 40th and final chapter of the book on page 162, Uncle Abdullah addresses his nephew:
“It’s a great accomplishment to memorize the Qur’aan Ibrahim, but you know the real proof is in the
pudding,” says Abdullah.
“Pudding?” asks Amna.
“Meaning, it’s what you do with it. Are you living the Qur’aan or just reciting it? Does it change your heart, or to use your expression, give you a more ‘muscled’ heart? . . .”
In addition to this just being an overall great, well-written story that imparts life lessons for helping children and adults as they complete their own hifdh journeys, there is a full glossary with definitions for the Arabic and Urdu terms used within the book as well as a works cited page for referencing the bits of history, hadith and tafsir mentioned. This book could also be used as a great teaching tool in homeschooling and Islamic school classrooms.
You can follow A Qur’aanic Odyssey online at Umm Muhemmed’s blog on WordPress here. Or, obtain a paperback copy of your own through Amazon or Greenbird Books. Part two of the story, Ya Sin, is forthcoming and will be published this summer with Mindworks Publishing, inshaa Allah.
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