A Wan(on)derer’s Roots

In the name of The Finder

I don’t know where my roots are in dunya

Today I’m an American

And a Turkish wife

Yesterday, I was an Ivorian because of the melting pot of African countries found in this unique country once victim of a Clash of Castes

It’s where I’m originally a native from and can at least trace part of my ancestral roots from

I am also an African and not just because I was born in a country within the lines of that continent

Why?

Because people have said I look like a Nigerian woman

Many others say I look like a Ghanaian woman

A very closed friend said he saw my veiled  doppelganger in South Africa

Why not? You see

I’m a time traveler see history lover

I’m a wayfarer

I’m a solemn sufi

And no, I don’t dance at least not these days

I prefer silent moments of reflection and quietude

So What exactly Am I based on the popular vote?

They say my name originates in Sierra Leone

The resemblance between my siblings, relatives, and people from Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Gambia and America is often shocking and mind-boggling

West African Muslim Clerics say I’m from Mali and before that perhaps Niger

I’m an international foodie with a great penchant for anything Somalian or Ethiopian

So Who Am I?

A wanderer

What else?

I’m a wonder-er and a dreamer

I’m passing through this life

I came from far and my soul has traveled for a long time for this divine task

And it’s still trekking a long journey or route ahead back to the eternal bliss to complete the task

I know I have not suffered like many other Africans still trying to find themselves

Yet, my minimal struggle can’t be denied

And He found me lost several years ago and He Guided me

Now my soul knows that one thing is for sure:

I’m a global citizen and I have the blood and imprint of many cultures within me and above all

I’m the daughter of Adam and Eve (May God be please with them).

 

— Papatia Feauxzar, An Accidental Poet

Open the Door to a Wealthier Life: An Islamic Perspective on Personal Finances and Investing – A Review

Open the Door to a Wealthier Life: An Islamic Perspective on Personal Finances and Investing by Farhan Khalid is in a nutshell a crash course on finance basics to live a more satisfying life wealth wise. Khalid is a Chicagoan business analyst with a MBA. He has authored other books on finance and some children’s books. Khalid is also a designer of creative Muslim apparel at Zazzle; ForksandSpoons.

His book Open the Door to a Wealthier Life is a self-help financial book composed of eight chapters without taking into account the front and back matter of the book. Each chapter goes into concise detail about what you need to know to master finance terms and wealth. Khalid also gives many pointers based on his personal experience so the reader can watch out for curve balls.

His book sets itself apart from other books on finance out there which try to bag you with the ‘get rich quick’ scheme tagline. As a matter of fact, part of his book description goes as this:

What you will learn:

– How to develop the right mindset
– How to enhance your skills
– How to maximize your income
– How to minimize your expenses
– What investment choices are available
– Why to even bother investing your money
– The difference between various investments
– Which investments are considered halal and which are not
– How to get started in investing on your own with minimal cash
– How to finance a home without paying interest
– How to prepare for retirement

A wealth of information awaits. Are you ready to open the door?

What I found more useful is the Islamic Funds section.  I say this because I come from a finance and accounting background. So, a lot of the information wasn’t new to me. Moreover, the book explains concisely the available funds in the Islamic world to invest in; short and long-terms. In addition, it gives us options for more volatile and safer Islamic Funds out there and how to get started with halalinvesting. It’s a well-researched finance book that non-finance savvy readers—Muslims and non-Muslims— will greatly benefit from. I recommend it, and I pray the book becomes a source of great charity for the author. Aameen.

I also liked many other things in the book such as the gratitude spirit of the author and his assertion about the power of dua. Having said that, the book is not preachy at all. It’s just the subtle notes I picked up while reading. My favorite quote from the book is, “Maybe you’ve heard the saying: “Have an attitude of gratitude.” It might sound clichéd, but it holds merit. If you sincerely thank someone for giving you a gift or helping you out, you can be pretty confident that he will be willing to do so again in the future. If you thank God for all He has given you, will He not also give you more?”

Support the author and the ummah because 50% of the royalties from the sale of Open the Door to a Wealthier Life is donated to Islamic Relief USA. Islamic Relief has been providing humanitarian relief and aid throughout the world for people of all races and religions for over twenty years.

Read an article on finance by him here. You can also read more about the author and his works at https://heyiwroteabook.com/ and https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B01MXG1GAT.

Original article.

Muslim Mums in Business – Djarabi Kitabs Publishing and Fofky’s

A Ducktrinor Mom

My Muslim Mums in Business series focus’s on inspirational Muslim women, who are balancing the art of motherhood along with running businesses.

Please introduce yourself and your business.

I go under the pen name of Papatia Feauxzar; a name that embodies my Ivorian and Turkish heritage. I’m now a naturalized American citizen alhamdullilah. Djarabi Kitabs Publishing and Fofky’s are my home businesses. They both compliment each other; one being a publishing house and the other being a bookstore alhamdullilah. The goal is help make quality Muslim contributions seen and curate our Islamic History and contribution to the world.

What inspired you to start working from home? Did anyone in particular inspire you?

Many things did. Islamophobia was one aspect of it and I wanted to homeschool my son. I also wanted to witness all his firsts. Nobody in particular inspired me; Allah did. I decided to make…

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The Sandhills of Arabia

The Sandhills of Arabia by American Muslim convert Laila Hasib is a Muslim young adult story of about 100 pages. A quick read, it’s intriguing and to the point. The writing is crisp and witty. Hasib leaves no stones un-turned when it comes to the work of shaitan; greed, propaganda, Islamophobia, corrupt Muslim leaders, white supremacy, enslaved West African Muslims, the Kuwaiti war that I remembered watching new flashes about as a youngster, espionage, and apartheid amongst other things.

The Sandhills of Arabia is also a love story about a young woman and a young man. It got a bit cheesy and corny but in a good way. The fierce and rebellious protagonist Shaheedah has to have some kind of soft point. In addition, the plight of her friend Mary will remind you of what the Catholic monarchs did in Spain by stripping Muslim parents of their children or “adopting” children according to them.

Favorite quote: “Learn from our compassion,” one Muslim character said.

I recommend The Sandhills of Arabia  to your youngsters so they can enjoy a quick read about bravery, adventure and the tenets of Islam. They will also catch a glimpse of what an halal romance entails to. I’m also giving my copy away.

You can buy it on Amazon here or at the publisher’s site here.

Tell me in the comments why you want the book. Other free books are here and here.

 

A Couple Tips

After the honeymoon phase passes, it’s hard at times to stay the hopeless romantics in a marriage. Some couples discover there are asexual. Other become obsessed with intimacy and many don’t even bother with it. It has become a chore for them they can do without. And it’s very common to see husbands and wives become ‘roommates’ to one another compared to love-struck individuals who once couldn’t keep their hands off each other. So how do you keep the romance, spark and intimacy from dying? Check out our “couple’s tips.”

1. Stay More of a Mystery

Men are visual but they differ in what they want. Some men love women who expose themselves but quickly get disinterested in what they once found pleasing to their sight. Other men who are more the momma boys types are used to see a motherly figure in their places of comfort; homes. So, when they come home to a wife wearing skimpy clothes, it turns them off. They want something to be left to the imagination. Find what type of man your spouse is and find the right balance between being coquettish and an enticing mystery.

2. Set Boundaries

A healthy relationship needs boundaries to continue growing. For instance, my husband knows not to impede my career choices. I also know what makes him upset or could destroy our love for one another or marriage. So, we stay clear of these topics for the sake of half of our deen. We practice self-control and try not to change each other. We work on improving our individual persons instead.

3. Self-Care

Get in the habit to look good for yourself and not only for the husband. Your energy and light will shine through you if you pamper yourself for your own sake. This will definitely keep your spouse interested in you and you will have the upper hand in your romantic games. You’re the gatekeeper after all. You can choose to say, ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’

TAGS: COUNSELING, ISLAMIC LOVE, LOVE, MARRIAGE, RELATIONSHIPS

Original article.

Miss Hayati: Is Bringing Up Past Arguments Healthy For A Marriage?

Miss Hayati is a new BellaNaija Style series that explores the mysterious and the seemingly impenetrable world of young West African Muslim women. Headlined by four alternating writers: Fatima Togbe, Papatia Feauxzar, Maryam Salam and Ismath Lauriano, the goal is to inspire young Muslim women to build personal power and live fulfilling lives within their personally defined religious limits.

Photo Credit: Dreamstime

Bringing up past arguments during a disagreement is not unhealthy. We have to understand why this occurs; the underlying issues and not the specifics brought up during the current argument. If your spouse always accuses you of a certain behaviour, it doesn’t mean that your spouse is unforgiving or won’t get past your shortcomings. What your spouse’s accusations actually show is the lack of security your actions have caused your partner to endure and lash out. Perhaps your spouse is complaining because you don’t show enough compassion, jumps to conclusions, don’t show any sign of vulnerability, and the list goes on and on. Naturally, humans marry because they beseech a strong sense of security whether it be by love, social status, faith or financially. So check out a list of things you shouldn’t do when the past is re-thatched in your marital fights.

Don’t argue the accusations
When your spouse grossly starts throwing up accusations heated out of boiling emotions, stay calm and listen to what your spouse isn’t saying. For instance, your spouse said, “You never take me out to eat or don’t kiss me anymore.” You perhaps
immediately thought, “That’s not true, I kissed you goodbye this morning and just last week we ate out.” What your partner perhaps truly meant was, “You aren’t romantic anymore. Your moves are more robotic and out of habit rather than having thoughts and meaning like during our honeymoon phase for instance.” Sure some facts will be utterly misstated but that’s what emotions make people do, exaggerate things.

Listen and Ponder
Just for a moment, take the time to listen and understand why your partner feels the way they feel. Be patient even it kills you inside to gaze into their mind and see the way they see the full picture. It’s rewarding when your partners allow themselves to be vulnerable with you. You must understand that they let you gaze deep into their souls and revealed really personal and intimate thoughts to you that you should value. Why? Because they have totally unveiled themselves to you without reserve and you should be grateful. I mean on a daily basis, we have no idea what our spouses think unless they speak their mind. A free ride into your spouse’s mind is a rare trip one should never pass on! If you act accordingly upon such a generous offer, they will trust you
more. They will also come to rely on you a little more and stop bringing up the past because you would have both grown and understood why you had disagreed in the past and strive to avoid making the same mistakes that caused these arguments going forward.

Don’t Be a Sore Loser
Yes, it felt like pulling teeth to not argue and let your spouse whine on and on and on. Congratulations for being the bigger person and actually listening and making concessions to be better even if you both need work. Also, say it. Yes, say it that you
understood where your spouse’s insecurities stemmed from and why your spouse kept bringing old issues up. In short, the real issue wasn’t properly discussed and resolved. Now, don’t hold a grudge after your therapy session is over because you felt bamboozled or compelled to listen to your half when you had no room to argue your stance. You will have your time to be heard. You can do it after your spouse is done talking by requesting the floor the same way you yielded it without interrupting.
Above all, bringing up past arguments if we really listen to the complaints fosters the beginning of a new era of peace and understanding in a marriage. If you believe your spouse is guilty of always bringing up old arguments, try to be emotionally intelligent with your partner like we suggested in this article and tune out the old details brought up which are truly a distraction. Let us know in the comments what happened when you changed your attitude. Good luck!

Connect with Papatia Feauxzar on Instagram @fofkys

Original article.

Imagine, by Shoohada Khanom

Umm Afraz Muhammed

“Could we talk about something interesting?

While we’re trying to get some rest?”

“Okay, Yunus,” Saarah replied.

Plucking something from the top of her head.

 

Imagine by Shoohada Khanom, is a children’s picture-book geared towards the ages 3 to 8. I had won this paperback from Sisters In Businesswhen they had held a Giveaway in Instagram on March 2018.

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The Five Qualities of Great Blog Posts

The Art of Blogging

Almost every “blogging blog” out there and about 97% of all blogging guides ever written state that one should always choose quality over quantity; one should write great content.

How does one do that though? What does it mean to write a great blog post? Hmm?

Well, there are a few qualities of great blog posts that set them apart from meh blog posts.

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Fofky’s Kitchen Book Review: Tastes of the Ivory Coast

Ramblings of an unconventional Muslimah

You can catch the Shoki, the Shaku Shaku, and the Azonto dance crazes on any wedding video on YouTube. Queens are wrapped tight in their Gele headwear.  Men are donning their colorful lace kaftans or bubu. Ghana, Guinea, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mafe or Tigadegenan, Jollof and Black Panther, Africamania is everywhere. The popularity of the continent of Africa has exploded. The riches of the continent of Africa are some of the most well-known secrets on the planet.

         For centuries, the continent has been exploited for its blood diamonds and fool’s gold, but the best treasure of all is its food. It has delicious food. African Cuisine is as varied as the continent itself from Moroccan tagines pots of chicken slow cooked to perfection with vegetables to Ethiopia’s Injera—a soft wet bread used to increase the eating pleasure of any meal. Let’s re-mention Jollof rice is also…

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PRESS RELEASE : ‘FOFKY’S KITCHEN’ BY PAPATIA FEAUXZAR

THE FIRST IVORIAN COOKBOOK IN ENGLISH

DALLAS, TX — September 30th, 2018. DJARABI KITABS PUBLISHING has officially released Fofky’s Kitchen : Easy Ivorian Recipes for Traditional and Street Foods by Ivorian American Author Papatia Feauxzar.

About the Book Fofky’s Kitchen : Easy Ivorian Recipes for Traditional and Street Foods

Ivorian Cuisine has started to gain recognition across the globe. In addition, many Millennium and post-Millennium Ivorians are seeking restaurants to enjoy their favorite traditional dishes and street foods. Others simply want to know how to cook the same dishes their ancestors made. This cookbook is an easy to follow guide to help anyone curious about what Ivorian Cuisine is.

Fofky’s Kitchen : Easy Ivorian Recipes for Traditional and Street Foods is available in paperback at Djarabi Kitabs Publishing and Fofky’s Online Book Cafe‘s websites. The book is also available on Amazon on eBook, hardback and paperback formats. Don’t miss the official book launch interview at Fofky’s here.

«Félicitations Fofky! Fofky’s Kitchen est gourmand et fidèle à notre culture. Merci d’avoir faire voyager la cuisine Ivoirienne! » — Cheffe Prisca Gilbert

“Congratulations Fofky! Fofky’s Kitchen is a food lover and reflective and accurate of our culture. Thank you for sending Ivorian Cuisine overseas!” — Chef Prisca Gilbert

“As I read through this cookbook, Fofky’s Kitchen, by Papatia Feauxzar, I found my thoughts adrift to a distant place where food and family seamlessly intertwine. Each shared dish, whether simple or complex, conveyed a human story, a history, and a taste that clearly reminded the author of home. She presented each recipe in support of the connectivity between food, culture, history, and family… Fofky’s Kitchen is a lovely taste of home, shared with love, enthusiasm and humor. Well done.” — Sahar Abdulaziz, Author of EXPENDABLE

“… Fofky’s Kitchen brings us some new and exciting and not to mention easy to make meals from the Ivory Coast. Included in this awesome cookbook are some of my favorites such as Ginger Juice aka Ginger Beer and Bissap (Hibiscus) tea…The one that peaked my curiosity is the Fried Yams! Yes, you can fry yams. I never knew that, but now I do, and I will. But wait! You can boil them too! That along with some braised beef and grilled chicken recipes will be sure to enhance your food repertoire… Go ahead and enhance your palate with Fofky’s Kitchen: Easy Recipes for Traditional Street Foods by Papatia Feauxzar.” — Khadijah Abdulhaqq, Author of Nanni’s Hijab

“This is a Kitchen I want to step into — and one we all need to step into — to learn about (halal) West African cuisine. The immaculate, mouthwatering photos are almost enough to satisfy my appetite.” — Shireen Hakim, Author of Salternatives: 25 Natural and Flavorful Alternative Seasonings to Salt

“I was so excited to have the opportunity to read Fofky’s Kitchen. I love to try out new cuisines and was not at all familiar with Ivorian cuisine… I was also pleasantly surprised to find some dishes that are very familiar to me. Many Americans forget about how African flavors have influenced our cuisine. But ingredients such as okra and grits (corn porridge), or recipes like beignets and boiled peanuts (my personal favorite!) are very common and well-loved in the American South. I love how beautifully this book is laid out, with photos and insights into each recipe. The majority of the recipes have very simple instructions and seem like they will be very easy to make… I definitely recommend this cookbook, not only to Ivorians looking for a taste of home, but to anyone who would like to try out a new and delicious cuisine!”— M.K. Johnston, Author of Halal Comfort Food: The New Muslim Guide To Going Halal

About the Author

Papatia Feauxzar, also known as Fofky, is an Ivorian American author, barista, and publisher living in Dallas, Texas with her son and husband. She holds a master’s degree in Accounting with a concentration in Personal Finance. Feauxzar blogs here at Between Sisters, SVP! or A Ducktrinor Mom.

 

TO BUY IN BULK CONTACT :

Djarabi Kitabs Publishing

PO BOX 703733

Dallas, TX 75370

USA

Email: bookmanager@djarabikitabs.com

Originally article.

Reading Journal by Shoohada Khanom – A Review

A Ducktrinor Mom

Summary: An easy-to-use journal to keep track of reading. With 115 pages to make note of books being read, there’s space to write the date, title, author, number of pages, and new words. 5 bonus pages are featured at the back to write a list of books to read. Suitable for all ages.

About the Author’s Name: Shoohada Khanom was born and raised in London. She is a writer and a children’s books author Shoohada Khanom who has authored and traditionally published four children’s pictures books. Today a mother of six, Shoohada lives a busy life, splitting her days between home educating her children and her motherly responsibilities. She shares her home in Bolton with her family, and anytime she has a moment to herself, she reads and writes. Visit her website.

Illustrator’s Name: Reyhana Ismail is a graphic designer specializing in book and magazine design, including children’s book illustration…

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Review—Communicating with Allah by Bassem Saeh

Muslim Reads

Once upon a time, Bassem Saeh was asked to speak at an event about prayer (salah). When the time came, he rushed up to the podium and hurriedly read a few verses and a couple of hadeeth he had jotted down on a piece of paper, reading so quickly that his words ran together. He then turned and left. The audience was shocked and confused. After a moment, he returned to the podium and explained that his performance was no worse than the way that many of us pray. Rushing in, reciting without expression or understanding, and rushing off again.

Communicating with Allah: Rediscovering Prayer is Saeh’s answer to the problem of disconnecting from our distracting, modern lives and finding tranquility in our connection with Allah. Unique and powerful, this book breathes new life into an action that Muslims repeat constantly. If you are looking to worship smarter, a little…

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Written Vs.Not Written Stuff: Where Are Muslim Women Spaces Part II

The Human Lens

Part II by Papatia Feauxzar

Bismillah.

Our beloved Prophet (sallallahu aleihi wassalam) said, “If the wife of any one of you seeks permission to go to the Mosque, he may not prevent her.” (Sahih Muslim)

Look for any authentic source that states that women are FORBIDDEN to go to mosques and you won’t find ANY. So why do we women go along with this treatment from these patriarchal Muslim communities? It’s because of the community pressure; the mental conditioning we have been subjected to. Let’s try to break that string that keep the elephants (us) in the room rooted in not leaving the spot we have been planted at; praying at home especially on Eid.

I grew up going to the mosques on special occasions like Eid or Layla-tul Qadr. I saw my grandmothers walk to the mosques daily for EVERY prayer in their humble and…

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Written Vs.Not Written Stuff: Where Are Muslim Women Spaces in Mosques?

The Human Lens

Part I Written by Saadia Haq

The theme for this collab is much closer to heart as it voices the issues focusing on the Muslim women’s role and participation in religious institutions and specifically in mosques. Like in most Islamic states, we note that mosques are part of a daily lives of practicing Muslims however we note that across Asia and Africas the majority of mosques activities are men-led and women presence and participation are not encouraged.

In many Muslim countries, prevailing attitudes are a norm where societies are operating on the mere notion that “there’s no place for women at the local mosque.” As a Muslim feminist encountering these mentalities not only outraging but also speak volumes on the misinterpretation of Islamic teachings. Our cultures and traditions continue to dictate men and women segregated roles and most annoyingly deny women their rightful place within the religion’s central institutions as in…

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Eid Mubarak!

Library Fun and Different Foodies…

A Ducktrinor Mom

Assalamu aleikum!

My son and I love to go to the library. It’s in walking distance but we drive due to the heat these days…Lazies…We know.

Today, he did the most peculiar thing or not! He picked up a book on food! He is a picky eater, and I was too. But we both love tasty foods. To back up a little, I say peculiar because my upcoming book is a cookbook! I pray it can be of use to him when he grows up, aameen. I also pray Ivorian students find it useful. Please make dua for us so that the book also be sadaqah juwayriyah, allahumma aameen!

Anyway,  Eat, Leo! Eat! is a fun and smart story where Leo always hide when it’s time to eat. To make him eat, his Nonna started telling him a tale with multiple parts to it. She stops at a cliffhanger…

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#MuslimBookClub III

Bismillah ar-rahmani ar-rahimi

Assalamu aleikum!

Welcome to #MuslimBookClub third edition!!! We have several books on the roaster. Grab your drink and enjoy reading our thoughts on the books selected. Don’t go anywhere until you have read it all and perhaps a couple more times and order some of the books that pick your interest, *wink, wink.* So, let’s start with a controversial book.

Muslim Cool by Dr. Su’ad Abdul Khabeer is a real thought-provocative anthropological account of race and religion in America. It snaps an accurate picture of the era’s components and its culture; pop culture to be exact. The book makes a direct link between Hip-Hop and Islam and boldly calls Hip-Hop ‘Islam.’ In our opinion, this is opened to objective and subjective discussions. Of course poetry and capellas have deep roots in Islam. The gray area is when certain instruments are thrown in the mix. But let’s not judge too quickly because other majorly Muslim countries also have their own music ‘they don’t see as innovative.’ So when it comes to music being halal or haram, every Muslim is slightly a bit hypocritical here. Besides, based on the five pillars of Islam, saying the Shahada makes one Muslim. Therefore, music like dress is a lifestyle. Attesting tawhid is the most important thing. The rest is more about levels of faith, perfecting the deen and seeking closeness to the One. #ZuhudGoals insha’Allah.

Above all, Muslim Cool can’t be denied for the research and reality it paints. Allahu alim.

The Abuse of Forgiveness by Umm Zakiyyah gives many alternative ways or scenarios to help us grasp the misunderstood topic that is forgiveness. It explains terms like forced forgiveness, forgiveness peddlers and unforgiving amongst others. To summarize a bit her thoughts and other professionals in the field that she quoted, one doesn’t have to forgive a perpetrator if it helps the victim completely heal. Reading the lyrics of Scars by Hip-Hop artist Khalil Ismael was relate-able in the sense of protecting one’s heart. Protect it with all your might! We mean it because there are dangers of repressing anger because people deem you too nice or spiritual. For that reason, they expect you to forgive so easily things that leave scars and cause emotional triggers. She starts and ends beautifully with a quote by Cheryl Richardson, “People start to heal the moment they feel heard.” We agree and you will understand if you get a chance to read Normal Calm by Hend Hegazi or Expendable by Sahar AbdulAziz.

Umm Afraz Muhammed gives us some insight on the aforementioned Normal Calm. “Normal Calm is a simple story revolving around Amina, an Arab-American student, who is raped by one of her friends. Un-marriageable according to her culture, her life takes her through a journey where she experiences depression and loneliness. Through her childhood friend, she learns to trust people again, and puts her past behind her. She meets Sherif and they fall in love. They soon share their secrets with each other. What happens once he knows of her rape? This is where the plot begins… Normal Calm is a book that will have you smiling, empathizing, and crying for the characters. A very well-written book by Hend Hegazi.”

Great Muslims of the West by Muhammad M.Khan is a good read because it shines the light on many erased and forgotten Muslims who have lived and left traces on the Western world for centuries and in this century. The most like-able part is when unsung and erased female Muslim scholars have been documented with great care. One such mover and shaker like Khan puts it, is Lois Ibsen al-Faruqi. We drew parallels with her work and Dr. Su’ad Abdul Khabeer’s when it came to art, Islam and music. To end here, the book effortlessly shows that behind every great empire, man, etc. there was a pivotal woman and hidden figure who chose to decline the spotlight. May Allah be pleased with them and and help shine more light on their works, aameen.

Reclaim Your Heart by Yamin Mogahed was another refreshing read alhamdullilah. She says, “If you allow dunya to own your heart, like the ocean that owns the boat, it will take over.”

The ocean will certainly swallow you but if you sink, make sure to resurface with jewels and pearls. In other words, when you hit rock bottom, decide and know that the only way out is UP! While the book is not for everyone, it has a lot of gems and golden rules that can’t be denied.

DeenplusBook read A Gift for a Muslim Bride by Muhammad Haneef Abdul Majeed. The verdict ? Check it out below.

I would like to recommend this book to teens, just so that they can have the correct mentality when they are of age to marriage and insha’Allah, prosper in their married life. Also, this can be a really good gift for a friend or family member that is about to get married.

Expendable by Sahar Abdulaziz is a Muslim authored read. It was so timely for us on so many levels. The main character is Bella and her recent attitude has been, “Nobody no longer effs with me.” It resonated with us and that’s the power of good writing; it changes lives and it’s therapeutic alhamdullilah.

The New Muslim’s Field Guide by Theresa Corbin and Kaighla Um Dayo is a compelling self-help book of about 218 non-illustrated pages. For a start, it’s more than a new Muslim’s field guide. It navigates the intricacies of the many shades of Islam due to the plethora of cultural and school of thoughts of its adherents. And hands down, it’s a great start to guide the new Muslims understand Islam… To continue, the book spans over eighteen insightful chapters covering sensitive topics from reliable Islamic sources, cultural Islam, the real Islam, love, sex, marriage to Islamophobia amongst other subjects. The authors also share some ludicrous anecdotes to help the readers relate and keep them tuned in… We highly recommend The New Muslim’s Field Guide to new Muslims, single & searching folks, and any born Muslim who wants to reconnect with the faith.

The Moon of Masarrah by Farah Zaman is a YA and middle-grade adventurous story about cursed diamonds, pirates, sea bluffs, cute red-heads, leaders, villains and smart girls. We see that history repeats itself until one generation gets it right. Zaman is a genius! Masha’Allah. Check it out!

Open the Door to a Wealthier Life: An Islamic Perspective on Personal Finances and Investing by Farhan Khalid is our last good read in this series. We found the Islamic banking info very useful. Non-finance background readers will greatly benefit from this book. And if you have a finance foundation, the tips on Islamic banking can be of help. Keep an eye out for the full review in the upcoming The Lifestyle Magazine insha’Allah.

That’s it. Let’s end with a parting dua.

 

Subhanaka Allahumma wa-bihamdika ash-hadu anla ilaha illa anta as-taghfiruka wa atoobu ilayka. Aaamen.

Wassalam,

The Fofky’s Book Club

Believe – A Journal Review

A Ducktrinor Mom

Summary: …a raw list…of list of the rules, obligations, guidelines, regulations, orders, directives, instructions (or however you’d like to perceive them) derived from the 114 chapters, 6,236 verses and 77,449 words in the Quran – the Holy Islamic book.

Author’s Name: A.E

Publisher: Prolance

Review: Believe is 34 pages long. I thought it was about what to do and not do with the Quran. But Believe is a simple journal filled with Quranic verses to help the believer live and act by golden rules.

It can definitely be useful when looking for a quick Quranic verse to support a point because the book is divided into 5 easy categories:»»worship »»character»»giving & taking»»relationships »»eating & dressing. In the last section, I found it a bit peculiar that there is a lot of stress on Quran (24:31); I mean the verse is mentioned three times. It would have been better if Quran…

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5 Steps To Write & Design Your Cookbook Like A Professional

Assalamu aleikum!

1) In a word document, dump all your recipes. Just write them. There will be time to edit later. Just get them out on paper first.
2) Take good and simple pictures. If you have old pictures of dishes included in the book, you can use them too. Make sure they look presentable and inviting.
3) Find free recipes’ templates online and tweak them to fit your needs.
4) Copy & paste your recipes in the template and voilà!
5) Now, edit your whole book and send ARCs (Advanced Review Copies) out.

Good luck!

The Fofky’s Kitchen Team

 

Original Article.

The Ducktrinors I & II – A Review by The Tsundoku Chronicles

A Ducktrinor Mom

“I really enjoyed this book. It was so nice to see Muslim characters and I love that more books are coming out with Muslim rep. When I first heard of the book I was really intrigued as it was a science fiction book and I don’t really see that in Islamic fiction.
I enjoyed reading this from the first page. I really liked how brave and courageous that Hanifa was as she lived in a world where any small indication that you practice and religious activity is punishable by death. So no one can pray, fast or anything else that shows you practice a faith. It’s a world where technological advancement is the most important thing. She eventually becomes the leader of a rebellion in which people seek the freedom to practice their religion and she goes in search of the people of cave.
She also gains the support of her siblings and grandfather. I also…

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