Self-love – The Islamic Library Association

Hijabi ABC’s

Khalisa — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:22:23 +0000

The book is structured as an A-to-Z exploration of the hijab and the women who wear it. Each letter of the alphabet is used to describe a positive trait or concept associated with covered Muslim women, such as their strength, beauty, and intelligence. The narrative is designed to help children appreciate the diverse and amazing attributes of hijabis and to foster cultural understanding.

AISHA’S CHOICE

Khalisa — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:47:52 +0000

Little Aisha makes the personal decision to embrace her individuality by choosing to wear the hijab. Her friends react with concern, worrying that this change will alter who Aisha is. Aisha responds by teaching them a lesson in understanding and acceptance. She shows her friends that her true identity goes far beyond her appearance and that her choice celebrates who she is.

A Story of You: Alhamdulillah

Khalisa — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:40:11 +0000

A book that encourages gratitude and mindfulness in young children by connecting their daily experiences and memories with the Islamic phrase “Alhamdulillah” (praise be to God). The story, written for a Muslim audience, guides children to appreciate the blessings in their lives, no matter how big or small.

The Great Hair Exchange

Khalisa — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 11:53:42 +0000

The Great Hair Exchange is a children’s book about identical twins, Roda and Bushra, who switch hairstyles to trick their friends and teachers, but soon realize it’s hard to pretend to be someone else.

But Do You Feel Safe with Him? 10 Reasons Why Performing Femininity Never Works in Love

Khalisa — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 23:09:36 +0000

"From my earliest memories of childhood, anxious people-pleasing defined my existence," Umm Zakiyyah says. "It wasn't until my late thirties that I began to even process the meaning of self-care. After that, it took several more years for me to understand the meaning and necessity of self-love. But it wasn't until after my second divorce, when I was in my forties, that the concept of feeling emotionally safe held any meaning or significance for me at all." In this personal testimony, which is part memoir, part self-help, Umm Zakiyyah, internationally acclaimed author of If I Should Speak, His Other Wife, and Before You Become His Garment in Marriage, shares ten reasons why prioritizing being "feminine" as defined by the male gaze not only causes long-term harm to the woman herself, but also makes the experience of true, deeply felt love impossible. When this performative womanhood comes at the price of a woman's authenticity, it is a sign that the woman does not feel emotionally safe in her relationship. She says, "So often as women, we spend so much of our lives auditioning and performing for a man's heart, wondering if he'll be the one to finally choose us. It is only after years of this exhaustive tap dancing that we come to realize we should have focused on winning our own hearts and choosing our own selves."

Sitara, Lady of the Lotus

Khalisa — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 20:38:17 +0000

Princess Sitara, a Bengali Muslim who feels insecure about her N’daian heritage. She attends the Royal Academy in a Korean-inspired fantasy world, where she documents her life through a series of journal entries. The story explores Sitara’s journey to find friends, experience first love, and gain self-acceptance as she copes with her social anxiety and insecurity about her background.

I am Sacred Like the Moon

Khalisa — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 19:32:38 +0000

The book follows a young girl who reflects on attending a “period party” and explores the significance of the menstrual cycle. In a celebration of sisterhood, she learns about her body and the connection between the moon’s phases and the menstrual cycle. The book encourages positive self-love practices and teaches young readers how to appreciate their bodies and embrace the changes that come with puberty. Through a warm and accessible narrative, the book addresses these themes to help young people feel more comfortable and informed about menstruation, framing it as a sacred and beautiful part of the feminine design.