Come to Prayer

Description

What inspired you to write this story?

More than 20 years ago, long before I imagined that I could be a published author, I was watching a cricket match on TV in which the commentator mentioned that the weather that day was windy in Rawalpindi (Pakistan). I was amused by the rhyme in that statement and found myself contemplating the possibility of writing a rhyming book one day about weather around the world. The thought remained at the back of my mind over the years but I never did anything about it as there didn’t seem to be much essence to the initial idea.

Many years later when I joined a Muslimah writers’ course, I wanted to write a book for children about attaching their hearts to the masjid and the congregational prayer. I was inspired by community and family members who refused to miss their congregational prayers despite challenging conditions which included flooding in the neighbourhood during winter or heat and smoke due to the surrounding mountains burning during summer. I was convinced that in every neighbourhood where there is a mosque, in every city, in every country, there are people who uphold their congregational prayers diligently despite trying conditions and I wanted to honour these people as well as inspire others to be like them.

The common challenge of weather, the conditions being different in different countries, seemed to be a perfect common thread in the context of world cities. It was such an exciting moment for me when I realised that I could tie my longstanding weather rhyme idea into a book about being consistent with the congregational prayer and the book took off from there, Alhamdulillah. Unfortunately, windy Rawalpindi didn’t make it into the book, as more intriguing examples of cities and their weather conditions cropped up as I researched countries around the world.

What’s your favourite moment in the book and why?

I’ll be a bit vague about my favourite part as I don’t want to spoil the surprise at the end of the book. After the spread about the Isha prayer, something happens that demonstrates the unifying nature of salaah and worship in Islam, connecting Muslims on a global scale. I love the entire book, but the ending tops it off in the perfect way. You’ll have to read the book to find out what it is!

What are some important messages or conversational points your book inspires?
  • The importance of upholding the five daily prayers in congregation as mentioned in a number of Hadith.
  • Salaah & Islamic worship as a globally unifying phenomenon – regardless of cultural and environmental differences.
  • Striving to uphold good practices and persevering in doing so.
  • Love for and attachment to the masjid, the house of Allah.
  • Leaving off worldly pursuits and overcoming obstacles to answer the call to prayer.
  • Why does coming to the prayer equate to coming to success?
  • Families striving together in pursuit of good deeds.
  • The masjid as a place for families.
  • Mosque architecture styles around the world.
  • Mosques around the world can vary vastly in size and form but worshippers go there for the same purpose.
  • Diversity of Muslim populations around the world.
  • Different climatic/weather conditions around the world.

What’s unique about this story?

Come to Prayer is a creative non-fiction, all-in-one journey through culture, weather, geography, religion and even architecture as a day in the life of Muslims from five different cities on five different continents, centred on the five daily prayers is highlighted. Different layers of information are woven together in a simple, rhyming format to inspire, entertain and educate young ones about the importance of salaah as well as other issues of discussion as listed above. Even though the text is simple and child-friendly, it contains a wealth of (researched) information that could lead to hours of beneficial discussion.

While I was researching mosques and Muslim communities around the world, I was personally intrigued by the fact that Muslim communities and their places of worship existed in places where I, in my childhood, would not have expected to find Muslims living, such as Iceland and Brazil. I hope that this book inspires others to do their own research and find out more about Muslims as well as mosques across the globe and what makes us all part of a single ummah.

If you had to describe it in one sentence, what would it be?

No matter where in the world, no matter what the weather, when the time for prayer sets in, the devout leave their homes to pray together at the masjid.

Why did you choose these specific locations in the story?

The book features the people and cities of six different countries on five different continents. I did this deliberately in an attempt to represent the Muslims of the whole world as well as locate the prayer throughout the world.

After a painstaking exercise of listing all the countries in the world as well as their major cities, then picking out cities with names that not only rhymed with different weather conditions, but also contained an actual mosque, I eventually settled on what I considered the five best places for the vision of the book.

I also deliberately chose cities with unique and interesting sounding names for the purposes of entertaining children who never heard these names before as well as hold their fascination and intrigue.

Come to Prayer

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What inspired you to write this story? More than 20 years ago, long before I imagined that I could be... Read more

2-4 weeks

$11.99

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    Shipping Info

    Free Shipping

    Enjoy $7.99 shipping on orders under $70, and FREE shipping on orders $70+ (after discounts). Valid in the 48 contiguous U.S. states.

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    The shipping carrier automatically calculates shipping costs. Choose from either Flat rate or UPS. Shipping fees are determined according to the shipping method, order weight, and shipping address. Please note that a handling fee is added to each order based on ordered items.

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    Specifications

    Vendor: UK - Kube Publishing Ltd - also check Ingram USA
    SKU: BKCTP-EW
    Barcode: 9780860379010
    Weight: 0.35 lb
    Format: Paperback
    Ages: 4 - 8 Years
    Language: English
    Dimensions: (8.9" X 8.9" X .1")

    Description

    What inspired you to write this story?

    More than 20 years ago, long before I imagined that I could be a published author, I was watching a cricket match on TV in which the commentator mentioned that the weather that day was windy in Rawalpindi (Pakistan). I was amused by the rhyme in that statement and found myself contemplating the possibility of writing a rhyming book one day about weather around the world. The thought remained at the back of my mind over the years but I never did anything about it as there didn’t seem to be much essence to the initial idea.

    Many years later when I joined a Muslimah writers’ course, I wanted to write a book for children about attaching their hearts to the masjid and the congregational prayer. I was inspired by community and family members who refused to miss their congregational prayers despite challenging conditions which included flooding in the neighbourhood during winter or heat and smoke due to the surrounding mountains burning during summer. I was convinced that in every neighbourhood where there is a mosque, in every city, in every country, there are people who uphold their congregational prayers diligently despite trying conditions and I wanted to honour these people as well as inspire others to be like them.

    The common challenge of weather, the conditions being different in different countries, seemed to be a perfect common thread in the context of world cities. It was such an exciting moment for me when I realised that I could tie my longstanding weather rhyme idea into a book about being consistent with the congregational prayer and the book took off from there, Alhamdulillah. Unfortunately, windy Rawalpindi didn’t make it into the book, as more intriguing examples of cities and their weather conditions cropped up as I researched countries around the world.

    What’s your favourite moment in the book and why?

    I’ll be a bit vague about my favourite part as I don’t want to spoil the surprise at the end of the book. After the spread about the Isha prayer, something happens that demonstrates the unifying nature of salaah and worship in Islam, connecting Muslims on a global scale. I love the entire book, but the ending tops it off in the perfect way. You’ll have to read the book to find out what it is!

    What are some important messages or conversational points your book inspires?
    • The importance of upholding the five daily prayers in congregation as mentioned in a number of Hadith.
    • Salaah & Islamic worship as a globally unifying phenomenon – regardless of cultural and environmental differences.
    • Striving to uphold good practices and persevering in doing so.
    • Love for and attachment to the masjid, the house of Allah.
    • Leaving off worldly pursuits and overcoming obstacles to answer the call to prayer.
    • Why does coming to the prayer equate to coming to success?
    • Families striving together in pursuit of good deeds.
    • The masjid as a place for families.
    • Mosque architecture styles around the world.
    • Mosques around the world can vary vastly in size and form but worshippers go there for the same purpose.
    • Diversity of Muslim populations around the world.
    • Different climatic/weather conditions around the world.

    What’s unique about this story?

    Come to Prayer is a creative non-fiction, all-in-one journey through culture, weather, geography, religion and even architecture as a day in the life of Muslims from five different cities on five different continents, centred on the five daily prayers is highlighted. Different layers of information are woven together in a simple, rhyming format to inspire, entertain and educate young ones about the importance of salaah as well as other issues of discussion as listed above. Even though the text is simple and child-friendly, it contains a wealth of (researched) information that could lead to hours of beneficial discussion.

    While I was researching mosques and Muslim communities around the world, I was personally intrigued by the fact that Muslim communities and their places of worship existed in places where I, in my childhood, would not have expected to find Muslims living, such as Iceland and Brazil. I hope that this book inspires others to do their own research and find out more about Muslims as well as mosques across the globe and what makes us all part of a single ummah.

    If you had to describe it in one sentence, what would it be?

    No matter where in the world, no matter what the weather, when the time for prayer sets in, the devout leave their homes to pray together at the masjid.

    Why did you choose these specific locations in the story?

    The book features the people and cities of six different countries on five different continents. I did this deliberately in an attempt to represent the Muslims of the whole world as well as locate the prayer throughout the world.

    After a painstaking exercise of listing all the countries in the world as well as their major cities, then picking out cities with names that not only rhymed with different weather conditions, but also contained an actual mosque, I eventually settled on what I considered the five best places for the vision of the book.

    I also deliberately chose cities with unique and interesting sounding names for the purposes of entertaining children who never heard these names before as well as hold their fascination and intrigue.

    Returns & Delivery

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    We ship worldwide. Your order will be packaged really carefully and delivered wherever you want. Delivery takes between 2-4 business days. You will receive an e-mail after ordering with more information about the delivery.

    Free Shipping

    Enjoy $7.99 shipping on orders under $70, and FREE shipping on orders $70+ (after discounts). Valid in the 48 contiguous U.S. states.

    Shipping Calculation

    The shipping carrier automatically calculates shipping costs. Choose from either Flat rate or UPS. Shipping fees are determined according to the shipping method, order weight, and shipping address. Please note that a handling fee is added to each order based on ordered items.

    You can use the shipping estimator before registering to find the least expensive shipping method based on your order weight and shipping address. If you have any questions please contact us at customerservice@ewsouk.com

    Can I return my product?

    Orders can be returned or exchanged within 30 days of receiving the parcel, providing they are in original resalable condition.

    Print East West Souk Return Form

     

    East West Souk Return & Exchange Policy 

    At East West Souk, your satisfaction is our priority! If you are not completely happy with your purchase, we offer the following return and exchange options:

    Clothing Returns & Exchanges
    We accept returns and exchanges for clothing under the following conditions:

    • Clothing must be unworn, unwashed, and in original condition with all tags still attached and the item resellable.
    • Items must be returned within 30 days from the date of receipt.
    • Exchanges: If you wish to exchange an item for a different size, color, or style, please contact us. If the new item costs more, you will be responsible for the price difference. Additionally, you will be responsible for return shipping costs.
    • Returns for Refund: If you are not satisfied with your purchase, we will issue a full refund for the item(s) (excluding shipping and handling charges). The item must meet the conditions outlined above.
    • Return Shipping Costs: Customers are responsible for return shipping unless the item is defective or incorrect.

    Books & CDs Return Policy

    • Books, CDs, DVDs, and other media must be unopened and in their original, sealed packaging to be eligible for return or exchange.
    • Opened or used books, CDs, DVDs, and other media are non-returnable and non-exchangeable.
    • If your product is defective or damaged upon receipt, please contact us within 7 days of receiving the item at returns@ewsouk.com. We will provide a prepaid return label for you to send the item back at no cost, and we will issue a replacement or refund.

    Food Products – No Returns Accepted

    For health and safety reasons, food products are non-returnable.

    • If the food item is defective, expired, or damaged due to our error, please contact us within 7 days of receiving your order at returns@ewsouk.com, and we will assist you in resolving the issue.

    General Terms for Returns

    • Damaged or Defective Items: If you receive a damaged or defective clothing item, book, CD, or other media, please contact us immediately. We will send you a prepaid return label and replace the item at no extra cost.
    • Return Window: All returns must be initiated within 30 days of receiving your order.
    • Custom Duties and Taxes: You are responsible for any customs duties or taxes incurred during return shipping for international orders.
    • Non-Returnable Items: We cannot accept returns for food products, opened books, opened CDs, or opened electronics for health and safety reasons.
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