Don't Forget To Say Bismillah By Farzana Rahman

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Don't Forget To Say Bismillah By Farzana Rahman

Don't forget to say Bismillah- A sound book listen and learn.

A fun, effective way for children to learn a selection of duasin arabic together with their english menaings.

A simple story about a young muslim family and how they use basic Dua's in their everyday life. The story shows how the youngest member of the family, Safiyya, learns to say her first arabic words simply by listening to those around her.

REVIEW

It’s a book that demonstrates how basic dua is incorporated into the daily life of a Muslim family using a combination of text and sound. I don’t think I’ve come across any Islamic children’s book like this to date. I’m excited about this book because not only is it an engaging story that seamlessly incorporates aspects of Muslim manners, but it is, from the illustrations to the design, a product that is professionally produced.

It’s Safiyya’s first day at nursery today,” says Mum.

“And I have a spelling test today,” says Sara.

“And I have a big football match today,” says Ali

“Everything will go well, Insha’Allah,” reassures Mum, “but don’t forget to say Bismillah before beginning anything you do.”

“I’m done, Al-Hamdulillah,” says Ali. “Your pancakes are the best Mum!”

“Jazakallahu Khairan,” says Mum.

Don’t forget to say Bismillah! has a battery operated panel located on the side that allows the reader to press a button to listen to the sound of keywords that appear in the story (such as the coloured words in the excerpt you see above). The slider at the top of the sound panel makes it easy for the reader to move from the Arabic pronunciation of a word to its meaning in English and vice versa. This provides English-speaking children with the opportunity to know the meaning of the Arabic phrases they say, something which is not always the case as the Arabic is learnt and repeated by custom.

The story is simple; a look at a day in the life of a Muslim family from morning as they set off to work and school to the evening as they sit together for dinner. The youngest member of the family, Safiyya, is off to her first day of nursery. Just as she is nervous about it, Mom is nervous about returning to workplace after being away for a long time. Through the entire book Islamic duas are said by members of the household as they eat, talk of plans for the day, are at school or the park.

• The story gives children a basic understanding of the context in which to use each Dua
• There is a glossary at the back which gives you the meaning of each dua, together with a quiz to help consolidate learning.
• Both parents and teachers will find this book to be a useful guide that they can refer to, in order to encourage to use basic islamic phrases.