REVIEW: The Simple Seerah

 

“Hushed murmurs filled the air. The tension in the room grew in intensity. His presence, even in a state of sickness, warmed the room.”

The other day I bumped into the co-author, Toyris and I told him that whilst I was reading the book, it was as if I teleported to 1400 years ago.

The Simple Seerah is a book written by Ustadh Asim Khan and Isa Toyris Miah. It is as you have guessed a book about the life of Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alyhiwasallam. The target audience is teens, however younger readers would appreciate it and most definitely adults too!

I have read a few Seerah books but have to say hands down this is one of the best. One thing that really kept me engaged is that the book isn’t just a bunch of facts and figures, but it allows you to experience the Seerah as if you were there yourself. It creates an experience. I felt like I was walking with Rasulullah Sallallahu Alyhiwasallam and the Sahabah RadhiAllahu Anhuma.

You share the happiness and sorrow, the pain, and the ease. I got teary at parts of the book and why wouldn’t I, you feel for Rasulullah Sallallahu Alyhiwasallam.

Although I’ve read and heard the Seerah multiple of times, throughout reading this book I was always wondering and expecting what would happen whilst the story went on. Had it not been for commitments in between, I think I would have read the book in one sitting! It was hard to put the book down.

I particularly loved the interactions between Rasulullah Sallallahu Alyhiwasallam and our Mother Khadijah RadhiAllahu Anha, something you don’t see on other books. Of course, we know that they lived 1400 years ago, but reading the descriptions in such a personalised way and putting oneself in those moments takes it to a whole new level.  

The book covers the Makkan period so it’s part one of the series and I believe part two will come out soon, which I’m very much looking forward to.

Mufti Menk

The book has roughly 140 pages including a foreword by Mufti Ismail Menk of Zimbabwe. I’m not the type to read introductions or forewords of a book to be honest, but once you read it in the voice of Mufti Menk trust me it’s worth it!

The Cover

They say don’t judge a book by it’s cover, but you must give credit to the graphic designer, right? I love the illustration which is of the Ka’bah from how it might have looked 1400 years ago, and houses dotted around, with mountains in the background. What’s quite cool is that the illustration is of a cave opening looking down at the Ka’bah. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alyhiwasallam received the first verses of the revelation of the Qur’an at the cave of Hira, where he used to spend time in solitude at times and would be able to see the Ka’bah from too.

Suggestion

Although I understand that there is a fiqhi position of how often a person should send Salam upon Rasulullah Sallallahu Alyhiwasallam every time we hear his name, I would suggest that the authors insert the Arabic at least, as that’ll encourage readers to say it regularly. However, I appreciate that they did mention for readers to say it and I also appreciate the rulings behind this case.

Conclusion

I really enjoyed the read and am very grateful to the authors for putting this together. I would highly recommend anyone to purchase and read this book, as not only will you help the team to publish more works, but it will surely increase your love for Rasulullah Sallallahu Alyhiwasallam and the Sahabah RadhiAllahu Anhuma inshaAllah.

May Allah reward the authors, the team behind the book and those who supported to produce it, whether by donating funds towards it or sharing marketing materials between their contacts, Aameen

May Allah give the authors and the team the Tawfiq to produce more publications that benefit the Ummah, Aameen.

Rating: 5/5

To purchase, head over to https://simpleseerah.com/



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