We always believed that choosing the right books are very important for our children.

Good quality books not only help your children to read and gain knowledge but it widen their imagination and creativity, inculcate good moral values. All that without compromising our beliefs in Islam.

There are many best selling books written by renowned authors, but the content might not be aligned to our belief and cultural standards. ( for example do you know that Dr Seuss is actually racist? And Curious George series too- maybe I will write about it later).

But how do I help my child learn to read? And how do I expose him to different literature or readings?

Well I am sure there are many different types of books that we can get our hands on. Some important points that we need to look out for when choosing books for our children:

1. Books that are aligned to our moral values and standards.

Choose wisely and try to read the books first before you introduce it to your children. I would really suggest reading the whole book instead of just reading the synopsis at the back of the book. At this period of times where some books are written to embrace “diversity” or “ freedom of choice” (think LGBTQ ), these “movement” are being slipped into these innocent young adult books without the parents/schools/ society even realising it.

There are a few books whose characters are openly bisexual and it is not mentioned at all at the synopsis. And the worst part is? Some of the books are written by Muslim authors! Allahul mustaan!

As muslims parents aiming to raise your children with strong Aqeedah, try to provide reading resources and materials which resonates our Islamic method of Tarbiyah (upbringing).

Books that promote good characters are truly gems! These books help to instill and build strong personality in our children.

2. Books with no sorcery or fairytales influences.

Fairytales princesses in exiled waiting to be saved,or children studying in a sorcery boarding school might seem harmless. But why contradict yourself when you are teaching the Oneness of Allah and magical fiction books are in your household?

Tawheed in Arabic means attributing Oneness to Allah and describing Him as being One and Unique, with no partner or peer in His Essence and Attributes.

The opposites of tawhid is shirk. Magic contains shirk which is something Allah warns us against.

If you grow up reading HP books or watching disney princesses, stop the trend there. Don’t let your child continue that shirk culture. You might think that it is harmless and these kind of books are just for casual reading. But I don’t think you should negotiate anything when it comes to our Aqeedah. These books are not befitting for muslims. They contain magic which are not permitted in Islam.

Here I will attached a link on the opinions of the Scholars of Islam in this matter:

https://islamqa.info/en/answers/115294/reading-stories-containing-magic-and-fantasy

Also have a listen to this;

https://m.soundcloud.com/troidorg/the-evils-of-harry-potter-and-the-kufr-of-magic

3. Early reader books.

I wrote about early reader books here : https://raisingmuslimkidlets.wordpress.com/2020/12/04/emergent-reader-books/

I would like to add that choosing the right level of early reader is equally important too. You do not want something that is too easy that your children get complacent in reading or too difficult that they despise reading. Early reader books should grow with your child. Going up stage by stage slowly but surely.

4. Picture books.

Picture books are usually targeted for kids from 2 years old to maybe around 7 years of age. They use pictures or illustrations to tell the story. Usually the storyline is something relatable to the daily lives of the children. The author might touched on life lessons like forgiveness, kindness , helping each other etc).

5. Fiction vs Non-Fiction books.

Personally I love to introduce to my children non- fictional books. Reading about the world, the space and under the sea confirm what Allah has revealed in the Quran 1400 years ago yet the scientists only discovered it now.

Non fictional books focus on important and beneficial things in terms of science, literature and arts.

Stories from the Quran, stories about the prophets (Peace be upon them all) Seerah Nabawiyyah, the lives of the companions (Radiyallahu ‘anhum)- all these are great reading resources. Children learn about their deen, about Islam and learn about the virtues of these amazing characters.

Do however take note of the sources of these stories. Make sure that they come from an authentic source (Al-Quran and Sunnah). Also I avoid showing books that illustrate the Prophets’ images. I strongly feel that it is not appropriate at all.

Biographies are great too. More so if it is about Muslim greatest people (example would be Ibn Batuta, Ibn Al-Haitham and more).

There are a few scholars who adviced that reading or writing fictional books are considered lies therefore should be avoided.

Read more here:

https://islamqa.info/en/answers/6044/reading-and-writing-fantasy-stories

Introducing fictional books for the purpose of education and enhancing reading skills might be less damaging ( أخف الضررين) if the books are morally sounds so it is really important that we are cautious in giving fictional books for our children. I think it is easier for younger kids but for young adults , try to steer them away slowly inshaAllah.

I hope our children grow up to become book lovers and reading becomes a connection between us (parents and our children) and ultimately learn to be a true ‘Aabid (servant) of Allah.