Ayat Jamilah: Beautiful Signs: A Treasury of Islamic Wisdom for Children and Parents (Aesop Prize (Awards)) | 
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| Editorial Review / Publisher's Information:
Product Description
Beautiful Signs / Ayat Jamilah draws from not only the core of Islamic spirituality and ethics--the Qur'an and the traditions (hadiths)--but also from the mystical verse, folk tales, and exemplary figures of the Islamic narrative. Unlike any other collection of Islamic stories, Beautiful Signs gathers traditional stories from the farthest reaches of the Muslim world, stretching from Morocco in the west to Indonesia in the east, and from China in the north to Tanzania in the south. This unique anthology, with its rich and thorough explanatory notes, will be invaluable to anyone wishing to understand or teach geography, world history, or world religions. It will also be treasured by Muslim families and by all parents committed to broadening the lives and values of their children and themselves.
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Customer Reviews:
• Bismallah Al-rahman Al-rahim... 27 August, 2006
In the name of God the Merciful and the Benevolent... Thus opens every story in this book, a collection of Islamic stories for families and children. Drawn from across the Muslim world, this book collects together countless folk stories, sayings and proverbs. Excerpts from the Holy Qur'an, the Hadith and the life of Muhammad appear beside traditional Arab, Persian, Turkish, Mande, Swahili, Hausa, Pakistani and Asian fairy tales and proverbs. Historic accounts of great Muslims like Ali ibn Abu Talib, Uthman ibn Affan, Rabiah of Basra and al-Hakim stand next to the wit of Mullah Nasruddin Hodja and the poems of Sufi mystics like Saadi and Idries Shah. A huge range of cultures, countries and time periods are represented, from China and Indonesia to Al-Andalus and Nigeria, from the early days of Islam in the 7th century to the Swahili city-states of the 16th century, but all are united by the common faith of Islam.
This book is an invaluable resource for Muslim families wishing to pass on their culture and heritage to their children, but the morals and lessons contained within these stories carry a timeless wisdom that all peoples can benefit from regardless of faith. Non-Muslim families who want to teach about other cultures, or who want to show that Islam is not some evil monolithic force the media tries to portray it as, will also benefit from reading this. Stories of faith, honesty, kindness, charity, mercy and love are balaneced out with humor. The beautiful artwork and Arabic calligraphy add to this books appeal. Appearently, this book is part of a series detailing folk tales and proverbs from all of the world's great religions and there is at least one other book in the series published (this time focusing on Buddhism). I have yet to read it, but considering the outstanding quality of this book, I should like to get around to it eventually.
All in all, this is a book well worth getting. Even adults will appreciate reading some of the stories in here. I certainly did, and if you approach this book with an open mind I honestly believe you and your children will appreciate this book as well regardless of your religious or cultural beliefs.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A145CT70T2SB51
• A Great Addition To Any Collection! 06 June, 2008
I think this book is great for several reasons: 1) The illustrations with each story are tastefully done and draw kids into the story as you read (or they read!) 2) The shorter stories and large print are perfect for bedtime or before a nap 3) the one-page proverbs and words of wisdom between stories are great previews to the stories 4) the stories themselves are well told, diverse in themes, and appropriate for kids of any religious background (themes transcend cultural/religious boundaries). Needless to say, I LOVE this book and have found nothing like it, yet!
- Reviewed by customer ID: A22ALVJ4MQVATK
• Long Overdue! 08 March, 2006
All I can say is that "It's about time!" We have been taking a nice, slow pace with this book (my husband, me, and our 3 young sons) and I have come to look forward to bedtime in a way that I never have before. It's wonderful to finally come across a book about Islam that isn't political, isn't out to preach and convert, isn't about gender issues. All faiths have wisdom and gentleness within its teachings and it's a relief to be exposed to lessons we can all identify with in a book about Islam. A must for all children in this age of misinformation! (Side note: I've given this book as a gift to many kids and they --- and their parents --- all thank me for it...)
- Reviewed by customer ID: A1S8K9VH9RMPJC
• Amazing! 10 October, 2008
Though I bought this book for my young children, I am the one that is constantly pausing in the middle of my busy day to sit, read and absorb the wisdom in this book. I love it! It's so deep, so multi-faceted and spiritual. Many of my treasured memories of my grandmother's tales are in this book.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A2ZKH5TP7ZQTIL
• A Family Book! 22 June, 2005
Every family will want Ayat Jamilah: Beautiful Signs on its bookshelf. Rarely does one book address the interests of so many readers, but Ayat Jamilah has something for every family member. For children, the often humorous and always delightful stories will entertain and instruct for hours. Parents will appreciate the various lengths of each story, as they can choose a short bedtime story or a long one. Even teenagers will enjoy these tales of people struggling to find their way in confusing and sometimes dangerous situations. Young adults, often frustrated by trying unsuccessfully to please peers, will find comfort and wisdom in "The Honorable Joha, Mulla Nasruddin Hodja and the Famous Donkey Story." And the lively, colorful illustrations by Valerie Wahl add a visual "reading" to the overall experience. You won't find this book at a yard sale because it's a keeper.
If the value of this book were judged only on its ability to engage, entertain, teach, and delight, Ayat Jamilah would be a winner. However, there is an entirely additional level and depth to this book. Beautiful Signs brings to our society an opportunity to learn about a religion through the eyes of one who believes in it. Freda Crane, co-author and educator, is a Muslim who has traveled/lived in many parts of the world and been collecting these stories over the years. Her unique perspective as an American Muslim allows readers - young and old - to experience both the folktales and re-tellings of stories from the Qur'an with a cozy sense of familiarity and joy. The book is a wealth of information about Islam yet never stoops to proselytizing. Sarah Conover's previous work, Kindness (2001), brought Buddhism to us in much the same manner, and both authors deliver brilliantly in Beautiful Signs.
- Reviewed by customer ID: AXCWBOL1U5DFD
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