Beyond the Forest :
'Adventures with the Awliya' - Volume [1].
[A5] Paperback -  167 pages,
by Noor Yusuf.
Publ. by Nur Publications.

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Description :

Introducing Beyond the Forest the first book in the Adventures with the Awliya series…This first book is the prequel to Through the Blue Gate. It narrates in a lively and interactive way, some of the accounts of the great figures of Islam, who were renowned in their time and afterwards for their towering piety, profound wisdom, compassionate humanity and miraculous blessings. They are the Awliyah Allah, the Friends of God, and are sometimes known as Muslim saints. This is a reference to the verses of the Qur'an;

'Take Heed! These are the Awliyah Allah - on them will be neither fear or grief -
those who believe and are reverently heedful - for them will be glad tidings in this world and the
hereafter...'  as well as a number of well known hadith.
 

It is in these figures that one finds the fullest expression of the Islamic life-model - the Sunna of the Blessed Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.  The charcters depicted in the stories of this series, are drawn from differrent time periods and places across history. Although the stories are dramatised, their core is events that are recorded in reliable Islamic historical and biographical accounts.

The Adventures with the Awliya Series follows three young Muslim children on adventures through legend and history, through which they learn valuable life lessons. The series explores a vast array of cultures and their storied heritage, presenting positive role models in exciting adventures and more familiar contexts.

Concerned with diversity and inclusivity, the book is one of the current few to have Muslim characters as the protagonists, and can be enjoyed by readers of all backgrounds, exploring central themes of spirituality, diversity, and the celebration of heritage, mythologies and cultures from around the world.

Reviews:

“A magical and inspiring read. I was captivated by the story from start to end. From the time I picked up the book I felt as though I had been transported into another world. The beautiful story telling allowed me to engage with my kids on matters of faith and good morals.” ---Baber Iqbal.
 

“A delightful book that stirs the imagination of children by linking them to tales of great figures from the past. These stories are rapidly disappearing in a day and age where technology and media rule all. The book implements the understanding that it is not the amount of wealth nor popularity that makes a person special, but the state of their hearts. A lesson that is as relevant to adults than children in today’s world.” ---Syed Fahad Ali.
 

About the Author :

Noor Yusuf is a young poet and author. Born in South Africa and raised in the United Kingdom, she has been writing and composing both long-form prose and poetry for a number of years. Her works have garnered her a number of awards at both local and national level, including being a three-times winner of the Young Muslim Writer’s Award. Her deep attachment to traditional Islamic spirituality informs the majority of her works.
 

At the age of 15, and over only twelve nights, she authored The Soliloquy of the Full Moon, an original work on the nativity of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. This is a thousand line narrative epic of fully metered English poetry detailing the signs, wonders and prophecies that heralded the Mawlid – or birth – of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. It seamlessly fuses the classical cadences of Shakespeare and Milton with the equally classical genres of Arabic praise and biographical poetry, to create a work that is entirely unique and a definitive contribution to Western Muslim culture.
 

She has also just released Through the Blue Gate, the sequel to Beyond the Forest. These are the first two instalments of Adventures with the Awliya, a children’s adventure series influenced by classics such as the Faraway Tree, as well as accounts of Muslim Sufi's and mystics. The books follow three young Muslim children on adventures through legend and history, through which they learn valuable life lessons. The series explores a vast array of cultures and their storied heritage, presenting positive role models in exciting adventures and more familiar contexts. Concerned with diversity and inclusivity, the book is one of the current few to have Muslim characters as the protagonists, and can be enjoyed by readers of all backgrounds, exploring central themes of spirituality, diversity, and the celebration of heritage, mythologies and cultures from around the world. She is currently working on several other books including a fully-fledged historical fantasy trilogy.
 

Noor Yusuf read linguistics at the University of Birmingham, after having been home-schooled for a number of years, and is also pursuing traditional studies of Islamic law, theology, metaphysics and spirituality under her father Shaykh Dr Asim Yusuf. She is authorised in the six canonical hadith works as well as various other classical texts, whose full recitations she has completed with elevated chains from a number of the oldest hadith narrators still living. Besides writing, she is also an artist and the conductor of a children’s choir.

Suitable for Ages 8 + to adults! The whole family can share and enjoy!

Adventures with the Awliya [1].
Adventures with the Awliya [2].
 

Homepage for Sufism.

More Chidrens Books.
Also see Madrassah/Syllabus Books.

 

Dimensions : 21 x 15cm (approx)