From Fiqh to Fiction

Arabic Immersion - My Summer Reading Goal

In the Name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful

I am always shocked and excited at the end of the academic year. I appreciate having a break from my studying, but is there ever truly a break?

I find myself reflecting on the intense months of study that have passed. This deep dive into the various Islamic sciences has been both enlightening and challenging. It hit me in our last session with Mufti K when he reminded us that Arabic remains an important tool for our journey. I mean, I know but when he said, “you will continue to feel like a imposter because of it” that hit me, cos that is how I feel most times.

I have analysed myself and my Arabic knowledge is interesting. It is very Qur’anic and also when I am watching videos, I need to pause them a lot. It is like I need to see the text to understand it. Imagine, someone is speaking to you and you say, “Hold up, can you write that down instead.” Lol!

Yet, as the break is here, I feel the need to shift gears and immerse myself in a different type of literature—one that promises to enrich my Arabic language skills and offer a refreshing change of pace.

Over the next few months, I have set a personal goal to read 100 Arabic children books, in sha’a Allah.

It is a new pace that I am excited about and as I am embracing the break, which is not just a matter of preference but a necessity for maintaining balance and mental well-being, I hope it allows me to stay connected to the path and increase my vocabulary.

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Why Arabic Children Books?

They are charming and simple. Arabic literature is rich with vibrant stories that are both entertaining and educational and kind of short so perfect for language practice and you get a good sense of accomplishment.

This ambitious target is not just about quantity but about consistent daily practice and immersion. Here's what I hope to achieve through this journey:

• Language Proficiency: Enhancing my Arabic reading and comprehension skills in a fun and engaging way.

• Relaxation and Enjoyment: Allowing myself to relax and enjoy light, imaginative stories as a counterbalance to regular study.

• Vocabulary - All the words still unknown is humbling. I hope to have a lot of new words to study and memorize and try and sarf them without the pressure of an exam.

  Shout out to Ustadha Juli, she makes the sarfing from story books seem so easy and inviting! Allahumma Barik! And shout out to Ustadha Nichole for hosting Reading challenges which inspired me and then the gift of this book and another. Jazakillahu khair.

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The Selection Process

Selecting 100 books is no small task. I plan to choose a diverse range of stories that cover various themes, and have varying page lengths and words per page.

I have received and collected a few books over time, so I have some physical copies of Arabic and bilingual books.

I also found some free kindle copies of books by one author a teacher of mine has recommended before - كامل كيلاني - If you have a kindle device or app, find them here.

I also found an app called Kutubee. I especially love it cos it has comprehension questions which help with testing my understanding? It also has a diverse range of books. Find the app here

Also, there is Miraj stories, which we have enjoyed as a family over time. I have been exploring their Arabic books and bilingual books as well. Find it here.

And if you are looking for arabic book recommendations make sure you subscribe to this blog and follow here

I will also share as I find more sources In Sha'a Allah.

If you have a plug, please share in the comments so we can all benefit.

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Tracking My Progress

To stay motivated and accountable, I will document my progress. I plan to write brief reviews and reflections on most of the books, sharing my thoughts and any new vocabulary or phrases I learned. These reflections will serve as a personal record of my journey and a source of encouragement for others who might be interested in similar pursuits in sha’a Allah

I am quite excited and please keep me in your ʾadʿiyah (duas). I pray this endeavour brings growth, not just academically but personally.

I invite you to join me on this journey, whether by reading along, sharing great books, even gifting me books or simply following my progress.

May Allah bless our efforts and make this beneficial for all of us. Amin