Reading – Poem by a young Muslim poet

image via flickr by Chocolate Geek

Today I am happy to share with you a guest post by Fida Islaih, a young Muslim poet. I stumbled upon her poetry about a year or so ago. Fida has kindly consented to my request and composed a short poem on reading and what it means to her. Read more of her poetry at A Poet Named Fida.

Reading

© Fida Islaih

 

Reading is like traveling

seeing, being in different worlds

all imaginable

if you let your mind go.

 

Reading is like pictures

but looking the way you want;

 

Reading is like writing

Letting the world know what’s on your mind.

Poetry for Muslim children

Children like to hear poems read aloud, especially when they rhyme and/or are a bit silly. Sadly, if you happen  to be looking for Islamic rhymes for Muslim children and teens you will find yourself disappointed. That’s because there is very little available out there.

Although, last year around this time  I did review the few books of poetry for Muslim children which I know of. If you haven’t already seen these then check them out. 

Rays of Truth: Poems on Islam is a collection of thirty-two poems meant for young adults. In this collection of powerful poetry readers are drawn into a world that makes them ponder about life, death, sacrifice, faith and Allah. The poetry itself is inspiring and uplifting while at once calling the individual to realise the meaning of life.  Read more about this collection of poems here.

 

Muslim Poems for Children by Mymona Hendricks is a collection of twenty poems for children between the ages seven and thirteen. The poems are about a variety of Islamic topics including the pillars of Islam (e.g. salah (prayer), hajj and fasting); Islamic identity, the Quran, brotherhood and parents.  The poems are written in a very simple form and rhyme.Read more about this collection of poems here.

The Muslim children’s author, Umm An-Nu’man has written some beautiful poetry. The rhymes and clear images the evoke make them great for sharing with a young child. Read aloud in the classroom or with young ones at home. See two wonderful poems by this wonderful author that I posted in the past here.

 PhotoCredits: Islamic Foundation store

Do you know of any collections of poetry for Muslim children or teenagers?

Do you or someone you know enjoy writing poetry? Then you have an opportunity to enter and win the only one of its kind for Muslims, the Islamic Writers’ Alliance’s  7th annual Poetry Competition. Submissions are being accepted until April 30th. Poems on any theme are allowed. View rules and details about the competition here.

Snowflakes

photo by CaptPiper

Last year I was privileged to have the opportunity to share with you a wonderful poem by Umm An-Nu’man titled “The Little Boy Who Loved the Qur’an“. Now I wish to share another beautiful poem by the same author that deals with a different subject matter. One that matches nicely the chilly weather (and winters) being experienced in some parts of the world.

 

 Copyright © 2008 Umm An-Nu’man      

 

They came in the millions      

each one unique      

They swirled all around us      

but not a word did they speak      

We each played among them      

how we did romp and roam      

For hours they entertained us      

until we were all called home      

But even from the window      

inside of our houses warm and bright      

We could still see them      

as they flickered in the night      

Glitter and sparkle, swirl and dance      

How I longed to be with them      

If I only had the chance      

When my father came home I rushed to him      

and asked if he saw what Allah had sent down      

He told me he did and he tried to smile      

because he had been stuck in the snow all the way across town.      

Then the smile did come and he said, “Son let’s go.”      

And outside we went into the cold to build a masjid made out of snow      

The snowflakes keep falling, but build it we did      

And I helped out a lot even though I’m still a kid      

Just me and my dad, a million snowflakes,      

and my mom watching from the door      

Praising Allah in the middle of a snowstorm      

What son could ask for more?      

 

- by Umm An-Nu’man      

     

Umm An-Nu’man is a teacher and author. She blogs at The Well-Read Muslim and A Muslim Child is Born. Visit The Official Website of Umm An-Nu’man for more information about her books and for a variety of free Islamic educational resources for children.      

–>  Remember please feel free to rate and to share this post if you liked it! See below for options available. And of course you are welcome to always leave a comment below or email (use the contact tab at the top of the page or send to muslimkidsbooks @ gmail . com).

     

       

Poetry from a young Muslim woman

 

photo by Tammy Strobel

Not long ago I came upon a delightful blog filled with the poetry, writings and reflections of a young Muslim American woman. I feel happy whenever I meet young people who are not just creative but who also make a productive use of their time.

So here is a poem by Fida I from thepoetrykorner:

 

My Family is Global

  

I have grandparents

uncles and aunts

from Palestine and Malaysia

and don’t forget North America.

 

I also have second cousins

from Italy, Russia,

and Turkey

but don’t forget China

and India

 

If we’re all together

we create a picture

of faces of different

color and race

but that doesn’t matter

cuz we’re unique as a family.

 

My family is global

and that’s why

we love to travel.

 

~ by Fida I

  

 

And here is another I really like:

  

Life’s Not Perfect

  

Just think
life is not always gonna be great

there might be days
full of laughter and fun
but in one moment things could change

someone can pull your last straw
make you wanna scream

tears run down your face
you want a friend to come
listen to you and understand your feelings
give you a hug and say
everything will be okay.

Life isn’t always be the way you want it to be
we just have to pray and hope
that God will be by our side
every step of the way.

 

~ by Fida I

  

 

 

These poems are the works of Fida I and are only reproduced here by permission of the poet.