It is often said ‘eyes are the windows to the soul’, however writing can also be said to be a window into the writer’s soul. As all forms of art are an expression from the heart, so too is literature. It enables us to craft our ideas and articulate them in a way which truly expresses our thoughts and ideas; in an effort to engage and connect with the reader’s heart also.
There was once a time when I found this particularly easy. My mind would run with ideas which my pen would effortlessly express into words and sentences and paragraphs; pages and pages without ever feeling at a loss for words.
After becoming a mother of 3 children, the task of putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) has not been so easy. Motherhood – with all its rewards and joys – can be very draining (as many readers can relate), that any time or energy remaining is consumed with the worries and plans for our children. May Allah (SWT) bless all mothers.
So when I was asked by a close friend to pick up my pen and write the story of Prophet Isa (AS) for her madrassa play, little did she know that she had rekindled within me a passion for writing!
Maybe it was the need to engage the children, or perhaps the inspiration which friends always provide in believing us to be more capable than we believe ourselves to be, or simply the wish to reap the rewards of imparting beneficial knowledge, that made my fingers itch to pick up the pen!
And so was born ‘A Miracle -The story of Isa Ibn Maryam’.
The story of Prophet Isa (AS) is one which has been told many a times, as have other stories of the Prophets. However, the stories recounted to us by Allah (SWT) in the Quran hold deeper layers of meaning and counsel which I feel are sometimes omitted from children’s stories under the assumption that children are too simple to grasp them.
On the contrary I believe that children are deep thinkers, little Ghazalis, who if tapped into can really appreciate the purity of the messages behind the series of events, behind the struggles, behind the tears and behind the prayers.
Bringing up 3 children has really forced me to view the world from their lens. Behind their big emotions is a big heart and a vulnerability which is particularly receptive to the ideals which Allah (SWT) asks us to aspire to.
Therefore, the purpose of writing ‘A Miracle’ was not simply to recount events from the life of Maryam (AS) and Prophet Isa (AS), but to invite the reader to really connect with the struggles and challenges faced by our beloved prophet and his mother, and to learn how their faith in Allah (SWT) enabled them to persevere through these hardships.
One way I hoped to achieve this was through rhyme. It is always delightful to read and listen to a story written in rhyme, and what is even more uplifting is when there is a lesson shared along with it. The eloquence of rhyme enables the message to resonate with readers and evokes in their hearts a deeper connection to the writer’s thoughts, in just a few words.
I hope readers will agree that ‘A Miracle’ achieves this whilst leaving a lasting impact on their hearts.
A Miracle: The Story of Isa ibn Maryam (AS) - Hanifa Rahman
From the prayer of Hannah to the great trial faced by Maryam (as), we travel through the life of one of the Prophets of God: Prophet Isa (as). He was sent to bring people back to the Straight Path, but his journey is not yet finished; raised up to Heaven, by the Will of Allah, he is destined to return.
Based on authentic sources, this rhythmic book is full of detail and aims to correct misrepresentations and educate young readers on the Islamic narrative of Prophet Isa’s life
Hanifa Rahman, lives in Dewsbury with her family. As a student of Arabic and Islamic Studies, she combines her passion for learning with her love for writing. When she's not immersed in her teaching or studies, Hanifa enjoys creative pursuits like crocheting and painting. She also actively contributes to her community through her involvement in local charity work and the Islamic library.
