Khadija: The Wife of the Prophet Muhammad (saws) by Saniyasnain Khan
BOOK REVIEW 📚 Title: Khadija: The Wife of the Prophet Muhammad (saws) Author: Saniyasnain Khan Illustrator: Gurmeet Publisher: Goodword Books Type: Non-Fiction Age: 10+ Rating: 7/10 🌟 🌸 Islamic Content: Biography of Khadija (ra) 🌸 Concerns: See full Review 🌸 Summary: This book relates, in detail, the life of Khadija (ra) before and after the Prophet Muhammed (saws) received his first revelation of the Qur'an. The book begins with a summary of Khadija's early life, her lineage and tribe, her first two marriages and children, as well as her successful role as a wealthy businesswoman of her time. Khadija, in need for a trustworthy person to lead her next caravan to Syria for trade, hires the Prophet (saws) to take on this venture. Impressed with his honesty and loyalty, Khadija sends a marriage proposal to the Prophet (saws) through a friend of hers. Prophet Muhammed (saws) and Khadija's household was quite full including their six children. The Prophet (saws) received his first revelation in the cave of Hira and Khadija was the first to accept his prophethood and to accept Islam. From then on, Khadija (ra) was experiencing the difficulties and trials alongside the Prophet (saws) until the day she passed away. 🌸 Review: I think this book is a great overall introduction to whom she was and how she contributed to early Islam. This biography of the first wife of the Prophet (saws) is articulated in 64 pages accompanied by mainly landscape illustrations. As shown on the page of contents, each chapter summarizes important events revolving her life and influences. The language and text are a little monotonous and flat throughout and has a couple of grammar issues. Because of slightly advanced vocabulary, I would say it targets kids ages 10 and up. 🌸 It is obvious that before Islam, historically, not many details are known about the Prophet's (saws) life and his family in comparison to the facts we know after his prophethood and especially after the hijrah. With that said, there seem to be some differences in some minor details in this book. (Ie: details leading to the Prophet's (saws) hire for the caravan). There is an entire chapter about the Prophet's (saws) voyage to Syria and great detail given to the point where it lists some items that were being purchased. Again, I can't really say how much of that is actually proven in facts and if some of it is embellishment to keep the interest of the reader. 🌸 A couple of facts that I know are incorrect are: 1. When Ali ibn Abi Talib (ra) first saw the Prophet (saws) and Khadija (ra) praying he was visiting, however by this time he was actually already living with the Prophet (saws) instead. 2. Claims that Fatima (ra) and Ali (ra) had only two sons when in fact they had two sons and two daughters. 🌸 However, in this book, I think it's important to recognize that the overall biography and Khadija's character is accurately portrayed. At the end of the book, it briefly summarizes her character and traits, but I wish there was a lot more emphasis done on this to do justice to the great woman she really was. For example elaborating the significance of her role as a merchant and what that meant at that time, why did the Prophet (saws) always speak about her and remember her even years after her death. This book also includes a bibliography, which is rare to see in kid's Islamic books. 🌸 Available: @goodwordbooks #khadija #goodworkbooks #muslimkidsbooks #islamickidsbooks #muslimauthor #muslimkidslit #raisingmuslimreaders
Dec 22/2019