Big Little Steps: A Woman's Guide to Embracing Islam

Product Information

This book consists of five chapters which cover author's reflection on main pillar of Islam. How to boost up your energitic postive vibes in life with spiritual practice. My most favourite chapters are womenkind and togetherness.🥰🥰 I remember when I first started my Muslim journey, finding information on literally anything was so hard. I didn’t know what Wudhu was or how to pray properly. Didn’t know how to make dua or even how to act in a mosque. If I had this book four years ago, I can’t imagine how far I would have gone. I am proud of where I am, do not get me wrong, the struggle helped shape me and my faith. But just having someone tell me what literally the basics were would have been so useful. I remember the day I first went to Masjid. I didn’t have any modest clothing so I had to layer a t- shirt under a sweater and ask my brother for a pair of pants because all of mine were skinny jeans. I went with my now good friend Aminah, who helped me so much on my journey. I remember the carpet, the kids that were surrounding me and climbing on top of their mothers while everyone was praying. I remember going into the sister hall and sitting with the other teenage girls as they recited the Quran. My entire journey has been filled with hardships but one thing that did not change was my devotion and faith in Allah. Even when my parents yelled at me and made me sleep in the hallway. Even when I had all my hijabs taken away. Even though I get constant stares while walking around school, none of this matters to me. Allah is the only one who can judge me, and knows my true intentions. Weekly, ‘Stay and Play’, sessions at the Family Centres which will support baby’s development, build parents confidence and understanding of their baby’s needs.

Readers are kept engaged with quirky watercolour illustrations, such as of constellations when describing the history of the Quran, and of a woman praying. Personal notes to the reader are also scribbled in the margins, giving it the appearance of a well-kept journal or diary, as opposed to a heavy book on religion. Overall, I would recommend this book to those who are interested about Islam or want to practice Islam. This would, insha Allah, bring up their spirituality, and with Allah’s Guidance they would be guided aright. Its first sentence sets the tone for what’s to come: “I hope there will be croissants in paradise”. It might be an unlikely opener for Islamic literature, but, throughout, Loujayne uses simple, everyday language, while retaining an educated, informative tone. For example, when describing the obligatory prayers, she writes: “He has prescribed for us set meeting hours to talk to him, confide in him, and it’s up to us whether we RSVP or not. This rendezvous strengthens our relationship with God, deepens our spirituality and holds many rewards.” I am not an Islamic scholar – I am a woman of faith with more than fifteen years of experience in the Muslim community. I have simply made the effort to dig deep into research to be sure I’ve made the right choice for myself. Now I want to pass on this knowledge, since Islam encourages us all to help each other. Big Little Steps is a little handbook for Muslimahs (or those interested in Islam) on taking the big steps in their life. Big Little Steps is all about love for Islam from Muslimahs in all walks of life, and the feeling of belonging to the ummah, regardless of the level of faith one has. The author has sectioned the book into five parts – Faith, A Way of Life, Womankind, Prayer, and Togetherness.A ‘self-help’ book for Muslims, which seeks both to inspire Muslim women, but also to educate those outside the faith. Since her conversion to Islam in 2002, Mathilde Loujayne has crossed paths with women from all walks of life on a common spiritual journey to discover Islam from a feminine perspective. Fuelled by a desire to find the right words to explain to her mother her choice to embrace Islam, this guide was born.

I had concerns with certain concepts and issues related to the religious aspect in the book, which I have written about in my blog https://ummafrazblog.wordpress.comSupport for parents in building confidence in working with involved agencies such as social care, peri-natal teams and substance misuse agencies. Support when baby is born with routines, managing parenting worries and ongoing support to build upon parenting skills needed as baby develops. Finding peace will bring solace to your heart. Every person comes with their own nature – change your bad habits but keep the good ones! You will stay ‘you’; you will simply benefit from the process as you make positive changes to your way of thinking. Think of it like adding more sprinkles to the top of the cupcake!”

This is a book full of heart. New Muslims and those who are newly committed to their religion will find much useful information conveyed with common sense and compassion. ― Dr. Ingrid Mattson, London and Windsor Community Chair in Islamic Studies at Huron University College (Canada) So in a nutshell, this amazing, customized😋,faminine, self help book is for women and full of references from Quran and hadith with speculative practical advice. This book, I would say 'a must read for all women in faith'. Also this is not a one time reading book rather you should keep it in your bookshelf type of book. 🤗

The inclusion of watercolour works done by the author’s mother shows the level of respect and closeness the author has with her mother. Prayer has a separate chapter of its own, covering topics such as ablution, menstruation, istikharah, women visiting masjid, the call to prayer, and prayers on special occasions. This book is designed to empower women with Islamic values. Five pillars of Islam are the tools to become the best version of ourself. Author's idea of getting along with like minded sisters and being part of global sisterhood of muslim ummah is really inspiring! 😍😍 Any parents not meeting criteria, but where support is considered likely to prevent baby coming into care at birth, can be discussed on an individual basis.