March 07, 2009

While one needs the guidance of the elders, whether parents or teachers, a good book can also prove to be a good mentor. A fitting example of this is a set of five Islamic books for children from Paradise Books.

This set — compiled and edited by Riaz Afandi and Saani-us-Neen Khan — is the sequel to a series of Islamic books for children in which basic knowledge about God, the Holy Prophet and Islam has been provided. The facts are gathered from the verses of the Holy Quran and then translated into Urdu.

Each book focuses on a separate topic with easy-to-understand language and beautifully coloured illustrations. Some of the themes include Allah ko mein her jaga dekhta hoon (I can see Allah everywhere), Allah k aakhri nabi Mohammad S.A.W. (Allah’s last prophet Mohammad (PBUH), Maan baap se naek sulook karo (Treat your parents well), Ramazan our Quran (Ramazan and the Holy Quran), and Humarey pyarey nabi Mohammad S.A.W. ka bachpan (The childhood of our dear Prophet Mohammad PBUH).

The text is simple but illustrated in a very attractive way. Each topic gives insight about living a disciplined and virtuous life.

We never give a thought to our surroundings but have you ever considered the nature — mountains, trees, fruits? Allah has made them for us to cherish and utilise them. Allah ko mein her jaga dekhta hoon tells that each and every element of nature is God’s creation and He can be seen everywhere in His creations.

The good thing about these books is that they contain a collection of Urdu translation of some verses of the Holy Quran which does not leave any room to argue ‘who said and why’! Keeping in mind children’s psyche, the beautiful illustrations and short text makes these books a valuable gift, and children can easily learn and understand the basic concepts of Islam.

— Benazir Murad Baloch