Would you believe me if I told you I’ve read this book twice, yes twice! You know, some books are hard to review because you fear you won’t do it justice, well this one is of those books!
On Friday 10th of August 2013, 26-year-old Amr Kassem took part in a peaceful protest in Alexandria, Egypt. He was there along with thousands of other people, protesting against the mass injustices taking place in the aftermath of the coup d’état by the Egyptian military under the command of Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. On his way home, he was shot by a sniper and killed. Leaving Asmaa Hussein – the author a widow and their daughter fatherless.
In the first few pages of the introduction alone, I had goosebumps and tears. It was heartbreaking. Being married myself it’s something unimaginable for me, losing my husband is one of my biggest fears. Looking at the cover made my insides jump a little, as Amr looked a lot like one of my closest brothers.
Asmaa tells us her story through diary entries, of how she met and lost her husband. These entries were written during the two years following Amr’s departure from this world. They’re personal, heavy, and yet so uplifting. Asmaa has a way with words, majority of it will make your soul- stir and yearn for Allah. Especially her duas, they are so beautiful. I found myself closing the book countless times, stopping to reflect on them.
‘How strange that a hardship may be a blessing while ease can be the true difficulty! May Allah (swt) make us from those who are constant in both ease and difficulty.’– Asmaa Hussein (Page 236.)
View this post on InstagramA post shared by IMAN Shoppe Bookstore (@imanshoppe_official) on
Asmaa took me on a journey of her pain, loss and most importantly how she lived after immense trauma and found love in other things. She uses and calls upon Allah with His most beautiful names and reiterates the importance of never questioning Allah’s decree. We plan and Allah plans, Allah is the best of planners.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by By Asmaa Hussein (@ruqayas.bookshelf) on
She talks a lot about Amr’s good character and how he was giving of himself to his family, friends, and community. I found myself taking plenty away and feeling inspired to be a better Muslim by his character alone.
I’ve been following Asmaa on social media since reading this book and it’s warming to see, she has found light at the end of her dark tunnel. I find her inspiring with the many hats she wears. An author to multiple books, a registered social worker, a speaker, a publisher and founder of Ruqayahs Bookshelf.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by akeedah (@akeedahbehindthelens) on
Shoohada Khanom
Born and raised in London, writer and children’s author Khanom recently published four pictures books. Today a mother of six, Khanom lives a busy life, splitting her days between home educating her children and her motherly responsibilities. She shares her home in Bolton with her family, and anytime she has a moment to herself, she reads and writes.
