Mayous Parenting Blog

Author: Mayous Publishing

  • Moderate Muslim Parenting: 7 Powerful Habits for Raising Confident Kids

    Moderate Muslim Parenting: 7 Powerful Habits for Raising Confident Kids

    Moderate Muslim parenting doesn’t mean compromising on faith or values. It means raising children who understand Islam through empathy, routine, and real-life experiences. As Muslim parents living in the West, many of us find ourselves balancing tradition with modern parenting practices. This guide shares 7 powerful habits that can help you raise confident, faith-driven children without extremes.

    Why Moderate Muslim Parenting Matters

    The world our kids are growing up in is full of contradictions. Muslim values can feel out of sync with modern media and school culture. But becoming overly strict or completely disengaged are not the only options. Moderate Muslim parenting offers a path that is spiritually grounded and emotionally intelligent. It meets children where they are while guiding them toward where they can grow.

    1. Lead with Conversations, Not Commands

    Children today respond better to dialogue than dogma. Instead of saying “because I said so,” explain the why behind Islamic actions. For example, when teaching about prayer, talk about gratitude and mindfulness. This builds trust and deeper understanding.

    2. Make Faith a Daily Habit, Not a Weekly Event

    Islam isn’t just for Friday prayers. Moderate Muslim parenting means weaving faith into daily routines:

    • Bedtime du’a and storytime
    • Saying Bismillah before meals
    • Talking about the Prophet’s character in everyday moments

    These small acts create spiritual rhythm without rigidity.

    3. Use Storybooks to Teach Moral Lessons

    Children learn best through stories. Books like Adam Learns About Tawakkul or Nora’s Snowy Sadaqah show how kids can live their faith with kindness, resilience, and joy. If you’re a moderate Muslim parent, these books provide relatable, faith-centered content that doesn’t preach—it inspires.

    You can:
    👉 Read it for free
    👉 Or get your own copy

    4. Let Your Children See You Struggle and Grow

    Parents often hide their own challenges. But your growth is part of their education. When you admit you don’t know something or that you’re working on your patience, you show them that being Muslim is a journey—not a checklist.

    5. Create Safe Spaces for Hard Questions

    Moderate Muslim parenting encourages children to ask, even when the questions are difficult: “Why do we fast?” or “What if I don’t feel like praying?” Your openness helps prevent confusion or rebellion later. Instead of shame, lead with curiosity.

    6. Encourage Islamic Identity Through Joy

    Joy is a powerful vehicle for belonging. Celebrate Ramadan with crafts and treats. Let them decorate their prayer space. Make Eid about more than food and clothes—tell stories, start traditions. Your joy becomes theirs.

    moderate Muslim parenting bedtime routine with father and child

    7. Connect Islamic Values with Everyday Life

    Show them how Islam applies to school, friendships, and even online behavior:

    • Honesty in group projects
    • Respect for teachers
    • Kindness to siblings and animals

    This teaches children that Islam isn’t something separate—it’s something they live.

    Free Resources for Moderate Muslim Parents

    Final Reflection

    You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be present. Moderate Muslim parenting is about finding strength in softness, guidance in imperfection, and faith in your everyday actions. Keep going. You’re not alone.

    This article is part of our ongoing series on parenting, faith, and modern Muslim family life. Subscribe to our newsletter for more reflections and resources.

  • 10 Muslim-Friendly Summer Activities in Montreal

    10 Muslim-Friendly Summer Activities in Montreal

    Because Faith, Fun, and Family Can Coexist

    Explore these 10 Muslim-friendly summer activities in Montreal for a fun and fulfilling season.

    Summer is here.

    And for Muslim parents in Montreal, that often means one thing:

    Kids. At home. All. Day. Long.

    They’re bored.

    They want entertainment.

    And if we’re not careful, that means hours of screen time, snacks, and a glazed-over expression.

    But here’s the truth:

    You don’t need a packed schedule or Pinterest-perfect plans to have a meaningful summer.

    You just need intention, simplicity, and a little faith-based creativity.

    Here are 10 screen-free activities that bring fun and value to your child’s summer — right here in Montreal.

    1. Go on a “Signs of Allah” Nature Walk at Mount Royal Park

    Take a slow walk through Parc du Mont-Royal and challenge your child to find signs of Allah in creation:

    🌿 The design of a maple leaf
    🦆 Ducks by Beaver Lake
    🌥️ The way clouds roll over the hilltop
    🪵 A fallen tree still giving life

    Let them look, wonder, and ask questions.

    “Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding.”
    — Surah Aal-Imran (3:190)

    Nature becomes a quiet form of remembrance — a reminder that Allah’s signs are all around us.

    2. Make a Gratitude Jar on Rainy Days

    Montreal weather loves to surprise. Use cloudy days to create a family shukr jar.

    Every day, write one thing you’re thankful for.

    At the end of summer, read them all aloud.

    It’s a quiet, screen-free way to build gratitude — and God-consciousness — one moment at a time.

    3. Visit a Local Farm & Learn About Halal Animals

    Plan a day trip to Ferme Guyon in Chambly or La Ferme Quinn.

    Ask:

    • “Which animals are halal?”
    • “Which are not, and why?”
    • “What’s the wisdom in how Allah guides us to eat?”

    Let your child see animals up close and connect the rules of zabiha to everyday life.

    4. Read One Storybook a Day — But Add Reflection

    Make storytime intentional.

    Choose books that weave in faith, morals, or science.

    Ask questions like:

    • “What lesson did this character learn?”
    • “What does the Qur’an say about this?”
    • “Would you have done the same?”

    📚 Start with free Islamic stories:

    You can:
    👉 Read it for free
    👉 Or get your own copy

    5. Have a Weekly Sadaqah Challenge in Your Neighbourhood

    Every Sunday, give your child a new mission:

    📝 Write a card to an elderly neighbour
    🍪 Bake cookies for a family going through hardship
    🧸 Donate old toys at Renaissance

    Label it clearly: “This is sadaqah — a gift for Allah.”

    Not just kindness. Worship.

    6. Visit Parc Jean-Drapeau for Water + Reflection

    Spend a morning by the lake at Jean-Drapeau. Bring water balloons or just play by the fountains.

    Then sit in the shade and talk about water as mercy:

    • “Water can help or harm — like our actions.”
    • “Allah gave us balance in everything.”

    Let fun become reflection.

    7. Build a Blanket Fort and Make It a Story Cave

    Turn your living room into a cozy space filled with books, string lights, and pillows.

    At night, turn it into a quiet retreat for reading stories, having deep conversations, or simply winding down together — a gentle way to nurture stillness and imagination.

    8. Make DIY Islamic Crafts on Plateau Market Days

    Pick up supplies from the Avenue Duluth Sunday Market and let your child create:

    • A mini prayer mat from felt
    • A tasbih with wooden beads
    • Du’a cards to hang by their bed

    Montreal’s creative vibe makes this an easy (and affordable) win.

    9. Bake with Barakah

    Whether it’s date bars or banana bread, turn baking into an act of worship.

    Ask:

    • “Who will we share this with?”
    • “What du’a can we say while baking?”
    • “How is this small act a source of barakah?”

    Connect your kitchen to the heart.

    10. Let Them Tell Their Own Stories — With a Moral

    Give them a prompt and let them write or act out a tale.

    Ideas:

    • “A beaver who shares his dam”
    • “A girl who forgives her friend”
    • “A boy who learns to pray on his own…”

    Their imagination is where values come to life.

    Your Montreal Summer — Made Meaningful

    The best summer days don’t need tickets, screens, or packed itineraries.

    They just need attention, presence, and a sense of purpose.

    Montreal already has the beauty.

    You just bring the barakah.

  • Islam and Delayed Gratification: Building Resilient Kids

    Islam and Delayed Gratification: Building Resilient Kids

    From Farmers, to Factory Workers, to Sedentary Office Workers… in Less Than 100 Years

    islam and delayed gratification shortening over the ages

    Many of us have heard the hadith that, in the end of times, time will accelerate.
    But is time just time? Or is it the events that happen within it that truly define what time is?

    When we look back at the last century, the growth of our lifestyle has been unprecedented.
    Our great-grandfathers worked the land. Our grandfathers were simple merchants or held straightforward jobs during the height of the industrial era.
    And we… make our living sitting in front of screens, working alongside AI, in a deeply connected, digital world.

    However… this article isn’t about AI doomsday predictions, nor is it a nostalgic plea to return to the “good old days.”

    Let’s talk about something that hasn’t changed, no matter the era, technology, or lifestyle:

    The Time It Takes for Things to Grow

    Whether we’re talking about planting a seed that becomes food, training muscles through physical effort, or developing our minds to gain new skills or strengthen character—things take time.

    And nothing changes that.

    The fact that our attention span has shrunk to just 3 seconds, thanks to the lightning pace of information, has completely reshaped what we expect from the world.
    But it shouldn’t.

    Good things take time to build—just as they take time to grow.

    Kids Living in the 3-Second Age

    This is especially important for our kids, who are growing up in a world where everything is instantly available.
    Bored? Tap a screen. Need something? It appears in seconds.
    Even parents rush to help or provide, unknowingly feeding this expectation of speed and ease.

    But this sets children up for struggle when faced with reality: learning takes time, homework can feel endless, and progress often feels slow.
    If they’re not taught to wait, to trust the process, and to persevere—they’ll see effort as failure and slowness as punishment.

    So How Do We Teach Sabr?

    One of the gentlest and most powerful ways to teach sabr (patience) is through storytelling.

    Our storybook With Sabr, What Allah Plans Always Grows is a fully illustrated tale that captures this exact lesson. It blends heart, moral, and science—explaining how patience is not just a virtue, but a universal truth.

    📖 Inside the story, your child will discover:

    • A simple fable inspired by nature
    • The Quran concept of sabr
    • Scientific facts about how plants grow over time

    You can:
    👉 Read it for free
    👉 Or get your own copy

    Let them grow with the stories you plant. 🌱

  • Why Summer Is the Best Time to Build a Daily Storytime Ritual

    Why Summer Is the Best Time to Build a Daily Storytime Ritual

    (And How It Can Transform Your Child’s Faith + Emotional Bonding)

    Summer brings long days, slower evenings, and fewer rigid schedules.

    And while that might mean more popsicles and later bedtimes — it also means a rare opportunity to build a gentle, lasting habit:

    Daily storytime.

    Not just any storytime.

    Not passive screen time or “read something so you’ll sleep.”

    We’re talking about stories with meaning.

    Stories that open the heart.

    Stories that make space for questions — not just compliance.

    And yes, stories that weave in faith without sounding like a sermon.

    Why Storytime Matters More Than You Think

    Kids don’t just absorb lessons when they’re told what to do.

    They absorb them when they feel safe.

    When they feel close.

    When they feel heard.

    Bedtime is one of the few moments in the day when stillness meets softness.

    And that makes it the perfect time for:

    • Reflection

    • Connection

    • Gentle guidance

    • And quiet questions about right, wrong, and everything in between

    Sample Summer Storytime Schedule (Simple + Sustainable)

    Here’s a low-pressure rhythm you can try:

    🌙 Monday: Read a Mayous storybook + ask 1 reflection question

    📖 Tuesday: Let your child choose a story + discuss the character’s choice

    🕯 Wednesday: “Cave night” — storytime in a fort or under a blanket with flashlight

    📿 Thursday: Story with a spiritual theme (e.g., kindness, tawakkul, gratitude)

    💭 Friday: Make up your own moral story together

    🎉 Weekend: No rules — just curl up and read whatever you both enjoy

    This is not a curriculum.

    It’s a habit. A rhythm. A ritual.

    It makes storytime something kids look forward to — not just endure.

    How Storytelling Beats Lecturing (Especially in Summer)

    It’s hot.

    Everyone’s off routine.

    And let’s be honest — long lectures aren’t landing right now.

    But stories?

    They sneak past the defenses.

    They invite reflection without pressure.

    They let your child see themselves in the characters — and wonder:

    “What would I have done?”

    Storytelling builds moral muscles — gently and naturally.

    Why We Created the Mayous Storybook Library

    At Mayous, we know Muslim parents want more than rulebooks and rhyming “be good” poems.

    You want:

    • Emotionally intelligent characters

    • Qur’anic values woven into real stories

    • A chance to teach without preaching

    That’s exactly why we built our free Islamic storybook library — so you can build habits rooted in bonding, reflection, and heart-centered faith.

    📚 Start your storytime ritual tonight.
    Read a free story and let your child feel the difference between memorizing morals and meeting them in a story.

    👉 Visit mayous.org/read

  • How to Spark Your Child’s Curiosity About Islam This Summer

    How to Spark Your Child’s Curiosity About Islam This Summer

    (Without Pressure, Lectures, or Endless Reminders)

    Summer is full of open time, open skies, and — if you’re not careful — open-ended boredom.

    It’s also a golden opportunity.

    Not for more rules.

    Not for drilling information.

    But for something softer, deeper, and longer lasting:

    Curiosity.

    Because if your child becomes curious about Islam — truly curious —

    they’ll explore it on their own,

    ask questions on their own,

    and build a relationship with God that isn’t dependent on you always initiating.

    So how do we spark that kind of curiosity?

    Here are simple, flexible ways you can plant the seed — without ever sounding like a sermon.

    1. Take a “Signs of Allah” Walk

    Go outside.

    That’s it. No worksheets. No long du’a lists.

    Just walk and observe.

    Ask:

    “What does this remind you of in the Qur’an?”

    “Why do you think Allah made clouds like this?”

    “Do you think animals remember Allah too?”

    Then share a verse like:

    “And on the earth are signs for those who have certainty.” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:20)

    You’re not giving a lesson — you’re building awareness.

    That’s curiosity in action.

    2. Create a “Question of the Week” Board

    At the start of each week, let your child write or decorate a big question:

    • Why did Allah make us?

    • Where is Jannah?

    • Why do we fast?

    • How does Allah hear everyone?

    Then spend the week wondering together.

    Look up answers. Ask grandparents. Read stories that touch the theme.

    Let the search become part of the memory.

    3. Tell Stories That Plant Questions (Not Just Answers)

    Kids don’t need lectures.

    They need stories that make them think.

    That’s why at Mayous, our Islamic storybooks are designed to gently embed Qur’anic values inside real stories with:

    • Emotionally relatable characters

    • Moral tension and curiosity

    • A soft verse woven into the journey

    Because when stories reflect your child’s inner world — they naturally start asking more.

    📚 Explore free stories here

    4. Let Them Teach You What They Know

    Reversal is powerful.

    Instead of always being the one to explain, ask your child:

    “Can you teach me something you know about Islam?”

    “What’s your favorite ayah — and why?”

    “If you could write a story with a lesson in it, what would it be?”

    Let them take the lead.

    When kids are invited to own what they know, they get curious about what they don’t know — and that’s where motivation begins.

    5. Use Art, Science, and Play as Gateways to Faith

    Don’t separate Islam from “school subjects.”

    Blend them.

    • Let science spark Qur’an discussions (e.g., rain, animals, stars)

    • Let painting lead to a discussion about divine beauty

    • Let a trip to the beach become a conversation about tides, time, and trust in Allah

    Faith isn’t limited to salah time.

    Show them it’s woven into everything.

    Curiosity Is the Beginning of Every Real Relationship

    And faith is no different.

    When you stop trying to push — and start planting wonder — your child begins to explore on their own.

    They ask. They reflect.

    And inshaAllah, they build a connection to Allah that feels personal, peaceful, and strong.

    📚 Want help starting those conversations?
    Read a free Mayous storybook — and let your child’s curiosity take root.

    👉 Visit mayous.org/read

  • 10 Muslim-Friendly Summer Activities That Don’t Involve Screens

    10 Muslim-Friendly Summer Activities That Don’t Involve Screens

    (Because Faith, Fun, and Family Can Coexist)

    Summer is here.

    And for Muslim parents everywhere, that often means one thing:

    Kids. At home. All. Day. Long.

    They’re bored.

    They want entertainment.

    And if we’re not careful, that means hours of screen time, snacks, and a glazed-over expression.

    But here’s the truth:

    You don’t need a packed schedule or Pinterest-perfect plans to have a meaningful summer.

    You just need intention, simplicity, and a little faith-based creativity.

    Here are 10 screen-free activities that bring fun and value to your child’s summer — no matter where you live.

    1. Go on a “Signs of Allah” Nature Walk

    Take a simple walk and challenge your child to find signs of Allah in the world.

    🌿 A leaf’s pattern.

    🌧️ A cloud’s shape.

    🐜 An ant’s teamwork.

    🌞 The heat of the sun.

    Bring a notebook and let them draw what they see. This becomes reflection and art.

    Then, pause together and reflect on this verse:

    “Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding.”

    — Surah Aal-Imran (3:190)

    إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَٱخْتِلَافِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ لَءَايَاتٍ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ

    Let your child sit with the idea that nature itself is a kind of scripture — waiting to be read.

    2. Make a Gratitude Jar

    Each day, every family member writes one thing they’re thankful for.

    At the end of summer, read them all aloud.

    It builds emotional intelligence, humility, and God-consciousness — without lectures.

    3. Read One Storybook Every Day — But Make It Count

    Choose Islamic storybooks that offer more than just entertainment.

    After each story, ask:

    “What did this character do right?”

    “What would you have done differently?”

    “Which verse did this story remind you of?”

    📚 Start with a free story here

    4. Visit a Local Farm and Talk About Halal Animals

    You don’t need a fancy zoo trip — just a small local farm.

    Ask your kids:

    “Which of these animals are halal?”

    “Why do you think Allah made some animals for us to eat and some not?”

    Let them connect ethics, nature, and divine wisdom.

    5. Do a Weekly Kindness Challenge (Sadaqah Style)

    Give your child a weekly mission:

    • Write a kind letter to a neighbor

    • Share a toy with a sibling

    • Clean up without being asked

    • Bake cookies for someone who’s sick

    Label it clearly: this is sadaqah — a gift for Allah, not just others.

    6. Build a Blanket Fort and Make It a Story Cave

    Let them decorate a fort with string lights, pillows, and their favorite books.

    Each night, turn it into “storytime in the cave” — inspired by the Prophet ﷺ’s time in the Cave of Hira.

    7. Make a DIY Prayer Mat or Tasbih Set

    This is a great hands-on way to help them feel connected to salah.

    Use felt, glue, and fabric markers for the prayer mat.

    Use beads, string, and a printable du’a chart for tasbih.

    It’s craft meets spirituality.

    8. Do a Water-Themed Reflection Day

    Play with water balloons or go to a splash pad. Then sit down and talk about how:

    “Water is a mercy.”

    “Too much water can flood — just like too much anger or distraction.”

    “Everything needs balance — even fun.”

    Let play lead to meaning.

    9. Bake Together — But With Intention

    Turn baking into a teaching moment:

    “Who can we share these with?”

    “What du’a can we make while mixing?”

    “How is this barakah when done for others?”

    Bonus: Tie it to stories like Nora’s Snowy Sadaqah.

    10. Let Them Tell Their Own Stories

    Ask your child to make up a story with a moral. Help them write it or act it out.

    Give prompts like:

    • “A lion who learns to listen”

    • “A girl who keeps a promise”

    • “A goat who learns not to brag…”

    Let their imagination bring out the values you want them to absorb.

    You Don’t Need to Entertain — You Just Need to Connect

    Summer doesn’t need to be filled with noise and distraction.

    Sometimes, the best days are the quiet ones —

    A story, a walk, a prayer, and a little time to talk.

    📚 Ready to start?
    Read free Islamic storybooks today and begin your own summer tradition.

    👉 Visit mayous.org/read

  • Between the Parents With the 4-Year-Old in Hijab — and the Ones Who Pour Wine at Eid

    Between the Parents With the 4-Year-Old in Hijab — and the Ones Who Pour Wine at Eid

    There’s a split happening.

    And it’s not small.

    On one side:

    You’ve got the hyper-strict crowd —

    The parents who dress their 4-year-old daughters in full hijab, ban Disney movies, avoid playgrounds with music, and throw around words like haram and kufr like confetti.

    On the other:

    You’ve got the hyper-assimilated crowd —

    The ones who pour wine at Eid dinner, say things like “I’m spiritual, not religious,” let their kids joke about fasting with bacon, and call anyone trying to teach prayer a “fundamentalist.”

    And then…

    There’s you.

    Somewhere in the middle.

    Tired of pretending to belong to either side.

    Trying to raise your kids with faith, compassion, and common sense — without turning them into either robots or rebels.

    You’re Not Extreme. You’re Just Trying to Be Intentional.

    You don’t want to raise kids who wear Islam like a costume.

    But you also don’t want them to grow up seeing faith as optional, shallow, or embarrassing.

    You believe in God.

    You believe in raising kids who know why they believe.

    You want them to:

    • Feel spiritually grounded

    • Be emotionally secure

    • Ask questions

    • Make mistakes

    • Learn values, not just rules

    But most of what’s out there is either too preachy or too watered down.

    So where do you go?

    This Is the No Man’s Land Most Muslim Parents Are In

    We don’t relate to the loudest voices online.

    We’re not halal-police.

    We’re not progressive-without-boundaries.

    We’re in the middle.

    We love our faith. We also love nuance.

    And we want to raise kids who are spiritually connected and emotionally well.

    Not just “good Muslims.”

    Whole Muslims.

    That’s Why We Built Mayous.

    We write children’s storybooks for Muslim parents like you — the quiet majority who are done with extremes.

    • Stories rooted in Qur’anic values

    • Morals that actually mean something

    • Characters who reflect real feelings, real questions, and real growth

    • No fear tactics. No fluff. Just faith with depth.

    Because we believe the middle path isn’t boring — it’s brave.

    Want to Raise Spiritually Conscious, Emotionally Smart Muslim Kids?

    📚 Visit our free eBook library to start reading storybooks designed for families like yours — where God is part of the story, but guilt isn’t.

    👉 Read now at mayous.org/read

    You’re not alone.

    And you don’t have to choose between hijab-at-four and wine-at-Eid.

    There’s a third way.

    And it starts with the stories we tell our kids.

  • The Mindset = The Program in Your Child’s Brain

    The Mindset = The Program in Your Child’s Brain

    (And You’re Writing It Every Single Day)

    Think of your child’s brain like a computer.

    Every belief, every word, every routine you give them?

    It’s programming.

    And like any program, it will run on autopilot for years… even decades.

    Mindset = the mental operating system.

    The question is: what software are you installing?

    “I’m only loved when I’m good.”

    “I can’t ask questions.”

    “If I fail, I’m a disappointment.”

    “My job is to obey, not think.”

    These aren’t things you say directly.

    But they’re things kids absorb from how we respond to them.

    The tone we use.

    The expectations we set.

    The stories we tell.

    Want Better Behavior? Build a Better Belief System

    Kids who believe they’re trusted become responsible.

    Kids who believe they’re valued become confident.

    Kids who believe God is merciful — not just punishing — develop true spirituality.

    It starts with what you put in their minds.

    Our Storybooks Are Soft Programs for the Soul

    At Mayous, every story plants a mindset:

    • That failure is a step, not an end

    • That faith is intelligent, not blind

    • That kindness is strength

    • That God sees your heart, not your checklist

    📚 Browse our free eBook library and start shaping the software that runs your child’s life — gently, beautifully, and with purpose.

  • Why Your Perfectly Behaved Kid May Become a Wild Teenager

    Why Your Perfectly Behaved Kid May Become a Wild Teenager

    You’ve got a “good kid.”

    They always do what they’re told.

    They don’t talk back.

    They follow the rules.

    Everyone compliments you on how “well-raised” they are.

    And yet… you have a gut feeling.

    They’re too quiet.

    They’re too good.

    Here’s why that matters.

    Perfect behavior can sometimes be a red flag.

    They’re Performing, Not Processing

    Some kids don’t want to disappoint you — so they become what they think you want.

    They suppress their questions. Their needs. Their feelings.

    They say yes when they want to say why?

    But all that pressure builds.

    And when the hormones hit, or they taste independence…

    It all unravels.

    Rebellion Is Often Just Suppressed Selfhood

    Teens who suddenly “change” are often just revealing the person they were never allowed to be.

    That’s not defiance. That’s recovery.

    The goal isn’t to raise obedient children.

    It’s to raise emotionally healthy ones.

    That’s Why Our Stories Don’t Demand Perfection

    At Mayous, our characters aren’t perfect.

    They struggle.

    They mess up.

    They grow.

    Because we want kids to feel safe being real — not just “good.”

    We want them to see that Islam welcomes growth, not performance.

    📚 Start reading with your child today, for FREE — and plant the seeds of self-awareness and spiritual grounding before the teen years hit.

  • Why Kids “Go Astray”

    Why Kids “Go Astray”

    (Hint: It’s Not Because They Stopped Listening — It’s Because They Were Never Heard)

    You raise your kids with rules.

    You teach them right from wrong.

    You send them to Qur’an class. You limit their screen time. You do your best.

    But one day… they pull away.

    They stop sharing.

    They stop listening.

    They drift.

    And you wonder:

    “What happened? They were so good. So obedient. Why are they going astray?”

    Here’s a hard truth:

    Kids don’t usually go astray because you didn’t teach them enough.

    They go astray because you didn’t reach them deep enough.

    You Focused on Control, Not Connection

    We spent years telling them what to do — but not why.

    We filled their schedules with rules and rituals — but not reflection.

    We shut down their emotions with phrases like:

    “Don’t be dramatic.”

    “Just pray and it’ll be fine.”

    But a child who is never heard will eventually find someone else who listens.

    If You Don’t Give Them Belonging, The World Will

    And the world’s version of belonging?

    It’s louder.

    It’s shinier.

    It feels free — even if it leads to emptiness.

    This doesn’t mean your child is rebellious.

    It means they’re human. And they want more than rules.

    They want love, depth, meaning.

    This Is Why We Tell Stories

    At Mayous, we write storybooks that speak to the heart — not just the behavior.

    • Characters make mistakes

    • Emotions are real

    • Lessons are subtle but powerful

    • Quranic values are woven in without pressure

    Because kids don’t need more control — they need more connection.

    Don’t wait until they drift.

    Build the bridge now.

    📚 Explore our free eBook library — and start building a relationship rooted in faith and emotional intelligence.

  • Why Muslim Kids Need More Science and Less Shame

    Why Muslim Kids Need More Science and Less Shame

    (And How That Starts at Home)

    Muslim kids are full of questions.

    Why does it rain?

    How do fish breathe?

    Where does the sun go when it sets?

    But too often, instead of answers… they get silence. Or worse — shame.

    “Stop asking so much.”

    “That’s not important right now.”

    “Just say Alhamdulillah and move on.”

    We think we’re teaching humility.

    What we’re really doing is shutting down curiosity — one question at a time.

    Curiosity Is a Mercy, Not a Threat

    Islam gave the world its first true scientists.

    Astronomers, engineers, doctors, and mathematicians emerged from a culture that encouraged asking why.

    It wasn’t seen as arrogance. It was seen as worship.

    Because the more you study the world, the more you see the hand of the Creator in it.

    So why are we raising kids who think science is “just a school subject”…

    instead of something sacred?

    The Problem Isn’t Religion — It’s the Way We Use It

    Somehow, our community drifted into a version of Islam where:

    • Faith meant following blindly

    • Knowledge meant memorizing, not discovering

    • Science became “secular,” and questions became “disrespectful”

    And when our kids ask things like:

    “How did the mountains get so big?”

    “Why do goats live on cliffs?”

    “What does halal even mean in nature?”

    They’re not rejecting Islam.

    They’re reaching for it — through creation.

    And we should meet them there.

    Less Shame, More Discovery

    When a child asks how cliffs were formed…

    That’s a door to talk about rain, erosion, time, and divine design.

    When they ask why pigs aren’t halal…

    That’s a moment to talk about ecosystems, cleanliness, and ethics.

    When they wonder how animals survive in the wild…

    That’s a lesson in both science and God’s wisdom in every creature.

    We don’t have to pick between facts and faith.

    We can raise kids who hold both.

    That’s What We Built Our Storybooks Around

    At Mayous, we don’t write shallow “Islamic” stories.

    We write books that blend:

    • Quranic verses

    • Real scientific knowledge

    • Emotionally intelligent storytelling

    • And natural wonder that sparks deep questions

    Like our halal animals book, where kids don’t just learn what is halal — they discover the world those animals live in.

    From how wind and rain shaped their cliffs, to why certain creatures survive in certain environments.

    No shame.

    No fear.

    Just beauty, awe, and meaning.

    Want to Raise Spiritually Grounded, Intellectually Curious Kids?

    📚 Visit our free eBook library and discover storybooks that celebrate both the natural world and the Creator behind it.

    👉 Start reading at mayous.org/read

  • Understanding Over Obedience

    Understanding Over Obedience

    (What We Got Wrong About Raising Good Muslims)

    For a long time, Muslim parents have been told that a “good” child is one who listens.

    Who obeys.

    Who doesn’t question.

    Who says “yes” to rules, rituals, and routines — even when they don’t make sense to them.

    And somewhere along the way, we convinced ourselves that obedience equals success.

    But here’s the uncomfortable truth:

    Obedience without understanding doesn’t raise strong Muslims. It raises silent ones.

    Fear Doesn’t Lead to Faith

    When we teach our kids to “do as they’re told” without explaining why…

    When we say “because it’s haram” instead of “let’s talk about it”…

    When we react with guilt, shame, or “what will people think?” instead of patience…

    What we’re really doing is teaching survival, not submission to Allah.

    We’re raising kids who pray to avoid punishment — not to feel peace.

    Kids who fast because they “have to” — not because they understand the value of sacrifice.

    Kids who memorize verses they’ve never reflected on — and call that success.

    Islam Isn’t a Checklist

    The Prophet ﷺ didn’t go door to door with a list of do’s and don’ts.

    He taught with stories. With conversations. With patience.

    He met people where they were.

    He asked questions.

    He gave time.

    He explained — because he knew obedience meant nothing without heart.

    The Difference Between “Good Kids” and “Grounded Kids”

    Good kids are quiet.

    They keep the fast. They wear the right clothes. They say all the right words.

    Grounded kids?

    They ask.

    They reflect.

    They do things because they’ve been given room to understand.

    That’s what builds spiritual confidence.

    That’s what creates Muslims who don’t just follow the rules — they embody the values.

    What This Has to Do With Storybooks

    At Mayous, we don’t just write stories to pass on Islamic knowledge.

    We write to spark conversations.

    Every book we create is designed to:

    • Invite your child into a lesson, not push it on them

    • Tie emotions to morals so they feel the meaning, not just memorize it

    • Let kids reflect on characters who make mistakes — and learn from them

    We believe in storytelling that nurtures understanding, not just compliance.

    Because Islam deserves better than surface-level obedience.

    It deserves thoughtful, feeling, spiritually alive believers — and it starts in childhood.

    Start Raising Thoughtful Kids Today

    📚 Visit our free eBook library for storybooks that help your child explore their faith with heart and curiosity — not just pressure.

    👉 Read now at mayous.org/read

  • Why Muslim Kids Aren’t Smart

    Why Muslim Kids Aren’t Smart

    (And What That Really Says About Us)

    Let’s talk about the uncomfortable thought we’ve all had at some point:

    “Why do other kids seem so much smarter?”

    They speak confidently. They ask deep questions. They seem curious, engaged, driven.

    Meanwhile, our kids?

    They’re memorizing facts they don’t understand.

    They’re praised for sitting quietly, not for thinking critically.

    And we wonder why they’re not shining.

    Here’s the truth: Muslim kids aren’t lacking intelligence.

    They’re lacking the space to grow it.

    We Reward Obedience Over Curiosity

    From a young age, many Muslim children are taught to:

    • Listen, don’t ask.

    • Repeat, don’t explore.

    • Follow, don’t question.

    But what does that do to a child’s brain?

    It shrinks it.

    It turns potential into performance.

    It produces rule-followers, not thinkers.

    And then we wonder why, in school or in life, they hesitate.

    They’ve been conditioned to wait for permission instead of seeking knowledge.

    Intelligence Isn’t Just About IQ — It’s About Environment

    Kids become smart by being allowed to be smart.

    That means:

    • Being asked what they think.

    • Being allowed to make mistakes.

    • Being challenged, stretched, inspired.

    • Being told that questions are not dangerous — they’re divine.

    But if every “why” is met with a glare or a guilt trip… that fire dies.

    What Our Books Should Do (But Usually Don’t)

    Too many “Islamic” storybooks today are just sermons in disguise.

    They tell kids what to do, but never show them how to think.

    At Mayous, we believe in books that respect children’s minds.

    Stories that:

    • Raise big questions

    • Include real emotions

    • Teach values through meaningful choices

    • Spark wonder about both faith and the world

    Because a smart child isn’t one who simply knows what’s halal.

    A smart child is one who knows why — and chooses it for themselves.

    Let’s Raise the Next Generation of Thoughtful Muslims

    Not just compliant.

    Not just well-behaved.

    But thoughtful, curious, and confident in both their faith and their intellect.

    Ready to Start That Journey?

    📚 Visit our free eBook library and discover storybooks designed to stretch your child’s heart and their mind — all rooted in Islamic values, without the preaching.

    👉 Start reading at mayous.org/read

  • Raising Kids Through Spirituality Instead of Religion

    Raising Kids Through Spirituality Instead of Religion

    Many of us grew up in households where religion became this huge burden.

    We weren’t doing things for God or a higher power anymore — it became just about pleasing the community, doing what was ‘right’ to elevate social status, and what not.

    On our way to status and power, a whole generation of parents lost kids.

    So… is spirituality the way to go?

    Spirituality and Its Many Definitions

    Spirituality is defined in many different ways, depending on who you ask.

    There’s no shortage of currents, dogmas, sub-sects, or spiritual brands out there.

    Some people find their meaning in nature.

    Some in meditation.

    Some through ancient texts or sacred storytelling.

    But at the end of it all, we’re really just left with two things:

    Common sense and a deep longing for connection with something bigger than ourselves.

    And most people — regardless of faith or background — agree on a few things:

    • A good person is courteous, kind, helpful.

    • A good path brings peace, not pressure.

    • A good home feels safe — spiritually, emotionally, mentally.

    So maybe spirituality isn’t about what label you wear.

    Maybe it’s about whether your path brings you back to compassion.

    Whether it helps you raise your kids with calm instead of control.

    With meaning instead of performance.

    With connection instead of compliance.

    Those Old Stories We Grew Up With

    For those of us who grew up partly without television, we remember a different kind of storytelling.

    When imagination lived around the fire or under a blanket fort.

    When someone in the family had a story that wasn’t in a book — but still had more wisdom than anything we could stream.

    And somehow, those stories always had a moral.

    They were rooted in human experience.

    They came from cultures, peoples, and civilizations that knew how to pass on wisdom through wonder.

    Mayous Stories Take Us Back to That Time

    We don’t write stories to impress or to preach.

    We write stories to bring people back to that kind of quiet wisdom.

    At Mayous, our storybooks are inspired by timeless tales — the ones that raised generations to be thoughtful, kind, and curious.

    We simply tie those stories back to something higher — through soft references to scripture, like verses from the Qur’an — not to convert or instruct, but to root the story in something sacred.

    So whether you believe in God, the universe, or something in between —

    whether you’re spiritual-but-not-religious, or just looking for resources to raise kind-hearted, emotionally intelligent kids —

    these stories were written for you.

    Want Storytelling That Actually Feeds the Soul?

    👉 Subscribe to our newsletter and receive a beautifully illustrated storybook that teaches calm, courage, and compassion — all without preaching.

    👉 Browse our book catalog — and find a story that feels like it’s always belonged on your shelf.

  • When You Can’t Get to the Trails, Let the Wonder Come to You

    When You Can’t Get to the Trails, Let the Wonder Come to You

    Nature is one of the clearest signs of God.

    The sky doesn’t shout it — it just stretches in silence.

    The cliffs don’t preach — they just are.

    The wind doesn’t argue — it simply moves, shaping stone over centuries, slowly carving out the land we now stand in awe of.

    “Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth are signs for those who reflect.”

    — Qur’an, Surah Aal-Imran (3:190)

    But Let’s Be Honest — Wonder Takes Energy

    We want to take our kids hiking.

    We mean to explore the trails, smell the trees, show them what untouched nature looks like.

    But sometimes we’re tired.

    Sometimes there’s laundry, errands, work deadlines.

    And the thought of packing snacks, sunscreen, and shoes they won’t complain about?

    Exhausting.

    So we stay home.

    But what if… that’s okay?

    What if the wonder doesn’t have to disappear — it just needs a new form?

    Storybooks Can Be a Trailhead, Too

    That’s what we kept in mind when we created our new book on halal animals.

    It’s not just about what’s permissible to eat.

    It’s about the ecosystem they live in.

    It’s about the rain that carved the cliffs they graze on.

    The wind that shaped the valleys.

    The earth that grew the grasses.

    We wanted kids to see those details — not just hear about them.

    That’s why we illustrated towering cliffs, windswept plateaus, and sparkling rivers.

    And yes — we explain how those cliffs were formed over thousands of years through rain, erosion, and the quiet strength of wind.

    Because science and spirituality don’t compete — they echo the same truth:

    This is Allah’s creation, and it was made with wisdom.

    Sometimes the Best Discoveries Happen From Bed

    So if today wasn’t the day you made it out to the forest, that’s okay.

    Crawl into bed.

    Pull the blankets up.

    Open a book that takes your child somewhere beautiful.

    Let them learn how the cliffside they saw in a story was shaped by time and patience.

    Let them ask, “Wait… is that goat halal?”

    Let them wonder where rivers go.

    Let them see signs of God — not just in verses, but in valleys.

    Start with a Story

    If you’re ready to bring that wonder home,

    check out our storybook on halal animals — filled with vibrant landscapes, curious questions, and gentle faith-based learning.

    Because you don’t need a trail pass to explore God’s creation.

    👉 Explore the book here

  • Kill ’Em with Kindness — The Qur’an Said It First

    Kill ’Em with Kindness — The Qur’an Said It First

    We’ve all been there.

    Someone takes a shot at you.

    Talks behind your back.

    Gives you that passive-aggressive comment at a family gathering.

    Mocks your beliefs. Rolls their eyes at your choices.

    And the first thought that flashes in your head?

    “Let me show them who they’re messing with.”

    But Islam, in that quiet way it does, whispers something else.

    “Repel [evil] with that which is better.”

    (Surah Fussilat 41:34)

    This Isn’t About Being a Doormat

    Let’s be clear.

    This verse doesn’t say “Let people walk all over you.”

    It doesn’t mean you have to stay silent while injustice happens.

    It doesn’t mean you can’t defend yourself.

    It means don’t let someone’s ugliness turn you into them.

    It means protect your soul — not just your pride.

    It’s resistance. Just a different kind.

    Not passive. Not aggressive.

    Strategic. Spiritual. Unshakeable.

    “But If I Don’t Stand Up for Myself, They’ll Think I’m Weak!”

    Maybe.

    But what if your strength shows in a different way?

    When they go low — and you rise higher.

    When they expect retaliation — and you give restraint.

    When they spit venom — and you drop silence, or even… kindness?

    That’s power.

    And it confuses the enemy more than shouting ever could.

    The Qur’an Isn’t Telling You to Lose. It’s Teaching You to Win Differently.

    “Repel evil with what is better, and suddenly the one between whom and you is enmity will become as though he was a devoted friend.”

    (Surah Fussilat 41:34)

    It’s not just moral advice.

    It’s a formula. A strategy.

    Change the energy.

    Break the pattern.

    Confuse the cycle.

    Kindness isn’t weakness — it’s disarming.

    How We Teach It to Kids

    This verse comes up in our stories.

    Not through sermons. Not through lectures.

    But through characters who:

    • get hurt

    • feel angry

    • want revenge

    • and then take a breath and choose better

    We show that kindness can be sharp.

    That calm can be powerful.

    That you can stand up for yourself and stay true to your values.

    Because we don’t want to raise kids who stay quiet when hurt.

    We want to raise kids who know how to respond with heart and heat, without compromising their soul.

    The Sunnah Was Never Soft for No Reason

    The Prophet ﷺ didn’t just “let it go” all the time.

    He stood up when needed. He drew lines.

    But when people insulted him, cursed him, threw garbage on him — what did he do?

    He responded with something higher.

    And that changed hearts.

    Kill ’Em with Kindness. And Then Let Allah Handle the Rest.

    It’s not always easy.

    It’s not always immediate.

    But it’s powerful.

    And it’s written in the Qur’an for a reason.

    Want to See This Lesson Come to Life?

    In our story The Elephant and the Ant, a powerful creature learns the hard way that true strength isn’t in size or shouting — it’s in humility, empathy, and choosing better even when you could crush.

    It’s a story about pride, patience, and the quiet kind of strength kids really remember.

    👉 Find The Elephant and the Ant here

    Because sometimes the smallest voice carries the biggest lesson.