Mayous Parenting Blog

Category: Islamic Storybook

  • 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.

  • Tawakkul Doesn’t Mean Sitting Around

    Tawakkul Doesn’t Mean Sitting Around

    “Leave it to Allah.”

    We’ve all heard it.

    Some of us grew up with it drilled into our heads.

    Lost your job? “Have Tawakkul.”

    Didn’t study for the exam? “Make du’a and have faith.”

    Didn’t take any action, make any plan, or lift a single finger?

    “Allah will provide.”

    And while the intent behind those words might be pure… the understanding? Not so much.

    Tawakkul Is Not Passive

    Let’s get something straight:

    Tawakkul is not sitting back and waiting for things to magically happen.

    It’s not surrendering your own effort.

    It’s not wrapping your inaction in religious vocabulary and calling it “faith.”

    Tawakkul is about doing everything you can — and then trusting that what you can’t control, Allah will handle.

    It’s hustle plus hope.

    Work plus trust.

    Action plus surrender.

    The Prophet ﷺ didn’t walk into battle without strategy.

    He tied his camel. He took precautions. He made alliances.

    And then he put his trust in Allah.

    Meanwhile, Western Culture Went the Other Extreme

    While many Muslims were busy saying “God will handle it,”

    the Western world ran in the opposite direction.

    Control everything.

    Have a 10-year plan.

    Hack your routine.

    Optimize your sleep.

    Track your steps, your spending, your goals, your thoughts.

    Everything’s a system. Everything’s a funnel.

    And if it doesn’t work? You didn’t try hard enough.

    It’s exhausting.

    Because life doesn’t always follow the script.

    And when things fall apart — and they will —

    “just try harder” doesn’t always help.

    We’re Trying to Teach Something Better

    At Mayous, we try to show kids a third way.

    In our stories, Tawakkul isn’t a cop-out, and it’s not control-freak energy either.

    It’s something wiser.

    We teach kids:

    • Show up.

    • Try your best.

    • Be smart. Be kind. Be prepared.

    • And then? Let go.

    You’re not God.

    You’re not powerless either.

    You’re responsible for the input, not the outcome.

    And that’s what real Tawakkul is.

    Trusting Allah Is Not an Excuse — It’s a Mindset

    It’s the difference between saying:

    🛑 “I didn’t apply to the job. If Allah wills it, it’ll happen.”

    vs.

    ✅ “I applied to five jobs, prepped my CV, showed up fully… and now I trust whatever outcome Allah writes for me.”

    One of those is avoidance.

    The other is Tawakkul.

    And our kids need to learn that difference early — because this world will either tell them they’re completely in control… or completely helpless.

    Neither is true.

    So We Write Stories That Reflect That Balance

    Because Islam isn’t about extremes.

    It’s about effort and surrender living side by side.

    We don’t want to raise kids who think making du’a replaces doing the work.

    But we also don’t want them to burn out chasing things they were never meant to carry alone.

    We want them to dream big.

    To work hard.

    And then, when it’s all done — to look up and say:

    “Now I trust You to take it from here.”

    Want to share that message with your kids in a story they’ll actually enjoy?

    👉 Subscribe to our newsletter to receive free eBooks, and find our story on Tawakkul in our Book Catalog.

    Or you can find its print version on our Book Catalog as always.

     

     

  • Are Muslim Storybooks Cool Again?

    Are Muslim Storybooks Cool Again?

    Let’s be honest. When I was a kid, Muslim storybooks were boring.

    They lacked color.

    They lacked representation.

    And most of all, they lacked soul.

    They felt like pamphlets pretending to be stories. Flat characters. Preachy morals. No real hook.

    Now fast forward to today—and the landscape seems to have changed.

    People say Islamic storybooks are cool again.

    But are they really?

    Each time I read a new one, I still find myself asking:

    “Did this story even have a point?”

    “Do they think kids are dumb?”

    It’s not enough to show a child a “good” character and hope they’ll copy the behavior.

    You have to convince them.

    You have to guide them through why it matters.

    A Verse, A Story, A Lesson

    That’s where our framework comes in.

    A verse.

    A story.

    A lesson.

    You want to teach kids Quranic verses—but let’s be real, they’re often too complex for a young mind to grasp directly.

    You want to tell them stories—but most stories these days are shallow entertainment.

    Sure, Disney stories work.

    They’re engaging.

    They’re visually stunning.

    But the values they promote? Not always ideal.

    So what if we could have both?

    Disney-Level Imagery. With Soul.

    What if we could create Islamic storybooks with all the heart, psychology, and emotional arc of a Pixar short—

    but rooted in spiritual truth and real moral weight?

    People often ask us if we use AI to create our illustrations.

    I usually smile.

    “You need a real illustrator. AI gives low quality.”

    Sure.

    But if you had a sword, would you fight with a butter knife?

    The truth is: AI is a tool, not a replacement.

    Human illustrators bring flair. Style. Emotion. That can’t be replaced.

    But give that illustrator the right tools?

    Suddenly, we can create Disney-level visuals—faster, sharper, and more accessible.

    All in service of stories that matter. Stories that stay.

    So… Are Muslim Storybooks Cool Again?

    They can be.

    That’s what we’re working on.

    Islamic storybooks that are beautiful and meaningful.

    That entertain and educate.

    That spark curiosity and reflection.

    Whether you love them or not, we’d love to hear your thoughts.

    Tell us what you think in the comments.

    Or even better—email us directly.

    We read every single message.

    We regularly share our eBooks for free with our newsletter readers, so feel free to sign up to grab it the next time it’s free.

    Or you can find the paperbacks on our Book Catalog as always.