As I begun reading this book, I initially thought I had bought a mini-social studies book. I paused reading and started flipping the pages randomly and yh…at that moment I thought I was right, after seeing the beautiful artworks. I decided to go back to continue reading, assuring myself that there will be a surprise somewhere. After reading the book, I smiled and thought, “there is no surprise in the book; the book itself is a surprise. This is rather a social-religious and moral book for every Muslimah and a must read by all.
The book is highly educative in all the social aspects of a Muslimah’s life it spoke about. It is actually a guide and a handbook each of us should have and specifically, our growing Muslimahs.
Growing Up Muslimah teaches every young Muslimah how to prepare for a teenage life and the life beyond. It encompasses every social aspect of her life and the religious dictates ensuring a comfortable religious life for her. The book is a package of motivation, inspiration, a comprehensive plan to be strategic with your life as a young Muslimah and so much kind words of encouragements. The diction used by the author is the best for a book of this kind. It is very basic and easily comprehensive to all young Muslimahs. The book prepares every young girl for puberty, informs her of the ordeals and teaches her how to maneuver her way out. The social aspect of the book has the backing of Quranic and hadiths quotes that simply makes it appreciative for every Muslim reader. Talking about the book is like filling a basket with water. We can’t finish.
Let’s take a brief tour in the book and you will understand the so much hype….
The author begun by explaining the concept of puberty and went ahead to break down the changes that occur to females during puberty, that is, physical and psychological changes. She gave special attention to the physical changes where she touched on lots of important issues around it. Under the physical changes where enlargement of breast occurs, the book took time to recommend the best underwear for young Muslimahs and also taught Muslimahs how to measure their bra size. Very interesting! The book also informs the Muslimah about the different body types that are common in every setting. For better understanding, artworks were provided to explain the body types. The author did well by providing the best suggestions of Islamic dressing for the different body types in order for Muslimahs to find their category and know the best attire to wear. Isn’t this heart-warming?Before the suggestions on clothing, she encouraged Muslimahs to appreciate their body type and live healthy. The encouragement was also coupled with a Quranic verse to enlighten Muslimahs that Allah created them in the best creation. Very marvelous.
The discussion on body types was followed by a chapter on body image. Two separate subjects. The book made it very comprehensive for readers to distinguish between the two. I highlighted a portion under this chapter. Allow me share it with you….
Your physical appearance or body size does not
determine your self-worth. Yes, there are people
who will treat you poorly just because of your
appearance. But if you focus on building your
knowledge, character and attitude as a person,
you will always be appreciated for who you are.
The author also went ahead to make good recommendations on how to treat acne or pimples.
The menstrual cycle was adequately discussed with all the outstanding issues around it addressed substantively in terms of its relationship with worship. The young Muslimah is taught how to handle her first monthly flow and the subsequent ones as well. She’s taught how to live comfortably during her period and the other forms of worship she can engage in.
What next after the monthly flow, the young Muslimah is taught to take her ritual bath before resuming prayers. She is taught how to confirm the end of her period and how the ritual bath is performed. Masha Allah! The author also educates the young Muslimah on other vaginal discharge she needs to take note of. It is at this point I came across the word, “queefing”. It is a new word to me and its significance is even more intriguing. Interesting!
Sex, specifically, pre-marital sex also found its way along the line. The chapter entails all the necessary education a young Muslimah needs on premarital sex as well as the best ways to handle rape issues incase she falls victim.
Other interesting chapters are about Hijab, Feminism, and The Rights of Muslim Women. These chapters address most of the contemporary issues Muslimahs are facing in the global world. The chapters give the right explanations to these concepts and how they should be handled. The author didn’t fail to encourage the Muslimah to make adequate time to learn more about her deen.
Marriage, Dating and Polygyny and Family fall amongst the concluding chapters of the book. The author advises young Muslimahs on why they should stay away from dating since, it is likely to lead to pre-marital sex. She also teaches the young Muslimah on the right approach she should consider towards marriage and how to deal with a polygamous home. The young Muslimah is also admonished to play her role by being obedient as a daughter in strengthening her family ties. She is taught to be respectful and responsible as a daughter and that is the surest way to be more beloved to Allah.
It is very thoughtful of the author to have dedicated a full chapter to Taqwa. The chapter educates the young Muslimah on the utmost significance of Taqwa and how she can strive to be very faithful and committed to her worship. This is very commendable.
Mental health and the best ways to use social media was also discussed precisely and that contributes towards making the book a complete guide.
It is my firm hope that these insights will inspire you and many others to get a copy of the book. We all need to own a copy and make sure to get copies for the young Muslimahs around us. This is a book for all. Get inspired.
Luqman Dabone