A is for Allah [Library Binding]

Yusuf Islam (Author)

Book Description

A wonderful window to the world of Islam with striking illustrations and color photographs. A is for Allah takes its title from a song written by Yusuf Islam to teach his first born child that the letter A stood first and foremost for Allah the Almighty and not, as is often taught, only for Apple.

The philosophy of life which pervades western society, begins with the very first lesson a child learns in the classroom. The primal etching on the minds of such innocent beings and the attention teachers give to certain things has a long lasting influence on their perception of this world. Often it takes little or no account of the basic human desire: to know and learn to love our Creator.

Through the framework of the Arabic alphabet, the reader - be they child or adult - is introduced or reminded about the fundamental aspects of Islam, from Allah the One, to Jannah the Garden of Paradise, through to the Quran, the Book of God, and Yawm ad-Deen, the Day of Judgement; all are elegantly presented in this fine book together with striking illustrations and color photographs.

This book is for those who seek to teach their young that behind and beyond everything in this life and this world is Allah Most High.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Yusuf Islam was born Cat Stevens in London in 1948, son of a Swedish mother and Greek Cypriot father. He achieved fame as a pop star in the 60s and 70s, selling over 45 million albums worldwide to date. He embraced Islam in 1977 and chose the name Yusuf Islam. Since then he has married,has five children and is an active member of the British Muslim Community, focusing on the areas of education and humanitarian relief.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 63 pages
• Publisher: Mountain of Light; 2nd edition edition (April 17, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1900675315
• ISBN-13: 978-1900675314
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,301,248 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book grows with the reader's skills, October 15, 2003

By 

Nayeefa Chowdhury (Muroran, Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A is for Allah (Library Binding)

A well researched and presented book that grows with the young redears' sklls. Target age-group: 4 -8 years.

At the top of each page, the book prints an Arabic letter of the Alphabet and the English transliteration of an Arabic word that starts with the letter. Besides, each page contains beautiful photographs, Islamic calligraphies, translations of Qur'anic verses, lyrics of the songs -- that are recorded in the CD and audio -- that correspond to the associated Arabic word. The tapescripts are given in each page, too. I find the colour combination (different in each page) to be most attractive. It is very clear that the Arabic words are chosen very carefully so as to instil God-consciousness in the readers' mind.

However, I bought it for my 9-month-old baby, particularly because of my intention to teach her the Arabic as a second language (none of my family members speaks Arabic). At that time, my baby and I used to take out the book almost everyday, treating it just as a picture book, while I would point to each Arabic letter and concentrated on the phonics only. By 15 months of age, she was not only able to recognise all letters in printed format (even when shown in random) and pronounce all of them, but also recognise them in HANDWRITING, plus mention of other Arabic words that started with the letter.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A is for Allah is a Winner, July 5, 2000

By 

Khaled Rafih (Calgary, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A is for Allah (Library Binding)

A is for Allah is an excellent and professionally produced resource book for children (ages 10 and up) wanting to learn more about Islam.

A is for Allah uses the well established Alphabet approach to introduce an important Islamic topic for each letter of the Arabic alphabet. Topics covered include: Allah, Bismillah, Jannah, Hajj, 'Ilm and Kalimah.

Although the book stands well on its own, I would also suggest purchasing the accompanying audio cassette or CD.

Highly recommended.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing resource for Muslim parents and children, March 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: A is for Allah (Library Binding)

As an American Muslim, I have always been dismayed at the lack of learning tools that are available to Muslim children growing up in the Western world. Yusuf Islam has helped fill this void with the creation of this book and especially the CD or tapes that can be bought seperately.

My kids love this, and believe it or not, adults will too.