Where No One Can See Me

Asma’Ul Husna Series

Al-Basir: The All-Seeing

Where No One Can See me

Author: Ukht Husni

Illustrator: Maher

‘Where No One Can See Me is a debut book from the Asma’Ul Husna series, which aims to illustrate Allah’s names and attributes to children in a highly engaging and memorable way. This book allows children to easily understand and internalise the meaning of Allah’s name, Al-Basir, through story-telling, so that it is readily relatable. This book centres around Ilham, a character who disobeyed his mother’s instructions only to learn that whatever actions are hidden will eventually be revealed.’

I was honoured to be contacted by Homely Hammock and sent a copy of Where No One Can See Me, for Bee and I to read before the official launch of the book on 2nd April. They were kind enough to send a printed copy all the way from Singapore.

I love the concept of having one book focus on one name of Allah (swt) and to read a story focusing on the name in such a way that the child reading it can relate and comfortably understand the meaning.

The book starts of with Ilham returning from a birthday party with sweets and being told he can’t have one before dinner. He gets tempted and after hearing a story from his mother relating to the name Al-Basir, the All-Seeing, feels guilty about eating the sweets. He later admits it to his mother, and asks forgiveness from Allah (swt)

The illustrations are simple but eye catching and we love how they are often spread out over the two pages. Bee said she liked the pictures.

One of the thoughts I did have was that there is a difference of opinion regarding celebrating birthdays, so some Muslim parents may be a bit wary about introducing a book which starts off with the main character returning from a party. Also there is mention about slaying a chicken (in the context of the story told by Ilham’s mum about slaying a chicken where no-one could see it being done). Having not spoken to Bee about chickens being killed, although she loves eating chicken, it was something I had to explain to her.

The book also has a small glossary at the back, explaining some of the more common arabic words which is very useful to those who’s first language isn’t arabic.

But what we loved about the book and what made it more interesting is that it comes with additional resources and activities which are available for free download from the Homely Hammock website. Homely Hammock were kind enough to send us the resources pack to save us printing it out.

The resources craft include 4 different activities to do:

• Hands At Work
• Move It
• Let’s Play
• Pencil Time

All the activities will relate in some way to the theme of the book. For example, Hands At Work is a craft to make Binoculars. Instructions are included with print outs of things that may be needed for the activity. Having activities like this make the book so much more interesting for a child and can even help with a love of reading if they know they have some fun activities to do afterwards.

In addition to this, the resources pack includes a Quran Index for Al-Bashir at the back allowing parents/educators to find the references to Al-Basir in the Quran.

 

In summary, a lovely little book which we are pleased to have in our collection masaha’Allah. We look forward to seeing what other books Homely Hammock release in sha Allah.

Allah is with me.

Allah is witnessing me.

Allah sees me.

For more information about the book and where it is available to buy, visit Homely Hammock on the Homely Hammock Facebook Page.