It was a cold Monday morning in December 2004, as I sat in my teacher’s chair in a London classroom, with a sealed envelope clenched in my hand. I was about to quit my job.
My wife and I were expecting our first child; a girl. I longed for her to grow up seeing, experiencing and loving Islam in all its natural beauty. But if she was to grow up using the poor books and resources available at the time, I didn’t think that would happen.
So with my wife’s due date looming, I decided that I’d take up the challenge of revolutionising Islamic resources for children.
I marched up to the headmistress’ office and landed the envelope on her desk.
IT WAS A BIG DECISION. BUT SOMETHING INSIDE OF ME FELT RIGHT.
The old lady tilted her head up. “If I was your mother…” she said, looking at me squarely in the eyes, “…I’d say you’re making a very silly decision!”
“Thank Allah, you’re not my mother!” I thought to myself.
And Alhamdulillah, several years later, I look back at that incident and I can’t thank Allah enough for His decree in that moment: My daughter was born, and so...
