Golden Stories of Muslim Women

Golden Stories of Muslim Women by Abdul Malik Mujahid brings together 54 short, true stories of Muslim women whose intelligence, courage, faith and good sense are still worth learning from. It runs from the Mothers of the Believers in the time of the Prophet to scholars' daughters, queens and ordinary women of later centuries. This Darussalam edition is a full-colour hardcover of about 349 pages.

What the book is

Each chapter is a single story, usually just a few pages long. A story is told simply, often with the original Arabic of a key saying or hadith alongside the English, and then the lesson is drawn out in a short closing paragraph. According to the publisher, the book covers every side of a woman's personality that shows her intelligence, courage, piety, restraint and nobility.

The stories are grounded in sources. On the sample pages for "Expression of Anger", for instance, the account of how Aishah showed her displeasure to the Prophet is referenced to Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim in a footnote.

Some of the stories inside

The table of contents lists 54 stories. Among them:

• The Mother of the Believers: A Model of Faith and Compassion
• A True Dream of a Mother of the Believers
• The Faith-Reviving Advice of al-Khansa
• Umm Ma'bad's Unparalleled Eloquence
• The Golden Role of Fatimah bint Abdul Malik
• Umar's Maternal Grandmother
• The Zubaidah Canal
• The Laurel of Umm Hani
• The Woman Who Was Mentioned in the Holy Quran
• Questions from the Daughter of Imam Ahmad and Imam Shafi'i's Replies
• A Bedouin Woman's Sagacity and A Slave Girl's Smartness
• A Father's Advice to His Daughter

There are also stories on marriage and family life, such as "At Last He Finds a Wise Wife" and "Expression of Anger", which make the book useful for couples as well as for young readers.

Why these stories matter

A lot of writing about women in Islam is either defensive or theoretical. This book does something more useful: it shows real women making real decisions. A Bedouin woman shows her good sense, a daughter questions great scholars and learns from their answers, a wife expresses anger without losing respect. Readers see what faith and good character look like in practice, and the lessons are easy to take into everyday life.

About the author

Abdul Malik Mujahid is the founder and general manager of Darussalam, which he established in Saudi Arabia in 1986 and which has since grown into a major international Islamic publisher. This book belongs to Darussalam's Golden Stories series.

Book details

Who this book suits

It suits women and teenage girls in the UAE looking for role models from Islamic history, mothers reading with their daughters, couples, teachers running a halaqah, and anyone who enjoys short true stories with a lesson. With its colour design and hardcover, it also makes a good gift for Eid, a graduation or a new bride.

Related books

For more on the women around the Prophet, read 101 Sahabiyat Stories and Dua, Fatimah, Daughter of the Prophet and Men and Women around the Messenger. Urdu readers may enjoy Golden Stories of Sayyidah Khadijah. For practical guidance, see Important Lessons for Muslim Women and Islamic Fatwa Regarding Women. For the full life of the Prophet in whose household many of these stories took place, The Sealed Nectar is the natural companion. Browse the Women collection for more.

Frequently asked questions

What is Golden Stories of Muslim Women about?

It is a collection of 54 short true stories about Muslim women from the time of the Prophet and later Islamic history, compiled by Abdul Malik Mujahid. The stories show their intelligence, courage, piety, patience and good sense, and the book cites its sources in footnotes.

Who is Abdul Malik Mujahid?

He is the founder and general manager of Darussalam, which he started in Saudi Arabia in 1986. This book is part of Darussalam's Golden Stories series.

Which women are included?

The contents include the Mothers of the Believers, Aishah, Umm Hani, Umm Ma'bad, al-Khansa, Fatimah bint Abdul Malik, Umar's maternal grandmother, Zubaidah and the canal named after her, the daughter of Imam Ahmad, and many less famous women such as a Bedouin woman and a slave girl known for their wisdom.

Is the book suitable for teenage girls?

Yes. The stories are short, clearly told and chosen to inspire, which makes them good reading for teenagers as well as adults. Parents can read them aloud to younger children too.

Are the stories authentic?

The book cites its sources in footnotes. For example, the story of how Aishah expressed displeasure is referenced to Sahih al-Bukhari 5228 and Sahih Muslim 2439.

Is it only for women?

No. The publisher notes it also helps men understand the bravery, intelligence and patience of Muslim women, and many of the stories are about family life, marriage and good manners that apply to everyone.

How many pages is it?

About 349 pages, hardcover, around 17x24 cm, printed in full colour. The ISBN is 9786035003377.

How long does delivery take in the UAE?

Orders dispatch from Sharjah. Standard delivery takes 2 to 4 working days, and delivery is free on orders over AED 300.