For my children.

  —Hena

  For my wonderful Mama, Baba, and Dada

  and with thanks for immense support from Ian M, Ian W, and Tom.

  —Saffa

  A note from the author:

  The phrase “inshallah” is something I say throughout my day when making any plan or wishing anything for the future—from the most basic everyday intentions to my biggest dreams. It means “if God wills it” in Arabic and is something that Muslims around the globe hear from the moment they are born and are taught to express as they learn to speak. The phrase, however, goes beyond Muslims in popular culture, and today is used throughout the Arabic speaking world by people of many faiths to reflect the idea of a greater force or power beyond ourselves. It’s a common theme found in other languages and cultures as well, such as “ojalá” in Spanish or “God willing” in English.

  As a parent, my most frequent prayers and wishes are for my children, and the phrase inshallah is intertwined with each and every one. In uncertain times, it offers me comfort and strength. This book celebrates both the phrase and a mother’s love and hopes for her child. Every line, or wish, in the book is inspired by the Quran, the Muslim holy book, which offers guidelines on how to live a thoughtful and grounded life filled with fairness, charity, justice, and most of all, love. These are universal values that transcend any particular belief system, and I hope they will resonate with all readers.

  Text copyright © 2020 by Hena Khan.

  Illustrations copyright © 2020 by Saffa Khan.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available.

  ISBN 978-1-4521-8019-9 (hc), 978-1-4521-8031-1 (epub, mobi)

  Design by Abbie Goveia.

  Art direction by Amelia Mack.

  Typeset in Orange Juice.

  The illustrations in this book were primarily rendered digitally, with ink for strokes and texture.

  Chronicle Books LLC

  680 Second Street

  San Francisco, California 94107

  Chronicle Books—we see things differently.

  Become part of our community at www.chroniclekids.com.

  Inshallah you are all

  that is gentle and good.

  Inshallah you feel safe,

  like all children should.

  Inshallah you are kind

  to those most in need.

  Inshallah you seek knowledge,

  reflect, and read.

  Inshallah you stand strong,

  like a tree with firm roots.

  Inshallah you plant gardens

  filled with sweet fruits.

  Inshallah you have faith

  that won't waver or bend.

  Inshallah you reach out

  to make a new friend.

  Inshallah you are thoughtful

  of plans that you make.

  Inshallah you speak truth

  and work for its sake.

  Inshallah you travel

  to thrilling new places.

  Inshallah you count all

  your blessings and graces.

  Inshallah you find wonder

  in birds as they fly.

  Inshallah you are loved,

  like the moon loves the sky.

  Hena Khan is the author of Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors, Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets: A Muslim Book of Shapes, Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story, and other books for children. Hena is a native of Rockville, Maryland, where she lives with her husband and their two sons. You can learn more about her at www.henakhan.com.

  Saffa Khan is an illustrator and printmaker born in Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, and is now based in Glasgow, Scotland. You can learn more about her at www.safka.co.uk

 

 

  Hena Khan, Like the Moon Loves the Sky

  Thanks for reading the books on GrayCity.Net