The 99 Names of God Contemplation

I'm reluctant to leave a negative review, because I can appreciate the great effort and time spent in making this book. Unfortunately though, this books seems to be tinged with a 'new-age' flavour, and for that reason, I can't recommend it.I have never ever seen a book, let alone an Islamic book, that refers to God as 'she'. This was the first and it was really surprising and distasteful.God has no gender, but language does, as the author correctly points out. The Arabic 'Hu' can also mean 'it'; neither male nor female. In English, referring to the Divine using 'it' is impolite. Instead, by convention, we use 'He' for God, but Muslims understand that God is above gender. In this book, by using specific gendered pronouns, the effect is actually the opposite of what was intended. By ignoring the traditional and conventional non-gendered use of 'He', and replacing it with the modernist gendered use of 'He/She', the result is actually a greater emphasis on gender itself. It focuses the reader on it when there's just no need. It's extraness but with no benefit. I definitely wouldn't want my child to read this and become confused.There are other issues: quoting Buddah and the teachings of Buddhism. Seemingly minimising the prime and fundamental importance of believing that the Prophet Jesus was just a man (I know the author must not mean this, but the language chosen in the paragraph, and that you can see in the attached photo, is just not sound). Promoting music. Presenting the Shia approach as a valid alternative to traditional orthodox Islam and so on...This confusion is succinctly illustrated by no less than an illustration. On the front cover is a person kneeling in prayer in a way that is completely foreign and unrecognisable for Muslims -- it's just not from our tradition to pray in that way. It's actually part of the modern Christian tradition.The book and the content is opinionated, which is not necessarily a bad thing, except that some of the spreads explaining some of the Divine Names are overwhelmed by this opinion, which is often related to modern politics or society. In these sections especially, I feel that you can hear the voice of the author too loudly, and it's as if he has not allowed the Name to speak.I appreciate the hard work and effort that must have gone into producing a book of this nature. We definitely need one for young Muslims that covers this same subject. Unfortunately, I feel that this particular effort misses the mark too widely, because of that parts that lean towards non-traditional and non-orthodox views.Don't dismiss this review as anti-Sufi. I love Sufism and Tasawwuf, but traditional Sufism is super-orthodox in belief (aqidah) and practice (fiqh). As said by Mevlana Rumi: "I am the servant of the Qur'an as long as I live. Whoever says otherwise, I am quit of him and enraged by his words". Unfortunately I feel that this book is not the best representative of that.At the same time, neither should you be inclined to the translated books originally written by recent Saudi Arabian scholars, which explicitly promote cryproanthropomorphism (the belief the God is similar to human beings) and explicitly state that Imam Tahawi (the Sunni Imam in belief/aqidah that the vast majority of the Ummah follow) was wrong.I would definitely not recommend either type of book for children.

In Islam we never mention the Prophet without adding "salallahu alayhi wa sallam" or "peace and blessings upon him", so it is an expectation that when you see the Prophet, or Muhammad that you see in brackets afterwards (s.a.w) or (p.b.u.h). So it is very distracting to read without it when you know it should be there.And on reflection, the contemplation side of things would have been better to include hadiths.

This is a truly beautiful book for both adults and children, although I'd say older children, who are looking to explore their faith in a meaningful and compassionate way and how they can implement this in their daily life. The books is beautifully produced and thoughtfully laid out with lovely pictures and beautiful calligraphy. The books gives you lots to think and mediate about, even for adults, and draws the reader to the Qu'ran and the life and actions of the Prophet Muhammad and his family and followers. A very welcome book to have in any home that will produce much thoughtful insight and consideration.

A radiant treasury for those of all ages, all faiths and none. Thoughtful and thought-provoking without being didactic, drawing on a wide range of sources to explore the relationship between words, images, religious and ethical concepts - and their connectedness in life experience. Carefully designed with well organised text presented alongside delightful illustrations. A profound and serene oasis in the maelstrom of the 21st century.

Have been looking for such a content in the English language and there it is in front of my eyes- Still couldn't believe!Recommended for any one who is interested in the Muslim tradition or wants to know how do Muslim view life.... I feel that as a Muslim these names give me the point of reference for looking at the life in a certain fashion.