Under a Crescent Moon

The story of the Hijrah, when Allah gave the Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, permission to leave Makkah, and how Ali's courage, Abu Bakr's companionship, and Allah's protection led them safely to Madinah The lesson: Remember, sometimes Allah asks us to leave behind something we love. And it's scary. And it's hard. But when Allah is with you, even a spider's web can hold back an army...

The story of Al-Isra wal Mi'raj, when Al-lah carried His messenger from Makkah to Jerusalem and through the seven heavens, and Abu Bakr earned the name As-Siddiq by believing without hesitation The lesson: Remember, the truth is the truth, even when people don't believe you. Speak it anyway. Because Al-lah hears you. And somewhere out there, your own Abu Bakr is listening too. The storybooks are o...

The story of the Year of Sorrow, when Prophet Muhammad, sallal-lahu alayhi wa sallam, lost both Khadijah and Abu Talib, and learned that even the deepest sadness is held by Al-lah's mercy The lesson: Remember, when someone you love is sad, you don't always need the perfect words. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply sit beside them. Be there. Let them know they are not alone. The...

The story of the first migration to Abyssinia, when the persecuted Muslims crossed the sea to find safety with a just king, and Ja'far spoke the truth that moved a nation The lesson: Remember, when you go somewhere new, don't be afraid. Al-lah puts kind people in every corner of the world. Strangers can become friends. And sometimes, the safest place you'll ever find is the one you never expected....

The story of the early Muslims who were persecuted for their faith, Bilal, Sumayyah, and Yasir, and how courage inspired others, including the mighty Hamza The lesson: Remember, standing up for someone who is being treated unfairly is one of the bravest things you can do. You might be scared. It might be hard. But Al-lah sees every act of courage, no matter how small. And sometimes, when one perso...

The story of the first people to believe in the message of Prophet Muhammad, sallal-lahu alayhi wa sallam, Khadijah, Abu Bakr, Ali, and Zayd, and how a small group of believers changed the world The lesson: Remember, speaking up for what is right is never easy. Sometimes you will be the only one. But you never know who is listening. One brave voice can change everything. Just ask the first believe...

The story of the night that changed the world, when the angel Jibreel came to Muhammad, sallal-lahu alayhi wa sallam, in the Cave of Hira with the first words of the Holy Quran The lesson: Remember, when something feels too big and too new and too scary, do not run away. Al-lah always sends someone to help you through it. You are never, ever alone. The storybooks are out now - bring the stories ho...

The story of how young Muhammad, sallal-lahu alayhi wa sallam, was known as Al-Amin, the trustworthy, and how he solved the dispute of the Black Stone with wisdom and fairness The lesson: Remember, you don't always have to pick a side. Sometimes the bravest thing is to find a way where everyone is included. That is what it means to be trustworthy. That is what it means to be fair. The storybooks a...

The story of how young Muhammad, sallal-lahu alayhi wa sallam, grew up as an orphan, cared for by his grandfather and uncle, and how Al-lah never left him alone The lesson: Remember, Al-lah never leaves anyone alone. If you see someone who feels different, or left out, or like they don't quite belong, be the one who shows them they are loved. Because that is exactly what Al-lah did for the little...

Yusuf's cousin lies constantly and never gets caught - he broke a vase and blamed the cat, takes extra cookies and denies it - and Yusuf wants to know: if nothing bad happens to him, why can't I do it too? Baba tells him about Prophet Lut, who lived in a city where everyone around him was doing terrible things. Even someone in his own family didn't support him. But Lut did the right thing anyway,...

Yusuf tried out for the school soccer team three times and got rejected every time. He's ready to quit - what's the point of asking if the answer is always no? Baba tells him about Prophet Zakariyah, an old man with white hair and weak bones who made dua for a child year after year after year. When he saw Allah provide out-of-season fruit for young Maryam, his hope surged - and he made one final,...

Yusuf is drowning in homework - math, reading, a science report - and he doesn't see the point of any of it. Why can't he just play video games? Baba tells him about Prophet Idris, the first person in human history to write with a pen, who studied the stars and taught people to pray, fast, and give charity. Idris had a saying: "The real joy of life is to have wisdom." Allah honored him by raising...

A grumpy, mean kid at school sits alone every day at lunch. The teacher asked Yusuf to sit with him, but Yusuf didn't want to - why should he be kind to someone who isn't kind to anyone? Baba tells him about Prophet Isa, whose every miracle was an act of mercy: healing the blind, curing the leper, giving hope to those everyone else had given up on. Isa didn't wait for people to earn his kindness -...

Yusuf's best friend Zayd is moving to another city and he's heartbroken - convinced he'll never have a friend like him again. Baba tells him about Prophet Yaqub, who lost his beloved son Yusuf (the boy Yusuf is named after) when the brothers threw him in a well. Yaqub cried for years until his eyes turned white from sorrow - but he never lost hope in Allah. He said, "I only expose my distress and...

Yusuf and his friend set up a lemonade stand, but his friend started filling cups only halfway while charging full price. When Yusuf objected, his friend said, "They won't even notice." Baba tells him about the people of Midian, who cheated everyone in the marketplace - pressing their thumbs on scales, using rigged containers, stretching cloth before measuring. Prophet Shuaib warned them to give f...

The class got a hamster and everyone was excited at first - but now nobody wants to clean the cage or fill the water except Yusuf. His classmate asked, "Why do you even bother?" Baba tells him about the people of Thamud, who demanded a miracle from Prophet Salih and were given a magnificent she-camel straight from a mountain - a living sign from Allah. They were told to care for her, share the wat...

Yusuf's friends wanted to change the rules of a board game to cheat, and when he said no, they called him weird and played without him. Baba tells him about Prophet Hud, who stood alone against the mighty people of 'Ad - the most powerful civilization on earth - and told them to stop their arrogance and worship Allah. They called him crazy, they threatened him, but Hud declared, "I put my trust in...

Yusuf is home sick and miserable - he missed his best friend's birthday party at the trampoline park, and it feels so unfair. Baba tells him about Prophet Ayyub, who lost his wealth, his children, and his health, suffering through years of illness with nothing but his faith. When Ayyub finally turned to Allah, his prayer was simple and beautiful: "My Lord, adversity has touched me, and You are the...

Yusuf's soccer team just found out they're playing a team of bigger, older kids - and everyone wants to forfeit. Baba tells him about Dawud, a young shepherd boy who stepped forward when an entire army of grown men was too afraid to face the giant Jalut (Goliath). With nothing but a sling, a few smooth stones, and complete trust in Allah, Dawud defeated the mightiest warrior on the battlefield. A...

When Mama asked Yusuf to donate toys for the masjid drive, he said yes - but secretly hid his favorites under the bed and only gave away the broken ones. Baba tells him about young Ismail, whose father Ibrahim had a dream from Allah asking for the ultimate sacrifice. Ismail didn't hide, didn't argue, didn't hold anything back. He said yes with his whole heart - and Allah replaced the sacrifice wit...

Yusuf broke Baba's favorite mug this morning and hid the pieces in the trash. He carried the guilt all day before finally confessing. Baba tells him about Adam and Hawwa in the garden - the first humans, the first mistake, and the first act of genuine repentance. When Adam owned his mistake before Allah instead of making excuses, Allah didn't just forgive him - He chose him and guided him. A story...

Kids at school were stomping on a line of ants and laughing about it. Yusuf told them to stop, but they said, "Who cares about bugs?" Baba tells him about Prophet Sulayman - the mightiest king who ever lived, who commanded armies of men, jinn, and birds - and one day halted his entire army because he heard a tiny ant warning her colony to get out of the way. A story about compassion, humility, and...

At the park, Yusuf watched a bigger kid push little children off the swings. He wanted to speak up - but he froze. Now he feels terrible. Baba tells him about Prophet Musa, who struggled with his speech and was terrified when Allah asked him to confront the most powerful tyrant on earth: Pharaoh. Musa asked Allah for help, and Allah gave him strength, his brother Harun, and miracle after miracle....

A classmate said cruel things behind Yusuf's back and now wants to be friends again. Yusuf refuses - why should he forgive someone who hurt him? Baba reminds him that he's named after Prophet Yusuf, whose own brothers threw him into a well and left him for dead. Yet when Yusuf rose to power in Egypt years later, he forgave them all. One of the most powerful stories in the Quran about mercy, forgiv...

Yusuf knocked on door after door trying to find someone to play with, and every friend said no. He's ready to give up. Baba tells him about Prophet Nuh, who called his people to Allah for 950 years and was rejected over and over again - yet never stopped trying. When the great flood came, Nuh and the believers were saved aboard the ark that everyone had laughed at. A story about persistence, resil...