The Grandfather figure was introduced with the Sulayman and Yusuf characters some years ago when I began writing the prequels: The Tree of Light Series, The Secret Blessing: The Dala’il al Khayrat for Children  and Isra wal Miraj.  Grandfather is an extraordinarily influential donor figure in all of these books as well as the new Sulayman series under construction now.  In the earlier books Grandfather was the keeper of the magical toy box in which Sulayman and Yusuf sometimes found important artifacts with magical powers.  Grandfather told the boys stories that were strangely related to their unexplained experiences before their studies at Al Chemya began in the new Sulayman series.

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The role of Grandfather in our earlier books was basically to prepare Sulayman and Yusuf to enter the Al Chemya school and to guide their rather exciting spiritual preschool education.  Grandfather is a sage around whom the most peculiar things have happened and you really are left wondering who he is.  In our new book Sulayman and the Green Lamp there will be more clues, we will learn about who he is as the boys discover more about him through their experiences at Al Chemya where Grandfather is a revered man of great wisdom, admired by all in their world.  I have seen other books that attempt to teach children with wali (sage) type figures, but so far I have found that they are somewhat unsatisfying because the challenges the characters face do not have enough depth.  When the characters face more desperate and personal challenges we begin to see a hint of the role of the Awliah (sages) more clearly, not just miracle workers or cosmic Automatic Teller Machines but wise ones who guide us on our journey, giving meaning, perspective and benevolent advice as we navigate our own challenges.

Please share your ideas for teaching children about the Awliah.