Hearts We Lost

by Umm Zakiyyah

In this novel that spans the Atlantic, from Saudi Arabia to America, internationally acclaimed author of the If I Should Speak trilogy and the novel Realities of Submission shares with readers a heart-moving tale of faith, betrayal, and affection. Sharif, the main character of this novel, after completing his undergraduate studies in America, is asked by family and friends to leave the comfort of the land he has known since childhood to study at a prestigious Islamic university in Riyadh. Haunted by the sudden death of his father who would have wanted this opportunity for his son, Sharif reluctantly agrees to the proposition and to assuming the position as imam over the small suburban Maryland masjid where his father once held the same post. After his six-year study abroad, Sharif returns to America changed in ways he cannot fully comprehend. Now doubting his engagement to his childhood friend, Sharif is confounded by questions of marriage and how he should practice the Islamic faith. As he searches for answers to spiritual perplexities and the deeper affairs of the heart, he finds guidance in a vision he sees while asleep, a vision that is made all the more perplexing when it manifests itself in real life. Navigating the enigmatic world of dreams and the mystery of the human soul, Hearts We Lost is by far the author's most powerful novel to date, and the most unforgettable.

Genres: Novels

369 pages, Paperback

First published April 3, 2011

About the author

Daughter of American converts to Islam, Umm Zakiyyah writes about the interfaith struggles of Muslims and Christians, and the intercultural, spiritual, and moral struggles of Muslims in America.

Umm Zakiyyah’s work has earned praise from writers, professors, and filmmakers and has been translated into multiple languages. In 2008, Umm Zakiyyah was awarded the Muslim Girls Unity Conference Distinguished Authors Award. Umm Zakiyyah also writes under her birth name Ruby Moore.

Visit uzauthor.com

Reviews

[Manal Saad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the very first English Islamic fiction book I read. I used to read Arabic Islamic fiction books when I was a teenager and I must say I missed the spirituality it gave me while reading them. Hearts We Lost, is a very interesting novel. I literally couldn't put the book down until I was done with it. I find it very captivating to see Islam through the eyes of a non-Arab Muslim.

I had the pleasure of meeting Umm Zakiyyah a couple of years ago at a friend's house. I enjoyed the talk she presented which led me to look for her books at the book store. Unfortunately, I didn't find them until a colleague at work gave me Hearts We Lost a couple of weeks ago at work and asked me to read it as she felt that I might like it as she did.

Umm Zakiyyah, has a very unique way of writing, here words kept me thinking a lot and reflecting on the events that happened to Sharif-the lead character in the novel. Islam is in the heart, this way of thinking changed so many things in how Muslims practiced Islam nowadays. I'm guilty of using this phrase a lot. I never imagined that I would change the way I look at things after reading this book. Islam is indeed in the heart and Allah knows our intention, yet we still have to show our submission to him through our actions and words.

She portrayed Muslims nowadays in a way that made relate to the characters in the book on so many levels.

I loved the poems she wrote, the verses of Hadith and Qur'an she used in the beginning of every chapter. I'd highly recommend reading this book. I immediately handed the book to my little brother the moment I finished reading it.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

HEARTS WE LOST is such an awesome book for one to read. It's a story of love and faith. While reading, you couldn't stop or get bored. I've enjoyed Umm Zakiyyah's poems to the max. I felt I lived in the story and was a part of it. It's simply inspiring =)

[Me-not · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was amazing ..simple yet thought provoking and heart gripping. Apart from being SLIGHTLTY bored towards the end and one or two thoughts I didn't fully agree with,this was really life changing. its beautiful to know that there are people out there who write in such moderation and who makes you wanna yearn for a pure-sin free love for yourself, your God and for others around you. It provokes your interest in mostly unknown and nearly abandoned principles of Islam like dream interpretation and Ruqyah- which sadly some view as superstitions or myths.

The book could be read by both Muslims and non. It's true its not a light read, and that the writer tries to pass her own views of Islam throughout the book, but that's the point. It brings Muslims back to their path and incite in non-Muslims an interest to know more. All Arabic phrases including Quraan and Hadith are translated and can be considered as mere quotes by unbiased non-racist non-Muslims.

[W.B. Abdullah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hearts We Lost is Umm Zakiyyah's best book to date! Poignant and a tear-jerker towards the end, the read is unpredictable and uplifting, making the reader ponder many a hadith all the while assessing his/her current state of heart. What I love most about this novel is that Umm Zakiyyah broaches on the taboo here--and skillfully. The characters are real and believable, portraying the ups and downs of the human condition soulfully. In addition, the novel also centers around the world of dreams and spiritual healing, which aren't topics that are very popular on Islamic literary shelves...so what a great addition the Hearts We Lost is to the new canon of Islamic fiction! Umm Zakiyyah has just scored herself a new fan with this one! And I am completely moved by this work that made me forsake my precious sleep until 1am this morning! MashAllah!

[Kay B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really was a great book, it's hard to pin point what I loved most about. For one its superbly written, once you get into the story you just can't help but feel what the characters are going through or admonish them when they're making mistakes. I never shed tears for books or movies, but there were actually a few moments while reading that I nearly had tears coming down my face.
Another thing I loved was that as a Muslim I could relate to certain situations and every once in a while the characters would remind of people I knew. But best of all are the humbling reminders that are subtle but keep you reflecting on your own life. Hands down a must read.

[سارة · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this story I have met many people and I can understand their feelings very well…in each page I can see how their feelings and thoughts are really so different and very complicated… while I was reading I wished I can be faster than light to see what will happen next!
In the end of the story I felt that all of the feelings were melted in one perfect end.
جزاك الله كل خير أم زكية...

[Khadijah Hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, here's the thing: being a writer and editor kind of ruins some reading experiences. This was the case for me when reading this book. Whilst I couldn't put it down because of the truly gripping storyline, I was also distracted by the big chunks (sometimes pages) I would have removed. With a beautiful and symbolic story such as this, countless pages of characters' repetitive thoughts were unnecessary. For example, there were 3 whole pages of Sharif contemplating the topic for his khutbah and the relevance it had to the society around him. Yet, with the khutbah closely following, it rendered those 3 pages rather redundant. I felt this was a problem that came up throughout the book; it was almost as if everything was being explained to me, just in case I didn't understand. Except the things that I really did want more information on: Hasna's true feelings for Sharif (at least what she internally claimed to be true) seemed to contradict quite drastically. There was even a time when I believed SHE had been affected by sihr, if only to account for her constant to-ing and fro-ing.

However, my editorial objections aside, it really is a beautiful and touching story. The aspect of dreams was incorporated wonderfully and rather poetically. An extremely enjoyable read overall.

[Aisha Mai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it.

[Yusairah Teli]

Such a well written masterpiece. Absolutely loved it. It's so hopeful, inspiring, and relatable. It promotes growth of the soul, teaches you to trust Allah in every circumstance. And the Islam that was discussed in it was touched with a lot of wisdom. I love everything about this book. Masterpiece Mashallah.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A more accurate rating would be 3 1/2 stars. I'm not quite sure what I expected from this book, but what I read was a surprise all the same. The book is a fiction story, and you do get a novel (i.e. with characters, a plot line, and ending, etc.). And to be fair, the characters are well developed, believable and the story line is good too. But the author clearly wrote the book with the intention of passing along her ideas of teaching how Islam should be practiced today, and using the story within this book to preach these ideas. This is not a novel that you are supposed to read for enjoyment. It's a novel designed by the author to bring Muslims back on "the Straight Path." And to simply summarize what the author argues in the book is "the Straight Path" (in her opinion) would be to say: Islam is indeed in the heart and Allah knows our intention, yet we still have to show our submission to him through our actions and words.

I don't think the author sacrificed the story by adding in (constant?) preaching of this message throughout the book. The story and the Islamic teachings are meshed together well.

I do think it you pick up this book to read, you should know what you're in for --i.e. it's not a nice, relaxing story that just happens to have Muslims as the main characters in the story, engaging in appropriate Islamic behavior (i.e. a nice Islamic-friendly novel for Muslim teenagers). The author has a purpose in writing this book to spread what she considers her version of Islam. Which I don't necessarily disagree with, although I don't agree with all of her points in the book.

I would not recommend this book for non-Muslims. There are constant Arabic and Islamic phrases that are not explained to those unfamiliar with them. Also, I think the author delves into cross-cultural and inter-religious issues that are familiar to those within the Muslim community, but to someone NEW to them, they might prove confusing.

I did, however, like the book. I generally liked the story. The book was different than anything I had ever read before, and that's saying a lot.

[Aiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I just loved this book. It made me think about so many things, and I love Umm Zakiyyah's writing...and this book was certainly not only the best of her books in my opinion, but my favorite book ever. The characters are so realistic and this book made me cry, sob, laugh, giggle..but most of all, ponder so deeply. And that's why I love it. I feel like I'm not the same person I was when starting the book--and that's saying a lot. In short, it's really amazing, no doubt.

[Muhsinah Charlot]

I highly recommend.

[Amina · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book was too long and going nowhere some characters were introduced and not fully developed. Her poetry was really bad and the ending was an embarrassment and insulting to Muslim women

[Chey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking, fantastic book, uplifting
to the soul..

[Edina Truth-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

couldn't even sleep until I finished it. too good Allaahumma baarik

[Shaima D. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Will get to writing a proper review later...

[UmmSolodeen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story. Well written. Another page turner for me.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible.