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The House of Ibn Kathir - The Competition Begins...
It’s Yusif’s first time away from home. The Dar Al Ilm Acadamy seemed to be the ideal place for him to pursue his studies, and achieve one of his lifelong ambitions – to memorise the Qur’an – or so his parents had decided...
However, within the impressive walls of the old school, Yusif finds himself with more on his hands than he had bargained for. With house competitions, the pressure to become year captain, and some very mysterious goings-on, Dar Al Ilm has more in store for him than he had ever imagined!
READ Chapter 1 over at author's profile description with Neilsen look inside link.
However, within the impressive walls of the old school, Yusif finds himself with more on his hands than he had bargained for. With house competitions, the pressure to become year captain, and some very mysterious goings-on, Dar Al Ilm has more in store for him than he had ever imagined!
READ Chapter 1 over at author's profile description with Neilsen look inside link.
- GenresMuslims
250 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2013
8 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
S.N. Jalali
5 books20 followersS. N. Jalali (Saiyada Jalali) is an International Award-Winning Author. An Andalus Adventure, her first Historical Fiction won the Best International Fiction award at the 42nd SIBF Awards at the Sharjah International Book Fair.
Born and living in London, S.N. Jalali is an author of works of fiction for older children and YA, from boarding school adventures to her newest adventure packed novel; a historical fiction for Young Adults inspired by real-life historical events of the birth of Muslim Spain. S. N. Jalali’s books explore the Islamic faith through the tradition of storytelling – entertaining with adventurous, humorous and memorable characters to fuel the imagination and foster a lifelong love of reading.
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟭 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗶𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝟮𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀:
𝗔𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗹𝘂𝘀 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲:
https://www.book2look.com/book/EFeVOC...
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗯𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿 – 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀: https://www.book2look.com/book/HH6o4w...
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗯𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿 – 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻: https://www.book2look.com/book/hjmhaG...
S. N. Jalali graduated in BA (hons) Architecture. She has worked as a scriptwriter and presenter for various projects on Islam Channel, UK. Her childhood was spent in Wales, and after graduating, having travelled widely in the Muslim world, she lives in London with her husband and three children.
Born and living in London, S.N. Jalali is an author of works of fiction for older children and YA, from boarding school adventures to her newest adventure packed novel; a historical fiction for Young Adults inspired by real-life historical events of the birth of Muslim Spain. S. N. Jalali’s books explore the Islamic faith through the tradition of storytelling – entertaining with adventurous, humorous and memorable characters to fuel the imagination and foster a lifelong love of reading.
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟭 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗶𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝟮𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀:
𝗔𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗹𝘂𝘀 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲:
https://www.book2look.com/book/EFeVOC...
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗯𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿 – 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀: https://www.book2look.com/book/HH6o4w...
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗯𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿 – 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻: https://www.book2look.com/book/hjmhaG...
S. N. Jalali graduated in BA (hons) Architecture. She has worked as a scriptwriter and presenter for various projects on Islam Channel, UK. Her childhood was spent in Wales, and after graduating, having travelled widely in the Muslim world, she lives in London with her husband and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 7, 2014
Hearing the title ‘House of Ibn Kathir’, I thought immediately of the infamous scholar of tafsir and wondered whether or not I was in for a treatise on him and his family life. Finding this was not the case had me curious…
The House of Ibn Kathir is based on an eleven year old boy, Yusif, raised by two strict and loving Muslim parents who inform him that they wish to send him off to the prestigious Dar ul-Ilm, once an old mansion, now a boarding school for boys in the old beach town of Hastings. Anxious and nervous about leaving home for the first time, he arrives at the school and settles quite well, taking to the lavish walls and its picturesque garden lawns, in what will now be his home. He befriends the oddest mix of friends you could ever come across; from the cool and competitive Reda, to the worrisome Warsoma, to the dwindling Daud and other colourful characters in his class. The teachers are even more interesting in their own ways.
The school itself is split into four houses: House of Abu Hanifa, House of Ibn Kathir, House of Ibn Majah, and House of Ibn Ajeeroom, each with its own common room and dormitories. Each of the four houses consists of seven boys, picked at random, which throughout the academic year compete to earn points to win the House Cup at the end of the year; fondly mirroring Hogwarts in the Harry Potter Series. But the fact that each house is named after a great scholar may suggests the role Islamic personalities will have within the story. Every good deed and homework counts! The boys are, to their delight, placed in the House of Ibn Kathir. Having gained much popularity amongst his friends, strange things begin to happen to Yusif in the school and he and his friends find themselves caught up in an evil scheme.
It was admirable to see small anecdotes of Islamic personalities pop up every so often, particularly from the characters, highlighting the importance for our sons and brothers to look up to these great men as positive role models. I was touched by the mention of Imam Nawawi and the fig tree that grows over his grave - a little something I never knew about!
It’s beautiful to see how each of the characters has a weakness that is strengthened by the time we reach the end of the story. Yusif develops from being a timid and shy individual to someone courageous and unafraid to reveal the best of himself.
The House of Ibn Kathir is a story of leadership and forgiveness, where the meaning of friendship and brotherhood is discovered. Reading this, I asked myself, could Sister Nazia be the Muslim answer to JK Rowling? Possibly. Hopefully. Insha Allah.
I would love to see a sequel to this book and see how Yusif and his friends grow, the new challenges that they take up and the lessons that they learn along the way in their journey to becoming the great and pious young men they could turn out to be. To sum it all up in one word - wonderful.
Reviewed for the April 2014 issue of SISTERS magazine by Adama Munu, a regular SISTERS writer and a presenter for Islam Channel.
The House of Ibn Kathir is based on an eleven year old boy, Yusif, raised by two strict and loving Muslim parents who inform him that they wish to send him off to the prestigious Dar ul-Ilm, once an old mansion, now a boarding school for boys in the old beach town of Hastings. Anxious and nervous about leaving home for the first time, he arrives at the school and settles quite well, taking to the lavish walls and its picturesque garden lawns, in what will now be his home. He befriends the oddest mix of friends you could ever come across; from the cool and competitive Reda, to the worrisome Warsoma, to the dwindling Daud and other colourful characters in his class. The teachers are even more interesting in their own ways.
The school itself is split into four houses: House of Abu Hanifa, House of Ibn Kathir, House of Ibn Majah, and House of Ibn Ajeeroom, each with its own common room and dormitories. Each of the four houses consists of seven boys, picked at random, which throughout the academic year compete to earn points to win the House Cup at the end of the year; fondly mirroring Hogwarts in the Harry Potter Series. But the fact that each house is named after a great scholar may suggests the role Islamic personalities will have within the story. Every good deed and homework counts! The boys are, to their delight, placed in the House of Ibn Kathir. Having gained much popularity amongst his friends, strange things begin to happen to Yusif in the school and he and his friends find themselves caught up in an evil scheme.
It was admirable to see small anecdotes of Islamic personalities pop up every so often, particularly from the characters, highlighting the importance for our sons and brothers to look up to these great men as positive role models. I was touched by the mention of Imam Nawawi and the fig tree that grows over his grave - a little something I never knew about!
It’s beautiful to see how each of the characters has a weakness that is strengthened by the time we reach the end of the story. Yusif develops from being a timid and shy individual to someone courageous and unafraid to reveal the best of himself.
The House of Ibn Kathir is a story of leadership and forgiveness, where the meaning of friendship and brotherhood is discovered. Reading this, I asked myself, could Sister Nazia be the Muslim answer to JK Rowling? Possibly. Hopefully. Insha Allah.
I would love to see a sequel to this book and see how Yusif and his friends grow, the new challenges that they take up and the lessons that they learn along the way in their journey to becoming the great and pious young men they could turn out to be. To sum it all up in one word - wonderful.
Reviewed for the April 2014 issue of SISTERS magazine by Adama Munu, a regular SISTERS writer and a presenter for Islam Channel.
December 5, 2014
I think the House of Ibn Kathir is a good read for junior children. Not only is it a good read you learn some facts about Islam at the same time.
It's Yusif's first time away from home. His parents admit him to a boarding school, Dar Al Ilm Academy, which used to be an old mansion, in Hastings. Before he knows it Yusif makes a friendship with Warsoma and Reda and many more. Dar Al Ilm Academy is going to be Yusif's new home for a whole year (a part from holidays.) The school is separated into four houses. Yusif was put in Ibn Kathir house with Ustad Ibrahim, a teacher. There is rivalry between Yusif and Khalid, Yusuf's worst enemy who is in Ibn Majah house.
I liked this book and I would recommend it to others.
It's Yusif's first time away from home. His parents admit him to a boarding school, Dar Al Ilm Academy, which used to be an old mansion, in Hastings. Before he knows it Yusif makes a friendship with Warsoma and Reda and many more. Dar Al Ilm Academy is going to be Yusif's new home for a whole year (a part from holidays.) The school is separated into four houses. Yusif was put in Ibn Kathir house with Ustad Ibrahim, a teacher. There is rivalry between Yusif and Khalid, Yusuf's worst enemy who is in Ibn Majah house.
I liked this book and I would recommend it to others.
Read
May 19, 2022The House Of Ibn Kathir-The Competition Begins is a children's novel for free/independent readers. Set in the backdrop of an exciting adventure, children can learn about scholars of Islamic heritage, interesting facts, gain insights into the sciences of Quranic tajweed ( Quran recitation) and hadith(sayings of Prophet Muhammad (saw)), as well as learning around 70 Arabic words through a glossary of terms. The book contains illustrations.
June 8, 2022
I would have enjoyed having access to books like this growing up! This is a Muslim-centred fictional, boarding school adventure story.
It is written in third person omniscient point of view, which is a well-established literary style where the story’s narrator is detached from the action and able to hop into different characters’ perspectives. It can add a lot to the narration and provides scope for world building as well as allowing fleshing out more than one character which in my humble opinion, I feel is well executed in this book. The boarding school, the boys and school life come alive, and readers can feel like they really want to go there (like my son!)
Not surprisingly it was fun to read for myself and especially my kids who have learned about their faith through a light-hearted narrative and experienced the joy of reading about Muslim heroes for once. I do think the sequel is better. Would highly recommend!
It is written in third person omniscient point of view, which is a well-established literary style where the story’s narrator is detached from the action and able to hop into different characters’ perspectives. It can add a lot to the narration and provides scope for world building as well as allowing fleshing out more than one character which in my humble opinion, I feel is well executed in this book. The boarding school, the boys and school life come alive, and readers can feel like they really want to go there (like my son!)
Not surprisingly it was fun to read for myself and especially my kids who have learned about their faith through a light-hearted narrative and experienced the joy of reading about Muslim heroes for once. I do think the sequel is better. Would highly recommend!
March 14, 2018
The book is a good one for 9-12 year olds, even though there were a few words I think they’ll have difficulty understanding. I enjoyed reading it but I felt it was a little too idealistic, older kids would find it boring. Overall it’s has a bit of mystery and suspense and it teaches Muslim values.
February 27, 2023
My son loved this book, it inspired him to go and stay in boarding school
January 10, 2024
3.75📚
Still good would recommend.
Still good would recommend.
August 14, 2024
There wasn't much of a story here, a very disappointing book.
Nothing really happens until the last third of the book.
Nothing really happens until the last third of the book.
March 7, 2019
At 254 pages this boarding school story beautifully blends Islamic information, mystery, and compelling characters embarking on a new stage of their lives. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy and engaging this book for upper elementary aged children reads and would strongly recommend it for grades 3-5.
SYNOPSIS:
Eleven year old Yusif is about to begin his first year at the prestigious Dar Al Ilm Academy a few hours away from his family, friends, and home. Nervous to be on his own, he is excited to be giving his dream of memorizing the Quran the chance to become a reality. When he arrives at the old mansion turned beautiful campus, he is paired up with Reda, a student to help him get situated and before you know it the two are fast friends. When they get put in the same house, Ibn Kathir, with Warsoma and Daud, the four friends embark on a year of adventure and bonding as well as growth and learning. Along the way they learn some Islamic history, they understand important hadith and Quranic Ayats and are challenged to live according to the sunnah even when tempers and frustrations abound. When items start to go missing the boys and their house will have to keep their cool, not accuse anyone, but figure out what is going on all at the same time. When the culprits are uncovered, they will be further tested to hold a grudge, offer forgiveness, or even extend an invitation to friendship.
WHY I LIKE IT:
This idyllic story and predictable mystery will appeal to impressionable readers that can't see what is coming and can still be inspired by the beauty of such a protected environment. The window might be small for such readers, but well worth the attempt as the book is well written and the characters well developed. The boys are diverse and kind and helpful and all the things we want our children to be, especially when they are away from us. Each character has their strengths and weaknesses and the friends accept them and celebrate one another rather than try and force them to change. The four houses and the characters vying for year captain and having fun along the way reminds me of a Harry Potter spinoff, but alas I think that is just my ignorance of the British school system. I love that the four houses and their namesakes are detailed at the end as well as there being a glossary of terms. There are illustrations every chapter or so that are appealing and offer a nice visual of the boys' world. The text, line spacing, chapter breaks and all are perfect for the demographic and while the fictional story is solid, I am happy to report I learned a number of things as well.
FLAGS:
None, alhumduillah
TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
I can't find much on the author or even on any future books, which is unfortunate because I think it would be great for an elementary book club selection, and I may read it to my 4th and 5th grade Lunch Bunch group after we finish The Great Race to Sycamore Street. I think it should be in Islamic School Libraries and classrooms as its cover will hold its own and compel kids to pick it up off the shelf.
Book trailer: http://www.ibnkathir.co.uk/trailerful...
Book website:http://www.ibnkathir.co.uk/index.html
SYNOPSIS:
Eleven year old Yusif is about to begin his first year at the prestigious Dar Al Ilm Academy a few hours away from his family, friends, and home. Nervous to be on his own, he is excited to be giving his dream of memorizing the Quran the chance to become a reality. When he arrives at the old mansion turned beautiful campus, he is paired up with Reda, a student to help him get situated and before you know it the two are fast friends. When they get put in the same house, Ibn Kathir, with Warsoma and Daud, the four friends embark on a year of adventure and bonding as well as growth and learning. Along the way they learn some Islamic history, they understand important hadith and Quranic Ayats and are challenged to live according to the sunnah even when tempers and frustrations abound. When items start to go missing the boys and their house will have to keep their cool, not accuse anyone, but figure out what is going on all at the same time. When the culprits are uncovered, they will be further tested to hold a grudge, offer forgiveness, or even extend an invitation to friendship.
WHY I LIKE IT:
This idyllic story and predictable mystery will appeal to impressionable readers that can't see what is coming and can still be inspired by the beauty of such a protected environment. The window might be small for such readers, but well worth the attempt as the book is well written and the characters well developed. The boys are diverse and kind and helpful and all the things we want our children to be, especially when they are away from us. Each character has their strengths and weaknesses and the friends accept them and celebrate one another rather than try and force them to change. The four houses and the characters vying for year captain and having fun along the way reminds me of a Harry Potter spinoff, but alas I think that is just my ignorance of the British school system. I love that the four houses and their namesakes are detailed at the end as well as there being a glossary of terms. There are illustrations every chapter or so that are appealing and offer a nice visual of the boys' world. The text, line spacing, chapter breaks and all are perfect for the demographic and while the fictional story is solid, I am happy to report I learned a number of things as well.
FLAGS:
None, alhumduillah
TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
I can't find much on the author or even on any future books, which is unfortunate because I think it would be great for an elementary book club selection, and I may read it to my 4th and 5th grade Lunch Bunch group after we finish The Great Race to Sycamore Street. I think it should be in Islamic School Libraries and classrooms as its cover will hold its own and compel kids to pick it up off the shelf.
Book trailer: http://www.ibnkathir.co.uk/trailerful...
Book website:http://www.ibnkathir.co.uk/index.html
Read
December 11, 2021Soo. much. cringe.
This book is the result of taking every bit of charm out of a book like Harry Potter and filling it instead with a few nerdy hifz boys.
_____
A boy whose big dream is to memorize the entire Quran joins an all boys hifz school. There he has 'ustads' that place him into one of four houses, one of which is the House of Ibn Kathir. Instead of subjects like potions and defense against the dark arts, he has islamic studies, hifz, and tajweed. One boy feels jealous that another boy has a more beautiful voice than him in reciting Quran, and feels less important even though he has traveled extensively. He then decides to sneak into their rooms and steal the belongings of others so they don't win any awards. In the end, he realizes how wrong he was and makes istighfar. The MC also struggles with himself over not craving the leadership award to make his parents proud and instead decides to only seek it for the sake of being more pious. His award is noticed by his parents.
______
Issues in the writing of this book:
--lots of POV head hopping.
--lots of telling without showing.
--so much preaching; “yusif, you’re not being patient. Don’t you know Muslims are required to be patient?” “…Subhanallah, you are right.” (if kids need to learn didactic islamic knowledge, please write a textbook, not a novel.)
--awkward usage of ‘ya akhi’ and ‘ya habib’... do they say these terms because they think it makes them more pious?
--curious sense of humor... every few paragraphs they burst into fits of giggles or laughter over… things that don’t need a reaction.
______
Reading this, I felt like I should have been scandalized that the boys would eat something as extravagant and tempting as chocolate cake…. I would have expected that they would limit their meals to a loaf of barley bread instead.
This book is the result of taking every bit of charm out of a book like Harry Potter and filling it instead with a few nerdy hifz boys.
_____
A boy whose big dream is to memorize the entire Quran joins an all boys hifz school. There he has 'ustads' that place him into one of four houses, one of which is the House of Ibn Kathir. Instead of subjects like potions and defense against the dark arts, he has islamic studies, hifz, and tajweed. One boy feels jealous that another boy has a more beautiful voice than him in reciting Quran, and feels less important even though he has traveled extensively. He then decides to sneak into their rooms and steal the belongings of others so they don't win any awards. In the end, he realizes how wrong he was and makes istighfar. The MC also struggles with himself over not craving the leadership award to make his parents proud and instead decides to only seek it for the sake of being more pious. His award is noticed by his parents.
______
Issues in the writing of this book:
--lots of POV head hopping.
--lots of telling without showing.
--so much preaching; “yusif, you’re not being patient. Don’t you know Muslims are required to be patient?” “…Subhanallah, you are right.” (if kids need to learn didactic islamic knowledge, please write a textbook, not a novel.)
--awkward usage of ‘ya akhi’ and ‘ya habib’... do they say these terms because they think it makes them more pious?
--curious sense of humor... every few paragraphs they burst into fits of giggles or laughter over… things that don’t need a reaction.
______
Reading this, I felt like I should have been scandalized that the boys would eat something as extravagant and tempting as chocolate cake…. I would have expected that they would limit their meals to a loaf of barley bread instead.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews