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A Temporary Gift: Reflections on Love, Loss and Healing
On Friday, August 16, 2013, twenty-six-year-old Amr Kassem attended a peaceful protest in Alexandria, Egypt along with thousands of others, rallying against the mass injustices taking place in the aftermath of the coup d’etat by the Egyptian military under the command of Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. As Kassem returned home to his family, an Egyptian army sniper shot and killed him, leaving a woman widowed and a child fatherless.A Temporary Gift is a record of journal entries written by Kassem’s widow, Asmaa Hussein, during the two years following his departure from this world.This book is about re-learning how to live in the face of immense trauma. It is a reminder that beyond the pain and darkness of loss there is still the potential of light in patience and constancy.
302 pages, Paperback
Published November 14, 2019
164 people are currently reading
2565 people want to read
About the author
Asmaa Hussein
16 books268 followersMy name is Asmaa Hussein, founder of this wholesome publishing company based in Canada. (But my official title is "Director of Awesomeness.")
Since 2015, Ruqaya's Bookshelf's mission has been to publish bright, fun, and engaging Islamic children’s books to add to your home and school libraries.
All our books feature Muslim characters and protagonists, because we believe representing YOU matters!
Diversity in children’s literature contributes astronomically to your child's character education (not to mention, seeing someone who looks like you in a storybook is pretty darn exciting!).
After servitude to God, my daughter Ruqaya is my greatest motivation. As a widowed mother to a rambunctious and beautiful girl, I strive to show her an example of dedication, determination, and excellence.
I named this publishing company after her – Ruqaya’s Bookshelf – because she loves books more than anything.
Since 2015, Ruqaya's Bookshelf's mission has been to publish bright, fun, and engaging Islamic children’s books to add to your home and school libraries.
All our books feature Muslim characters and protagonists, because we believe representing YOU matters!
Diversity in children’s literature contributes astronomically to your child's character education (not to mention, seeing someone who looks like you in a storybook is pretty darn exciting!).
After servitude to God, my daughter Ruqaya is my greatest motivation. As a widowed mother to a rambunctious and beautiful girl, I strive to show her an example of dedication, determination, and excellence.
I named this publishing company after her – Ruqaya’s Bookshelf – because she loves books more than anything.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
June 18, 2016
Never had a book got me all teary in the train multiple times, even as early as the first chapter -- until this one did! Her words made me feel feelings so deep, that I thought this is one of the books I would want my loved ones to read when my soul departs someday. 'Cos the pain of losing, the challenge of healing, may perhaps be made easier with this.. Can't describe enough what a tremendous gift it has been for me, masyaAllah. :)
"One of the many things Amr taught me was the importance of giving: not just giving money to those in need, but giving of yourself to your family, friends, and community. I mean the kind of charity that is to be a positive force on this earth, to radiate goodness and fairness wherever you go and to give from what is most personally yours: your heart, your smile, your good words.
Those who continuously give are actually those who see themselves as the ones in need. They need Allah's mercy, His forgiveness. They need to alleviate the distress of others so that Allah swt can alleviate their distress on the Day of Judgment. I think Amr realized how much we were in need of this, so he endeavoured to always give to me, our daughter, his friends, and his community. He never stopped giving until the day he returned to Allah." - Asmaa Hussein, pg. 121
"One of the many things Amr taught me was the importance of giving: not just giving money to those in need, but giving of yourself to your family, friends, and community. I mean the kind of charity that is to be a positive force on this earth, to radiate goodness and fairness wherever you go and to give from what is most personally yours: your heart, your smile, your good words.
Those who continuously give are actually those who see themselves as the ones in need. They need Allah's mercy, His forgiveness. They need to alleviate the distress of others so that Allah swt can alleviate their distress on the Day of Judgment. I think Amr realized how much we were in need of this, so he endeavoured to always give to me, our daughter, his friends, and his community. He never stopped giving until the day he returned to Allah." - Asmaa Hussein, pg. 121
February 9, 2017
A yet soul-stirring, yet heart-wrenching journey through Asmaa's marriage, the loss of her beloved husband and her healing process during iddah. Asmaa shares her experiences of the bitterness of patience, as well as the sweetness that follows after realising that the Almighty is the Best of Planners and He is more merciful to His slave than a mother is to her child. Hence, His Plan for her is better than all her plans. Asmaa reiterates the importance of fighting the question that naturally persists during these trying times: never questioning the Decree of Allah by reminding herself of His unconditional Love and Mercy.
May Allah grant her the strength and character of Asmaa (RA); and grant her and her daughter sabrun jameel.
May Allah grant her the strength and character of Asmaa (RA); and grant her and her daughter sabrun jameel.
August 24, 2016
'A Temporary Gift' is a rich tapestry of moving prose, interwoven with delicate reflections that compels one to reflect & re-evaluate the purpose of life. Asmaa Hussein's journal entries teach life lessons in courage, resilience, Faith, beautiful patience, hope, and Taqwa.
Once in a while you chance upon a book that makes you both smile and cry; a book that shakes you to the core and compels you to realign your true purpose; a book that leaves you changed, forever. This, is one of them.
If there's any one book you read this year, please let it be Asmaa Hussein's 'A Temporary Gift: Reflections on Love, Loss, and Healing'.
Once in a while you chance upon a book that makes you both smile and cry; a book that shakes you to the core and compels you to realign your true purpose; a book that leaves you changed, forever. This, is one of them.
If there's any one book you read this year, please let it be Asmaa Hussein's 'A Temporary Gift: Reflections on Love, Loss, and Healing'.
May 27, 2016
A book that pinched and screwed right into my heart. Full of great reminders and touching words. I sobbed throughout the whole book.
February 1, 2022
It is rare to come across a piece of writing that is so sincere, heartfelt and spiritually uplifting from a modern writer. This book is a gem!
A MUST MUST read!
A MUST MUST read!
March 1, 2025
Beautiful book ❤️
November 23, 2022
Read it years ago and ugly cried. Better review to come another time.
July 20, 2016
My heart was in my hands, feeling your love and loss as if it was my own.
I can only pray that I get to be honored like Amr was/is in this world and the next. Thank you for sharing you story with us Asmaa Hussein and for reaffirming my faith in God. Your words have encouraged me to be a better version of myself and to strive harder for what I believe in.
God overwhelms me and He bestowed you with the power of words that touch my soul and many others.
May you, me and anyone who has ever been a victim of an unrest heart find their peace soon. Ameen.
P.s. thank you for also implanting the idea of having a blog dedicated to my future kids with my life lessons and advice for them. I'm sure Ruqayah will grow up to be a beautiful human. Inshallah.
I can only pray that I get to be honored like Amr was/is in this world and the next. Thank you for sharing you story with us Asmaa Hussein and for reaffirming my faith in God. Your words have encouraged me to be a better version of myself and to strive harder for what I believe in.
God overwhelms me and He bestowed you with the power of words that touch my soul and many others.
May you, me and anyone who has ever been a victim of an unrest heart find their peace soon. Ameen.
P.s. thank you for also implanting the idea of having a blog dedicated to my future kids with my life lessons and advice for them. I'm sure Ruqayah will grow up to be a beautiful human. Inshallah.
June 12, 2016
This is a beautiful book of love. It made me strive to be a better person, to leave a mark on the hearts of people who are close to me, people I love, to follow the legacy of brother Amr, his commitment to his faith, family and friends, to love to so dearly with all my heart, so much love, an ocean of love Asma has for her husband. I highly recommend this book.
May 18, 2022
I wanted more from the author and her actual story, with all the emotions she must have felt in the aftermath of her husbands murder. I was so excited to read her side of the story.
Instead, I believe I read a book with a well researched book with lot of hadith/ quraanic verses relating to grief and Allah’s mercy/ plan, but that’s not why I picked this book up.
Instead, I believe I read a book with a well researched book with lot of hadith/ quraanic verses relating to grief and Allah’s mercy/ plan, but that’s not why I picked this book up.
December 29, 2020
A story about a wife's grief on losing her husband that was shot while doing protest for standing up for the rights of his brothers and sisters who had been killed indiscriminately, and how she reflects on love, lost, and healing.
"Your plane ticket was booked to come home with me in just two days. Our suitcases were mostly packed. Your dinner was ready for when you returned that afternoon.
But your ticket to your real home in the hereafter was already booked far before we knew one another. You didn't need your suitcases because you had packed your good deeds away in a place where they are never lost and with a Keeper who never forgets.
I pray you have arrived at your destination without delays or worries. I pray you are safe in the protection and company of your Lord".
"Your plane ticket was booked to come home with me in just two days. Our suitcases were mostly packed. Your dinner was ready for when you returned that afternoon.
But your ticket to your real home in the hereafter was already booked far before we knew one another. You didn't need your suitcases because you had packed your good deeds away in a place where they are never lost and with a Keeper who never forgets.
I pray you have arrived at your destination without delays or worries. I pray you are safe in the protection and company of your Lord".
January 29, 2023
I think everyone should read this book atleast once..
June 21, 2025
This book came at a crucial time for me and I felt that Allah guided me to read it. It has been a balm to my heart and soul.
In dealing with her own grief, Asmaa draws upon Hadith and Quranic verses in a vivid manner that helps you connect. Throughout the book, she describes how she’s felt Allah’s all-encompassing mercy every step of the way. How she felt Allah mending her bereaved heart. How her pain made her stronger by turning to her solid Islamic faith and still continues to. It’s not a preachy book, but rather a first hand experience with loss and grief and how she was emotionally and spiritually transformed by clinging to her faith.
The main lesson: turn to Allah always and every day and He will heal you.
In dealing with her own grief, Asmaa draws upon Hadith and Quranic verses in a vivid manner that helps you connect. Throughout the book, she describes how she’s felt Allah’s all-encompassing mercy every step of the way. How she felt Allah mending her bereaved heart. How her pain made her stronger by turning to her solid Islamic faith and still continues to. It’s not a preachy book, but rather a first hand experience with loss and grief and how she was emotionally and spiritually transformed by clinging to her faith.
The main lesson: turn to Allah always and every day and He will heal you.
November 5, 2019
this book is a collection of reflexions writtern by Asmaa Hussein during the two years following her Husband Amr's murder in Egypt. it's a very emotional, deep and honest book. i had to stop many times to reflect on what Asmaa's saying. even thought the situation was (is) hard, difficult and heartbreaking, but God's mercy is bigger and that's what i learned from this book. I think Asmaa did the best she could under very difficult circumstances, she shared her personal life with us, her vulnerability, her heart, her humaneness...and i thank her for that, because it gave us a great lesson to ponder upon.
July 3, 2018
Beautiful!
December 27, 2017
Forever I will cherish this book. It has many memories attached to it
December 23, 2017
A beautiful book which will make you closer to Allah. This book is a beautiful love story of two pious people and a great self help book. The journey as described by the author Asmaa Hussein is or will be traversed by almost everyone of us during some parts of our lifetime. And she does well by sharing her wisdom and understanding of her life situation and by doing that she has definitely equip the readers with the knowledge which will ease the pain and help one get closer to Allah subhana ta'Ala.
March 12, 2023
This book "A temporary gift' makes your heart heavy with the weight of Asmaa's grief.
"I miss Amr's voice: the way its tones filled every come of the house and held me together when I was exhausted the way it was a constant comfort in a fragile and inconstant world, the way it calmed me in times of stress.
His voice was silenced."
You can sense Asmaa's pain topped with the indifference of the world still busy in its normal routine.
"The sun rose the morning after Amr was killed. There was the darkness of pain within me, a darkness that was all-consuming. Still, the sun rose"
It is a story of healing:
"People sometimes ask me, "How did you move from day to day after what happened?" The truth is, I didn't move from day to day. The day used to move me"
It describes how to move on when the pain is unbearable:
"Don't attempt to control your heart. Your heart will be thrown down a well of sadness so deep that climbing out will feel impossible. Control your words instead. Control your body. Control your body. Your heart will eventually become that which you do with your body, your words, and your mind"
It is also a story of being thankful and of acceptance.
"How merciful our Lord is that He doesn't let us know our future"
When you read this book, you will learn to cherish 'the temporary gifts', you have been blessed with. You will learn that the gifts (including people) are indeed temporary. This book is also a reminder to learn to live again.
"I miss Amr's voice: the way its tones filled every come of the house and held me together when I was exhausted the way it was a constant comfort in a fragile and inconstant world, the way it calmed me in times of stress.
His voice was silenced."
You can sense Asmaa's pain topped with the indifference of the world still busy in its normal routine.
"The sun rose the morning after Amr was killed. There was the darkness of pain within me, a darkness that was all-consuming. Still, the sun rose"
It is a story of healing:
"People sometimes ask me, "How did you move from day to day after what happened?" The truth is, I didn't move from day to day. The day used to move me"
It describes how to move on when the pain is unbearable:
"Don't attempt to control your heart. Your heart will be thrown down a well of sadness so deep that climbing out will feel impossible. Control your words instead. Control your body. Control your body. Your heart will eventually become that which you do with your body, your words, and your mind"
It is also a story of being thankful and of acceptance.
"How merciful our Lord is that He doesn't let us know our future"
When you read this book, you will learn to cherish 'the temporary gifts', you have been blessed with. You will learn that the gifts (including people) are indeed temporary. This book is also a reminder to learn to live again.
January 23, 2018
Finally got around to finishing this book by Asmaa Hussein. It was a journey. I felt that I couldn't finish it all in one sitting; it seems impossible to do so. With each journal entry, I needed time to soak up each sentence and the emotions Asmaa was sharing, and before turning a page, I had to take a moment for reflection. Honestly, this is the most beautiful body of writing that I've come across on the subjects of the transient nature of this world/people, the journey of loss, hardship, blessings, and trying to understand the wisdom of God's plan. It is truly a gem, and I am so happy that I picked it up after following her Facebook posts for a while. I gifted copies to a few of my friends, and wholeheartedly recommend everyone to read this. My personal copy is badly dog-eared, and when I reached the middle of the book I ended up picking up a highlighter (a little too late). I plan on re-reading this and highlighting all the parts I missed!
November 28, 2020
I have been unintentionally postponing reading this book for so long , maybe because i wasn’t ready for it or because it’s just not the right time .
But Allah’s plans are always better than mine ; he planned the dates , the timings in the day , the location for every chapter , the company and my psychological wellbeing ؛ so that every single word would make a change in me.
I am grateful for every word i read , i am grateful for everything i felt , i am grateful for holding on despite everything i am passing through .
اللهم لك الحمد حتى ترضى ولك الحمد اذا رضيت و لك الحمد بعد الرضا ولك الحمد ابدا ابدا
I loved everything about it
But Allah’s plans are always better than mine ; he planned the dates , the timings in the day , the location for every chapter , the company and my psychological wellbeing ؛ so that every single word would make a change in me.
I am grateful for every word i read , i am grateful for everything i felt , i am grateful for holding on despite everything i am passing through .
اللهم لك الحمد حتى ترضى ولك الحمد اذا رضيت و لك الحمد بعد الرضا ولك الحمد ابدا ابدا
I loved everything about it
November 21, 2017
A beautiful book that will make you weep, it will make you pause and reflect on your life, it will make you want to be better and do better. A book that you will definitely re-read, and want those you love, to read it too.
June 21, 2017
unimaginably beautiful 💝
December 29, 2021
Starts off well, but then becomes a bit repetitive, although like the style of the book.
June 11, 2021
At first when I read this book, I understood that the writer has lost her beloved husband on a sudden or unwanted times.
It was hard, I know because I have been in her situation where I was not ready to lose someone I loved.
At first, I thought this book was about how to deal with hardship. How to deal with the sadness.
Eventually, my thought was correct. But the presentation was totally different.
Written in the cover that this book is a reflections. Indeed, her reflections was totally amazing and relatable and just 'French kiss'.
I never thought that losing someone can be so much other meaning instead of feeling sadness all the time.
Sadness is acceptable, of course. In any way, sadness deserve all the spotlight. But other feelings and lessons that the dead left to us to understand and learn is important.
This is what the writers share all the way in the book.
It's how we understand the lost.
It's how should we cope and pounder the lost.
It's just brilliant.
With this book, it helps us to be able to manage our thoughts in the moment of grief.
This book suitable for all type of situation since we go thru hardship most of the time.
Not with losing someone only we understand true hardship. But for me, it's how we see positive and able to react and think wisely during that moment.
Love this book!
It was hard, I know because I have been in her situation where I was not ready to lose someone I loved.
At first, I thought this book was about how to deal with hardship. How to deal with the sadness.
Eventually, my thought was correct. But the presentation was totally different.
Written in the cover that this book is a reflections. Indeed, her reflections was totally amazing and relatable and just 'French kiss'.
I never thought that losing someone can be so much other meaning instead of feeling sadness all the time.
Sadness is acceptable, of course. In any way, sadness deserve all the spotlight. But other feelings and lessons that the dead left to us to understand and learn is important.
This is what the writers share all the way in the book.
It's how we understand the lost.
It's how should we cope and pounder the lost.
It's just brilliant.
With this book, it helps us to be able to manage our thoughts in the moment of grief.
This book suitable for all type of situation since we go thru hardship most of the time.
Not with losing someone only we understand true hardship. But for me, it's how we see positive and able to react and think wisely during that moment.
Love this book!
June 2, 2019
So i read this book called "A Temporary Gift" by Asma Hussein a few days back and im still under its spell. Its a top notch and hell of a deep read. If you've loved and lost someone in your life then its the next BOOK YOU SHOULD READ!!! It beautifully explains how the bad that happens to you is for your own good. It makes you stronger, it makes you more confident. What your lord has planned for you is no doubt better than what you want for yourself. In short its a beautifully written book with so many great teachings!
Its a journey of the author. Who is a canadian-muslim and after all finds a perfect partner for herself in egypt. After getting married to him she couldn't ask for more, she considers him a beautiful gift from Allah in return of her good deeds, everything becomes more beautiful when they welcome their first baby. But then suddenly her gift is taken away from her in a protest in egypt and losing him means losing herself...
To know how she gets back to living a normal and grateful life again, go check this book out. You won't be able to forget it soon.
Its a journey of the author. Who is a canadian-muslim and after all finds a perfect partner for herself in egypt. After getting married to him she couldn't ask for more, she considers him a beautiful gift from Allah in return of her good deeds, everything becomes more beautiful when they welcome their first baby. But then suddenly her gift is taken away from her in a protest in egypt and losing him means losing herself...
To know how she gets back to living a normal and grateful life again, go check this book out. You won't be able to forget it soon.
August 10, 2018
I'll tell you this book definitely a must read for all. The author's reflection on her everyday life is totally amusing and serene to look upon. I like it when I learn a new insight of knowing that Allah is so merciful and so loving towards His slaves. I learn how deep someone can be in love even for a short time as I can feel her love for her husband is soo deep, and that's when I realized how enormous Allah's love is towards us. I believe this book is also suitable for everyone including the not yet Muslim or a new Muslim convert. It's like her understanding on life is so deep that is so true that we couldn't help to just read it but also feel it in the depth of our heart.
September 5, 2020
A Temporary Gift shows you how beautiful and empowering Islam is in motion.The concepts of tawakkul (reliance of Allah), sabr (patience) and love for the sake of Allah come to life through her personal journey. She found strength, inner peace and courage by connecting with her Creator in these difficult times and in turn, allowed me to see Islam in a whole new light.
This book will no doubt move you (possibly to tears), but by the end of it I didn’t feel sad. In fact, her words are comforting. I felt like everything was going to be okay. It reminded me that regardless of what life throws at me, I have Allah, I know that He loves me and that’s more than enough to keep me going.
This book will no doubt move you (possibly to tears), but by the end of it I didn’t feel sad. In fact, her words are comforting. I felt like everything was going to be okay. It reminded me that regardless of what life throws at me, I have Allah, I know that He loves me and that’s more than enough to keep me going.
January 19, 2023
Oh my god! STOP EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING AND READ THIS BOOK TODAY.
When I tell you I could not put this book down after the first page. This book is about a woman who loses her husband in the hands of injustice . She takes you through a beautiful journey on how she overcame / healed from the aftermath of her husbands brutal murder .
Not only is she extremely vulnerable, she shares her story in way a friend would sit down with you to tell his/ her story. You feel her presence and authenticity in her writing . This book talks about grief , loss , pain, anger, trust .
More specifically trust in god and how with god anything is possible.
Every single thing about this book was amazing .
When I tell you I could not put this book down after the first page. This book is about a woman who loses her husband in the hands of injustice . She takes you through a beautiful journey on how she overcame / healed from the aftermath of her husbands brutal murder .
Not only is she extremely vulnerable, she shares her story in way a friend would sit down with you to tell his/ her story. You feel her presence and authenticity in her writing . This book talks about grief , loss , pain, anger, trust .
More specifically trust in god and how with god anything is possible.
Every single thing about this book was amazing .
July 16, 2019
The book speaks about love found unexpectedly and love leading to transformation and then how the loss of this heart and soul felt is lost and its loss further refine and strengthens the faith, audacity, thinking and life goals of the lover. " Allah blesses a heart with the beautiful love and that love with its influence makes you realise that you too are capable of infinite and valuable love, and He takes gifts away at appointed times to make your hearts taste the goodness he has in it, to make yours hearts strong again and again. From Him we are to Him we shall return".
January 3, 2022
A very sentimental book about loss, grief and healing. I loved the depth of ideas and reflections. I related to so many parts of this book while I was dealings with grief I felt the same way.
The writer's language is smooth and her choice of words is very good.
I just felt there was some reptition in the book and it could have been shorter.
Overall I enjoyed reading though I am not sure if "enjoyed" is the right word to use while reading such a painful book. So I can say that I like the book overall and would definitely recommend to anyone having a difficult time with grief.
The writer's language is smooth and her choice of words is very good.
I just felt there was some reptition in the book and it could have been shorter.
Overall I enjoyed reading though I am not sure if "enjoyed" is the right word to use while reading such a painful book. So I can say that I like the book overall and would definitely recommend to anyone having a difficult time with grief.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews