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Turning the Tide: Reawakening the Women's Heart and Soul
A book on the journey and different stages of a woman's life, from the inception of the soul to the end of life on Earth. With contemporary thoughts, words of wisdom, guidance and inspiration.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published February 16, 2021
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180 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 8, 2021
This is an exquisitely beautiful book. I knew after the first chapter, that this would become one of my all-time favourites, and it has. I took a month reading it, savouring every paragraph and chapter and beautiful illustration. I did not want this book to end, and I kept going back to reread parts and ponder over them, and as I was reading I kept sharing quotes that really resonated with my friends, because this book really touched me. It is books like these that make me so grateful for the privilege of reading and even being able to own a brand-new physical copy, because I enjoyed and benefited from this enormously – it really felt like a privilege to read. This is a book that I know I will continually refer back to, truly a book for life.
"You were entrusted with your soul, and the covenant it made. In your care, the soul needs to be nurtured on the remembrance of God. It needs to be fed on the contemplation of His innumerable signs in the vast cosmos and within the human self. It needs to be sustained by the grace of God and by seeking His guidance and forgiveness."
I’m going to first talk about what immediately struck me, which was the writing – it is so lyrical and elegant. It flows so well, and is a pleasure to read. Everything is described and explained so brilliantly because the words are so perfectly chosen, and it is very clear that the author spent many years working on this book and that it is on its 4th edition. Sometimes with Islamic books the writing is not as good as it could be, and I really appreciate that this is not at all the case with this book, in fact it is the opposite.
There are many things that I love about this book, but the main reason is the premise. I think the author explains this best in the introduction: “every era of history in the world has presented different challenges to a woman’s growth… on the face of things, opportunities are abound for women, empowering them to fulfil their ambitions and use their abilities. Nonetheless, the need to delve deeper and understand more about our identities refuses to go away. The soul of each woman is not fulfilled with material prosperity alone, or better prospects in terms of social relationships. There persists a need for inner harmony and a life of balance in which the deep yearnings of the soul can be satisfied. “Turning the Tide” is about turning away from the restrictive beliefs, habits and fads that have starved women spiritually. It is about turning towards the eternal message of the Qur’an and Prophetic wisdom, the primary sources of Islam. Where better to find the contentedness and wholeness each being seeks than from the Creator of each being… this book takes a chronological journey through the stages of a woman’s life and looks at the value and inherent worth of each stage”. I absolutely love it because being a Muslim is the core of my identity, and since my Islam is incorporated into my everyday life, this book is perfect because with its close focus on the Qur’an and sunnah (which I also love because that is so vital for any Islamic understanding to be achieved), it is tailored to aiding the Muslimah through different stages of her life that is hugely insightful and beneficial. I also really appreciated how this was done in a non-preachy way, making an engaging and enlightening read.
"Our heart, the core of our being, is not left unguided. God, the Most Wise and the Source of Peace, has given us guidance and inspiration for keeping our hearts in the best condition… in our early years our hearts were naturally pure, not bearing grudges, spontaneous and honest. As time goes on, the tests upon the heart come from all directions, as our emotions and mind travel to new places. Our hearts will go through turmoil just as the hearts of the Prophets were tested."
The structure of the book is another thing that makes it so unique and special (it is also explained in “A Map for your Journey” at the start of the book). There are ten chapters, spanning from “The Soul: Wide Oceans”, “The Heart: Seas of Change” to “The Soul’s Journey On: The Shoreline”. Each chapter has a brief introduction (I loved all of them, they really encapsulated the topic and was so elegantly expressed… quite a few of my highlights were from the intros!) and then has a “Myriad Voices” section which flows in a poetic style and represents different fictional voices that reflect different thoughts that a woman may have in regards to the topic of that chapter and was very refreshing to read after finishing a chapter and prepared you for the next. There are then translated parts chosen from the Qur’an and hadeeth of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that portray the Islamic perspective on the chapter – they are always well-chosen and tend to make up the bulk of the chapter and I learned a huge amount from reading them. I especially appreciated how there was always a section of duaas (supplications) afterwards that are specific in aiding us in whatever subject the chapter was on, such as in regards to seeking knowledge. Lastly, possibly my favourite section of each chapter, was the one on “Noble Women” which included an insight into the life of a righteous Muslimah, historical figures in Islamic history, that reflected the qualities covered in the chapter. The structure of each chapter ensures each chapter is powerfully conveyed, so much so that each chapter left a lasting effect on me so that I would only read one chapter in each sitting, and then go away and think about what I had read. The author also incorporates an extended metaphor of water throughout the text – each chapter is closely linked to water and this is not only makes it more of a pleasure to read but also really helps to ingrain what each chapter represents in the course of life, which is so meaningful.
Finally, the illustrations are absolutely beautiful and were the final feature that made this book into a perfect read for me.
All-in-all, it’s pretty clear that I am absolutely in love with this book. I’m sorry if raving reviews aren’t your thing, but I really cannot think of a single thing about this book that I dislike. I went into this book with zero expectations and no knowledge on what it was about, and so it took me completely by surprise and made it even more enjoyable to read. If you’re a Muslim, or even if you’re not a Muslim, I would highly recommend this for a read (there is a glossary at the end that helps to make it more accessible for those who aren’t Muslim). I would say especially if you’re a Muslimah, this book is perfect for you, and I sincerely hope that you enjoy it and gain from it as much as I have!
"You were entrusted with your soul, and the covenant it made. In your care, the soul needs to be nurtured on the remembrance of God. It needs to be fed on the contemplation of His innumerable signs in the vast cosmos and within the human self. It needs to be sustained by the grace of God and by seeking His guidance and forgiveness."
I’m going to first talk about what immediately struck me, which was the writing – it is so lyrical and elegant. It flows so well, and is a pleasure to read. Everything is described and explained so brilliantly because the words are so perfectly chosen, and it is very clear that the author spent many years working on this book and that it is on its 4th edition. Sometimes with Islamic books the writing is not as good as it could be, and I really appreciate that this is not at all the case with this book, in fact it is the opposite.
There are many things that I love about this book, but the main reason is the premise. I think the author explains this best in the introduction: “every era of history in the world has presented different challenges to a woman’s growth… on the face of things, opportunities are abound for women, empowering them to fulfil their ambitions and use their abilities. Nonetheless, the need to delve deeper and understand more about our identities refuses to go away. The soul of each woman is not fulfilled with material prosperity alone, or better prospects in terms of social relationships. There persists a need for inner harmony and a life of balance in which the deep yearnings of the soul can be satisfied. “Turning the Tide” is about turning away from the restrictive beliefs, habits and fads that have starved women spiritually. It is about turning towards the eternal message of the Qur’an and Prophetic wisdom, the primary sources of Islam. Where better to find the contentedness and wholeness each being seeks than from the Creator of each being… this book takes a chronological journey through the stages of a woman’s life and looks at the value and inherent worth of each stage”. I absolutely love it because being a Muslim is the core of my identity, and since my Islam is incorporated into my everyday life, this book is perfect because with its close focus on the Qur’an and sunnah (which I also love because that is so vital for any Islamic understanding to be achieved), it is tailored to aiding the Muslimah through different stages of her life that is hugely insightful and beneficial. I also really appreciated how this was done in a non-preachy way, making an engaging and enlightening read.
"Our heart, the core of our being, is not left unguided. God, the Most Wise and the Source of Peace, has given us guidance and inspiration for keeping our hearts in the best condition… in our early years our hearts were naturally pure, not bearing grudges, spontaneous and honest. As time goes on, the tests upon the heart come from all directions, as our emotions and mind travel to new places. Our hearts will go through turmoil just as the hearts of the Prophets were tested."
The structure of the book is another thing that makes it so unique and special (it is also explained in “A Map for your Journey” at the start of the book). There are ten chapters, spanning from “The Soul: Wide Oceans”, “The Heart: Seas of Change” to “The Soul’s Journey On: The Shoreline”. Each chapter has a brief introduction (I loved all of them, they really encapsulated the topic and was so elegantly expressed… quite a few of my highlights were from the intros!) and then has a “Myriad Voices” section which flows in a poetic style and represents different fictional voices that reflect different thoughts that a woman may have in regards to the topic of that chapter and was very refreshing to read after finishing a chapter and prepared you for the next. There are then translated parts chosen from the Qur’an and hadeeth of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that portray the Islamic perspective on the chapter – they are always well-chosen and tend to make up the bulk of the chapter and I learned a huge amount from reading them. I especially appreciated how there was always a section of duaas (supplications) afterwards that are specific in aiding us in whatever subject the chapter was on, such as in regards to seeking knowledge. Lastly, possibly my favourite section of each chapter, was the one on “Noble Women” which included an insight into the life of a righteous Muslimah, historical figures in Islamic history, that reflected the qualities covered in the chapter. The structure of each chapter ensures each chapter is powerfully conveyed, so much so that each chapter left a lasting effect on me so that I would only read one chapter in each sitting, and then go away and think about what I had read. The author also incorporates an extended metaphor of water throughout the text – each chapter is closely linked to water and this is not only makes it more of a pleasure to read but also really helps to ingrain what each chapter represents in the course of life, which is so meaningful.
Finally, the illustrations are absolutely beautiful and were the final feature that made this book into a perfect read for me.
All-in-all, it’s pretty clear that I am absolutely in love with this book. I’m sorry if raving reviews aren’t your thing, but I really cannot think of a single thing about this book that I dislike. I went into this book with zero expectations and no knowledge on what it was about, and so it took me completely by surprise and made it even more enjoyable to read. If you’re a Muslim, or even if you’re not a Muslim, I would highly recommend this for a read (there is a glossary at the end that helps to make it more accessible for those who aren’t Muslim). I would say especially if you’re a Muslimah, this book is perfect for you, and I sincerely hope that you enjoy it and gain from it as much as I have!
June 12, 2022
A beautiful book inside and out
Suma Din took readers on a journey through different stages of life; from the soul to childhood turns youth, gaining knowledge, comes the heart, health, marriage until one’s becoming a mother, finally the age of wisdom before we each taste death..
I’d say this is a book that has it all. Every chapter has these unique similar layout; intro-myriad voices-verses from Quran & Hadith-du’as-life examples (as seen on photos attached)
Breathe tranquility, leave generosity; as you will feel utter calm reading these elegantly poetic writing and abundance of good quotes to be shared. Like me, you might need to savour and ponder at every sentence.
I can’t choose which one is my favourite chapter. They all feel important as they precisely convey these diff stages of life, whether you’ve gone through it or not. Basically, there are just SO GOOD! Leaving me no words to describe, masha Allah
P/s: Also a perfect book as a gift to your dearest friends 😉
You can get this book from @kubepublishing website (internationally) and for Malaysians, you can get this from @imanshoppe.official website 😁
Suma Din took readers on a journey through different stages of life; from the soul to childhood turns youth, gaining knowledge, comes the heart, health, marriage until one’s becoming a mother, finally the age of wisdom before we each taste death..
I’d say this is a book that has it all. Every chapter has these unique similar layout; intro-myriad voices-verses from Quran & Hadith-du’as-life examples (as seen on photos attached)
Breathe tranquility, leave generosity; as you will feel utter calm reading these elegantly poetic writing and abundance of good quotes to be shared. Like me, you might need to savour and ponder at every sentence.
I can’t choose which one is my favourite chapter. They all feel important as they precisely convey these diff stages of life, whether you’ve gone through it or not. Basically, there are just SO GOOD! Leaving me no words to describe, masha Allah
P/s: Also a perfect book as a gift to your dearest friends 😉
You can get this book from @kubepublishing website (internationally) and for Malaysians, you can get this from @imanshoppe.official website 😁
July 5, 2023
"Turning the Tide" by @rooted_writer is a unique read for Muslim girls and women. Using the metaphor of water, the author explores different stages of life as a Muslim woman, covering topics such as the soul, adolescence, motherhood, and departing from this world.
Each chapter is fairly short, containing relevant ayaat and ahadith, reflections on each stage, and snippets of creative writing meant to represent different perspectives. I appreciated that topics such as health and appearance as well as the state of the heart were covered in addition to motherhood and wifehood. Each chapter also includes the story of a great woman of Islamic history who reflect the themes of that chapter.
There are also a number of du'as included per chapter, although one shortcoming in my opinion is that only the English translation is provided, without the original Arabic.
To be honest, this style of writing isn't quite my cup of tea - it's a little fluffy for me, but I know that many others enjoy this. I'm sure this will benefit many others inshaAllah! I know that I'll definitely be recommending it to others who are searching for books by and for Muslim women.
Each chapter is fairly short, containing relevant ayaat and ahadith, reflections on each stage, and snippets of creative writing meant to represent different perspectives. I appreciated that topics such as health and appearance as well as the state of the heart were covered in addition to motherhood and wifehood. Each chapter also includes the story of a great woman of Islamic history who reflect the themes of that chapter.
There are also a number of du'as included per chapter, although one shortcoming in my opinion is that only the English translation is provided, without the original Arabic.
To be honest, this style of writing isn't quite my cup of tea - it's a little fluffy for me, but I know that many others enjoy this. I'm sure this will benefit many others inshaAllah! I know that I'll definitely be recommending it to others who are searching for books by and for Muslim women.
Read
June 7, 2025I reread this for my Read Like a Writer bookclub. We looked at this from a writerly perspective and enjoyed discussing what we would have done differently. We did enjoy aspects of it but found ourselves wanting a little ‘more’ from each life stage as we were struggling to connect.
April 18, 2021
3.5 stars
August 23, 2022
Berisi perjalanan kehidupan perempuan dari sebelum lahir sampai dengan kembali kepada Allah, Turning The Tide ditulis oleh @rooted_writer dengan format yang sama dalam setiap bab nya. Ada Pengantar yang membahas tentang setiap tahap kehidupan, selaksa suara" yang isinya pemikiran, perasaan, kegelisahan dan harapan para wanita yang menurutku ini the most calming part karena isinya kayak puisi gitu 🥰
Terus ada terjemahan ayat Qur'an dan hadist yang relate sama bab yang lagi dibahas. Baca part ini tuh rasanya kayak lagi review isi Al-Qur'an gituu (*iyalah kan terjemahan haha). Kerennya, di setiap bab di buku ini pasti ada do'a nya. Misal di bab "Masa Muda" yang ngebahas tentang kekuatan fisik dan banyaknya kesempatan mengembangkan diri, dll dikasihlah do'a memohon kekuatan dan petunjuk.
Do'a-do'a ini bisa banget kita pake di kehidupan sehari-hari. Lalu di akhir bab akan ada cerita menginspirasi dari wanita-wanita mulia pada zaman dulu yang gak kalah keren.
Walaupun agak bosan dengan format yang sama di setiap bab nya (*emang aku bosenan orangnya -_- bakal ada lukisan di awal judul yang cantiiik dan memanjakan mata wkwk
Selain itu, buku ini banyak ngenalin aku tentang para shahabiyah yang mungkin beberapa ceritanya belum aku dengar seperti Asma' Binti Abu Bakar yang ternyata melahirkan ketika dalam perjalanan hijrah ke Madinah dan putranya, Abdullah menjadi orang pertama yang lahir dalam Kalender Hijriyah.
Banyaaak banget pelajaran yang kuambil dari buku ini, keren kereeen 🤩🤩
Terus ada terjemahan ayat Qur'an dan hadist yang relate sama bab yang lagi dibahas. Baca part ini tuh rasanya kayak lagi review isi Al-Qur'an gituu (*iyalah kan terjemahan haha). Kerennya, di setiap bab di buku ini pasti ada do'a nya. Misal di bab "Masa Muda" yang ngebahas tentang kekuatan fisik dan banyaknya kesempatan mengembangkan diri, dll dikasihlah do'a memohon kekuatan dan petunjuk.
Do'a-do'a ini bisa banget kita pake di kehidupan sehari-hari. Lalu di akhir bab akan ada cerita menginspirasi dari wanita-wanita mulia pada zaman dulu yang gak kalah keren.
Walaupun agak bosan dengan format yang sama di setiap bab nya (*emang aku bosenan orangnya -_- bakal ada lukisan di awal judul yang cantiiik dan memanjakan mata wkwk
Selain itu, buku ini banyak ngenalin aku tentang para shahabiyah yang mungkin beberapa ceritanya belum aku dengar seperti Asma' Binti Abu Bakar yang ternyata melahirkan ketika dalam perjalanan hijrah ke Madinah dan putranya, Abdullah menjadi orang pertama yang lahir dalam Kalender Hijriyah.
Banyaaak banget pelajaran yang kuambil dari buku ini, keren kereeen 🤩🤩
December 18, 2021
Book full of life that allows us to reflect on our purpose here through a new lens; it has supplications, ayahs, poetry, reminders and stories that can resonate with all walks of life for any Muslim woman, regardless of the age
August 11, 2021
Just not my cup of tea.
December 18, 2022
Cocok banget untuk yang futur
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews