A Temporary Gift - Reflections on Love, Loss and Healing

An inspirational Islamic book that will leave you feeling revived and hopeful that truly, with difficulty always comes ease.

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 : Reflections on Love, Loss and Healing, one of the best seller Islamic books, is a record of journal entries written by Amr 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.

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.

Written by Asmaa Hussein

Book Review by Dalia Mogahed

"Her words remind us of just how fragile and short-lived the realities we cling to are while calling us to look through them to the only permanent truth as our true sanctuary"

Book Review by Rayhaana

"'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'"

Book Review by Farah Afzal

"This beautiful read breaks your heart and heals it simultaneously. The most important lesson for me,in this book, was the importance of doing mundane things with ihsaan consistently. We don't necessarily need to be part of a big philanthropic project or life changing organisation to be worthy of Allah's love. If we worship him with love and deal with his creation with love, in our day to day life, we may get rewards beyond our imagination."

Book Review by Zahra Ali

" I was feeling disconnected from my deeper soul writer and I needed to wake her up and this book did that miracle for me-to write from your heart. This book opened for me many countless doors of goodness. I was in tears after tears, pouring from my heart... It was that moving! "

Book Review by Tawheeda

"I had purchased this book for a friend who was going through a hard time in life, but it was so deep and well-written that I ended up reading it in one day before handing it over. It is a profound story of love, loss and courage"

Book Review by Mohamed Soltan

"A spiritually uplifting read and a story of unshakable trust in the wisdom of God in the face of adversity"

Details

Title: A Temporary Gift: Reflections on Love, Loss and Healing
Author: Asmaa Hussein
Publisher: Ruqaya's Bookshelf - Canada
Pages: 302
Volumes: 1
Size: 12.7 cm × 20.9 cm
Binding: Paperback
Edition Number: 1st
Year Of Publication: 2015
Weight: 0.33 kg
 

Author Profile

Asmaa Hussein is the founder of this small but wholesome publishing company Ruqaya's Bookshelf based in Canada. Since 2015, her mission has been to publish bright, fun, and engaging Islamic children’s books to add to your home and school libraries.

All books by Ruqaya's Bookshelf feature Muslim characters and protagonists, because we believe representation matters! Diversity in children’s literature contributes to a solid character education – and seeing someone who looks like you in a storybook is exciting!

After servitude to Allah, her daughter is her greatest motivation. As a widowed mother to a rambunctious and beautiful girl, she strives to show her an example of dedication, determination, and excellence.

She has named this publishing company after her – Ruqaya's Bookshelf – because she loves books more than anything.

So pull up a chair, enjoy their books and join their fun-filled adventure!