When you publish a book you seldom have an idea of the true impact of your work. Where it’ll reach, whose home, whose school, whose library? They’re all thoughts that flow through your mind occasionally as your heart whispers a silent passing prayer that children somewhere, anywhere, are playing, learning and just enjoying it. 

 

Rarely do you have an idea or even an appreciation of God and His Magnificent generosity. Allah, Al-Kareem, the Most Generous, will always continue to surpass our expectations – nothing could compare and this story, we hope, serves as a little reminder of His immense Love and Rahma towards those who strive in His path.  

 

I recently met up with the lovely Aaqila, one of our distributors from South Africa’s Deen District in London in U.K. She was visiting and we thought it would be a lovely opportunity to connect. As we engaged in our respective storytelling of the paths that led to our entrepreneurship in the creative Islamic community, I was struck by her story in a way that I’ve never been before. 

 

Aaqila, unemployed at the time, was fortunate enough to go for Umrah with her parents in 2017. She happened to be walking through the Mall and spotted a small little kiosk. She was looking for a meaningful, fun and somewhat unique gift for her nephew back in South Africa. She wanted to take something back for him that would be memorable as well as educational. 

 

That’s when she discovered our “My First Wudu book” – A waterproof book that not only he could play with in the bath, but that also changed colour when the pages came into contact with water! And of course, something that would be his first introduction to Wudu, abolition before he’d grow to learn how to pray, God willing. 

 

It’s these hopes we have deep inside of us, for our sibling’s children, the ones we dearly love and have an unexplained attachment to. A longing to teach them something they’ll enjoy and treasure about their faith and something of course that’ll plant the seeds of a long term sadaqah jariyah for ourselves. To be remembered as the favourite, fun aunty – who helps you get out of trouble (sometimes) and has endless time to play games with you and laugh until both your sides hurt!

 

It was upon discovering this unique book for her nephew back in 2017, in a tiny kiosk inside the famous Makkah Clock Tower, that the idea to launch Deen District was born!

 

The seed had been planted, Aaqila realised that there was nowhere accessible to buy Islamic products or books for children in South Africa! 

Upon returning from umrah she began researching immediately and just three months later, she launched her business Masha’Allah. 

Deen District began with a modest 20 products (of which of course, the Wudu bath book was one!) and within one year they expanded to stocking 200 products for the whole family Masha’Allah! 

 

Meeting Aaqila and realising the story behind her business was a humbling and inspirational reminder of the unknown impact our work could have in inspiring other Muslims to create a legacy of their own! 

 

It’s incredible to work within an industry where we are on a collaborative mission to get the best Islamic books out to children all over the world. This was one of my biggest motivations in setting up Shade 7 Publishing and we pray that Allah Azzawajal allows us to reach many more and accepts our efforts. Ameen!

 

Do you have an inspiring story that prompted the beginnings of your Islamic start up business? We would love to hear about it. 

 

With less than 100 days to Ramadan, this holiday season get a head start with your preparations, be it baskets or even an early Eid shop with our special discount during December with code: WUDU20 for 20% off any purchases of our Wudu bath books on both Shade 7 and Deen District’s websites. The Wudu book makes the perfect gift for babies and toddlers all year round and we ship worldwide too!