Can YA Muslim Fiction Help ‘Normalize’ Islam for Teens?
Can YA Muslim Fiction help normalize Islam for teens? I think so. Many young adults readers are already reading tons and tons of secular YA books. Getting them to read a cool and engaging Muslim fiction book with subtle religious hints to it will definitely help.
Muslim writers agree and Muslim Moms approve. Why? Young Adult Muslims get to read about Muslim characters who face their real struggles. It can help them ponder on how they can carry themselves in the future and learn about Islam in a fun context. Having said all that, I can only speak for my latest YA Muslim science fiction, dystopian book. And the verdict is in masha’Allah alhamdullilah!
- “Reading them all together was more fun and thrilling this time and I would say that The Ducktrinors can serve as a great gift for teenage Muslims and young adults. So grab your copy from Amazon.”— Author Aisha Idris, The Bookish Nomad
Now that we have made a small claim on the impact of YA Muslim Fiction, it’s imperative that we know the distinction between Muslim Fiction, Islamic Fiction and Muslim Authored Reads. Below are my personal definitions of each terms.
Islamic Fiction is a smaller category of Muslim Fiction. However, to this date it does not portray any kind of explicit content. It aims to stay puritan.While I don’t completely agree with that because intimacy and spirituality merge, I leave the subject alone. Moreover, I obviously don’t classify my steamy Muslim fiction romance books in this category unless it becomes more inclusive with explicit content. Either way, that’s a definition you can quote me on! On to the next term.
Muslim Fiction is a bigger umbrella that covers all sorts of fictional material in which Muslim characters are featured and represented.
Muslim Authored Reads are books written by Muslim authors that are more mainstream and often portray non-Muslim characters. Since these characters aren’t Muslims for the most part, there is more freedom to let them act a certain way that would not be approved in Islam. That said Muslim Fiction also portrays real life characters who struggle with being steadfast with the deen.
So to recap:
- Islamic Fiction is Muslim Fiction but Muslim Fiction is not Islamic Fiction. In Muslim Fiction, Muslim characters are real. They are not perfect and they are much like real humans. Subsequently, they don’t always reflect an Islamic way of life.
- Muslim Fiction is also Muslim Authored Reads. Muslims penned that work.
- However, Muslim Authored Reads are normally outside the scope of Muslim and Islamic Fiction.
I pray this tidbit sheds a small ray of light on YA Muslim Fiction, Muslim Fiction, Islamic Fiction, and last and not least Muslim Authored Reads.
Read more on the debate by clicking on the links below:
- The Case For Fictional Islam
- Why We Should Support Muslim Fiction
- What Is Halal and Haram in Fiction Writing? Or Is It All a “Grey Area”?
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Now, check out the latest buzz on YA Muslim Sci-Fi Dysopian; The Ducktrinors Book I & Book II below!
- “The book keeps you on the edge – looking forward to the next chapter…Having grown up with the Harry Potter series and knowing the inside-out of the series, I feel the Ducktrinor series will be a similar-themed adventure series for the young Muslim adult…Kudos to the author for being a trendsetter in the world of Muslim science fiction for the young adult.” — By Shahira
- “The best thing I loved about the book is its narration. The book is a great page turner and lures us till the end. Papatia narrates the chapters from different timelines and this leaves the reader curious until the end. The story reveals through various characters and the usage of self-talk is a win-win. The plot is very fast paced and includes so many characters and details. But telling the story through people makes it simple to follow along.” — Farzana Fathima, Reclaiming Heart
- “Everybody [all the characters] brought something to the table.” — Fousia Abdullahi, Naptime is Sacred
- “In a sentence… It was a thrilling and satisfying read…Recommendation? IT’S A MUST READ!” — Rimsha Tanaaz, Be Flawless Muslims
- “…Filled with high-tech gadgets and futuristic concepts, this would be a hit with the early teens who have an interest in this genre… I would definitely say this is a step into Islamic sci-fi. Papatia Feauxzar has taken a bold and brave step into this genre and I am looking forward to more of her creativity.” — The Umm Afraz Muhammed Blog
- “The Ducktrinors is a compilation of the first two books in the Jihad Series. This series is not likely to be one you’ve come across before – Muslim sci-fi novels are few and far between, after all… All in all, a good, interesting read that you’ll probably end up going back to once or twice.” — The Imperfect Muslimah
- “I really got hooked and have gone through the 500-odd pages in just few hours! … The book is filled with Islamic references, cleverly tied into the story through Ducktrinors’ conversations and descriptions of their halaqa sessions. Although we don’t know the specific time setting, there are some strong indicators that the end of times is near: our characters having to hide their religious beliefs, women appearing naked despite being dressed, buildings so tall they seem to never end – to just mention a few. The book is a really engaging way to teach or remind the readers some basic Islamic principles.”— Halal Mama
- “The Ducktrinors is quite long but it’s a quick read – it took me just a few hours to reach the final page and it was nice to have a well tied up ending along with some interest toward the future of the series as well.”— The Imperfect Muslimah
Thank you for reading,
Papatya*
