This question constantly pops into my head when I ponder upon the problems some people have with the term 'Islamic fiction'. For some, it's an oxymoron - two distinctively separate words mismatched into one phrase. However, which part of the phrase 'Islamic fiction' is inherently out of place? Islamic or Fiction?

Everyone’s an individual, right? What Khalid likes, Bilal may not like; and what Amina likes, Rukhsana may not like. Yet in terms of fiction, there’s a general consensus that preaching is taboo - it should not be done by a writer who wants to be successful.

But what is defined as preaching? Is it where you’re reading more facts than an actual plot (is the story even fiction anymore?), or is it where characters are explicitly stating what is and isn’t allowed?

Muslims tend to think that Islamic fiction is of no benefit; they say it doesn’t increase a reader in anything good. We have found this to be the total opposite, so we’ve come up with a short list of 4 reasons why Islamic fiction is needed.

Here goes...

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We present to you a poem that still causes us to get goosebumps
 - one written by the talented writer, Umm Thameenah. Enjoy! 

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Wings From Above
By Umm Thameenah

An image of utter beauty, gliding so gracefully
Your confidence and sophistication, they truly inspire me.

Like a perfect entity
A servant so true and free
You amaze me
With your love that conquers all.

You’re like a bird
Because you fly so high.
Like a dove
Swimming beneath the sky.
You’re like an eagle
Determined to fly.
You’re a nightingale

Oh, how I wish that I too could fly . . .

Muslim fiction has had a hard time in gaining respect within the Muslim community, with some deeming it a waste of time and tantamount to lies. The shelves of Muslim book stores are laden with books, but few - if any - are Muslim fiction. Despite this, our teens are reading novels that condone intercourse outside of marriage, free-mingling with the opposite gender, partying and other acts that Islam frowns upon. It is from reading such books that our teens desire to have a slice of that pie, and Mulky confirmed this.