What is English Language Islamic Fiction?

As Salaam'alaykum I am a Muslim author and publisher. My favorite genre to write and publish is Islamic fiction... English language Islamic Fiction (ELIF). What is ELIF? ELIF is fiction stories that have Muslim and many times non Muslim characters. The stories are often about Muslims living as minorities in a larer non Muslim society. The stories often are about issues/problems/challenges Muslims experience as minorities such as having non Muslim family members, attending public schools, problems kids and teens have with family and friends. Why is ELIF a unique kind of fiction? It is unique because the writers generally always include Islamic practices and teachings within the story. Perhaps an Islamic moral value or two will be explored. Perhaps references to the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) will be included as being relevant to the story. You see... my friends... Islamic fiction always includes Islam in the story. In fact the beauty of Islamic fiction is that the stories show children, teens/adults that Islam is relevant in these times and can be of help to Muslims today. Why do Muslim Readers Like ELIF? For children and teens they say they can relate to the book characters and settings. Many have to read fiction for school reading and writing assignments and they want to read and write about Islamic fictionn. BUT... there is a BIG PROBLEM Muslim publishers don't want to publish ELIF and Many Muslim retailers won't buy and make ELIF books available. Muslims: parents/students/teachers all have trouble finding ELIF books because of this refusal of most publishers and retailers. Why is there a PROBLEM? Well some Muslims say reading fiction is harm.. a waste of time.. but this is untrue.. a misunderstanding on their part. READ: My question is, is writing Islamic based fictional stories which are meant for da'wah, islaahi and creating awareness among the Ummah, especially the youth, by using the imagination, sinful in Islam? In other words is it sinful to imagine words, ideas and situations? And what's the difference between folklore and this kind of modern writings? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. If it is made perfectly clear that this did not really happen, and that the story is being told just to give an example, then there is nothing wrong with that, but one should be careful to ensure that the style, contents and goal are beneficial and that the story helps to explain something about Islam and serves as a effective means of teaching and guiding people. We ask Allaah to grant you strength Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid So... you see.. not omly is Islamic fiction (ELIF approved, it is necessary. Why is ELIF Necessary? In most westernized countries in the Islamic schools... school administrators are promoting non Muslim authored and published books to students and parents. Book Fairs are conducted to sell these books which may have content that conflicts with islamic teachings and practices. The school teachers and administrators say they have these book fairs and promote thse obooks because there aren't enough ELIF books published and available!!! So who is letting down our Muslim Ummah, pur students/children? ... those living as minorities who are in great need of quality Islamic fiction literature.. Islamic fiction literature to be specific? There are pleanty of Muslim writers writing this unique category of fiction... they just can't find a Muslim publisher willing to publish their work. Those that do self publish or find a small publisher can't get retailers to support their work and make it available in bookstores etc. Some Muslim writers have turned to writing fiction books but the content makes no mention of religion. they do this so non Muslim publishers will publish their books. These are books written by Muslims but they are NOT Islamic fiction. Muslim writers NEED your help... What Can You Do? You can contact Muslim publishers and retailers and tell them you want ELIF books. Tell them over and over.. be a pest about it!. Tell your Imam about this problem. Tell parents/friends about it so we can correct this situation. Remember... English language Islamic fiction is beneficial. It demonstrates to our students/young people that Muslims can write as well.. maybe even better than many non Muslim authors. They can be proud of Muslims who qrite quality islamic literature-ELIF. Widad (Linda D. Delgado) Publisher and Author Muslim Writers Publishing and Islamic Rose Books