If I Should Speak: a novel Paperback – December 3, 2001

Very touching inspiring book!! I’m about to start the 2nd one

I've always wanted to read this book.I've wished and wished for it, and then - voila! - I got it!And what I've got to say is, no novel changed my life more than this. I've had this book for about 1 year, and its simplicity touches me, its reminders of new Muslims with such gratitude to God, compared to a born Muslim like me who always had Islam, pricks my conscience. I've read Yahya Emerick, I've read Muhammad Asad - I've read a lot, but this book was different.I enjoyed and cherish it because of what it made me proud of.I'm a Muslim woman, I wear hijab and I'm proud of it, I recite Qur'an and I study my religion, and I'm proud of it - but this book made me prouder of it. It made me realize how precious my religion is to me. It told me what others feel when they hear about my religion. It explained how others react, what they think, how my religion is talked about - all in this one book.Tamika is your average American, with a messy past. Her father is gone, her sister and brother are gone, and she's burdened with her all her mother's hopes and dreams. All she's trying to focus on is finishing college, and along with that, to finish it with her head high. She's gonna show the world that she's a college graduate: Black, Christian, and determined . . . but she's got something holding her back.This isn't what she really wants. She wants to sing - just one thing she wants to do, but that's out of the question.When she meets a fellow colleague with the same troubles and same passion, she's thrilled. But along with the sweet comes the bitter, and she realizes that it's not just college and singing out there. There's something else - something deeper and more tender, more precious than all her songs and all her mother's dreams. Surely that should come first?But what with family burdens and expectations, Tamika is unsure: which will she choose, her soul or her mother's dreams?Umm Zakiyyah takes you through all her trials and tribulations, all her hopes and fears, until Tamika finally takes the ultimate decision - but it will take much more pain and heartache to get her so far.

The original reason why I bought If I Should Speak was that I heard that this book was currently being turned into a movie. Usually I rread the last page of the book and that would motivate me as to whether or not I would read the book. But from the first page, I was hooked and I found that some of the situations that the characters were going through related to me. Perhaps the character that made me the saddest was Dee. The choices she was making were both foolish and dangerous in nature to both her mind, body and spirit. I would encourage both Muslims and non-Muslims to read this book and I promise you this book will have you thinking about where you are truly going in your life. I cannot wait to read more books from the series and see what happens.  If I Should Speak

As a Bible major at a Christian college we had to read this for our Islam class.. The book is very well written.. However, this book has quite a few straw man fallacy arguments as well as appeals to authority.. The concept of Fitrah is a twist on a Biblical concept from the book of Romans that was introduced close to 500 years before Muhammad was ever born.. This book was fun to read but I always had to remember it was a work of fiction (which begs many questions).There are numerous books like this from real non fictional Christians that showcase the validity of the Gospel.. This was a good book though.

I started reading this book as an assignment for my English 102 class at Islamic Online University. It was so well written, and the author's knowledge of Islam is very sound, masha Allah. We were given the first 10 chapters for our assignment, so naturally everyone in the class had to get their own copy (and the sequel too). I recommend this story to all my revert friends who are struggling with their teen or college age daughters not accepting Islam. I know it must be heartbreaking for them. I was hanging on every word as I relived my own struggle for truth before I found Islam, al hamdulillah. If I Should Speak

Ordered this book for a friend because I've already read it. I love this book and others by the same author. I thought the character in this book was me. I was wondering how Umm Zakiyah knew me and my thoughts. Phenomenal book. A good read. Warning: its deep!

it was a very in capturing book, your heart with the characters and heart reneging story. I would definitely recommend this book!

Absolutely fantastic. My 12 year old could not put this book down. We've now ordered the other two books from this trilogy. MashaaAllah its written very well, lots of amazing themes covered and it's inspired my daughter to look into so many great Islamic areas. I wish there were more books like these out there. Nothing controversial or adult-themed in this book.

Touched. Emotions of character beyond the reasons and convictions

This was a very well written book. It was great to read a novel that teaches one about religion. Was not like reading religious books that sometimes can be a bit boring. Touches real life issues, from start to finish it keeps the reader wanting to know more

The book is in perfect condition, no tares or bent pages.Arrived on time.I am a very happy costumer.Highly recommend.