Your Review Is Da'wah: Why a Few Honest Words Matter

Most people who finish a beneficial book keep the benefit to themselves. Not out of stinginess, simply because nobody asked. This is us asking. A short, honest review of a book you read, or of your experience ordering from us, can point another Muslim, or someone curious about Islam, to something that benefits them. And pointing others to good carries a reward.

Guiding Others to Good

Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari narrated that a man came to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, asking for a riding animal, and another man offered to direct him to someone who could provide one. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"One who guides to something good has a reward similar to that of its doer."

— Sahih Muslim 1893

When you tell another reader that a book helped you understand your prayer, or gave your children a love for the Prophets, and they read it and act upon it, you have guided them to good. That is the whole idea behind a review.

Sincere Advice to Your Brothers and Sisters

Tamim ad-Dari narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"The Religion is sincerity." We said, "To whom?" He said "To Allah, to His Book, To His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their masses."

— Sahih Muslim 55

Telling your fellow Muslims which book suits a beginner, which is better read with a teacher, and which is best kept for later is part of that sincerity. A review that says "this was too advanced for me as a new Muslim, start with something simpler" may save someone months of frustration.

Cooperation and Gratitude

Allah says:

"And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression."

— Surah al-Ma'idah 5:2

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"He who does not thank the people is not thankful to Allah."

— Sunan Abi Dawud 4811, graded sahih by al-Albani

A review is also a way of giving thanks: to the author who spent years on a book, to the translator who carried it into English, and to the people who packed it and sent it to you.

Speak Truthfully

Allah says:

"O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice."

— Surah al-Ahzab 33:70

A review only benefits others if it is honest. Write what you found, not what you think we want to hear. If a book was not what you expected, say so plainly and fairly. If something went wrong with your order, please message us on live chat or reply to our email first, so we can put it right.

What to Write

You do not need to write an essay. A few sentences on any of these is enough:

• How the book benefited you. What changed in your understanding, your worship, or your character after reading it?
• Who you would recommend it to. A new Muslim, a student of knowledge, a parent, a teenager, someone curious about Islam?
• How easy it was to read. Could you follow it on your own, or is it better read with a teacher or study circle?
• What you had read before. Was this your first book on the subject, or did it build on something you had already studied?
• What stayed with you. A chapter, a point, or a lesson you keep coming back to.
• How your children responded. For children's books, did they ask for it again? What did they learn?
• The translation and the print. Was the English clear? Were the footnotes helpful? How is the binding and layout?
• Your experience with us. Packaging, delivery, and how we handled any questions you had.

The Two Review Emails You Will Receive

After you order, two separate review requests reach your inbox. They ask about different things, and each one helps in its own way.

1. A Review of Our Shop on Google

About a week after your order ships, you will receive an email from us titled "Would you leave us a review?" This one asks about The Islamic Book Cafe as a shop: your order, the packaging, the delivery, and how we dealt with you. It is posted on Google, where it helps people searching for an Islamic bookstore find us. You can also leave a Google review here at any time.

2. A Review of the Book Itself

A separate email titled "How was the book?" asks about the book you bought. This review appears on the book's own product page, where the next reader deciding whether it is right for them will see it. Give yourself time to read the book before you write; this is the review where the guidance above matters most. You can also review any book you have bought from us directly on its product page.

If you have ordered from us in the past and never left a review, it is not too late. Find the book on our site and share what you benefited from it.

May Allah reward you for every reader you guide to something good.

Baarakallahu feekum — The Islamic Book Cafe | Portland, Oregon.