If there’s one quality that is generally lacking in the modern world, it is patience. Many of us have grown so used to instant gratification that we get irritated at the slightest delay. We expect information to download within seconds and we demand next-day delivery for our online purchases.

We live in a world that promotes instant gratification at every turn. Technological advances have made it possible to constantly search and find answers in the blink of an eye, to make an online  purchase with delivery the same day, to find entertainment 24/7 for just about any taste.

Muslims are understandably guarded when it comes to matters of interfaith for fear of compromising their beliefs. Certain texts also seem to discourage exploring religious ideas beyond Islam, contributing to the reluctance to interact socially with followers of other faith traditions.

For nearly two decades, my family and I lived within the cozy confines of a close-knit Muslim community in Southern California. Our kids attended Islamic school and later homeschooled, and we primarily associated with other Muslim families.

Picture this familiar scene: you're behind the wheel, racing against the clock, weaving through traffic with impatient mutterings escaping your lips. Now, consider the imprint of this learned behavior on your child seated in the back.

In the realm of children's literature, discovering authentic Muslim representation remains a challenge, especially when it originates from authors who truly embody the Muslim experience.

Among the many concepts we should teach our children about Islam, one of the most important is the remarkable, incomparable nature of Allah’s forgiveness. As they grow, our children are bound to make mistakes and commit sins.