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A Place of Refuge
A Place of Refuge reminds us that forging a connection with our Creator is our only true refuge from the inevitable difficulties of this world.
In a series of powerful and thought-provoking essays, Asmaa Hussein draws on her experience maintaining resilience and strength in the face of overwhelming personal hardships. With moving pieces that address the realities of single parenthood, the challenges of maintaining a healthy private life while living in the public eye, and the effects of old traumas, Hussein makes insightful spiritual connections between her lived experiences and stories from the Quran and sunnah.
In a series of powerful and thought-provoking essays, Asmaa Hussein draws on her experience maintaining resilience and strength in the face of overwhelming personal hardships. With moving pieces that address the realities of single parenthood, the challenges of maintaining a healthy private life while living in the public eye, and the effects of old traumas, Hussein makes insightful spiritual connections between her lived experiences and stories from the Quran and sunnah.
180 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2020
22 people are currently reading
734 people want to read
About the author
Asmaa Hussein
16 books269 followersMy name is Asmaa Hussein, founder of this wholesome publishing company based in Canada. (But my official title is "Director of Awesomeness.")
Since 2015, Ruqaya's Bookshelf's mission has been to publish bright, fun, and engaging Islamic children’s books to add to your home and school libraries.
All our books feature Muslim characters and protagonists, because we believe representing YOU matters!
Diversity in children’s literature contributes astronomically to your child's character education (not to mention, seeing someone who looks like you in a storybook is pretty darn exciting!).
After servitude to God, my daughter Ruqaya is my greatest motivation. As a widowed mother to a rambunctious and beautiful girl, I strive to show her an example of dedication, determination, and excellence.
I named this publishing company after her – Ruqaya’s Bookshelf – because she loves books more than anything.
Since 2015, Ruqaya's Bookshelf's mission has been to publish bright, fun, and engaging Islamic children’s books to add to your home and school libraries.
All our books feature Muslim characters and protagonists, because we believe representing YOU matters!
Diversity in children’s literature contributes astronomically to your child's character education (not to mention, seeing someone who looks like you in a storybook is pretty darn exciting!).
After servitude to God, my daughter Ruqaya is my greatest motivation. As a widowed mother to a rambunctious and beautiful girl, I strive to show her an example of dedication, determination, and excellence.
I named this publishing company after her – Ruqaya’s Bookshelf – because she loves books more than anything.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 25, 2023
given to me as a gift by nafiza <3 full review/thoughts to come soon insha'Allah
2023 edit: idk if i can write a full review but . this whole book is just 🥺💔🫶🫡💖😭🕋🤲💕💕. read for the second time almost three years after i first read it during quarantine about a year after my younger sister Samarah passed away, and this book was so key for me in developing a deeper connection with Allah and reframing my heartbreaks and losses into sincere gratitude for having the opportunity to become closer to Him, alhamdulillah. I've been making the du'a of Umm Salamah a lot recently after experiencing a different loss (إِنَّا لله وإنا إليه راجعون اللهم أجرني في مصيبتي وأخلف لي خيرا منها
“We belong to Allah and to Allah is our return. Oh Allah, reward me for my calamity, and replace my loss with something better.”)
and ive been making this du'a with no idea how it's being / it'll be answered, just saying it when I feel my thoughts lingering on grief. so when asmaa wrote about reclaiming the idea of Allah replacing what you lost with something better, i was really struck by this one passage:
"When Allah (swt) promises to replace what we lose with what is better, the breadth and richness of that promise is so much greater than what we can imagine. Yes, He may replace our losses with tangible, material things or people. But He might also replace our losses with a desire to be close to Him, to leave a greater legacy behind, to gather people and encourage them on this path of worship.
If we are among the few who are grateful to Allah (swt) and who worship Him regardless of circumstance, then He has already replaced anything we could possibly lose with something better. May Allah make us amongst those few."
2023 edit: idk if i can write a full review but . this whole book is just 🥺💔🫶🫡💖😭🕋🤲💕💕. read for the second time almost three years after i first read it during quarantine about a year after my younger sister Samarah passed away, and this book was so key for me in developing a deeper connection with Allah and reframing my heartbreaks and losses into sincere gratitude for having the opportunity to become closer to Him, alhamdulillah. I've been making the du'a of Umm Salamah a lot recently after experiencing a different loss (إِنَّا لله وإنا إليه راجعون اللهم أجرني في مصيبتي وأخلف لي خيرا منها
“We belong to Allah and to Allah is our return. Oh Allah, reward me for my calamity, and replace my loss with something better.”)
and ive been making this du'a with no idea how it's being / it'll be answered, just saying it when I feel my thoughts lingering on grief. so when asmaa wrote about reclaiming the idea of Allah replacing what you lost with something better, i was really struck by this one passage:
"When Allah (swt) promises to replace what we lose with what is better, the breadth and richness of that promise is so much greater than what we can imagine. Yes, He may replace our losses with tangible, material things or people. But He might also replace our losses with a desire to be close to Him, to leave a greater legacy behind, to gather people and encourage them on this path of worship.
If we are among the few who are grateful to Allah (swt) and who worship Him regardless of circumstance, then He has already replaced anything we could possibly lose with something better. May Allah make us amongst those few."
June 23, 2021
God has given Asmaa Hussein the beauty of words. This is a powerful, tearjerking memoir about having faith whilst still grieving. My biggest takeaway is the fact that when life become difficult we often want to just distract ourselves from feeling the emotions the circumstances invoke in us rather than sitting with them and finding wisdom behind those tests or simply jsut asking the One who Created us to help us through the trials. I’m guilty of looking for a show or something to distract me from feeling the true purpose of my anxieties or fears and this practice of taddubbur (reflection) is a pratice I’m going to start applying into my life, iA.
Sit with my problem, talk to Allah about it and search for meaning in the trial.
Ya Salaam, bring peace to all our aching hearts.
Sit with my problem, talk to Allah about it and search for meaning in the trial.
Ya Salaam, bring peace to all our aching hearts.
January 12, 2021
All I can say is to pray that Allah bless and protect Asmaa Hussein. May Allah increase her in wisdom and knowledge and guide her. May Allah forgive her beloved Amr and bless him with the highest station of Jannah Firdaus, may Allah bless Ruqayyah and make her the coolness of her parents eyes fid Dunya wal akhira.
June 3, 2020
Asmaa Hussein has a gift. Through telling the story of her pain and struggle I found myself connecting with my own life and tests. Though this is a collection of essays she wrote in dealing with and “thriving” with her grief after losing her own husband, I think the reflections go way beyond that & this is definitely a must read.
With everything going on right in the US, (June 2020) this book couldn’t have come at a better time.
With everything going on right in the US, (June 2020) this book couldn’t have come at a better time.
July 20, 2021
A lovely follow up from the author's first book, ' A Temporary Gift'. I'm a slow reader, but I finished this book in a few days because her writing is just so smooth that I forgot I was reading and felt that I was just listening to a friend. Asmaa delves into experiences in her life since her last book so I'd suggest reading A Temporary Gift first to benefit the most of this book. Like the first one, I feel like Muslims can learn a lot about Islamic concepts like tawakkul (reliance in Allah), sabr (patience) from the way she shares her journey in life compared to traditional Islamic texts (not that they're important and beneficial) only because you can relate to her and her life more and her writing feels very familiar and intimate.
I would have loved it to be longer. Also I really loved the way she weaved hey hajj journey at the start and would have loved to have seen it weaved in more strongly throughout. Then again it's a more of a memoir so I really don't want to judge the book too much on that.
I would have loved it to be longer. Also I really loved the way she weaved hey hajj journey at the start and would have loved to have seen it weaved in more strongly throughout. Then again it's a more of a memoir so I really don't want to judge the book too much on that.
May 5, 2021
Recommend this book for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. I not only read this book, but felt it. It was that good. Well done.
August 3, 2021
I had never read a piece of writing that addresses honest as vulnerable and genuine as this one. Asma constantly reminds herself (and us) that despite acknowledging the weakness, the fact that nothing happens without purpose and that pain is not supposed to hollow us but to strengthen us is also important. I was on the verge of tears every time she wrote about her husband Amr. This was not a book to preach about patience, just to show an example of a woman who firmly believed that trauma and pain was to be used as a tool. There were analogies, metaphors, perspectives woven together.
It's just... beautiful. I don't think only people who had lost a loved one could relate to this book. It is for everyone, as long as you are human and you feel pain.
May Allah ease all our affairs.
It's just... beautiful. I don't think only people who had lost a loved one could relate to this book. It is for everyone, as long as you are human and you feel pain.
May Allah ease all our affairs.
June 28, 2021
Another excellent book by Asmaa Hussein that brought so much comfort to my heart. I can't wait to see what she writes next. I will pre-order it ASAP.
April 6, 2023
There are so many gems and important reminders in this book.
January 31, 2021
This book. Is really a compelling read for me. It is a compilations of reflection essay of the author. She reflects on Quran and Hadith with her life experiences. She pulls the readers back on the right path. If you follow her story in her first book titled A Temporary Gift, she lost her dearest husband who he considers the whole world in the peaceful protest in Alexandria, Egypt along with thousands of others, rallying against the mass injustices taking place in the aftermath of the coup d’état by the Egyptian military in 2013. Leaving her with her daughter, Ruqayya who was just a baby during that time. It was the most devastating moment of her.
For me, Allah took away her gift; and in return Allah SWT gave her an enormous gift. The gift to help people understand the meaning of pain, grief and sadness which at the end, it will only get you closer to Allah SWT if you truly understand and strive to dig for the hikmah. You know, it is never easy to dwell in pain and grief. Most of us will just shut eyes and pretend that we never experience it. It seems easy that way. We thought. This is what I like the most about the book.
Allah put her on the path that is full of pain, grief and sadness in order to save the rest of us. She dwells in and survived. She lives the life and discovered the right way and hikmah behind all the occurrence. & bless her that she took the initiative to share about those in this book. I couldn’t thank her enough.
When I was at my lowest point, I feel like the whole world is turning their backs to me. I was left alone. I was helpless and started to hate people around me. It was that bad. I don’t know who am I anymore. It was just, zero. I had countless questions in my mind which I never had the answers. The right answer.
I just hang to the rope of Allah SWT and pray that He would save me. He saved me. But still, some of the answers weren't there. You know there is this saying, where Hikmah is something that you need to think and reflect on it. Through this book, Asmaa enlighten me how to dwell in the grief the right way. Why actually Allah SWT put me in that kind of situation. Most of the questions I had before were answered. She helped me to find the Hikmah that I was searching for. Alhamdulillah.
Tabarakallah to Asmaa for sharing this with the rest of us.
For me, Allah took away her gift; and in return Allah SWT gave her an enormous gift. The gift to help people understand the meaning of pain, grief and sadness which at the end, it will only get you closer to Allah SWT if you truly understand and strive to dig for the hikmah. You know, it is never easy to dwell in pain and grief. Most of us will just shut eyes and pretend that we never experience it. It seems easy that way. We thought. This is what I like the most about the book.
Allah put her on the path that is full of pain, grief and sadness in order to save the rest of us. She dwells in and survived. She lives the life and discovered the right way and hikmah behind all the occurrence. & bless her that she took the initiative to share about those in this book. I couldn’t thank her enough.
When I was at my lowest point, I feel like the whole world is turning their backs to me. I was left alone. I was helpless and started to hate people around me. It was that bad. I don’t know who am I anymore. It was just, zero. I had countless questions in my mind which I never had the answers. The right answer.
I just hang to the rope of Allah SWT and pray that He would save me. He saved me. But still, some of the answers weren't there. You know there is this saying, where Hikmah is something that you need to think and reflect on it. Through this book, Asmaa enlighten me how to dwell in the grief the right way. Why actually Allah SWT put me in that kind of situation. Most of the questions I had before were answered. She helped me to find the Hikmah that I was searching for. Alhamdulillah.
Tabarakallah to Asmaa for sharing this with the rest of us.
August 9, 2021
l was going through something and I was moved to pick this book up. Ever since then, I was engrossed and completed it within days! It’s a continuation of “A Temporary Gift”. After losing her husband, the author went for hajj and sought healing through her connection with Allah.
“Instead of trying to overcome pain, what if we accepted every emotion that came our way? What if we stopped asking, “How does one overcome grief?” and instead asked, “How does one grow and thrive in grief?””
There’s numerous reminders from the Qur’an, the sayings from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the stories of the Prophets AS and the people of the past to strengthen our faith and truly, grow through what we go through.
Needless to say, this book is a treasure and one I’d re-read again so I can internalise the wisdoms and use them as a means to go through my own set of difficulties in life.
“When my life isn’t going perfectly, I remind myself that it’s not supposed to. I’m supposed to have tests. I’m going to lose people I love and money I’ve earned. I’ll get sick or become heartbroken. All that shouldn’t take me away from Allah—it should bring me closer to understanding that having a perfect life isn’t my purpose on this earth. Perfection is my reward with Allah in the hereafter.”
I tagged so many pages! MashaAllah! 5/5⭐️
“Instead of trying to overcome pain, what if we accepted every emotion that came our way? What if we stopped asking, “How does one overcome grief?” and instead asked, “How does one grow and thrive in grief?””
There’s numerous reminders from the Qur’an, the sayings from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the stories of the Prophets AS and the people of the past to strengthen our faith and truly, grow through what we go through.
Needless to say, this book is a treasure and one I’d re-read again so I can internalise the wisdoms and use them as a means to go through my own set of difficulties in life.
“When my life isn’t going perfectly, I remind myself that it’s not supposed to. I’m supposed to have tests. I’m going to lose people I love and money I’ve earned. I’ll get sick or become heartbroken. All that shouldn’t take me away from Allah—it should bring me closer to understanding that having a perfect life isn’t my purpose on this earth. Perfection is my reward with Allah in the hereafter.”
I tagged so many pages! MashaAllah! 5/5⭐️
January 13, 2024
I was slow-reading this book; picking it up whenever i feel like it, and leaving it untouched on the shelf, collecting dusk for quite some time.. until i (finally) finished it today. And how great the fate of Allah is! In the first chapter, i wrote my small, silent duas to be invited to His house too, years ago.. and He answered my duas with His invitation to perform umrah last year :') i brought this book to mecca too, hoping to finally arrive at my place of refuge.. but i, too, learned as i reached the last chapter today that the place of refuge we're seeking is not bounded to a specific place or situation, but within us.
To quote, ".. the moment you call out to Allah swt, you have entered your own personal place of refuge.
It's a place where the stresses and pains of this world can not touch you.
It's a place where you know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that Allah swt is listening to you and answering your supplications."
Thank you for writing this book, especially on grieving loss that i felt understood and not alone in my journey, too. May Allah forgive us always and accept our duas ♥️
To quote, ".. the moment you call out to Allah swt, you have entered your own personal place of refuge.
It's a place where the stresses and pains of this world can not touch you.
It's a place where you know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that Allah swt is listening to you and answering your supplications."
Thank you for writing this book, especially on grieving loss that i felt understood and not alone in my journey, too. May Allah forgive us always and accept our duas ♥️
November 25, 2022
Ah what a beautiful and honest strength of faith the author shares through her personal experiences. Short chapters with reflections and Quranic ayahs that touch the heart and leaves you inspired and craving to build a deeper constant connection with Allah that He truly becomes your refugee in every hardship together with the certainty that God is always on your side and what is better awaits you with Him.
“When my life isn't going perfectly, I remind myself that it's not supposed to. I'm supposed to have tests. I'm going to lose people I love and money I've earned. I’ll get sick or become heartbroken. All that shouldn't take me away from Allah-it should bring me closer to understanding that having a perfect life isn't my purpose on this earth. Perfection is my reward with Allah in the hereafter.”
“When my life isn't going perfectly, I remind myself that it's not supposed to. I'm supposed to have tests. I'm going to lose people I love and money I've earned. I’ll get sick or become heartbroken. All that shouldn't take me away from Allah-it should bring me closer to understanding that having a perfect life isn't my purpose on this earth. Perfection is my reward with Allah in the hereafter.”
August 19, 2020
I never read her books before, this is the first. And after reading it, I immediately got her bestseller book - a temporary gift.
.
.
This book is a compilation of essays regarding her days of maintaining strength and faith after her husband death. She wrote this down before her hajj days and compiled it after she came back from hajj. She puts things nicely regarding how Allah has given the strength she needs, given her open doors to lift her self up and how He has always been with her despite the big loss. She connects most of her daily lives with lessons and stories from the quran and sunnah which we seldom do. She keeps reminding us that the best way to survive in this world is to seek refuge with Allah and indeed Allah will always be there with us. ❤️❤️❤️
January 19, 2023
This book was MY PLACE OF REFUGE!
I absolutely loved this book to the core.
The way Asmaa articulated herself in this book is simply beautiful.
God has truly given her a talent that has touched so many hearts and souls. I thank him for that and I pray we get more of her writing because she is hand down one of the most well articulated people I’ve ever had the pleasure of
coming across. Her writing is next level.
This book renewed many things in me. It gave me hope, it allowed me to see things from many different perspectives. I’ve cried, Smiled , laughing and it healed a missing part of me I never thought I’d even come close to. If you are looking for healing . This is the book to read!
April 15, 2022
I never make “to read” lists because I think books find you when you are meant to read them. I bought “A Place of Refuge” two years ago when it came out and it has sat on my shelf since then. And then I spent a full day unable to stop reading it, and I found it an incredible, compassionate, beautiful, loving, powerful read. I haven’t read a book “about Islam” for ages and ages, and this was exactly what I needed. It melted away distance, it made me feel braver to be vulnerable in prayer, it filled my eyes and heart with love, it talked about grief in relatable ways, and it was just wonderful. Overall, I found it a well worth it Ramadan read.
May 19, 2024
Asmaa brings humanity to a subject rarely spoken about in the Muslim community: grief. In this short, she writes like a friend and lets you know it's okay to feel, there isn't something wrong with your faith, and gives hope that you can move forward and grow through the process.
I appreciated her honesty in her journey of grief, and valued the perspective shifts she peppered throughout. My only wish: That it was longer.
I appreciated her honesty in her journey of grief, and valued the perspective shifts she peppered throughout. My only wish: That it was longer.
November 4, 2025
Read this with Bookclub freshman year of college, and I think this book sparked a lot of conversation and brought up many central topics related to Islam. The only part I did not really like was chapters 7 and 8 (I think these were the two). These two chapters contradicted each other, leaving me confused and upset. Besides this, it is a very good look into the grief of the author, and the work of ayahs was really nice and showed me how they can be applied in daily life.
June 27, 2020
I loved this book so much, I didn't want it to end.
The place of refuge refers to the place we all go to when we supplicate to Allah, anywhere. It is so raw, each emotion and thought is beautifully penned down. It strengthens ones resolve to live patiently, it's a very soul searching book.
The place of refuge refers to the place we all go to when we supplicate to Allah, anywhere. It is so raw, each emotion and thought is beautifully penned down. It strengthens ones resolve to live patiently, it's a very soul searching book.
February 15, 2023
I can’t say anything more than thank you to Asmaa for sharing her personal essays with us in this collection and helping the imperfect believer such as myself to connect with her journey and inspire my own.
A must read.
A must read.
July 3, 2024
This pocket-sized book packs a punch. It's deceptively light, but perhaps that's intentional for the soul that feels so heavy. May Allah ﷻ reward Asmaa Hussein for helping us all process our problems and give way to our griefs.
November 15, 2020
5 stars.
Loved it. The duas, the reflections, the realness of it all.
Reminded me of my time in Makkah and Madina. It's a beautiful book I recommend to everyone.
Loved it. The duas, the reflections, the realness of it all.
Reminded me of my time in Makkah and Madina. It's a beautiful book I recommend to everyone.
January 25, 2021
I've always loved Asmaa's writing. Her books take you deep into retrospection. I look forward to another book by her.
June 21, 2021
A phenomenal, awe-inspiring read that just fills up your heart with so much of good vibes and iman. :)
October 18, 2021
The kind of books that lift up your heart and soul.
February 15, 2022
Another great book by Asma.
December 25, 2024
beautiful
July 23, 2020
This is truly a beautiful book, full of reflections that are relatable and reachable. I dogeared several sections where Asmaa reflects on Hadith and passages from the Quran to connect her lived experiences with promises given to us by our creator.
Everyday struggles (and even the intense ones like all-consuming grief) are touched on and explored through her own personal walk through them.
This was so uplifting and easy to read. I’ll likely read over again and again iA, especially during Hajj season.
Everyday struggles (and even the intense ones like all-consuming grief) are touched on and explored through her own personal walk through them.
This was so uplifting and easy to read. I’ll likely read over again and again iA, especially during Hajj season.
October 7, 2023
I absolutely love this book!
I tried writing a review that didn't revolve around my own grief and spiritual journey, but I could not... Which speaks volumes, I guess.
'A Place of Refuge' beautifully articulates and affirms many of the contemplations and feelings I've been dwelling on for the past year. Perhaps I'll share some of my insights another time, but for now, I'm just going to say that I am thankful for Asmaa Hussein's writing of this book. Her personal story, her reflections, the way she engages with the Quran,... It spoke to me in so many ways and on so many levels. And it was exactly what I needed!
I cried. I smiled. I felt my heart filling up. I felt ease being bestowed upon me. But most of all, for the first time since my dad's passing, I actually believe that I will heal. By the grace of Allah. Never entirely, but enough for my time in this world. Alhamdoullilah.
I would 100 procent recommend this book. Especially if you're having a hard time, but it's inspiring nevertheless.
I tried writing a review that didn't revolve around my own grief and spiritual journey, but I could not... Which speaks volumes, I guess.
'A Place of Refuge' beautifully articulates and affirms many of the contemplations and feelings I've been dwelling on for the past year. Perhaps I'll share some of my insights another time, but for now, I'm just going to say that I am thankful for Asmaa Hussein's writing of this book. Her personal story, her reflections, the way she engages with the Quran,... It spoke to me in so many ways and on so many levels. And it was exactly what I needed!
I cried. I smiled. I felt my heart filling up. I felt ease being bestowed upon me. But most of all, for the first time since my dad's passing, I actually believe that I will heal. By the grace of Allah. Never entirely, but enough for my time in this world. Alhamdoullilah.
I would 100 procent recommend this book. Especially if you're having a hard time, but it's inspiring nevertheless.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews