I illustrated and designed the children’s picture book ‘Because Allah Asked Us To’ for Beyond Books Publishing, written by Ndaa Hassan. The story follows Adam, a curious child asking meaningful questions about faith, prayer, fasting, and charity. Through thoughtful conversations with his mother, the book gently introduces core Islamic concepts such as Islam, Iman, Ihsan, and Taqwa in a way that feels accessible, nurturing, and engaging for young readers.

Using my signature soft illustration style, I created warm, sunset-inspired scenes designed to evoke comfort, curiosity, and emotional connection. Whimsical spreads filled with symbolic details bring the story to life while reinforcing its themes of trust and understanding. For example, one spread visualises Taqwa through the metaphor of a compass guiding the heart toward Allah, helping children grasp complex ideas through visual storytelling.

“Soumbal’s illustrations captured the heart of the story perfectly. The warmth, colour palette, and expressive characters make the message so accessible for children. She brought such care and creativity to every page, and the book feels both beautiful and meaningful.”

– Ndaa Hassan, Author of ‘Because Allah Asked Us To’