Salat in Secret

In this beautiful story of community, family, and acceptance, a boy named Muhammad receives a special salat rug on his seventh birthday. Seven is the age when Muslim children are encouraged to pray, and Muhammad is determined to do all five daily prayers on time. But one salat occurs during the school day—and he’s worried about being seen praying at school. His father parks his truck to worship in public places, and people stare at and mock him. Will the same thing happen to Muhammad?

In the end, with help from his teacher, he finds the perfect place to pray. Salat in Secret, created by two highly acclaimed Muslim creators, is a poignant and empowering look at an important facet of Islam that many observant children cherish but might be scared to share. 

Muhammad’s story illustrates how participating in salat is difficult in the United States. Muhammad watches his father pray on a public street. “Once, some teenagers laughed. Daddy kept moving up and down, slow and brave. I watched from the truck, hands shaking.” Because of this experience, Muhammad is afraid to talk to his teacher about his desire to pray during class. In the end, Muhamad bravely talks to his teacher, and she helps him find a place where he can pray. 

Muhammad’s emotions are explained in ways that children will understand. For example, “I open my mouth. I try to push my questions out, but in my head, I see people starting at Daddy. I hear rough laughs. Would Mrs. Baker think salat is funny?” The story also includes illustrations that show other people’s negative reactions when Muhammad’s father prays. One illustration shows two police officers looking confused, and another illustration shows an angry woman scowling at Muhammad and his father. 

Salat in Secret uses simple language and bright illustrations to help children understand the importance of salat. Each page has one to seven sentences with basic vocabulary and a glossary defining the Arabic words. The story focuses on Muhammad’s fear of praying in public and his need for bravery in order to share his desire to pray. While Muhammad has witnessed others’ negative reactions to his father’s prayer, Muhammad also knows that prayer makes him feel “sunniness inside.” 

Anyone who wants to foster acceptance and understanding of other people’s cultures will find Salat in Secret an engaging book that positively portrays the Muslim tradition of salat. In addition, the relationship Muhammad has with his father is endearing. In the end, readers will celebrate when Muhammad finds the courage to advocate for his need to pray. Readers will also learn the importance of speaking up when they need help. While Salat in Secret will resonate with Muslim children the most, the book can also teach non-Muslim children the importance of respecting other’s beliefs.  

To help young readers understand the importance of accepting people of different cultures, read the picture books Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors by Hena Khan, All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold, and Danbi Leads the School Parade by Anna Kim. 

Sexual Content  

• None 

Violence  

• None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

• None

Language  

• None 

Supernatural 

• None 

Spiritual Content  

• The book explains the Muslim tradition of prayer, including wudu and salat.