About Fajr Literary

Fajr Literary began almost twenty years ago, when the online Muslim community was smaller, quieter and very different from the one we know today.

What began as a personal blog gradually became a place to gather writing, translations, reflections and resources — a space shaped by a love of learning and a desire to share what I found beneficial.

Twenty years on, the site has grown, changed and endured. It has travelled through different seasons of my life, learning and technology, while remaining rooted in the things that first gave it purpose: the Qur’an, the Arabic language, Islamic scholarship, literature and the pursuit of beneficial knowledge. 

Imam Malik once said, ‘Nothing will rectify the latter part of this Ummah except what rectified its first part.’

Some of the contents and topics that you’ll find here include:

Qur’an and reflection — explorations of the Qur’an, its language and meanings, with an emphasis on tadabbur and the ways revelation speaks to our lives.

Arabic and literature — reflections on Arabic language, rhetoric, poetry and classical literature, and the beauty that becomes visible when we take the time to look closely at words.

Scholarship and history — translations, biographies and glimpses into the lives and works of scholars and thinkers whose knowledge continues to enrich our own.

Tarbiyyah and the work of becoming — reflections on character, learning, relationships, discipline and spiritual growth; the quieter work of allowing knowledge to shape who we are.

Books and translations — original writing, published work and translations intended to make valuable texts and ideas more accessible to an English-speaking audience.

These subjects often meet one another. A verse may open a door to language; a line of poetry may illuminate an aspect of character; a story from our scholarly heritage may offer something deeply relevant to our own time.

That crossing of worlds is at the heart of Fajr Literary.

I hope it continues to be a place where curiosity is welcomed, where words are given their due, and where learning leads beyond information towards reflection, understanding and action.

Please use the Categories section (at bottom of site) to navigate through the various posts. 

About the author 

Behind the ‘Fajr Literary’ blog is Farhia Yahya from London,UK.

I am a teacher of Qur’anic and Arabic Sciences, and have taught English-speaking audiences in the UK for the past 20 years. In addition to completing a BSc Biomedical Science degree in London, I’ve also completed my Arabic, Islamic studies, and Hifdh of Qur’an in Cairo, Egypt where I obtained ijazahs in Hafs and Shu’bah.

Fajr Literary is an extension of my journey — a place to gather and share what continues to inspire, challenge and illuminate. My journey has evolved into publishing books, translating classical Arabic texts, and teaching tailored Islamic courses for sisters both online and in-person.

Fajr means dawn.

And perhaps that is the simplest description of what I hope these pages can offer: a little light, just when it is needed.