Halal Romance – The Islamic Library Association

Sitara, Lady of the Lotus

Khalisa — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 20:38:17 +0000

Princess Sitara, a Bengali Muslim who feels insecure about her N’daian heritage. She attends the Royal Academy in a Korean-inspired fantasy world, where she documents her life through a series of journal entries. The story explores Sitara’s journey to find friends, experience first love, and gain self-acceptance as she copes with her social anxiety and insecurity about her background.

A Little Bit of Love

Khalisa — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 20:25:30 +0000

The story begins during the devastating monsoon floods in Mumbai in 2005, where a chance encounter sparks a connection between two young people from different walks of life. Afrah: A young and determined woman, Afrah’s main ambition is to become a school teacher. When the monsoon rains hit, she saves Sadiq, a young medical student who is so protective of the books he borrowed that he is unwilling to abandon them in the flood. Sadiq: A driven medical student with his life mapped out. His goal is to become a surgeon and move out to escape his narcissistic father and protect his mother. After their initial meeting during the floods, the two continue to cross paths while commuting on Mumbai’s local trains. As their relationship develops, Sadiq begins to question his carefully laid plans.

A Second Look

Khalisa — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 20:00:24 +0000

A romance novel centered on Elizza BenTaleb, a young Muslim woman balancing family obligations with her career ambitions. The story explores the complexities of faith, career, and relationships within a vibrant Muslim family.

Flower Child

Khalisa — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 19:49:39 +0000

The story follows a high school student named Aleena who is suffering from depression after the death of her father. Her family has moved on, leaving her to grapple with her grief alone. Her sadness and bad habits begin to erode her joy in her favorite hobbies, baking and gardening. Aleena’s freshman year is made worse by relentless bullying at school. However, when she meets Zayn, a kind-hearted boy, he helps her realize that it is okay to ask for help. With Zayn’s support, Aleena must find the inner strength to confront her pain, stand up to her bullies, and embrace her Muslim identity as a source of healing.

She Wore Red Trainers: A Muslim Love Story

Khalisa — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 19:09:05 +0000

The story follows Ali, who is grappling with the loss of his mother and a recent move to London with his family, as he turns to Islam for comfort. He meets Amirah, a headstrong young woman who is also facing family difficulties—her mother’s depression and the abandonment by her stepfather. The two are drawn to each other, but their blossoming relationship must be considered “halal” (permissible) within their community’s traditions, complicating their feelings and choices.