Imagine a world without courage. Truth and justice would be undermined by cowardice. Life would remain the status quo. Without the courage to explore and experiment, there would be no innovation or progress towards becoming our best selves. Courage, or shajaa’ah, is not simply the physical strength of one’s body; rather it is the mental, physical, and moral strength to make the right choice, even if it is difficult. For children, courage is often demonstrated through overcoming the fear of trying new things, facing the unknown, and doing the right thing. Each of these acts requires self-confidence. Only when children feel sure of themselves can they fully embody their beliefs, values, and principles. However, courage doesn’t come easy. Allah (SWT) in the Holy Qur’an mentions that while some are unable to act due to fear, those who have sincere conviction in Him can overcome fear and do the right thing even when it is not easy (5:54). Through this, we learn the importance of faith as an antidote for fear. Allah (SWT) also reminds us that courageous actions must be taken with careful consideration. We are taught, “do not throw yourselves into destruction” (2:195). Thus, courage is the median between cowardice and rashness.In this book, we seek to teach the lessons described above. In the first story, “Recipe for Success,” Amira struggles to use rollerblades without falling down. Through this, she learns that courage isn’t the absence of fear; instead, it’s the willingness to not let fear stop you.The second story, “The Right Playbook,” teaches the importance of doing the right thing even when it is not easy. Amin is forced by his coach to cheat to win a soccer game, and he soon learns that his coach has a habit of cheating to win. Amin is faced with the decision to either stay silent and win or to have the courage to speak out against his coach. He learns the importance of never staying silent when you see a wrong.
