A Bedtime Prayer for Peace

A Bedtime Prayer for Peace is an Islamic picture book for children aged 4 to 9 in which a little boy called Esa and his Mama say a prayer together before he goes to sleep.

The sun has set, but Esa does not want to go to bed. So Mama sits with him in her chair, and they rock gently and pray. They ask for help for everyone in need: knowledge for children who want to read, a home for families without shelter, comfort for people who feel alone, and healing for people who are sick. They ask for peace in every land, and for people to get along, because together we are strong. Then they give thanks for the family, for the plants and trees that give us air to breathe, and for the sun that keeps us warm.

When Esa is tucked in and the light is off, Mama looks up at the night sky and makes one last prayer of her own: that her son is kept safe.

Written by Akila Dada and Sukaina Dada and illustrated by Michael Wagstaffe, the book is short, gentle and written in rhyme. It gives children a bedtime routine of their own: to think of other people, to ask Allah for what they need, and to thank Him for the day before they sleep.

The sun had set, and it was time for bed. But little Esa did not want to sleep: tomorrow was another day, another day to learn and play.

So Mama called him to sit with her on her chair, and they rocked and swayed together while they said their prayer.

They asked Allah to help all those in need: to give knowledge to children who want to read, shelter to families who need a home, and help to all the people who feel alone.

They asked Him to bring peace to every land, to protect them with His helping hand, to guide them with His grace and might, and to keep them safe from every plight. They asked Him to help us all get along, because together we are strong, and to heal the sick and ease their pain, like a rainbow after the rain.

Then they thanked Him: for all that He does, for Grandma, Grandpa and Daddy too; for the plants and trees that give us air, so that we can breathe; and for the sun, so bright, that keeps us warm and gives us light.

Now it really was time to get into bed, close his eyes and lay down his head. Mama tucked Esa in and turned off the light, kissed him gently and whispered good night.

Then she raised her hands up high, looking at the night-time sky, and made one last prayer of her own: Allah, protect my beautiful son. You are the truth. You are the One.