Bilal & Mr. Shells

Bilal & Mr. Shells is an Islamic picture book for children aged 4 to 9 in which a boy whose cat has run away learns about the miraculous life of Prophet Isa (AS).

On a cloudy Sunday, thunder frightens Bilal's cat, Milo, who runs off into the rain. Bilal is sure Milo will never come back. "Do you not believe in miracles?" asks his best pal, Mr. Shells, and he flies Bilal in his aircraft all the way to Jerusalem, to meet Sheikh Hamza in his garden.

Sheikh Hamza tells them the story of Maryam, who worshipped Allah day and night, and of the angel Jibreel, who told her she would have a son. He tells how Isa was born under a palm tree, how he spoke as a baby to comfort his mother and to answer the people who accused her, and how, with Allah's permission, he healed the sick and the blind, made a bird from clay and brought the dead back to life. Allah raised him up to the heavens, and He has promised that Isa will return.

When Bilal and Mr. Shells fly home, they find a miracle of their own waiting for them in the garden.

Written by Farah Elmoudani and illustrated by Hayam El-Abbas, the book is a first introduction to Prophet Isa as the Qur'an describes him, framed by an adventure that teaches children to trust Allah when something they love is lost.

Milo runs away

On a cloudy Sunday, Bilal went for a walk to the park with his cat, Milo, and his best pal, Mr. Shells. Suddenly thunder struck and it began to rain.

"Stay calm, Milo," said Bilal. "Let's go home. The rain is getting stronger." But Milo panicked, and Bilal could not hold on to him any longer. "Milo! Milo!" shouted Bilal and Mr. Shells, as Milo ran out of sight.

"We're going to lose him," cried Bilal. "It's going to get dark and spooky tonight. Milo must be scared and running around in circles."

"Cheer up," said Mr. Shells. "Do you not believe in miracles? There is someone I would like you to meet, who has a story to share." He told Bilal to climb up into his aircraft, and they set off for Jerusalem.

A journey to Jerusalem

It was a long journey through the air. Bilal and Mr. Shells flew across the Atlantic Ocean, and at nightfall they watched shooting stars streak across the sky. When they landed, Bilal spotted a camel on the sand, and they rode it to Sheikh Hamza's charming garden.

"As-salamu alaykum," said Mr. Shells. "We are here to learn about a wonderful man and his incredible story."

"Wa alaykum as-salam," replied Sheikh Hamza. "Ah, yes. Let me tell you about a prophet who spoke as a baby, and whose miracles were full of glory."

Maryam and her baby

There was once a woman named Maryam, the sheikh began. She was one of the greatest women on earth, and she worshipped Allah day and night. One day, while she was praying, the angel Jibreel appeared to her. Maryam was frightened. "I seek protection in Allah, the Most Merciful, from you, if you fear Him," she said. But Jibreel told her that he had come to tell her she would have a son.

By a miracle, Maryam became pregnant, and she gave birth to a boy called Isa (AS) under a palm tree. While his mother was feeling sad, baby Isa spoke, by Allah's power. "Don't be sad," he said. "Allah has provided a stream of water beneath you."

Maryam carried Isa to the city, worried that people would not believe her. An angry crowd surrounded her and accused her of lying. "How can we talk to a child in a cradle?" they said. Then Isa spoke: "Indeed, I am a servant of Allah, and He has made me a prophet."

The miracles of Isa

Isa grew up and taught the people about Allah and His truth. With Allah's permission, he performed miracles. He healed a man with leprosy, and his skin became as soft as a feather. He cured a blind man, who treasured his sight. He took some clay, breathed into it, and it became a living bird. And most amazing of all, he brought the dead back to life.

But trouble began to rise. Isa was loved by many but disliked by some, and a group of soldiers marched out to capture him. In His mercy, Allah raised Isa up to the heavens, where he is safe. And Allah has promised that Isa will come back to earth to lead people to the right way.

A miracle at home

Bilal and Mr. Shells flew back home. When they landed, they could not believe what they saw in Bilal's back garden.

"Whoa," said Mr. Shells. "Could it be?"

"This is a miracle," said Bilal. With Allah's permission, Milo had come back to him.

• Surah Maryam 19:16-33: Jibreel comes to Maryam, she gives birth to Isa (AS) under a palm tree, and the baby speaks from the cradle to say he is Allah's servant and prophet.
• Surah Al Imran 3:49: Isa (AS) makes the shape of a bird from clay and breathes into it, and it becomes a bird, heals the blind and the leper and brings the dead to life, all by Allah's permission.
• Surah An-Nisa 4:157-158: They did not kill him or crucify him; rather, Allah raised him up to Himself.
• Sahih al-Bukhari 3448: The Prophet ﷺ said that the son of Maryam will soon come down among the people as a just ruler.