This article is written by HHWT Explorer Ibrahim Low. If you're interested in sharing your story with us, send us an email at [email protected]
Rawha Books is an online Islamic bookstore started by 24-year-old Chinese convert Muslim, Ibrahim Low, aimed to increase our knowledge of our deen inshaAllah. It was launched in mid-October with a series of pop-up booths and its online store went live on 1 Nov 2023.
- Why did you start Rawha Books?
Books are amazing. Authors are speaking to us through centuries, through time and space. Allah swt has allowed them to communicate to us, not in sounds, but in letters and words. To give counsel, to give advice and perhaps even a taste of their companionship.
Ever since I was a child my parents have placed great emphasis on reading. They got me so many books that growing up, one of the walls in my bedroom was completely converted into a massive bookshelf, from ceiling to floor. It was filled with books. I loved reading so much that there was once in primary school, I cried when my mom confiscated a book that I was addicted to reading during my exam period, as I was reading instead of studying.
Books have been an integral part of my personal journey in Islam. I remember that it was some books on monotheism that first struck me when I was finding out more about Islam. Knowledge is such a fundamental aspect of our religion and faith. How can you act when you do not know? The first ever revelation of the Quran, was ‘Iqra’’ meaning, to read or recite, further emphasising the importance of seeking knowledge.
Read, ˹O Prophet,˺ in the Name of your Lord Who created—
[Quran 96:1]
I started Rawha Books because I feel that knowledge is essential for guidance. To achieve guidance, you need knowledge. And one of the tools that we use to acquire knowledge is books. May Allah swt grant us an increase of knowledge and consistency in seeking it.
“My Lord, increase me in knowledge”
[Quran 20:114]
However, with all of our daily occupations, with school and work, we often hear people being unable to seek knowledge due to the lack of time. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
"Whoever guides someone to virtue will be rewarded equivalent to him who practises that good action"
[Hadith - Muslim]
InshaAllah by easing the accessibility of gaining knowledge and being a part of the distribution of it, I hope I can act upon this hadith and take a share in the benefit.
2. How is Rawha Books different from current Islamic bookstores in Singapore?
Rawha Books is your friendly neighbourhood Islamic bookstore whereby you get to interact with us, the owners, directly when you want to get recommendations or feedback of the types of books you wish to read or gift to your loved ones. Being so new in the market and also still schooling means that it is harder to launch with a physical space immediately. We currently don’t have a physical store (just yet!) and still work out of our home, alhamdulillah.
Not having a physical shop might have its drawbacks but alhamdulillah, we have seen it as a great blessing as well as it has allowed Rawha Books to stand out from other local Islamic bookstores by going mobile easily! Our prayer room has been converted to a pseudo book storage room where our books, packing materials and other miscellaneous Islamic items we sell alongside our books are kept on shelves. We actively partake in Islamic events by setting up our booths there, like the ones organised by SMU Muslim Society, Rose of Madinah and Muslim.sg. We have had about six pop-up booths so far since we launched in mid-Oct this year and these booths have functioned as great opportunities for us to personally interact with customers and engage in memorable conversations about our love for seeking Islamic knowledge alhamdulillah.
Rawha Books also does not only sell books! We hope to sell other miscellaneous Islamic items such as metal bookmarks, shawls for men (rida’), prayer beads (tasbih), honey and more, inshaAllah. Our sister brand, (Rawha Collections) also carries Islamic art frames which we will incorporate on our Rawha Books website for a seamless experience in shopping for Islamic items. I have a huge passion for procuring good quality Islamic items and making them accessible for our local Muslims and I’m very blessed and thankful that Allah swt has allowed me to put this passion into action through Rawha Books.
3. How do you decide on your selection of books?
The authors and titles are chosen based on what I think will truly benefit people the most. When faced with uncertainty about the reliability of certain books, I consult my trusted teachers as the responsibility in spreading knowledge that is of benefit and not harmful as a bookseller, does weigh extremely heavily on me. I also intentionally do not bring in works that are overly specialised as we intend Rawha Books to be a bookstore meant for everyone who is seeking. Seeking knowledge, seeking to know Allah, seeking to know what He wants from us and what He is pleased with. And through that, seeking closeness to the One who created us, inshaAllah
4. How do you juggle 2 businesses with your school and family commitments?
Intention-setting is a huge part of Islam and on top of spreading sacred knowledge, one of my intentions for starting these businesses has always been to fulfil my role as a husband to provide for my family in a way that is pleasing to Him and sustainable for me. Much of employment nowadays does not lend to work-life balance, and I want to be able to provide for my family in a way that I’m able to be there for my children in the future, while at the same time being able to spend time on the side constantly seeking knowledge.
Despite having the loftiest of intentions, at the end of the day, Allah is the One who gives success and He provides for whomsoever He wills. I definitely wouldn’t say that juggling two businesses while schooling is a breeze. My wife assists me with the business, which really helps to take a great deal of responsibility off my back.
The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,
“Take benefit of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before you are preoccupied, and your life before your death.”
[Hadith - Shu’ab al-Imān lil-Bayhaqī 10250]
وبالله التوفيق
It is Allah that provides and it is Him we depend upon. Nothing is too difficult if we seek it through our Lord, and nothing will be easy if we seek it through other than Him.
5. What is one piece of advice you would give to budding entrepreneurs who are still in school like you?
A piece of advice that I’ve heard often is to constantly refine your intentions. Be sincere, make good intentions and rely upon Allah. It’s easier said than done but when you have good intentions, the outcomes don’t matter. We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we know Who holds tomorrow.
Our provisions are already decreed, what truly matters is how your business or trade brings you closer to Allah and that’s where our focus should be.
“'The trustworthy, honest Muslim merchant will be with the martyrs on the Day of Resurrection."
[Hadith - Sunan Ibn Majah 2139]
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Website: www.rawhabooks.com