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Reviews
  
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Reviews
"Very ‘edutaining’! The way Sis Zabrina reaches out to your mind, heart and soul really captivates me. In this world of complexities, Sis Zabrina has managed to do one thing – SIMPLIFY and EDUCATE in an ENTERTAINING WAY! Not many people are able to do this, to tap into one’s mind to set them thinking, accepting the thoughts shared and educate us in unlimited ways – without thinking of the differences of faith one has! And all this is done in an entertaining way! Wonderful, Sis Zabrina, Life is an Open Secret is just edutaining!"
Mike Handcock, NEW ZEALAND “Life is an Open Secret a very sweet and beautiful way of presenting the Islamic etiquettes to Muslims. And I feel it’s really very effective”
Zara Ziyad, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES “Just like ‘The Little Prince’, Life is an Open Secret managed to touch the child in us and yet, made us reflect, as adults, about life’s happening. The simplicity of the language is easy enough to make a child understand the story and yet, the impact of the story hits the adults in us. Good job, Sis Zabrina!”
Dato’ Dr Wan Halim Othman, MALAYSIA “Have you ever read a book that made you stop and think? One that is different than others? One that you see yourself as the main character? One that you will never forget? Life is an Open Secret is a book that is written in a story format; one that has many messages in it and that makes you stop and think. Each story is a monument of inspirations. It is about the choices we make. Being slaves of Allah, we always have to think about Him in all our actions, to incorporate His message in our daily life. And Sister Zabrina uses the right verses and Hadith in the right situations every one of us encounter in everyday life. I found myself involved in the stories, when I finished the book, I had many thoughts about my own life. It is a book that I would recommend you to read! I may not be a typical or easy guy to easily recommend anything. I am an Imam of a large congregation who happens to be an IT Professional at same time. I truly thank Allah who gave me the opportunity, out of millions of blogs out there today, to just visit Sis Zabrina's blog and I feel I have never left it. Thank you, Sister Zabrina for putting your experiences "in words" so many of us can learn, get inspired with and be motivated by your pen! If you haven't read Life is an Open Secret, I would recommend it highly!”
Juma Mussa, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA “Life is an Open Secret as been created with Zabrina's deep insight and wisdom, her sharp observation and acumen on life in quest of soul searching and entwined with beautiful translation Hadith and Quranic verses. It is refreshing and at times, make you break into tears as the stories unfold and lead you to a higher spiritual level, created by her zest for soul searching and inspired by wisdoms words of Allah Al Mighty and Muhammad, His beloved prophet. It surely will tickle any soul who read this book. I highly recommend for everyone to have Life is an Open Secret as your soul companion at all time, in quest to discover your inner self and the deeper meaning of life. It is soul gratifying experience!!”
M Shahril A Saman, MALAYSIA “Being of Greek Orthodox faith, many may believe their own faith holds the truth to the world. However, the glorious truth to mankind is not separated by religion but the way we perceive the world that surrounds us. Right from her opening lines within her Introduction, I knew Zabrina must have penned a truly inspirational anthology, for her generalization of a saying used by many is also one I’ve repeated many times in my life: “Years ago, I heard a line that says Life is full of lots of ups and downs. At that time, I was not at the right age to fully comprehend what it meant. Years later, I still don’t think I know its full meaning, but, through my own personal experiences and observation of the happenings around me, I believe that I do have a rough idea of what the ups and downs in life are” Although the stories are based on Zabrina’s own Muslim faith and contains passages from their teachings, her stories reach far beyond the borders of division between one religion and another. Life is an Open Secret captures human instances of life we all share at one time or another. We learn of these ‘ups and downs’ and how our own faith, and in this anthology, the Muslim faith, helps to sustain a person through these ‘downs’, to give them the courage to seek guidance, peace, and an understanding. The author’s very keen sense of placing just the right passage from the Quran within each story brings these tidbits of life’s meanings closer to the heart. Reading the stories and the excerpts made me remember something my father once said to me, “For some it’s God, or Buddha, or Allah…many agree to disagree, Lea, but one thing remember-- It is how you choose to live your life that counts the most.” And this inspirational quote from Dad is exactly the same sentiment I felt while reading Zabrina’s motivational anthology: learn from others’ stories and guide your life down the right path. I highly recommend Life is an Open Secret if you’re searching for inspiration.”
Lea Schizas, CANADA “Masha Allah, Sister Zabrina has a great talent in inspiring people with her pen (or keyboard). Her works at times left me pondering over my life, other times giggling while a few minutes later in tears, while other times just appreciating all that I have. Her writing style is like that of the older sister advising her beloved siblings. Her words are like honey, sweet and healing. If anyone is in need of inspiration, Life is an Open Secret is the book you should have.”
Um-`Eesaa, SOUTH AFRICA “Zabrina’s chatty stories in Life is an Open Secret provide an excellent insight into Islam, for those unfamiliar with the religion, a deeper examination of Islam for those who practice it, and food for thought for anyone regardless of their religious practices.”
Karina Fabian, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA “What a beautiful story, thank you for sharing your stories in Life is an Open Secret with us, you are very talented and you are opening my eyes to Islam. What a beautiful, peaceful religion! “
Cheryl Purtle, AUSTRALIA “Sister Zabrina will capture your heart and mind in this amazing collection of short stories. Never have I read stories that have influenced me and stayed in my mind; such as these inspirational treasures. I was left in awe at how she can take an everyday life experience and turn it into a beautiful piece of work capturing the beauty that Allah has given us. Each story is a tale of its own filled with love from the heart and wisdom blessed by Allah. If I could sum it up, I would say that Life is an Open Secret is a book with a heart of its own, reaching out from each page to give love to every reader.”
Heather El Khiyari, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA “Good books are to enjoy, but great books are to be inspired by. Life is an Open Secret is one of the greatest, one of those books meant to be exercising to the brain. At each page you find something that makes you think, meditate and find a new light to brighten your life more and more, and all throughout you catch yourself smiling along the widest and brightest smile ever! In Life is an Open Secret, Zabrina stands out not only as a life story teller; but more as a philosopher and a wisdom-extractor "if there's such a thing!" It takes you by the hand and dig insides out of each and every little moment that passes by anyone without even seeing it. I think that is what really special about her; and about her book. I really loved it, and I know you will too.”
Asmaa Kadry, EGYPT “This is a wonderful book! These splendid and heartwarming tales are not only life affirming and faith affirming, but through the use of many hadiths and Qur'an quotations to illuminate its stories, Life is an Open Secret also captures the beauty and value of Islamic morals. Buy it and read it, and read it to your children, and send it to a friend. What a lovingly crafted gift Zabrina has given us. It made me laugh and cry. Bravo! “
Irving Karchmar, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA “Life is an Open Secret is a beautiful read depicting powerful images of faith and inner-struggle. Such a simple aspect of life so intricately explored. Astounding, Masha'Allah.”
Umm Ramla, UNITED KINGDOM “Sis Zabrina is like a diver looking for pearl - she dives into the sea of life, finds the oysters (our lives) and with tender loving care, opens each one up to extract the beautiful, valuable pearl which represents the hidden treasures of our lives. You have in you the lost art of story telling, with the mesmerizing way that you draw me into your world, where time slows down and I am one with myself - re-aligned, refocused and renewed to live a better and more meaningful life. With Life is an Open Secret, you spur me to look at my own life and discover the many incredible open secrets that God placed in me. You are one of a kind, thank you for being a blessing!”
Jackie Wong, MALAYSIA “As I read the stories in Life is an Open Secret, I became aware that the life experiences in the stories truly reflect the years of my life in addition to what tests I can be facing in the future. These stories wake us up to simple yet wisdom overflowing reminders. Sister Zabrina was successful in providing wisdom quotes and verses to emphasize the points she made, and moreover providing a critical examination of how to deal with certain situations which we all stumble upon in life. Her stories, I believe reflect everyone's experiences as it has related to mine, and she reminds us of how even the smallest of deeds, etiquette and conduct can make a big difference. I would recommend Life is an Open Secret to anyone who is on the path of seeking a life of trust, peace, kindness, unity, optimism and a way forward”
Shazeen Iqbal, UNITED KINGDOM “Sis Zabrina’s writing is very purely done so many people can understand it on many different levels. Her talent seems to be in writing uncomplicated moral stories using the Holy Quran and Hadiths to show us the proper way we should live our lives. These stories in Life is an Open Secret can even be used in some parts to show very small children how to think and live their lives, while being sophisticated enough for us adults”
Sakinah Warid, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA “Thanks for such an amazing work of art, advice, humour and stories! You definitely have a talent for painting an incredibly beautiful tapestry filled with life's lessons, and what a refreshing read it is. The simplicity of these stories really help bring forward the many rich layers of teachings and lessons about life's challenges, people, and situations that everyone finds themselves in at one time or another. Life is an Open Secret is a good book for all ages, all races, and all countries because of its candid, heartwarming, down-to-earth, universal gems of wisdom. Definitely worth investing many more readings, especially for those looking for a new perspective to life, success, and for those looking for inspiration and renewed hope”
Steven Khong, MALAYSIA “I congratulate Sis Zabrina on her creativity of using meaningful stories, tag lines, Quran and Hadith to convey meaningful lessons for all of us to reflect on in Life is an Open Secret”
Javed Mohammed, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA “Life is an Open Secret highlights the beauty of Islam as a way of life. It covers all important aspects in our lives. It should be on your book shelf and in your heart where it belongs”
Fara Madehah , UNITED KINGDOM “There is a wise saying: Live, and then write. Sis Zabrina is doing both concurrently, offering glimpses of what life is all about for her, through her writing. No detail is too small for her to include in her search for meaning, and she is sharing any gems found through her writing. This is why I find her book Life is an Open Secret enriching.”
Santi Soekanto, INDONESIA “Just when you need a real good shaking, Sister Zabrina wakes you up with hard-hitting stories that rock your world. Cleverly inter-woven with verses from the Qur`aan and sayings of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), Life is an Open Secret is sure to touch even the hardest heart. Do you need some uplifting and a reality check? Check out Life is an Open Secret for your wake up call!”
Umm Junayd, UNITED KINGDOM “Stories in Life is an Open Secret remind you to improve your life as a Muslim.”
Meidya Derni, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA “Life is an Open Secret is thought-provoking, substantial and inspiring!”
J. Malaika Freeland, MOROCCO “Moving accounts of daily life each in 300 words, that's what we searched for our new weekly column at The Brunei Times (A beautiful life). Alhamdulillah, Sis Zabrina's works fit in the concept. Most importantly, she writes them with her heart. When my wife and I first visited her from Bandar Seri Begawan, we found the secret of her Life is an Open Secret: her humble and warm-hearted personality and the passionate support from her family members. Hayakumullaah.”
Dzikrullah W Pramudya, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM “I love the stories. Each of them is reflective, humorous, and thought provoking. Maasha'Allah, Life is an Open Secret is real pleasure to read!”
Asifa, CANADA |