I Wrote a Book
Assalamualaikum! Alhamdulillah, I am thrilled to announce that my book, The Call: A Grenadian American’s Journey to Islam by Brittany Khadija, will be released on August 24, 2025, inshaAllah. The release date is especially meaningful as it falls on my third Shahada anniversary! I can hardly believe it’s been almost three years since I first embraced Islam—it feels like only yesterday I walked into the mosque for the very first time. Now, attending the masjid is a cherished part of my weekly routine, SubhanAllah.
Writing this book has been such a deeply moving experience. For as long as I can remember, I’ve poured my heart into creative writing—through poetry, spoken word, short stories, chapter books, and journaling. Writing was always my safe space, my refuge, the place where I found release and joy. Never did I imagine that one day I would be writing a book about myself—and even more, about the most life-changing moment of my existence: my journey to Islam."
Many people have asked me what inspired me to write this book and when my journey with it began. To answer that, we need to go back in time. I received my very first Qur’an on May 3, 2022, after longing for one for months. That longing began shortly after my cousin’s funeral in December 2021, which became the final 'call' from Allah (SWT) for me to take Islam seriously. At the time, I struggled to find a Qur’an because I didn’t know what was authentic and what wasn’t. But when I finally held it in my hands, I began to read—and with each page, I found myself learning more and more about Islam.
During my research, I continued listening to Mufti Menk, the first Islamic scholar who truly caught my attention. I was drawn to the way he spoke about Islam—his words carried a beauty and sincerity that touched my heart, even when I didn’t fully understand everything he was saying at the time. Then, on May 23, 2022, I came across an episode of his Apple Podcast titled 'Discover the Book Within,' featuring Na’ima B. Robert. In that episode, Na’ima spoke about a free 5-day book writing program to support aspiring authors. I remember thinking, This is amazing—I have to join! At the time, I was writing fantasy fiction novels (which I still have to this day!), so it felt like the perfect opportunity.
Being in a writing group reminded me of being a part of a poetry club in college! But there were two major differences I hadn’t anticipated: the group was specifically for Muslim women, and it was focused on non-fiction writing! At that time, I wasn’t Muslim, and I had never written a book about myself. Unsure if I even belonged, I reached out to Na’ima to ask if I could still join as a non-Muslim—and to my surprise, she said yes. I was shocked. It felt as though I had stepped into a secret, sacred space. A part of me struggled with feeling like an imposter, especially when members used Islamic phrases I didn’t yet understand. But despite my doubts, everyone welcomed me with open arms and embraced me on my journey of learning about Islam.
But then came another dilemma—what would I actually write about? The idea of writing about myself felt so foreign, almost unimaginable, like asking the younger generation to picture a world without smartphones. I tossed around a few ideas: maybe I could write about my college experiences, or perhaps the African history within my culture. Then suddenly, it clicked—what if I wrote about my journey of learning Islam? At that time, I was already diving deep into research and reflection. I thought, even if I never became Muslim, I could still share the story of what I was learning along the way. So, I began writing—starting with my earliest encounters with Islam, leading up to where I was in that very moment. And that’s how the journey of this book truly began, SubhanAllah.
The book program stretched my writing abilities in ways I had never experienced before. I loved being part of it and soaking up the tips and strategies for actually completing a manuscript—something I had struggled with for years. My usual cycle was I’d write a few chapters, then start rewriting, only to move a little further and rewrite again. It was a cycle that kept me stuck, yet I clung to it, hoping things would somehow change, but I didn’t know any other way. But with this book, something felt different. For the first time, I believed I could finish. I was determined to break my old habits and see this project through to the end. And in that determination, I began to grow—not just as a writer, but as someone learning the discipline and persistence it takes to bring a book to life.
The most surprising part of the book program was realizing that, less than three months after joining, I would be taking my shahada! During that time, I joined their 90-day manuscript writing program, designed to help authors complete their books within three months. I actively participated in the writing support group, where we met regularly to share progress, exchange feedback, and encourage one another along the way. I remember the day I told them I had taken my shahada—their joy and excitement for me was overwhelming. Without even realizing it, that group became my very first Muslim community. A few months later, I joined Na’ima’s publishing program to take the next step toward publishing my book. My story was still unfolding, but by May 2023, I had completed the very first draft of my manuscript.
My book had been completed for some time, but numerous setbacks delayed its publication, Allahu Alam. In late December 2024, I shared that my book would be out soon, genuinely believing it would be—but it didn’t happen. Then, in March 2025, I received my first test copy. We still needed to make some tweaks, and we hoped for a June release—but yet another setback occurred. Each delay made me doubt myself and question whether my book should even be published. I felt a mix of embarrassment and frustration, having spoken openly about it and shared that it was coming soon without anything to show. I worried people might think I was dishonest. When members of my Muslim community asked about it, I would simply respond, 'It’s coming, inshaAllah.' I made countless du’a, placing the entire process in the hands of Allah (SWT) and trusting His plan. It was through His mercy and wisdom that I was part of this program. Truly, Allah (SWT) is the best of planners. As you all saw in my previous post, I planned for my book to come out on August 22, 2025, yet again, Allah (SWT) had other plans. Although we had initially planned for August 22, Allah (SWT) had something greater in store: “No, it will be released on your shahada anniversary.” Truly, Allah (SWT) is the best of planners. I sincerely thank you all for your patience, love, and support throughout this journey. May Allah fill it with barakah, goodness, and ease. Stay tuned for more exciting updates, InshaAllah!
SubhanAllah, my du’as have been answered, and my book is finally coming out! I can hardly believe it. One of the most exciting things about the release is that I’ll be hosting a special giveaway! Subscribers to my mailing list will be the first to hear all the details and get a chance to participate—so be sure to sign up!
I want to thank Allah (SWT) for giving me the opportunity to share my story with the Ummah. This story is not about me; it is meant to reflect the wisdom and mercy of Allah (SWT) for guiding me into His Ummah. I hope that through reading my book, you will see His guidance and experience His wisdom. I pray for barakah and blessings upon this endeavor, and that Allah places light and goodness on every page. Stay tuned for more updates coming soon, inshaAllah. Put barakah on it!
To learn more about my book-writing experience, check out my latest podcast episode. It can also be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
