My Favorite Genre and Why

Books have always been a gateway to increasing knowledge and developing experience and skills in problem-solving. Books have always been a companion for me. It develops my communication and socialising skills to a great extent. There are many genres in literature like fiction, non-fiction, fantasy,mystery,religious,historical, biographies and autobiographies. My favourite genre is biographies. It sounds boring, but actually, it helps the reader build valuable insights and deal with real life problems.

The first book I ever read was the seerah(biography)  of our beloved Prophet S.A.W. in the Urdu language, making it the very first book I read in my life. From the very first page, I felt a strong urge to continue reading, as each line deepened my interest and awakened a genuine thirst for knowledge. I found myself eager to turn page after page, determined to complete the book at the earliest. I would often spend my afternoons immersed in reading, making it a quiet and meaningful part of my daily routine.

Biographies of great personalities play a significant role in shaping a thoughtful mindset and fostering self-discipline. I find greater value in learning from real-life stories rather than fictional narratives, as they offer practical insights from the obstacles they faced in their life. These help me analyse different situations in life with clarity, using real examples as guidance, while also encouraging the development of positive habits. They serve as a constant source of inspiration, motivating me to move forward with determination toward my goals. As someone who tends to overthink and often feels uncertain while making decisions, reading biographies has helped me develop clarity and make more confident and thoughtful choices.

The book I recently read was “Great Women of Islam Who Were Given the Good News of Paradise” by Mahmood Ahmad Ghadanfar. It was truly an eye-opening read for me, as it presents the lives of remarkable women who were given the glad tidings of Paradise by the Prophet S.A.W in this world. The book beautifully describes how the Ummul Mu’minin (Mothers of the Believers) lived their lives, highlighting their patience, strength, and sincere service to Islam.

It is filled with wisdom and valuable qualities needed to lead a purposeful and meaningful life. Besides the mothers of believers, the compiler of the book has included the description of those 16 women who had been given the good news of paradise by the Prophet S.A.W. Reading about their lives made me realise how important it is for us to learn and reflect upon the Seerah(biography) of these noble and fortunate women.

If you want to become like someone or be inspired by them, you must know about their life, habits, services and qualities. Reading biographies also helped me to learn different perspectives of various people towards similar situations. Their generosity, humility and helpful nature can help a person live a purposeful life.

As a Muslim woman, I believe our ultimate goal should be to attain the highest level of Jannah (Jannatul Firdous). In a world filled with fitnah and distractions, reading the biographies of such noble women becomes even more important. Their lives guide us, strengthen our faith, and remind us of the qualities needed to succeed in both this world and the Hereafter. Through their examples, we learn patience, sincerity, and devotion, qualities that bring us closer to Jannah.

Author: Azka Fathima Palsarak, Vaniyambadi

Date: 23 April 2026