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About us

Small first steps, done right

First Steps Deen makes Islamic learning books for children and adults. Each book is clear, beautiful and careful with its sources, and many come with a page where you can hear them read aloud. This is only the beginning: more books for young and old are on the way, in sha Allah.

Who we are

Assalamu alaikum. My name is Akram, and I am a father of two living in Switzerland. I make these books for my own children first, and for every family that wants to teach the deen at home with gentleness and care.

I write, design and check every page myself, and I recorded the words and duas you hear on this site in my own voice.

Why we make these books

Learning to pray, to make wudu, to read the Arabic letters or to fast is a first step that stays with a person for life. We want that first step to be:

  • Correct, so nothing has to be unlearned later.
  • Welcoming for every Muslim family, whatever school of fiqh they follow.
  • Joyful for children, with activities, colouring and trackers that make practice a habit.
  • Easy to hear, because Arabic is learned with the ears as much as with the eyes.

How we work

  • We teach what the four Sunni schools agree on. Where they differ, the book says so in a short “Good to know” note, so every family can follow its own school.
  • Qur'an text in our books is checked word by word against classical sources before printing.
  • Every page is reviewed by the author before a book is published.
  • Every new book follows the same rules, for children and adults alike.
  • Surahs on this site are recited by Sheikh Mahmoud Khalil Al-Husary in his teaching recitation, with a pause after each ayah so children can repeat.

Why two names?

Lakrem SwissA pen name, used for most of our children's activity books, for example Alif Baa and My First Salah.
Akram Ben AmmarMy own name, used for our books for adults, for example How to Pray Salah, and for some children's books such as My 30 Days of Ramadan.

رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

“Our Lord, accept this from us. You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.” (from Al-Baqarah 2:127)

If our books helped your family, an honest review on Amazon helps other parents find them. JazakAllahu khairan.

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