Strength from Within

Sa’diyya Nesar is a TEDx speaker, poet, and award-winning author of Hearts that Remember and Strength from Within. Born with muscular myopathy, she transforms personal adversity into advocacy, sparking conversations on resilience, faith, and inclusion.She earned a Bachelor’s in English Language & Literature from The University of Hong Kong, and studied Islamic studies at Cambridge Islamic College, deepening her understanding of faith and storytelling. Her work has appeared in HuffPost, SISTERs magazine, Muslim Matters, and Malaysia’s Qalby app. She has prioritized her books to be accessible in braille and is recognized as a Zubin Foundation diversity list candidate and RESOLVE’s social justice fellow for DisABILITIES & Empowerment: Less Assumptions, More Conversations. Sa’diyya has participated in disability and interfaith panels, using her platform to foster dialogue and understanding. She has led initiatives like Women in Islam and Community Care in Islam in Hong Kong’s Muslim space, and spoken at international forums, including the Disability & Islam conference.She currently leads workshops on disability awareness, addressing misconceptions about visible and invisible disabilities to promote inclusive environments. Additionally, she offers book-themed workshops, creative writing, and advocacy sessions on both disability and Muslim-faith based needs for corporate and educational spaces.

• Acknowledgments VIIPreface IXChapter 1: Trials in Life—A Seed Preparing to Sprout 1Chapter 2: The Process of Accepting Life’s Trials 7Chapter 3: Entrapment due to Anxieties 19Chapter 4: From Fear to Courage 31Chapter 5: From Guilt to Forgiveness of the Self 45Chapter 6: From Holder of Pain to Forgiver of Others 57Chapter 7: From Guarded to Approachable 75Chapter 8: From Caged-in to Unlocking of Potential 87Chapter 9: From Inspirational Figures of the Past to theBlooming You of Tomorrow 109Announcement of Upcoming Book 119Readers’ Discussion Circle on Book‘Strength from Within’ 121Bibliography 127

"This book removes the reader from thedarkness of ignorance surrounding disability and towards the light ofunderstanding, hope, and change for all. For an author to achieve this with abook written about a niche topic points to the strength she has found withinher disability and within her faith. Get ready to have your own faith andpossibilities transformed." - Aliyah Umm Raiyaan, Sunday Times Bestselling author of RamadanReflections and The Power of Du'a, Founder and CEO of Registered Charity SolaceUK for revert women in difficulty"In this world, all of us in different ways and todifferent degrees face hardships that test our character and personality. Noone is exempt from such a test. All readers therefore will find something inthis book to comfort and console, and to inspire them to look for signs anddirections in their particular situation which will inspire them, and enablethem to overcome their difficulties with inner strength and dignity." - Shaykh Mohammad Akram Nadwi, OxfordUniversity, Cambridge Islamic College."As adisability rights activist and disabled Muslim woman, I wanted to vicariouslyexperience another woman's disability journey of trials and triumphs with whomI share some of my intersectional identities including faith and ethnicity.Sa’diyya  articulates and correlatesfaith in deep and meaningful ways to reconcile the questions before her in orderto develop her resilience. Her spiritual reflections about verses from the HolyQuran, Prophetic sayings and stories of the prophets who had disabilities intheir lives deepens the reader’s understanding of how a Muslim should viewdisablement whether they have their own lived experience or not. This book is amust read because Sa’diyya does an incredible job of enlightening the readerand capturing their attention with her words and wisdom, describing significantmoments in her life, and how she resolves them with her faith, dispelling any mythsand fears that one may have about living with a disability." - Rabia Khedr, CEO of DEEN Support Servicesand Founder of Muslims With Disabilities International"A masterpiecethat intertwines strength from the stories of the Prophets with profoundlessons. From overcoming physical challenges to finding courage, forgiveness,and faith, this book is a beacon of hope." - BrotherBelal Elkadri, Motivational Speaker"This vulnerable,personal, and emotional book shares beautiful insights into the world ofDisability and Faith. Sa’diyya Nesar shares her connection not only with Allah,but also with her family. At every step of her journey, as she learns andgrows, she takes the reader along with lessons to take away. Her innocence as alittle girl questioning her fate brings out a sincere view into the thoughtspeople with disabilities may encounter and her responses to her life’s teststhat she writes about, are truly valuable. Sa’diyya writes “Our trial is notour eternal fate. Our reward- the fruits of growth- is our eternal fate." - Joohi Tahir, Executive Director &Co-Founder of Muslim disability organization MUHSEN "Amust-read. The Islamic perspective is also illuminating and enduring." - Sr Yvonne Ridley, British author andjournalist"Strength from Within evokes the Qurʿānic verse: “And so, verily, with hardship comes ease” (94:5). Sa’diyya Nesar demonstrates that there are no lost causes when one keeps faith in the wisdom, might, and mercy of Allah and recognizes the indomitable spirit He has implanted in us. Inspired by heroes of faith, Nesar’s forthright sharing provides lessons about what is possible when we meet adversity with a balance of inspiration from above and aspiration from within."- Prof. James D. Frankel, Chinese University of Hong Kong"Asurvival manual for every human who needs inspiration." - Tasnim Jadwat, Spinal MuscularAtrophy warrior, Master Chef South Africa"A thoroughly enjoyable book that brings to life the author’s experiences and takes the reader on a journey of emotions, lessons, and life experiences. In particular the connections drawn to the verses of the Quran and prophetic narrations really inspires in the reader an attachment to Allah and a focus on the hereafter.” Sheikh Dr. Saalim Al-Azhari "The brilliantlywritten book compellingly redirects focus toward endurance, growth, and seizingthe best from challenging situations, making it a highly spiritual andrelatable read." - Rafia Haniff-Cleofas,Life Coach, Disability Advocate, Founder of Muslims with DisabilitiesInternational"Aprofound exploration of the human experience of navigating life’s challengeswith such strength and dignity is both enlightening and deeply inspiring." - Kate Hepburn, Finding Sakeenah"I'min love with this book. Life experiences, profound reflections from arefreshing perspective." - Samar Asamoah,author of 'How to be a Single Muslim Mum' and 'The Niqabi Diaries' Podcasthost.