Muslim Literature: Second Look

The Hundredth Name
by Shulamith Levey Oppenheim

Oppenheim, Shulamith Levey. The Hundredth Name. 1st Edition. Honesdale, PA: Caroline House, 1995.

A young Muslim boy named Salah is trying to figure out a way to make his camel, Qadiim, happy because he seems so down and sad all of the time. Salah’s father teaches him about how humans only know ninety-nine of the one hundred names of Allah; and Salah decides that if Qadiim could learn the hundredth name of Allah, then he would be happy. Salah has learned that prayer is very important and that Allah listens to prayer. Salah’s father tells him that “prayer had great power”, and so “he prayed to Allah with all his strength” one night. The next morning, Salah’s faith and prayer seem to have paid off, for Qadiim seems to be in better spirits.

This picture book written by Shulamith Levey Oppenheim offers a child’s point of view on faith and religion that can be related to by children from all religions and cultures. The setting, although not specifically named as a certain city or country, is “in a land where kings were once called pharaohs and the great river is still called the Nile”. A boy and his camel may differ greatly from a boy and his dog found in so many other children’s stories today, but a glimpse into Muslim culture and Islamic religion can be enjoyed and appreciated through this book by young readers.

This book can be included in the diverse children's literature category because not only does it address a religion that is often overlooked in children's literature, but it also tells a story about a culture that many students and readers will be able to relate to.