Imam Ahmad and the Bandits (A Hadi Twins Adventure)

When 12-year-old twins Aisha and Umar move with their younger siblings to their grandfather’s quiet countryside home, they brace themselves for dusty books and endless boredom. But everything changes when they discover a mysterious white turban, an ancient relic with secrets powerful enough to transport them through time.

Suddenly, their youngest sister, Fatima, vanishes, leaving the turban behind. To bring her back, Aisha and Umar are thrust into a breathtaking journey through time to the sacred valley of Hadramawt, Yemen, in the 10th century. There, they must navigate unfamiliar terrain, outsmart a band of dangerous bandits, and protect the turban’s powerful secret.

Will they rescue Fatima and return home before it’s too late?

Inspired by real figures from Islamic history, Imam Ahmad & The Bandits launches readers into an exciting tale of courage, faith, and discovery.

Imam Ahmad & The Bandits is the exciting first installment in a planned ten-book adventure series that brings history to life for young readers. Follow four British siblings of Yemeni and Moroccan heritage as they journey through time, uncovering the rich spiritual legacy of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) by meeting revered saints and scholars of Hadramawt.

Packed with action, mystery, and dilemmas—and enhanced through beautiful, historically accurate illustrations—this captivating novel is designed for middle-grade readers (ages 8–12). It offers an absorbing reading experience that combines fast-paced storytelling with deep lessons.

Perfect for multicultural bookstores, faith-based institutions, libraries, and schools, the series shines light on underrepresented Islamic historical figures in a way that is both reverent and exciting. Each book weaves timeless spiritual values and relatable moral dilemmas into page-turning plots that reflect the real-life challenges kids face today.

With rich cultural roots, compelling sibling dynamics, and meticulously researched settings, Imam Ahmad & The Bandits is a powerful resource for families and educators seeking to spark curiosity, foster identity, and inspire the next generation of readers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Anisa Rasul is a writer and educator with a passion for bringing Islamic history to life for young readers. She holds an Honours degree in Arabic Studies from the University of Manchester and an MA in Education from the University of Newcastle. A former secondary school teacher of Religion and Theology, Anisa is also trained in Montessori education and holds an ijaza (certification) in Qur'anic recitation.

Her studies have taken her to Egypt, Morocco, and Yemen, where she learned the Islamic sacred sciences under traditional scholars. Now a homeschooling mother of two, Anisa weaves her deep academic knowledge and lived experience into faith-rooted adventure stories that connect children to the timeless wisdom of Muslim saints and scholars.