Watercolor sketches for children's stories

Dark Starry night, green hilly land, trees and a narrow blue stream of clear water curving through the center. Few small homes lighted from inside scattered on both sides of the green hilly land. At the distant end is a Mosque showing a dome and two tall minarets.

Bright starry night (fantasy), green hilly land, trees and a narrow blue stream of clear water curving through the center. Few small homes lighted from inside scattered on both sides of the green hilly land. At the distant end is a Mosque showing a dome and two tall minarets.

No copyrights for these two sketches.  Welcomed to take with or without attribution.

Ramadan night in the serene desert

 

The nighttime desert setting with the azure sky creates that peaceful, spiritual atmosphere that's perfect for capturing the essence of Ramadan. The photography ai effect gives it a realistic quality with max clarity while maintaining the serene mood  🕌🌴 

Peaches, blueberries and tea

 

Early autumn, a sun-dappled parlor in a 16^th century Ottoman home nestled just beyond the edge of a sleepy village, some distance the vibrant town of Bursa. The room is filled with soft golden light filtering through lace curtains, casting delicate patterns on the wooden floor. A lace-covered table stands near the wall, adorned with a gilded fruit basket and a vintage porcelain teacup that glows with warm amber tea.

The autumn air is filled with the fragrance of the fading roses, the leaves turning russet and the distant chimney smoke. The tastefully adorned living room carries a gentle and reflective atmosphere with the ticking of a grandfather clock echoing faintly in the background.  A breeze rustles the dull red taffeta curtains now and again. It’s the kind of afternoon that feels suspended in time.

The fruit basket holds memories for the family, the tea is an etiquette.  The moments  capture the finesse of the porcelain treasure and the fruit basket, an amazing still life aura with textures so rich as you feel the aroma of the peaches mingling with the steam of the tea contained in the cool glaze of the vintage porcelain.

A scene that whispers of quiet indulgence and timeless charm.

What is Islam?

 

Islam did not start with Prophet Muhammad in the 7^th century.  Technically Islam is the Message that was delivered by all the prophets of God from Adam to Muhammad.  Islam is neither named after a person or a tribe nor does it end with an –ism.  Though each Prophet had a relatively different law, the essence of the message of Islam was always the same:  have faith in One God and do good.  In the Bible (original before it began being altered), the first four of the Ten Commandments enjoin the worship of One God;  the rest urge believers to avoid what is wrong and do what is good.  All Prophets and their followers (including Essa and his disciples) are simply called ‘Muslims’ in the Quran.  Hence anyone who submits to One God only and strives to be a good person can be called a ‘muslim’ (with a ‘m’) from a linguistic perspective. 

Every human being is born with innate will (fitrah) to submit to One God, but parents and society change this nature, and in order to relate to The Almighty, many have put a face on God (mostly human or animal) throughout history.  The process of restoring the fitrah is called reversion.  

Islam is not only a religion but a comprehensive of life.  Based on common sense and clear cut teachings, Islam defines the rights and responsibilities of every individual in regards to their relationship with God and His creation.  It balances the spiritual and material needs of its followers and helps them gain happiness with peace of mind in this life and salvation (maghfirah) in the next.

Introduction from Dr. Mustafa Khattib’s English translation of the Quran, The Clear Quran

18th century desert village in eastern Libya

Beneath the quiet gaze of the crescent moon, the desert transforms into a realm of hushed elegance. The golden sands shimmer softly, echoing the glow of lanterns nestled beside ornate tents whose silken folds ripple gently in the night breeze. Each tent, a sanctuary of warmth and mystery, stands like a jewel against the vast azure sky, where stars scatter like diamonds.  Palm trees frame the silence, their shadows stretching long across the dunes, while the sparse shrubs add texture to the tranquil expanse. In this nocturnal stillness, the desert breathes beauty - timeless serene, steeped in quiet wonder. 

All praise be to Allah The Most Glorious, The Sole Creator of everything within and beyond the Earth.

Simple food decor

As-Salaam Alaikum and hi dear kids 😀💗  During the next summer holidays, InshaAllah, let us learn to refine our talents with simple food décor though the beauty makes it look way beyond simple.  

 

This image is my Ai creation from originals by Mehrnoush S. and Farkhundeh Harouni at Pinterest.  Smoothly whipped yogurt using mint, coriander or fenugreel leaves and edible grade rose petals.  Yellow Persian rice pudding 'shole zard' garnished with carefully sliced pistachios and edible food grade rosebuds.

I created this image with Ai showing a more inspiring background for presentation. The foods, the table and the fresh pink rose with a long stem are a mix of oil on canvas and watercolor. The birdie and rainy window view are photography effect.

These gorgeously simple food decorations have a history richer than imaginable in our medieval Islamic History of the Golden Era.  

Echoes of a Golden Age: A duet of Persian yogurt and saffron rice pudding, adorned with edible roses, green herbs and pistachio leaves—reviving the culinary poetry of 16^th century Persia (Iran) and the Arab world where beauty and nourishment were inseparable 🍃🌹

In the courts of medieval Persia and the Arab world, food was not merely sustenance—it was a canvas for aesthetic and cultural expression. Delectable banquets during the Abbasid, Fatimid and Safavid dynasties showcased dishes adorned with vibrant herbs, edible flowers, and intricate layering of colors and textures. Persian influence brought a refined elegance to presentation with saffron-pistachio desserts, scented rice, saffron-infused stews and yogurt-based dishes often garnished with green herbs, pomegranate seeds and dried rose petals. Arab culinary texts from the 11th century, such as al-Warraq’s Annals of the Caliphs’ Kitchens reveal a deep appreciation for visual harmony, where the arrangement of ingredients mirrored poetic and geometric ideals.

This decorative tradition was deeply intertwined with etiquette as well as medicine. The use of color—golden saffron, pink rose petals, ruby pomegranate and emerald herbs—was believed to stimulate appetite and balance humoral health. Meals were structured with precision, beginning with light, visually appealing starters and progressing to richly adorned main courses. The emphasis on beauty, fragrance and symmetry in food presentation reflected the broader artistic sensibilities of the Islamic Golden Age where culinary refinement was a mark of sophistication and cultural pride.

The Spice Trade Route During the Medieval Islamic Era

 

Photography effect.  Ai modified, my work.

A spice trade caravan in medieval Islamic Era going through the Silk Road.  Caravan of camels led by sophisticated Arab merchants.  The caravan train carrying precious spices and condiments packed neatly.

The scene is bathed in warm, golden light, capturing the essence of the very significant historic Silk Road trade routes during the Islamic Era. The image combines historical accuracy with the specific architectural and landscape --  the caravan of camels, merchants, colorful spice packages, the blue lake, and the beautiful Mosque with its distinctive turquoise dome and minarets.

Some more of my Ai works on Silk Road trade routes Islamic Era, the following Oil on Canvas:

For kids and parents who want to learn more on this enchanting topic visit Spice Trade and the Islamic World 🌱      

The Spice Corner

 

Photography effect.  Ai modified, my work.

Oil on Canvas effect.  Ai modified, my work.

A corner of medieval aromas with echoes of the caravans: The Spice Legacy 🌿

This evocative oil-on-canvas scene pays homage to the golden age of the Islamic spice trade, when caravans laden with fragrant treasures traversed the Silk Road in a vibrant exchange of commerce and cuisine. The meticulously arranged jars of ground and whole spices and nuts —red chili, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, almonds walnuts —recall the purity and potency of ingredients once prized across empires.

During the medieval Islamic era, cities like Baghdad, Damascus, and Cairo flourished as hubs of botanical knowledge and trade. Spices were not only culinary staples but also revered for their medicinal properties. Traders sourced them from the lush gardens of Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and the Maghreb and the fertile lands of Persia, ensuring they remained organic, unadulterated, and deeply symbolic of abundance.

The hanging lanterns and lush greenery in this image evoke the warmth of a bustling souk, where scents mingled in the air and every shelf told a story of distant lands. The mortar and pestle, surrounded by fresh garlic, parsley and lemons anchors the scene in timeless tradition—where preparation was ritual, and flavor was legacy.

The Silk trade route often synonymous with the Islamic Golden Era and known as the Spice Merchant’s Sanctuary.  The fragrance of an Empire — a tribute to Islamic trade.  The spice enchantment, from the Silk route to sooqs to shelves.