Author Q&A: Sa’diyya Nesar

Author/ Bookish Everybody
1 March 2026

Sa’diyya Nesar is a two-time author of books, inspired by her love of reading and numerous hospitalisations as a young girl. Reading became a way of coping and writing followed. She shares how her belief in Islam and the stories of the prophets has inspired resilience in her.

How did you become a writer?

I was born with a physical disability that resulted in muscle weakness and frequent hospitalisations. Books became a way to cope with the uncertainty and isolation. This was when I set an intention during my early childhood that, one day, I would write books to comfort anyone enduring hardship, just as the books I had read had comforted me.

What would you be doing otherwise?

That’s something I don’t think I’ll ever truly know. Being born with a disability means it has shaped every part of my life. Would I have gravitated towards books if not for my disability, or was creativity and storytelling always within me, regardless? Did I write because it felt like my only option, or because it was the path I was destined to take? It’s hard to separate the two when disability is all that you have ever known.

Of the characters you have created, which is your favourite and why?

In my book Strength from Within, I draw strength from the stories of the Prophets (Peace be upon them) as accounted in the Muslim tradition, as a way of figuring out how to cope, grow and flourish during life’s trials. In my other book Hearts that Remember, I similarly turn to their stories for lessons in resilience. I’ve written about disability figures, like Helen Keller as well, but the stories of the Prophets captivate me most.

The complexity of their journeys, such as the separation Prophet Joseph (Peace be upon him) endured as a child, or Prophet Moses (Peace be upon him), carrying the responsibility of freeing his people has left a lasting impression. Their struggles and triumphs hold timeless lessons about human endurance and divine mercy.

How did you come to write about your subject?

I naturally explore the intersection of disability and faith, especially as someone trying to figure life out as a Muslim born with a disability. My books reflect that lived reality, but they’re written for anyone seeking to cope with difficulties. Faith is how I navigate my own challenges, so my writing blends both disability and spirituality into a universal language of resilience and defying societal misconceptions.

Tell us about your writing method. Is there a secret?

Every book has its own journey. Strength from Within took years of planning—articles I had published earlier evolved into reflective chapters. Hearts that Remember began as poems and transformed into chapters. This book came together in just over a month.

The truth is, there’s no single method. The secret, if there is one, is to follow your instincts and let the book lead you.

Which author, alive or dead, would you most like to meet?

Martin Lings, for his biography on Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), which carries such depth and commitment. I often wonder how he compiled the book with such authenticity and accuracy in representation. Brené Brown, whose work on vulnerability and courage resonates deeply with my own journey. The combination of academia and storytelling is what I love about her books.

Tell us about your favourite bookshop in the world.

Bookazine in Hong Kong. I’ve visited it personally, and my books are on its shelves. That makes it more than a bookshop—it’s a place where my journey as a reader and author have come full circle.

What advice would you give your younger, writer self?

Don’t be afraid of stigma. Write the truth holistically, even when it’s considered taboo. Showing up fully will help more readers than you realize.

Strength from within by Sa’diyya Nesar is available on Amazon.

About the Author

Bookish Everybody

Books and reading are too often on the periphery. Enter: Bookish Everybody, a one-stop community of book enthusiasts to read or write reviews, join read-alongs, buy/sell/give books and join our competitions to win books: www.bookisheverybody.com.