ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sa’diyya Nesar is a TEDx speaker, poet, and 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.
ABOUT HER BOOKS
Hearts that Remember
Book cover of ‘Hearts that Remember’ authored by Sa’diyya Nesar consists of the book title written on a crumpled textured red heart with the subtitle ‘is there rest and relief for this tired heart?’
Hearts that Remember aims to help tired and battered hearts navigate stressors in a modern, fast-paced society. It is a space to discover how to let go of societal’s pursuit of perfection and instead embraces our imperfections as human beings. Sa’diyya draws from her experiences with a physical disability and shares how the disability pushed her to reflect on life’s purpose, navigate her emotions, and deal with stereotypes. She shares how her heart ultimately found sanctuary through the remembrance of God, primarily upon reflecting on His 99 attributed names depicted in the Islamic tradition, revealing a deeper understanding of success, beauty, and acceptance. The remembrance of God’s attributes is done through poetry by embracing life experiences, offering a fresh perspective on Disability & Islam.
This book is a sanctuary—a place to rest, reflect, and reconnect especially in a world chasing superficial ideals instead of true fulfillment in authenticity, vulnerability, and the peace found in remembering what truly matters.
The braille version of all 99 poems—many of which are within Hearts that Remember—are available through Malaysia’s Al-Fitrah Foundation.
“Sadiyya’s ability to infuse spirituality and reflection into her storytelling is remarkable. “Hearts that Remember” deserves to be widely read and cherished for its ability to inspire and purify hearts. A truly beautiful and inspiring book that I wholeheartedly recommend.”
Strength from Within
Book cover of ‘Strength from Within’ authored by Sa’diyya Nesar consists of yellow flowers growing in the midst of book title. The subtitle of the book is ‘personal insights on how to cope, grow, and flourish during life’s trials based on my life with physical disabilities.’ The book cover is against a blue-benched backdrop with yellow flowers at both sides.
Strength From Within is a powerful exploration of resilience, faith, and the beauty found in life’s trials. Through personal reflections on living with a physical disability, the author uncovers the hidden strength woven into adversity. Inspired by the stories of the Prophets, this book offers a fresh perspective on hardship, not as a burden, but as a path to growth.
This isn’t just another self-help book—it’s an invitation to shift your focus, embrace life’s challenges, and discover your own untapped strength. Through deep personal insights and timeless wisdom, Strength From Within teaches us how to rise above struggles and flourish proving that true strength comes not from resisting life’s difficulties, but from uncovering the treasure within them.
The braille version of her book is available through Malaysia’s Al-Fitrah Foundation.
CLICK HERE FOR A PDF OF THE FIRST CHAPTER!
“A true gift to the reader and to the world.”
“A must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and a deeper understanding of the diverse human experience.”