Association of Muslim Women Authors in South Africa (AMWASA)  |  Last updated: 12 April 2026

Registered as K2026371076 (SOUTH AFRICA) NPC (2026/371076/08)

Upholding Integrity, Respect, and Professionalism

At AMWASA, we welcome honest, thoughtful reviews of the books we feature. Our platform exists to uplift Muslim women authors, promote wholesome literature, and provide a safe, dignified space for readers and writers alike.

In keeping with our values and the Islamic principles of fairness (ʿadl) and protection of honour (ʿird), we ask that all reviews submitted to AMWASA adhere to the following guidelines. By submitting a review, you agree to this policy.

1. Focus on the Book

Reviews must relate solely to the content of the book — its themes, writing style, plot, characters, and overall literary merit. Reviews are not an appropriate space for commentary on the author’s personal life, character, or circumstances outside of the work itself.

The following will not be approved and may be reported to the relevant platform or authority if warranted:

  • Personal information about any individual connected to the book.
  • Content intended to shame, defame, harm, or harass an author or any other person.
  • Reviews that are false, misleading, or misrepresent the content of the book.

AMWASA reserves the right to block or permanently ban any user who repeatedly violates this guideline.

2. Maintain Respectful Language

All reviews must be written in a respectful and dignified manner, consistent with Islamic etiquette. Reviews must be free from:

  • Foul, vulgar, or offensive language.
  • Sarcasm, mockery, or a deliberately hurtful tone.
  • Slander, backbiting (gheebah), or personal attacks of any kind.

“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent.”  — Bukhari & Muslim

3. Offer Constructive Feedback

Honest critique is welcome and valuable — both for readers making a decision and for authors growing in their craft. If you wish to raise concerns about a book, please do so constructively. We encourage reviewers to:

  • Highlight both strengths and areas for improvement.
  • Express opinions in a balanced, considered, and courteous way.
  • Distinguish clearly between personal taste and objective literary critique.

4. No Spoilers Without Warning

Out of courtesy to fellow readers, please avoid revealing key plot points or endings without fair warning. If your review contains spoilers, please include a clear “Spoiler Alert” notice at the very start of your review, before any plot details are shared.

5. Authentic Reviews Only

AMWASA is committed to maintaining the integrity of our review platform. All reviews must reflect a genuine, personal reading experience of the work in question. The following are strictly prohibited:

  • Reviews submitted without having read the book.
  • Coordinated, duplicate, or inauthentic reviews intended to artificially inflate or damage a title’s rating.
  • Reviews submitted on behalf of another person, or by anyone with a direct personal or commercial conflict of interest that is not disclosed.
  • Reviews motivated by a personal grievance against the author or any party associated with the book, rather than the content of the work itself.

AMWASA treats bad-faith or inauthentic reviews seriously. Where we have reasonable grounds to believe a review has been submitted dishonestly or with intent to harm, we reserve the right to remove it, block the submitter, and take further action as appropriate.

6. AMWASA’s Right to Moderate

AMWASA reserves the right to:

  • Decline to publish any review that does not meet these guidelines, without obligation to provide a reason.
  • Edit a review for clarity, grammar, or to remove content that violates this policy, while preserving the reviewer’s overall message and rating.
  • Remove a previously published review if it is subsequently found to be in breach of this policy.
  • Block or permanently ban any user who repeatedly or egregiously violates these guidelines.

Moderation decisions are made at AMWASA’s sole discretion and are final. We will always endeavour to act fairly, transparently, and in the best interests of our community.

7. Upholding a Safe and Positive Community

Our mission is to foster a reading environment where Islamic values are honoured, where authors are treated with dignity, and where literature can flourish in a way that uplifts the soul. Every review is a reflection of the reviewer’s character as much as it is of the book — and we ask our community to approach this responsibility with care and sincerity.

“A Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand other Muslims are safe.”  — Bukhari

Thank you for being part of the AMWASA community.

May Allah SWT bless your words, your intentions, and your literary journey.

Questions or concerns about a review?

Email: hello@amwasa.co.za

Website: amwasa.co.za

© AMWASA 2026. All rights reserved.