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The Ultimate Booklist for Every Muslim ‘Book Collector’ and Book Reader – 96 Books to Read

by in Ramadan on 6th April, 2021

Amaliah

So, I spent yet another weekend rearranging my books for the umpteenth time, during the London lockdown*. Looking through my collection prompted me to think about which other Islamic books I need in my home. I’m steadily building a small collection of books written by Muslim Women where I often find myself in their words or am enlightened about the myriad of experiences we all have in this world.

There are a plethora of books about Islam alhamdulillah; from books featuring models of Muslim living, history recalled, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, women in Islam, the companions and books that every Muslim soul just needs during times of ease and hardship. There are also books on the seerah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and a range of reference books that are good to have in the home so we can use them to research and verify Islamic information we may come across about prophets, fiqh, history and so forth. I took my question to social media and asked:

“What books should every Muslim have in their home?”

As Ramadan approaches we know that seeking beneficial knowledge is important and spending our time well is crucial so a book refresh can contribute to us reaching for that which is beneficial Insha Allah. I also cannot disclose the number of books bought whilst compiling this list but alas another re-arranging will be due one weekend.

I share this list with a disclaimer that like many book collectors I have not read or even laid my eyes upon some of these titles and the sequence is nothing but a reflection of me reading through the answers that were shared.

(*We are in the year 2021, month of April and London is in continued lockdown for any historians who stumble across this, FYI)

Bismillah.

  1. Who is Allah? His name and attributes and their significance to the Individual By Umm Abdurrahman Sakina HirsehFelder, recommendation from Nepa Jamillah Uddin
  2. Secrets Within the Order of the Qur’an, by Imam Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti
  3. Book Volumes: Sahih Muslim Hadith collections, recommendation from Zeba Ahmed
  4. Humanity Before Religiosity, by by Habib Ali al-Jifri (Author), Amin Buxton (Contributor), recommendation from Rajeh
  5. Book Volumes: Bukhari Hadith collections, recommendation from Zeba Ahmed
  6. Islam: Beliefs and Teachings, by Ghulam Sarwar, recommendation from Adama Juldeh Muna
  7. In the early hours, By Khurram Murad, recommendation from Jamila Kossar
  8. Ma’arif e mathnawi, by Maulana Hakeem Akhtar Sahib, recommendation from Faatima
  9. Al-Muhaddithat: The women scholars in Islam, by Mohammad Akram Nadwi, recommendation from Selina B
  10. Angels in your presence, by Omar Suleiman, recommended
  11. The Sultan set featuring Ali (RA) Abu Bakr’ (RA), Ummar (RA) and Uthman (RA) by Dr Ali Muhammad as Sallabi, recommendation from Jamila Kossar
  12. Surah Al Khaf, by Yasir Qadi, recommended
  13. Ibn Hazm On The Lawfulness Of Women Attending Prayers In The Mosque, by Ibn Hazm Al-Andalusi (Author), Translated & Annotated By Mohammad Akram Nadwi, recommendation from Munadiah
  14. Inner dimensions of Islamic worship, by Imam Al Ghazali
  15. The fortress of a Muslim, Compiled by Sa’id bin Wahf Al-Qahtani, recommendation from Khadijah Khatun (“multiple copies around the home or for each family member”) 
  16. The Intelligent Heart, the Pure Heart: An Insight into the Heart Based on the Qur’an, Sunnah and Modern Science By Gohar Mushtaq
  17. Description of the Prophets prayer, by Imam Muhammad Nasir Al-Din al-Albani, recommended
  18. The Power of Dua, by Yasir Qadhi, recommendation from Anousha Vakani
  19. Patience and Gratitude, By Muhammad Ibn Abi Baku Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyah, recommendation from Nepa Jamillah Uddin
  20. The Road to Makkah, by Asad Muhammad, recommendation by Abidah
  21. Some Selected Supplications From The Quran By Darussalam, recommendation from Nepa Jamillah Uddin
  22. The Beginner’s Book of Salah, Muslim Educational trust, recommended
  23. Towards Sacred Activism, by Dawud Walid, recommendation from Munadiah
  24. The Qasidah Burdah, by by Imam Sharaf ad-Din al-Busiri and Aziza Spiker, recommendation from Shereen Aziz-Williams
  25. Reclaim your heart, by Yasmin Mogahed, recommendation from Munadiah
  26. Muhammad, Messenger of Allah; Ash-Shifa of Qadi’Iyad, by Qadi Iyad (Author), A. Bewley (Translator), recommendation from Shereen Aziz-Williams
  27. Centering Black Narrative: Ahl al-Bayt, Blackness & Africa, by by Mr Ahmad Mubarak and Mr Dawud Walid, recommendation by Selina B 
  28. Purification of the Heart: Signs, Symptoms and Cures of the Spiritual Diseases go the Heart, by Hamza Yusuf, recommendation from Nazira Bibi
  29. The Forbidden Prophecies, by Abu Zakaria, recommendation from Jimmy
  30. Sea without shore: A manual of the Sufi Path, by Nuh Ha Mim Keller, recommendation from Nazira Bibi
  31. The vision of Islam, by Sachiko Murata and William Chittick, recommendation from Nazira Bibi
  32. The Initiatory Way to Peace, The Awakening of Consciousness, Liberation Therapy,  all by Sheikh Aly N’Daw, recommendation from Sabah Ismail
  33. The lives of man, by Abdallah Ibn Alawi Al-Haddad (author) M. Al-Badawi (translator) , recommendation from Zeinab J. Sulemani
  34. The Spirit of Good Morals, by Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse (Author), Shaykh Hassan Cisse (Commentary), recommendation from Rakin Niasse
  35. Riyad-us-saliheen, by Imam Al-Nawawi, recommendation from Mustafa Briggs
  36. Al-Adab Al-Mufrad: A Code for Everyday Living, The Example of the Early Muslims, by Muhammad Ibn Ismail Bukhari, recommendation from Mustafa Briggs
  37. The Book of Wisdoms: Kitab Al-Hikam, a Collection of Sufi Aphorisms, by Ibn Ata’illah al-Iskandari and Shaykh ‘Abdullah Gangohi, recommendation from Mustafa Briggs
  38. We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir, Samra Habib, recommendation from Amina Aden
  39. Dala’il Al-Khayrat, by Imam Muhammad Ibn Sulayman Al-Jazuli(Author), Ali Elsayed (Compiler), recommendation from Abida Suleman Khan
  40. Shamaa’il Tirmidhi, by Imam Tirmidhi & Hadhrat Shaykh Muhammad Zakariyya Khandalwi, recommendation from Mustafa Briggs
  41. The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary, by Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Caner K Dagli, et al., recommendation from Ali Rehmatullah
  42. The Book of Assistance, by by Abdallah Ibn Alawi Al-Haddad and M. Al-Badawi, recommendation from Zeinab J. Sulemani
  43. The Beginning of Guidance: The Imam and proof of Islam, by Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali, recommendation from Zeinab J. Sulemani
  44. Ascent to Felicity (Maraqi ‘l-Sa’adat), by by Abu ‘l-Ikhlas al-Shurunbulali (Author), Faraz A. Khan, recommendation from Ali Rehamatullah
  45. The Rights Of Parents : Al-Zafar Bi’l-Murad Fi’l-Birr Bi’l-Aba Wa’l-Ajdad, recommendation from Ali Rehamatullah
  46. Handbooks of a Healthy Muslim Marriage, by Abdur Rahman Ibn Yusuf Mangera, recommendation from Ali Rehamatullah
  47. Lost Islamic History: Reclaiming Muslim Civilisation from the Past, by by Firas Alkhateeb, recommendation from Ali Rehamatullah
  48. A History of Islamic Societies,by Ira M. Lapidus , recommendation from Ali Rehamatullah
  49. Kitab At Tauhid (The Book Of Monotheism), by Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhab, recommendation from  Maria Dee
  50. Milestones : Ma’alim Fi’l Tariq, by Sayyid Qutb (Author), Editor : A B Al-Mehri, recommendation from Mohammed Owais
  51. A Portrait of the Prophet: As Seen by His Contemporaries ASH-Shama’Il Al-Muhammadiyya, by Imam Muhammad ibn ‘Isa at-Tirmidhi, recommendation from Safura Houghton
  52. The Quranic Phenomenon, by Malik Bennabi (Author), Mohammed El Tahir Mesawi, recommendation Razzan Safour
  53. Autobiography of Malcolm X, by X Malcolm, recommended
  54. Educating Children (Riyāḍatul Ṣibyān) : Classical Advice for Modern Times, by by Abdul Aziz Ahmed  & Imām Muhammad bin Ahmed al-Ramlī, recommendation from Safura Houghton
  55. Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam, by A. Helwa, recommendation from Huda Thakur
  56. Agenda to Change our Condition, by Hamza Yusuf (Author), Zaid Shakir, by Selina B
  57. What Islam Is All About by Yahiya Emerick, recommendation from Umm Eesa Dawood Hafsah
  58. Qur’an and Woman: Rereading the Sacred Text from a Woman’s Perspective, by Amina Wadud, recommendation from Amina Tharani
  59. The Sealed Nectar, by Saifiur Rahman Al Mubarakpuri, recommendation from Shabnam Makee
  60. Major Themes of the Qur’an: Second Edition, by Fazlur Rahman, recommendation from Amina Tharani
  61. A Scent of Sandalwood: Indo-Ismaili Religious Lyrics, Aziz Esmail, recommendation from Amina Tharani
  62. Men & Women Around The Messenger, by Sa’d Yusuf Abu Aziz and Suleman Fulani, recommendation from Shabnam Makee
  63. Islam and the Destiny of Man, by Gai Eaton, recommended
  64. Enjoy your life, Dr. Muhammad Adb Al-Rahman Al-Arifi, recommended
  65. Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources, by Martin Lings, recommendation from  Aminah Jayne O’Rourke
  66. Motivational Moments by Mufti Menk, recommendation from Aleesha Khaliq
  67. A Taste of Honey: Sexuality and Erotology in Islam by Habeeb Akande, recommendation from Aminah Jayne O’Rourke
  68. Joy Jots: Exercises for a Happy Heart by Tamara Gray, recommendation from Aminah Jayne O’Rourke
  69. Being Muslim: A Practical Guide, by Dr. Asad Tarsin, recommendation from Aminah Jayne O’Rourke
  70. Al-Ghazali’s Marvels of the Heart, by Abu Hamid Muhammad ibn Muhammad al- Ghazali and Iman Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, recommendation from Aminah Jayne O’Rourke
  71. In the Shade of the Tree: A Photographic Odyssey Through the Muslim World, by Peter Sanders, recommendation from Umar Ali
  72. The Accepted Whispers, by Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanawi and Khalid Baig, recommendation from Suad Kamardeen
  73. Life of the Sahaabah (RA): True companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by Sheikhul Hadeeth Hadhrat Moulana Muhamma, recommendation from Ebrahim Kadwa
  74. Fazail-e-Amaal by Muhammad Zakariyyah (RA) and Nazm Sabd Zakariyya, recommendation from Ebrahim Kadwa
  75. Purification of the Soul, by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, recommendation from Che Nadaquever
  76. Illuminating the darkness, by Habeeb Akande, recommendation from Che Nadaquever
  77. When the moon Spilt, by Safi al-Rahman Mubarakfuri, recommendation from Che Nadaquever
  78. If the Oceans Were Ink: An Unlikely Friendship and a Journey to the Heart of the Quran, by Carla Power, recommendation from Majida
  79. Muhammad (s): 11 Leadership Qualities that Changed the World, by Nabeel Al-Azami, recommendation from Majida
  80. The Walking Qur’an: Islamic Education, Embodied Knowledge, and History in West Africa, by Rudolph T. Ware III
  81. Show up, by N’aima B Robert, recommendation from Lalla Cissé
  82. Believing Women in Islam: Unreading Patriarchal Interpretations of the Qur’an, by Asma Barlas
  83. Don’t be sad, by Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni, recommendation from Samiirah Shykiss
  84. Allah loves, by Omar Suleiman, recommendation from Safa Malik
  85. Tafseer As-Sadi 10 Volumes, by Abdur Rahman Nasir As-Sadi, recommendation from Safa Malik
  86. The 40 Hadith of Imam al-Nawawi, various available, recommendation from Safa Malik
  87. Medicine of the Prophet, by Imam Ibn Qayyim Al-Jauziyah, recommendation from Safa Malik
  88. Stories of the Prophets, by Ibn katheer, recommendation from Safa Malik
  89. The Sacred Months – Prayer and worship for the special months, by Rizwana Sayed, recommendation from Hanna Khawaja
  90. The Four Traits of a Cherished Muslimah by Safa Malik, recommendation from Safa Malik
  91. Green Deen: What Islam Teaches about Protecting the Planet, Ibrahim Abdul-Matin
  92. Path To The Garden: Foundational Knowledge for Believing Women and Men by Shaykha Ruqayya Niasse
  93. Islam and the Destiny of Man by Gai Eaton Recommended
  94. A Virtue of Disobedience by Asim Qureshi Recommended
  95. Enemy Combatant by Moazzam BeggRecommended

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Selina Bakkar

Selina Bakkar

I'm a simply striving to be better and improve in different areas of my life through more self awareness, experiences and learning more about the deen. You'll find me talking about community, connection, planting & growing, seeking the truth in an age of propaganda and misinformation. This year I want to document more to do with food heritage and history so watch this space or reach out. Have a listen to the Amaliah Voices podcast where I talk passionately about Islam, nature, motherhooding and back home. Link in bio peeps. To join the Amaliah Writer Community email me at selina@amaliah.com IG: SelinaBakkar