“And say [O Muhammad], “My Lord, increase me in knowledge.””

Qur’an [20:114]

Islamic Books

The following are some recommended books for each seeker of Islamic knowledge, they are diversified between online readable / downloadable ebooks and others are available for buy & ship (hard books).

Most of the books are recommended as per a fatwa of his eminence sheikh Muhammad bin Saalih AL-‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) in (Kitaab al-‘ilm, p. 92).

See Full Fatwa – islamqa.info

These books are only in English Language, to get these books in other languges you can search and read/download them online, or you can get them from the nearest islamic book store, these books are divided into categories:

A) Aqeedah (Basic tenets of Faith)

1) 200 FQA on Islamic Beleifs

This book answers 200 frequently asked questions about Islamic beliefs. All questions are answered in a very brief and concise manner.

Author : Shaykh Hafiz bin Ahmad Al-Hakami, translated by Ali As-Sayed Al-Halawani, edited by Selma Cook & Dr. Nancy Ewriss.

2) Explanation of the Three Fundamental Principles of Islam

This book is a clear explanation of that which we should all know about our religion. In fact it is a detailed answer to the three questions that we will all be asked in our graves, as such this book will prove to be beneficial for everyone. The author has firmly based his book upon the Qur’an and Sunnah.

Author : Shaykh Muhammad bin Salih Al-Uthaimeen, prepared by Fahd ibn Naasir ibn Ibraaheem as-Sulaymaan, translated by Aboo Talhah Daawood ibn Ronald Burbank.

3) Four Foundations of Shirk

In this book the author explains the dangerous concept of shirk through four simple principles. The sin of shirk or associating partners with Allah is the most reprehensible act that a person can do. It is for this reason that this sin is the one sin that Allah has promised He will never forgive.

Author : Shaykh Al-Islam Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab, explained by Shaykh Salih ibn Fawzan ibn Abdullah Al-Fawzan, translated by Shawana A. Aziz.

4) Kashf Al-Shubuhaat (Removal of the Doubts)

This work, which is one of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab’s most important works, deals with explaining and refuting the evidences that were used by certain Muslim groups of his time to justify acts of shirk (the act of associating partners with Allah). It is entitled Kash al-Shubuhat, which literally translates as: ‘the clearing of doubts.’ Ibn Abd al-Wahhab intended in this work to expose the falsity and spaciousness of these arguments by proving that the pagans whom the Prophet (pbuh) fought utilized the exact same arguments and fell prey to the same reasoning as these modern practitioners of shirk did.

Author : Shaykh Al-Islaam Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhaab

5) Kitab Al-Tawheed

Kitab At-Tauhid is one of the best books on the subject of Tawheed (Tauheed, Tawhid – Monotheism) and ranks high in authenticity. In this book all the relevant verses of the Qur’an have been discussed reasonably, rationally, and sincerely. The essence of the Qur’an and Sunnah is placed in a very simple manner in this book.

Author : Shaykh Al-Islaam Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhaab

B) Hadith

1) An Introduction to the Science of Hadith

The Muslims in general believe that the Qur’an has been preserved intact and pure by Allah Himself. But what is often forgotten by many is that this preservation necessarily includes the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (S), the practical example of the implementation of the Qur’an. Hadith is Sunnah in record. How the immense wealth of Hadith literature has been left to us by the Muhaddiths (scholars of Hadith) is an extremely wide, complex study. This short treatise was published to introduce and explain many aspects regarding “the science of Hadith”.

Author : Sheikh Dr. Suhaib Hasan

2) An Explanation of Riyadh Al-Saliheen

Riyad as Saliheen, literally translated as “Gardens of the Righteous” is an excellent compilation of hadith, predominantly from Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, by Imam Yahya bin Sharaf an Nawawi. Apart from compiling the hadith under various chapters, he also brought verses of the Quran related to the hadith.
Riyad as Saliheen is a book that deserves to be read every day and practiced upon what is learnt; it deserves the name, Gardens of the Righteous. The book has been held in high regard by scholars and has been explained in detail. Commentary on Riyad as Saliheen is available in the English language by various scholars. The best of those is the explanation by Shaikh Muhammad bin Salih al Uthaimeen.

Author : Al-Haafiz Abee Zakariyyah Muhiyyee Al-Deen yahiya Al-Nawawee, explained and completed by Shaykh Muhammad bin Salih Al-Uthaimeen, translated by Sajad ibn Abdil-Rahman.

2) Fath Al-Bari (selectd sections only)

Fath Al-Bari ‘Victory of the Creator’ is a multi-volume commentary on the Sunni hadith collection Sahih al-Bukhari, composed by Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani. Considered his magnum opus, it is the most celebrated hadith commentary. It is reported that it took Ibn Hajar 25 years to finish his work.

Author : Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar Al-‘Asqalani

3) Sahih Al-Bukhari (9 Vol. Set)

Sahih Al-Bukhari generally regarded as the single most authentic collection of Ahadith, Sahih Al-Bukhari covers almost all aspects of life in providing proper guidance from the messenger of Allah. This 9-Volume Bukhari is the work of over 16 years by Imam Bukhari who before writing any Hadith in this book performed two Rak’at prayer of guidance from Allah and when he was sure of the Hadith’s authenticity, he wrote it in the book.

Author : Imam Muhammad ibn Isma’īl Al-Bukhari, translated by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan.

4) Sahih Muslim (7 Vol. Set)

Sahih Muslim is the most authentic book of Hadith after Sahih Al-Bukhari and contains 7,563 Ahadith. The Muslim Scholars have agreed that all of the Ahadith in Sahih Muslim are authentic. Thus, Darussalam realized the great benefit of publishing the full version of Sahih Muslim in the English language in the best presentation. Much care has been taken in rendering these Ahadith into a clear and simple style of modern English.

Author : Imam Muslim Ibn Al-Hajjaj, translated by Nasiruddin Al-Khattab.

C) Fiqh

A Commentary On Zad Al-Mustaqni

Zad al-Mustaqnī’ fī Ikhtisār al-Muqni’ is the text that came to be considered as the main source for the study of the Hanbalī madhab (school of jurisprudence) and quintessential for the students in the land of the Hanābilah (i.e. the Arabian Peninsula); particularly in the region of Najd. The people busied themselves reading, memorising and writing commentaries upon this book. This was carried out in study circles in the masājid where the scholars imparted knowledge to others and also in formal learning institutions. This book was studied in-depth so much so that some scholars provided explanations just upon the phrases within it so as to make it easy for the new learner.

Author : Imam Al-Hajjawi, explained by Shaykh Salih Fauzan Al-Fawzan.

D) Tafseer

1) Tafsir As-Sa’di

Tafsir As-Sa’di / Saadi is a straight forward, easy to read, easy to understand explanation of the meaning of Qur’anic Ayat and statements. In addition to the simplicity of Ibn Saadi’s writing, it is also articulate and eloquent.
Consequently, for those newly acquainted with Tafseer and those new to Islam, this Tafsir provides an uncomplicated, deep and insightful comprehension into the meaning and explanation of the Qur’an.

Author : Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Nasir As-Sa’adi, translated by Jalal Abualrub.

2) Tafsir Ibn Kathir (10 Volumes)

The Qur’an is the revelation of Allah’s Own Words for the guidance of His creatures. Since the Qur’an is the primary source of Islamic teachings, the correct understanding for the Qur’an is necessary for every Muslim. The Tafsir of Ibn Kathir is the most renowned and accepted explanation of the Qur’an in the entire world. In it one finds the best presentation of Ahadith, history, and scholarly commentary.

Author : Al-Hafiz Ibn Katheer, prepared by Sheikh abdulkader arnauti.

E) General Books

1) Provisions for the Hereafter Mukhtasar Zaad Al Ma’ad

This book is one of the important resources of knowledge for those who seek to know the Seerah of their Prophet (PBUH) as well as, the Fiqh learned from it. This is a book that is unique in that it explains the Sunnah through the Seerah and the Seerah through the Sunnah.

Author : Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jauziyah

2) The Etiquettes of Marriage and Wedding

There are in Islam, certain etiquettes upon anyone who marries and wishes to consummate his marriage with his wife.
Most Muslims today, even those who exert themselves in Islamic worship, have either neglected or become totally ignorant of these Islamic etiquettes.
This beneficial treatise clearly explaining these issues on the occasion of marriage.

Author : Imam Muhammad Naasiruddeen Al-Albani

3) The Journey of The Strangers Book

In this treatise, Ibn Rajab deals with the topic of the Strangers (Al-Ghurabaa). He begins by listing the many ahaadith reported about them, in which the Messenger of Allah describes their attributes and explains their position. They are given this name because they will be strange during the Last Days, due to their adherence to the Sunnah and to the Way of the First Muslims, the Salaf As-Saalih (Righteous Predecessors).