Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Hi, I`m looking for literature on Islam and how to be a Muslim according to the Koran and the way Muhammad requested (not the way it`s taught). Other than the Koran what other books do you recommend that I read that will teach me how to be a Muslim guided by Allah and not by generations of personal perspectives? 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Which books should one read other than the Quran?

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

May Allah Subhanah increase your quest for the Knowledge of Truth, help you, and guide you and us all, to the Straight Path of Islam. It is indeed a noble mission which you have undertaken to learn and read more about Islam, and try to become a believer as commanded by Allah and His Messenger (saws). May Allah Subhanah give you success in your endeavor, and give you the patience, perseverance, courage, and strength to become a humble worshipper of the Lord of the Worlds.

Sahih Muslim Hadith 6518 Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

Allah's Apostle (saws) said: “He who treads the path in search of knowledge, Allah will make that path easy, leading to Paradise for him. And those persons who assemble in one of the houses of Allah (mosques), recite the Book of Allah and learn and teach the Qur'an (among themselves), there will descend upon them tranquility; mercy will cover them; the angels will surround them; and Allah will mention them in the presence of those near Him.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 6.545 Narrated by Uthman

The Prophet (saws) said, "The best among you (Muslims) are those, who learn the Qur'an and teach it."

Beloved brother in Islam, there is no better book on this planet earth that guides to the Right Path, other than the Glorious Quran; for they are indeed the Very Words of Wisdom of our Merciful Lord. It is best to read, study and understand the Holy Quran in the language you understand best. There are many eminent scholars who have translated the Quran, and it would be best if first and foremost one would take as much knowledge from this Book of Divine Guidance as one can.

Once you have read and studied the translations, you may want to read the ‘tafseer’ or detailed meanings of the Glorious Quran. This will give you an insight on when each Surah was revealed, under what circumstances, and under what conditions; and Insha Allah, you will definitely benefit from this knowledge to understand the Quran in the context it was revealed.

If you need further knowledge, you may want to read a book of the Prophet’s traditions called ‘Riyaadh us-Saleheen’ compiled in the English language by Brother Abu Zakariya Yahya bin Sharaf An-Nawawi Ad-Dimashqi, and published by Dar-us-Salaam in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Another good Islamic literature is a book called ‘Etiqquetes of Life’ by Brother Mohamed Yusuf Islahi, who guides the believers from the Quran and Sunnah of how to live a wholesome Islamic life.

Other useful Islamic books are the ones detailing the ‘Seerah’ or the ‘Life of Prophet Mohamed (saws)’. Among the better ones are ‘seerah’ books called ‘Al-Raheeq Al-Maqtoom’ and ‘Seerat Ibn-Hishaam’.

May Allah Subhanah reward you for your intention to seek further knowledge of the Truth, and grant you success in your striving. And if Allah Wills and Blesses and Honors you to gain this knowledge of Truth, our beloved brother, we humbly wish to remind you of your duties towards your family and your brethren.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 66 Surah Tahreem verse 6:O you who have believed, save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel shall be men and stones; over which shall be appointed fierce and stern angels, who never disobey Allah’s Command, and they only do as they are commanded!

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 279 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud

Allah's Messenger (saws) said to me: “Acquire the knowledge and impart it to the people. Acquire the knowledge of Fara'id (laws of inheritance) and teach it to the people, learn the Qur'an and teach it to the people; for I am a person who has to depart this world and the knowledge will be taken away and turmoil will appear to such an extent that two people will not agree in regard to a case of inheritance distribution, and find none who would decide between them.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 244 Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

Allah's Messenger (saws) said: ‘Learn the obligatory acts and the Qur'an, and teach them to the people, for I am a mortal.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan