Assalam Alaikum, I wrote you a few days earlier, I guess my question is still in the queue. I forgot to ask you that if I have a very basic knowledge of Islam and am intrested in learning about it and how to relate my life to it, where should I begin? Can you recommend any books, in English that will be available in the U.S. I will deeply appreciate any guidance and recommendation. Thank you.
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:
I wrote you a few days earlier, I guess my question is still in the queue. I
forgot to ask you that if I have a very basic knowledge of Islam and am
intrested in learning about it and how to relate my life to it, where should I
begin? Can you recommend any books, in English that will be available in the
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errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from
questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in
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Answer:
Books on Basic Islam
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.
Dear and Beloved Sister, although there are millions and
millions of books written on Islam, but the absolute truth of the matter is
that if any book is any good, then its source has to be none other than the
Book of Divine Guidance revealed by the Lord All-Mighty Himself: The One and
Only, Glorious Quran.
Thus in our humble opinion, if one wishes to learn about
Islam, regardless of how basic or how advanced one’s level of knowledge in
Islam is, there is no better book when seeking guidance than the Book revealed
by Allah Subhanah Himself for the guidance of all mankind.
Allah says in Chapter 2, Surah Baqarah aayat 185
Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was sent
down: this Book is a Perfect Guidance for mankind and consists of clear Teachings
which show the
We highly recommend that you start with the complete
reading of the translation of the Holy Quran from its inception its first
chapter Surah Fatehah to its end Surah Al-Naas, if you sincerely wish to
understand the fundamentals of Islam.
Because the deen of Islam is a complete and perfect code of life, if you
start with any other man-written book on Islam, it might only give you an
understanding on a particular aspect of Islam leaving a lot of questions
unanswered on the other aspects of the deen; but if you start with the
understanding of the Glorious Quran, you will get a complete and detailed
overview on this beautiful way of life called Al-Islam. After you have read the Glorious Quran with
understanding, even if only once, and you wish to expand your knowledge on any
particular aspect of its guidance, there are several good works by various
scholars over the ages who have strived to share their knowledge and
understanding of the various subjects.
In our humble opinion, if Arabic is not your first
language, then it would be best if you could read the translation of the
Glorious Quran in a language you understand best. There are several good translations available
in the English language and can be procured from any good Islamic bookstore or through
the internet. Amongst the best and most
accepted and widely available translation in the English language is the
translation done by Brother Abdullah Yusuf Ali. Another translation we highly recommend
reading is the ‘Meaning of the Quran’ by a brother called Syed Abul Aala
Maududi, who instead of giving a word to word poetic
translation of the Majestic and Supreme text of the Glorious Quran has
simplified the translation in simple and normal English prose, which makes it
extremely easy for the first time reader to understand the Quran in its
entirety.
If you have any difficulty whatsoever in procuring a
translation of the Glorious Quran, you could send us your mailing address and
it would be our honor to mail you a copy of this Glorious Book of
Guidance.
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 and
sincere well wisher in Islam,
Burhan
Wister