The one who converts to Islam or someone who has just decided to know more about Islam, you may have come across this dilemma as to which books are better to study and which would give you a fuller and more comprehensive view of Islamic matters.
In what follows we have suggested some of the most significant Islamic books which are essential for anyone who is interested in Islam or is looking for answers to his/her questions. The books in this list include basic pillars of Islam, the most important obligatory practices, as well as ethical, historical and philosophical matters related to the religion of Islam.
The intellectual miracle of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the Quran is the holy book of Muslims which includes many historical, ethical, spiritual and social matters brought through a unique, cohesive and capturing language. This book offers anyone who is in search of the truth with revealing and thought-provoking information and is a must-read book for converts to Islam.
Nahjul Balagha includes a series of sermons, letters, and sayings by Imam Ali (AS) and compiled by Allamah Sharif Razi which deal with many a wide variety of topics including our existence, our relationship with God, Islamic codes of ethics in all aspects of life whether personal or social. Reading this book helps you realize the deep moral concerns of Islam and the wisdom that lies behind this religion.
Written by an influential German scholar, Annemarie Schimmel provides us with unbiased, simple and introductory information about the religion of Islam. This book approaches Islam with a more historical attitude through which the pre-Islamic time, the emergence of Islam, the figure of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUHHP) as the messenger of this religion and the process of Islam’s expansion are explained. It also includes some information about the Quran, the Islamic law, and tradition, the philosophy of Islam, different Islamic sects, mysticism, etc. It can be a very helpful guide for converts to Islam.
This brief e-book provided by Salam Islam explains the three significant steps before the action of converting to Islam. These include the belief in one God (Monotheism), belief in the prophets (Prophethood) send by God and the belief in the afterlife (Ma’ad).
This book, written in a relatively simple language, presents a summary of the teachings of Islam to provide some information for those who are not able to examine Islamic matters deeply and in a specialized manner. The book starts with a general reflection on the concept of religion and belief, explains the pillars of Islam and finally gives an insight into the practical principles of Islam.
This book is an attempt to bring a clearer understanding of the concepts that are mentioned in the Quran which is very helpful for converts to Islam. It starts with the ways the Quran can be understood, and it comprises of two main parts: Understanding the Quran analytically and Reason in the view of the Quran. Very thorough and interesting work.
Have you ever wondered about your existence? Why have you been created? What is the purpose of your life? This book discusses the goal of life from the viewpoints of the Quran and various schools of thought. The topics discussed throughout this book include the goal of creation, the basis of individual and social ethics, faith, schools of thought and world vision, Islamic faith, and human perfection, and the summary of Islamic monotheism.
This book offers a timely presentation of the core spiritual and social values of Islam: peace, compassion, social justice, and respect for the other. Seizing this unique moment in history to reflect on the essence of his tradition, Seyyed Hossein Nasr seeks to "open a spiritual and intellectual space for mutual understanding." Exploring Islamic values in scripture, traditional sources, and history, he also shows their clear counterparts in the Jewish and Christian traditions, revealing the common ground of the Abrahamic faiths.
Why do we need religion? What is the benefit of believing in a particular religion? This book written by one of the most significant Muslim scholars offers an in-depth discussion on the philosophy behind the concept of religion and how it shapes our lives toward perfection and happiness.
10. What is Hajj (the holy pilgrimage) and Why Do We Perform It? By Salam Islam
The ritual of Hajj or the Islamic holy pilgrimage is one of the most important occasions in the Islamic calendar. During this period Muslims from all around the world gather in the holy city of Mecca to perform certain rituals. In this e-book, you will get familiar with the basic rituals that must be performed during Hajj and know more about the philosophy behind these rituals.
Hijab in Islam is a common term that represents a range of personal and social codes of behavior and addresses women specifically while requiring specific actions on the part of men as well. In this e-book Hijab and modesty in Islam will be explained through six facts that reveal different aspects and reasons regarding this concept.
What are the rules and regulations that Muslims should observe in their eating habits? This e-book provides the converts to Islam with a brief and straightforward guide to the kinds of foods and drinks Muslims are allowed to use and those that are forbidden to them.
Why do Muslims perform the prayer (Salat)? What are the spiritual and mental benefits of this action? What are the secrets that lie behind the disciplines of Salat? This book offers a great insight into one of the most important obligatory practices of Muslims, prayer (Salat), and help new Muslims and converts to Islam to have a better understanding of this action.
Written by one of the converts to Islam, this book illustrates common challenges and issues faced by converts, the reasoning behind the conversion, analysis from a Western view of many controversial or misunderstood topics in Islam, and basic information needed by new converts.
Please note that here we have attempted to name a few most significant books that can give you a better insight into the religion of Islam and help you in your path toward converting to Islam. However, there are many other helpful and great books that approach Islamic matters sophisticatedly many of which you can find in Salam Islam’ s library and other online Islamic libraries.
After Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH & HP) death, Abu-Bakr and Umar ibn Khattab took over the caliphate (the kingdom of the Muslims). One of their most important yet harmful decisions was that they ordered all the Muslims to stop narrating or writing hadiths of the Prophet (PBUH & HP). They argued that if people narrate the hadiths of the Prophet (PBUH & HP), they may confuse verses of the Quran with them or they may forget about memorizing and learning the verses of the Quran. Once Abu-Bakr gathered all people and told them,
[Today] you narrate hadiths from the Prophet while you narrate different and paradoxical hadiths and indeed people after you will do worse. Therefore, do not narrate hadiths from the Prophet anymore and if someone wanted you to narrate, tell them that “we have the Holy Quran. So, follow its rules.” (1)
Qurzah ibn Ka’b (one of the companions of the Prophet) said,
When we were going to Iraq, Umar accompanied us [until we left the city]. He said, “do you know why did I accompany you?” we said, “because you wanted to respect us”. He said, “in addition to that, I wanted to tell you that you are going to a place where its people recite the Quran like the bee buzz; hence do not occupy their minds with hadiths. Teach them the Quran and tell them a few hadiths of the Prophet (not too many) and I will do just like you. (2)
What they said is actually against the verses of the Holy Quran,
[We sent them] with clear proofs and written ordinances. And We revealed to you the message that you may make clear to the people what was sent down to them and that they might give thought. (16:44)
As you see, Allah almighty says that the Holy Quran needs to be interpreted by the Prophet (PBUH & HP), and without his hadiths, the Holy Quran cannot be completely useful. Writing the hadiths of the Prophet was forbidden for 100 years because of Abu-Bakr and Umar’s orders. Due to their decision, many hypocrites seized this opportunity to make fake hadiths and many people forgot about the Prophet’s (PBUH & HP) lessons.
Imam Baqer (AS) is the fifth Shiite Imam and Imam Sajjad’s (AS) son. His given name was Muhammad, but he was called Baqir al-Olum (shortened to Baqir), because he was a knowledgeable person. The word “baqir” means “splitter” and it means that Imam Baqir (AS) had split the knowledge and started a knowledge revolution as he was a very knowledgeable person. It is said that the Prophet (PBUH & HP) named him Baqir so many years before his birth. (3)
Imam Baqir (AS) lived when the Umayyad dynasty had gotten so weak due to the wars they had, and because of this, Imam Baqir (AS) had the chance to tell people about the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH & HP) after they were forgotten or distorted. He said,
Watch these people who are like the scribes and the monks who hide the teachings of the Quran and distort it… watch them they saved the words of the Quran but distorted its meaning and they are always with the kings and royalties. When the greedy kings and leaders are overthrown, they are with the ones who have more wealth and power and this is the only thing they know. (4)
Due to the political circumstances, Imam Baqir (AS) was able to have classes and teach people what he had learned from his ancestors in various fields including laws, doctrine, tawhid (monotheism), imamate, interpretation of the Quran, ethics and the like. Accordingly, most Shiite hadiths belong to Imam Baqir (AS) and his son, Imam Sadiq (AS).
About his father, Imam Sadiq (AS) says,
Before Imam Baqir (AS) Shias didn’t completely know how to perform hajj, what is halal, and what is haram until the time Imam Baqir (AS) performed hajj for them, taught them how to do it, and what is halal and what is haram. Then the Shias didn’t need the Sunnis anymore and the Sunnis started to learn from them instead. (5)
As we said before, during the first three caliphates, the laws of Islam and the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH & HP) were mostly distorted or forgotten by people, and due to this fact, Imam Baqir (AS) had to repeat the lessons for people, especially the Shias.
The Sunni scholars all respect Imam Baqir (AS) and believe that he was among the most knowledgeable scholars in Islamic history. They have narrated the hadiths of the Prophet (PBUH & HP) from him and some of their scholars were his pupils.
Abdullah ibn Ata’, one of the Sunni scholars who lived during the same time as Imam Baqir (AS) says,
I haven’t seen anyone like Abu-Jafar (Imam Baqir) whose knowledge of the Sunni scholars seemed so little compared to him. Indeed, I saw Hakam ibn Utaibah (one of the greatest Sunni scholars of those times) with him and Hakam was like a pupil to him. (6)
Resources
- Tadhkirah al-Huffaz, az-Zahabi, vol.1, pg.9
- Tadhkirah al-Huffaz, az-Zahabi, vol.1, pg.12
- Al-Kafi, Sheikh Koleini, vol.1, pg.469
- Al-Kafi, Sheikh Koleini, vol.8, pg.54
- Tafsir, al-Ayyashi, vol.1, pg.252 & 253
- Tarikh Damashq, ibn Asakir, vol.54, pg.278
Imam Hussain (AS) is one of the important figures in Islam whose brilliant and lofty character together with his inspiring movement has been praised by many famous characters of the world. In this regard, Mahatma Gandhi said that: “My admiration for the noble sacrifice of Imam Hussein (AS) as a martyr abounds, because he accepted death ..., but did not submit to unjust authorities. I learned from Hussain how to attain victory while being oppressed.” [1]. Antoine Bara, a thinker, scholar, Christian and Syrian who wrote a book titled, “Imam Hussein in Christian ideology,” said that: “I am a Christian but call on humanity to follow the holiness of Imam Hussein as he is the conscience of all religions.” [2]. These quotes and others indicate that Imam Hussain (AS) is not an exclusive role model for Shi’a or Muslims, but belongs to the whole world. One might ask in what ways is Imam Hussain’s (AS) uprising an inspiration for human beings. We try to explain that through the following lines.
Yazid’s reign was corrupted and illegitimate from the beginning. According to the peace treaty made between Imam Hassan (AS) and Mu’awiyah, the latter was forbidden to designate anyone as his successor after his death. But after the martyrdom of Imam Hassan (AS), Mu’awiyah broke the treaty. He appointed his son Yazid as his successor because he thought no one would be courageous enough to object to the decision of caliph. Hence, Yazid became caliph illegally after the death of Mu’awiyah [3]. Besides, according to historical resources, Yazid had a corrupted immoral character. He dared to act against Islamic rulings openly and perform forbidden deeds (Haram) in Islam publicly [3].
Imam Hussain (AS) was observant and aware of Yazid’s acts and intention. So, he refrained from pledging allegiance to Yazid. Moreover, oppression, tyranny, unjust use of public property, etc. had made life miserable for people [4]. Imam Hussain (AS) believed that Yazid’s manner and governing style was obviously against Islamic teachings and would eventually alter and spoil Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH&PH) Sunnah. Hence, he stood up against Yazid to prove that his reign was illegitimate and to unravel the truth. Therefore, he (AS) said that he would never take the oath of allegiance to Yazid, even if there would be nowhere safe on the earth for him to go [5]. He never intended to take on the leadership and come to power, instead aimed at eliminating injustice and corruption.
One might wonder why Imam Hussain (AS) did not pledge allegiance to Yazid to calm down his hostility so that he would have more time to make plans and find more companions to defeat Yazid. The reason was that Yazid’s behavior and deeds were too far from true Islamic principles and moral values such that Imam (AS) could not ignore them. Moreover, he (AS) did not want to play a trick as it is denounced in Islam.
Imam (AS) had other possibilities to defeat Yazid and take over the leadership, but he (AS) refused to do so. Through his missionary in Kufa, Muslim ibn Aqil, Imam (AS) could kill Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad [i] before the battle of Karbala and before the enemy declared war against them. But, as a man who had stood up for justice, he did not act unfairly. Imam’s (AS) reaction was in the same manner as well; before the battle started when the enemy was fewer in number and easier to defeat, one of his (AS) companions recommended fighting them. He (AS) replied that he would rather defend if a war were imposed on him instead of initiating it. Moreover, when the enemy was impatient to start the battle, he (AS) did his best to prevent it by negotiating and bringing awareness to them by revealing the truth [4].
These examples demonstrate that Imam (AS) did not want to reign at any price; the same was true for other Infallible Imams (AS). This is of the traits of true divine leaders; unlike oppressive unjust powers. They never take the lead, whatever the cost.
Up to now, we found out about two reasons that make Imam Hussain’s (AS) uprising a worldwide inspiration. Firstly, one should be alert and sensitive to what happens around him\her. Then, to take the right action for the sake of justice and humanity. Secondly, even if one holds a noble intention, it does not mean that he\she is allowed to achieve that by any means; the end does not justify the means.
Imam Hussain’s (AS) movement has other lessons for human beings that we will discuss in the second part of this title.
Notes:
[i] The governor of Kufa during the reigns of Yazid, who executed Aqil, sent troops to intercept Imam Hussain (AS) when he arrived near Kufa and was one of the leaders of the battle against Imam (AS) in Karbala.
References: