Learning About Islam

Along the path to finding out about Islam, it is easy to become overwhelmed with the amount of information available and the task of discerning good information from bad. A general rule is to start with what is most important to you at the moment, and what most relates to your learning needs, from reliable sources. If you are unsure which sources are trustworthy, feel free to ask us. It can be a daunting task to sift through the myriad of resources online and find reliable, easily digestible information on Islam. We have created a shortlist of our favourite books, podcasts and online articles to get you started on your learning journey.

Motivation, style, and direction are important as you delve into discovering about this rich faith, as the sheer scope and amount of material can be overwhelming and confusing. A general introduction to Islam can help you find your bearings; from there, you may find particular areas you want to explore further. If you are interested in conversion, you will need to strengthen your understanding of the two testimonies of faith: belief in God and belief in the Prophet Muhammad.

For many of us coming from the West, we know very little about the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) so reading a biography about him is a great place to start. After reading a biography of the Prophet (peace be upon him), you may then want to begin reading the Qur’an.

The following recommended resources list is not exhaustive, but reflects the resources that we currently refer and give to converts as references and guidance on their quest for knowledge. Resources have been organised into topics and where possible, we have linked to places you can purchase or find them online.

Contact us anytime for additional support, questions or to suggest a great resource!


Introduction to Islamic Beliefs & Practices

Five Pillars Made Plain
Yaqeen Institute
Watch here
The Five Pillars of Islam
One Path Network
Read here
The Six Pillars of Imaan
One Path Network
Read here
Learn Islam
One Path Network
Watch here
The Beginners Guide to Understanding Islam
Masjid Ah-Rahmah
Read here
How to Pray Salah, Step by Step
One Path Network
Read here
The Beginner’s Guide to Fasting
One Path Network
Read here
Top 3 Introduction to Islam Books
One Path Network
Watch here
The Beginners Guide to Understanding Islam
Masjid Ah-Rahmah
Read here
How to Pray Salah, Step by Step
One Path Network
Purchase here

General Information

Islam - Religion of Life
Abd al-Wadūd Shalabī
Purchase here
No god but God
Reza Aslan
Purchase here
Being Muslim
Asad Tarsin
Purchase here
The Vision of Islam
S Murata & W Chittick
Purchase here

Islamic History

Islam: A Short History
Karen Armstrong
Purchase here
Islam: The Straight Path
John Esposito
Purchase here

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Revelation: The Story of Muhammad
Meraj Mohiuddin
Purchase here
His life Based on Earliest Sources
Martin Lings
Purchase here
The Meanings of the Life of Muhammad
Tariq Ramadan
Purchase here
Muhammad: A Prophet For Our Time
Karen Armstrong
Purchase here
The Life of the Prophet Muhammad
Hamza Yusuf
Listen here
The Story of the Prophet Muhammad
Masjid Ar-Rahmah
Read here
Critical Lives – Muhammad
Yahiya Emerick
Purchase here
Meeting Muhammad
Omar Suleiman
Purchase here

Islamic Spirituality

Omar Suleiman on Muslim Central
Omar Suleiman
Listen here
Agenda to Change Our Condition
Hamza Yusuf & Zaid Shakir
Purchase here
Treatise for the Seekers of Guidance
Zaid Shakir
Purchase here
The Book of Assistance
Imam ‘Abdallah Ibn Alawi al-Haddad
Purchase here
Our Master Muhammad
A Sirajuddin al-Husayni
Purchase here
Purification of The Heart
Hamza Yusuf
Purchase here
Sacred Text Messages
Hamza Yusuf
Listen here
Soul Food FM
Soul Food
Listen here
Refinement of the Hearts
Imam Ibn Juzayy al-Kalbi & Hamza Yusuf
Purchase here

The Quran

Oxford Translation
M.A.S Abdel Haleem
Purchase here
The Clear Quran
Dr. Mustafa Khattab
Purchase here
The Study Quran
Seyyed Hossein Nasr
Purchase here
Bayyinah TV
Bayyinah
Access here