Wow!Jzk for ur reply, not only was it efficient but extremely helpful & informative. Srsly, thanku from the bottom of my heart. As mentioned in ur answer I'd love if u could list some of the books u'd recommend to help increase knowledge. Again jzk!
You’re most welcome, im glad you found it useful. Here are some books I would recommend;
In Qur’an:An Approach To The Qur’anic Sciences by Mufti Taqi Uthmani. This is an amazing book which will help you understand the methodology of the Qur’an and it’s relating sciences; in fact I would call this one of Mufti Taqi’s masterpieces and a must have for Muslims.
Ma’ariful Qur’an by Mufti Muhammad Shafi (Mufti Taqi’s father) which is a comprehensive and extensive commentary on the Qu’ran derived from earlier classical commentaries with contemporary insight. It’s a straightforward commentary which anybody can understand but also has depth and scholarly flair. It’s in 8-volumes so may be pricey to buy but luckily for you it’s available in PDF online which you can find by simply searching the title.
Orientalists and the Qur’an by Dr. Muhammad Mustafa A’zami which exposes the new strategies of orientalists to “reform” and “revise” Islam by questioning the veracity of the Qur’an and he shows how the Qur’an remains fully preserved and protected, as revealed, word by word in a stunningly academic fashion.
Jewels Of The Qur’an by Imam Al-Ghazali which is a book on understanding the aims and objectives of the Qur’an explaining how it’s the source of all Islamic sciences and why certain parts have excellence over others as well as explaining why similitudes, metaphors and allegories are used etc. very valuable for getting a deeper look into the Qur’an.
In Hadith:Studies In Hadith Methodology And Literature by Dr. Muhammad Mustafa A’zami. The book is split into two parts; the first the subject of hadith methodology is disused such as how hadith was recorded and collected etc and the second part discusses the literature introducing the six principle books and six others which have significance in the science of hadith.
Studies In Early Hadith literature again by Dr. Muhammad Mustafa A’zami (because he’s amazing!) and in this book you will find all the absolute essentials in understanding hadith literature, again smashing the orientalists and their criticisms on hadith traditions. This will definitely excel your understanding of hadith along with the previously mentioned book but read the previous one first and then step up to this.
Riyadhus Saaliheen (Gardens Of The Righteous) by Imam An-Nawawi, this is a collection of hadith from authentic sources highlighting important virtues and lessons. I recommend you to get the new edition with the commentary collected by Mufti Afzal Hussain which is very impressive.
The Garden Of The Hadith Scholars by Shah Abd’al-Aziz Al-Dihalwi an anthology of hadith sciences, major books of hadith and hadith scholars.
Faza’il A’maal (Virtues and Good Actions) by Sheikhul Hadith Zakariyyah Khandelwi which is a collection of hadith encouraging towards righteous actions by giving examples from the pious predecessors.
Ma’ariful Hadith by Maulana Muhammad Manzur Nu’mani a collection of hadith on all topics with a clear commentary.
Hayatus Sahabah by Sheikh Yusuf Khandelwi, this is a collection of hadith on the lives and biographies of the sahabah, a must have in every household. There’s so much to learn from within this
In Fiqh (Jurisprudence):The Legal Status Of Following A Madhab by Mufti Taqi Uthmani is a short but powerful book on understanding what a school of law is and why following one is important. The book gives a comprehensive and conclusive understanding on the development of Islamic jurisprudence and extols the need for following qualified scholarship.
The Difference Of The Imams by Sheikhul Hadith Zakariyyah Khandelwi. A detailed and well structured book which details the history and development of the four schools of law and how the differences of opinion came about, giving an understanding of certain principles of hadith and fiqh in simple terms.
The Four Imams by Muhammad Abu Zahra and this book is a compilation of four books which deal with the lives and works of the four imams who founded the four great canonical schools of thought of Islamic fiqh; Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam al-Shafi’i, Imam Malik Ibn Anas & Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal.
Taleemul Haq which is compiled by a few scholars is an essential book for every seeker which is a collection of fundamental lessons based upon the five pillars of Islam covering many topics from beliefs to cleanliness, salah, hajj/umrah and many more topics as well as containing important everyday duas. I began studying this book when I was around 8/9 years of age and I still refer to it today, in fact I know Mufti’s who still refer back to it at times; that’s how valuable it is.
In Spirituality:Shariah and Tariqah: Inseperable and Indivisible by Sheikhul Hadith Zakariyyah Khandelwi. In this enlightening book Sheikh Zakariyyah highlights the importance of spirituality in Islam and how it is an essential science that one must endeavour in. He cites various evidences from the shariah to clear confusions and grant an objective understanding of Islamic spirituality.
The Path To Perfection by Hazrat Maseehullah which is a book on the method and purpose of Islamic spirituality, how one embarks upon the spiritual path and identifying blameworthy human characteristics and how to correct them. Must have for any seeker of inner peace and contentment.
Revival Of The Islamic Sciences by Imam Al-Ghazali, considered his masterpiece, his magnum opus and a light in the Islamic sciences. This work will no doubt propel your understanding of Islam and it’s related sciences to higher levels, the depth of wisdom and insight you’ll gain from it can’t be put into words.
The Beginning of Guidance also by Imam Al-Ghazali is a motivational manual detailing the fundamentals for attaining guidance through god-consciousness. He argues that just as there is an end to this noble objective, there is a beginning to it and this is how you find it and stay firm upon it for success.
Ma’arif Al-Mathnawi by Hazrat Hakeem Akhtar is a translation and commentary of Imam Jalal Uddin Rumi’s Mathnawi. I can honestly say it is a gem, packed with deep insight into the poems of Imam Rumi and a commentary that expands your understanding of loving Allah and attaining His love. Hazrat Hakeem Akhtar also adds his own little poems in there that just add an extra amount of warmth.
In History/Biographies:Siratul Mustafa by Imam Idris Khandelwi is a superb and well researched biography on the life of the Prophet ﷺ with key discussions and insights not found in many modern biographies. This not just gives you a picture of the Prophets ﷺ life but adds to your understanding of many other relevant topics.
Stories of The Prophets by Ibn Kathir is a book extracted from a larger work titled al-Bidaya Wa’l Nihayah (The Beginning and The End) and in this book you’ll find the stories of all the major Prophets (alayhimussalaam). A must have in understanding the lives of the past Prophets and taking lessons from their noble lives.
Men and Women Around The Messenger by Sa’d Yusuf Abu Aziz and in this book the author has chosen one hundred personalities from a among the companions and explains their lineage, virtue and relation to the Prophet ﷺ
Hopefully these will keep you busy for now, all the best!
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