Best Islam Books of 2025

The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics) is a superb English translation of the most influential book in the history of literature. The translation is written in contemporary language that remains faithful to the meaning and spirit of the original, making the text crystal clear while retaining all of this great work's eloquence. The translation is accurate and completely free from the archaisms, incoherence, and alien structures that mar existing translations. The author includes notes that explain geographical, historical, and personal allusions as well as an index in which Qur'anic material is arranged into topics for easy reference. Overall, this brilliant translation of the Qur'an is the best available introduction to the faith of Moslems around the world.

The Qur'an: English translation and Parallel Arabic text is a brilliant bilingual edition of the holy book. It includes the original Arabic text set page-for-page against the most widespread traditional calligraphic Arabic text, making it easier for Arabic readers and non-Arabs learning to read the Qur'an in Arabic. M. A. S. Abdel Haleem's superb English translation is written in contemporary language that remains true to the meaning and spirit of the original, making the text crystal clear while retaining all of this great work's eloquence. Haleem includes notes that explain geographical, historical, and personal allusions as well as an index in which Qur'anic material is arranged into topics for easy reference. This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in studying the Qur'an.

This book, Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters, sheds light on the often-neglected topic of white slavery in the Mediterranean, the Barbary Coast, and Italy during the 16th to 18th centuries. The author, Robert C. Davis, explores the extent of Barbary Coast slavery, the relationship between master and slave, and the impact of this slavery on Italy. The book is well-researched and provides valuable insight into this overlooked aspect of history. Overall, it is a crucial and informative read, especially in the current climate of increased interest in racial slavery in America.

The Routledge Handbook of Islam in Southeast Asia is a comprehensive and concise introduction to the field of Islam in Southeast Asia. The book explores the roles of states, societies, scholars, social movements, political parties, economic institutions, sacred sites, and other forces that shaped the faith over many centuries. The book is structured in three parts, and the contributions by experts in the field provide fresh insights into the ebb and flow of Islam, seeking to decenter many existing assumptions about it in Southeast Asia. It is an indispensable resource for scholars, students, and policymakers working on Islam, Muslims, and their interactions with other communities in a plural setting.

The Routledge International Handbook of Contemporary Muslim Socio-Political Thought delves into the history of Muslim thought in various regions of the world, including Turkey, Egypt, Iran, and the Indian subcontinent. It explores the diverse intellectual discourses that have emerged in these regions, touching on themes such as civil society, democracy, nationalism, socialism, liberalism, Islamism, and the conflict between state bureaucracy and social movements. Lutfi Sunar, the author, offers a comprehensive analysis that will appeal to scholars across different fields, including sociology, anthropology, political science, history, and political economy. This book is an excellent reference for those interested in the development of Muslim thought and the transformation of Muslim societies in recent decades.

The Incoherence of the Philosophers, 2nd Edition is a thought-provoking book by Abu Hamid Muhammad al-Ghazali, one of the most significant philosophers in Islamic history. The book argues that the claims made by Muslim philosophers like Avicenna on matters of theology and metaphysics were unassailable but represented disguised heresy and unbelief. The book has been widely read and influential, despite being refuted by Ibn Rushd, another prominent philosopher. The book is an excellent read for anyone interested in philosophy and seeks to understand the historical development of Islamic philosophy.

This book is the ultimate guide for anyone wishing to learn Swahili grammar. It covers everything from basic concepts such as greetings and numerals to more complex topics such as verb typologies and conjunctions. The book provides easy-to-read charts, practice questions, and answers to help readers understand the material. The author, Oswald Almasi, has done an excellent job of presenting an in-depth survey of every aspect of Swahili grammar. It is a valuable addition to any library that desires to expand its collection on foreign languages. Overall, this well-written and comprehensive Swahili grammar book is highly recommended for students, scholars, and language teachers alike.

This newly updated edition of "What Everyone Needs to Know about Islam" by John L. Esposito is an excellent source for those who seek clear and objective information about Islam. Esposito, one of America's leading authorities on Islam, provides answers to questions about the origin and traditions of Islam, the faith, customs, and political beliefs of the more than one billion Muslims worldwide. The book is presented in a straightforward, question-and-answer format that is concise and informative. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand Islam and its impact on the world today.

This book, "Meanings of Juz' Amma," is a commentary on the last 36 chapters of the Qur'an, which is also known as Juz' Amma. The book is based on the audio recordings of the late scholar and jurist, Shaykh Muhammad Salih al-'Uthaymeen, and is an ideal resource for anyone seeking to better comprehend what they recite in prayer, develop their Qur'anic vocabulary, and become familiar with the fundamental principles of traditional Qur'anic exegesis. The book's clear language and intertextual method make it suitable for self-study. All proceeds from its sales will go towards advancing the Qur'anic literacy of students at Tajan Quran Institute.

This book, Islam and Evolution, by Shoaib Ahmed Malik, offers a holistic and accessible account of the ongoing dialogue between Muslim creationists and evolutionists. The author presents the ideas of al-Ghazālī, a well-respected Islamic intellectual, to explore if and how much Neo-Darwinian evolution can be accepted. By doing so, Malik shows that an alignment between Islam and Neo-Darwinian evolution can be reached. The text is accessible to non-specialists, yet offers enough in-depth analysis to be of interest to specialists in science and religion, theology, and philosophy. This work is essential reading for anyone interested in the topic of Islam and evolution.