The Quran is the most important Islamic book and the starting point for understanding Islam. Hadith collections, tafsir and seerah offer further reading on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the meaning of Quranic verses and his life, while books on Islamic history and worship cover more focused subjects.
What are the main types of Islamic books?
Islamic books cover revelation, prophetic teachings, Quranic explanation, biography, history and worship. Choose your reading according to the subject you want to understand.
| Type of book | What it covers | When to read it |
|---|---|---|
| Quran | Allah's revelation and guidance for belief, worship and daily life | To begin with Islam's central book |
| Hadith collections | Sayings and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) | To study prophetic guidance and practices |
| Tafsir | Explanations of Quranic verses | To explore the meaning of what you read in the Quran |
| Seerah | The life and legacy of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) | To learn about his life |
| Islamic history | The history of Islam | To explore Islam's past |
| Books on the pillars and rules of Islam | Teachings about worship and practice | To focus on subjects such as prayer, fasting and zakah |
Why does the Quran come first?
The Quran comes first because it is the sacred book of Allah, which Muslims must believe in and follow. It was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through the angel Gabriel over 23 years and contains 114 surahs, or chapters.
Written in Arabic, the Quran provides guidance on belief, commandments, morals and social behavior. Its lessons relate to daily life as well as worship, making it central to learning about Islam. Our guide to the Quran's place in Islam explores this further.
What can you learn from hadith books?
Hadith books contain sayings and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). They help readers understand Quranic guidance and learn about practices such as prayer, fasting and paying zakah.
These collections also preserve teachings about the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), which Muslims are instructed to follow. If you are looking for reading in English, see our guide to Islamic hadith online in English.
What should you read beyond the Quran and hadith?
Tafsir, seerah and books on Islamic history or worship let you explore a particular subject in more detail. Tafsir focuses on explaining the Quran, while seerah focuses on the life and legacy of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Books about the pillars and rules of Islam can help you focus your reading on religious practice. For another subject covered in Islamic reading, explore our guide to stories of the prophets.
How can reading fit alongside guided learning?
Use your reading to identify what you want to understand better, then bring those questions to a teacher. Our guide to learning through an Islamic academy discusses studying Islam with guidance.
Murouj Academy offers one-to-one Tajweed classes for Quran recitation and Standard Arabic classes for language learning. Families can also explore Islamic studies for kids.
Frequently asked questions
Which Islamic books focus on everyday worship?
Books about the pillars and rules of Islam cover subjects such as prayer, fasting and zakah. Hadith collections also contain teachings on these acts of worship.
Is seerah the same as hadith?
Seerah focuses on the life and legacy of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), while hadith collections contain his sayings and teachings. A book about his life may include material from hadith collections.
Can Islamic reading help with character as well as worship?
Yes. The Quran includes guidance on morals, manners and social behavior. As you read, consider how that guidance relates to your daily choices and treatment of others.
