Listmania!
good intro to Islam, law and Sufism (stuff i have read)
The Vision of IslamThe Vision of Islam by Sachiko Murata
Buy used from: £13.00
great book which introduces the more Sufi side of Islam and explains many of the common principles found in different Sufi sects as well as mainstream theological thought.
IslamIslam by Rahman
Buy new: £12.50 / Used from: £1.14
small in size but collossal in knowledge, this book is a MUST for anyone interested in modern islam and history/theory. i enjoyed it immensley
Chinese Gleams of Sufi Light: Wang Tai-Yu's Great Learning of the Pure and Real and Liu Chih's Displaying the Concealment of the Real RealmChinese Gleams of Sufi Light: Wang Tai-Yu's Great Learning of the Pure and Real and Liu Chih's Displaying the Concealment of the Real Realm by Sachiko Murata
Buy new: £23.50 / Used from: £17.20
another Chittick related book - they rock. Explains how Chinese Islam developed and its relation to Confucianism/Taoism in China. Great for comparitive study and my own background :)
Islam and Modernity: Transformation of an Intellectual Tradition (Publications of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies)Islam and Modernity: Transformation of an Intellectual Tradition (Publications of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies) by Rahman
Buy new: £12.78 / Used from: £9.97
another monster book by Rahman, a history/critique of how Islamic subjects were taught from medieval right thru till colonization and beyond. Amazing work considering his background experience.
Women and Gender in Islam: Historical Roots of a Modern DebateWomen and Gender in Islam: Historical Roots of a Modern Debate by L Ahmed
Buy new: £10.95 / Used from: £9.82
great history of women pre- during and post Islamic inception. Shows how hard their lot has been and what the Prophetic ideal seems to be as well as history.
The Origins of Islamic Law: The Qur'an, the Muwatta' and Madinan Amal (Culture and Civilization in the Middle East)The Origins of Islamic Law: The Qur'an, the Muwatta' and Madinan Amal (Culture and Civilization in the Middle East) by Yasin Dutton
Buy new: £26.13 / Used from: £31.80
Excellent little book also by i think a Scottish convert ;) Explains how monumental Maliks Muwatta was as well as Islamic Law before the Shafi'i inception of hadith as Sunnah.
Principles of Islamic JurisprudencePrinciples of Islamic Jurisprudence by Mohammad Hashim Kamali
Buy new: £19.41 / Used from: £14.35
have not read this - but i have been told by many to get it to learn about islamic law. Winging its way to me right now i'A :)
A History of Islamic Legal Theories: An Introduction to Sunni Usul al-fiqhA History of Islamic Legal Theories: An Introduction to Sunni Usul al-fiqh by Wael B. Hallaq
Buy new: £20.82 / Used from: £25.90
have not read this but have heard this book is immense and full of knowledge, if a little on the "dense" side.
Speaking in God's Name: Islamic Law, Authority and WomenSpeaking in God's Name: Islamic Law, Authority and Women by Khaled Abou El Fadl
Buy new: £28.49 / Used from: £16.70
what can i say... like him or loathe him - he rocks and this book is AMAZING on its explanation of Islamic Law in regards to women and the injustice done by some in the name of Islam.
The Place of Tolerance in IslamThe Place of Tolerance in Islam by Khaled Abou El Fadl
Buy new: £13.05 / Used from: £1.63
interesting collection of essays regarding tolerand and peace in Islam. Some say a bit "apologetic" but me likes it.
On the Boundaries of Theological Tolerance in Islam (Studies in Islamic philosophy)On the Boundaries of Theological Tolerance in Islam (Studies in Islamic philosophy) by Dr Sherman. A Jackson
Buy used from: £30.24
great book! translation and explanation of al-Ghazalis writings on the legal definition of "kufr". Am a big fan of Dr Jacksons work from what i have read.
Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest SourcesMuhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources by Martin Lings
Buy new: £15.19 / Used from: £10.87
What can i say - ive dipped in and out of it.... essential reading and not just boring accounts of deeds/events.
Islam and the Destiny of ManIslam and the Destiny of Man by Charles Le Gai Eaton
Buy used from: £24.99
Gai Eaton is very interesting and i like his thought processes - just not interested in politics as much as he seems to be!
Remembering God: Reflections on IslamRemembering God: Reflections on Islam by Charles Le Gai Eaton
Buy new: £11.47 / Used from: £7.25
totally dig his spiritual mindset in these 2 books
The Knowing Heart: A Sufi Path of TransformationThe Knowing Heart: A Sufi Path of Transformation by Kabir Helminski
Buy used from: £8.95
amazing book as an intro to Sufism in general and also Mevlevi tradition (from Rumi) in particular. Totally rate this up with Vision of Islam.
Living Presence: Sufi Way to Mindfulness and the Unfolding of the Essential SelfLiving Presence: Sufi Way to Mindfulness and the Unfolding of the Essential Self by Kabir Helminski
Buy new: £6.36 / Used from: £3.13
based on Sufism but universal morality and character development... very useful in these troubled and intolerant times. I totally relate to this book.
Ideals and Realities of IslamIdeals and Realities of Islam by Seyyed Hossein Nasr
Buy used from: £10.00
a great little book... totally dig the opening lines of the first chapter :) similar to Gai Eaton and part of the same crew i think. Wanna read more by him.
Covering Islam: How the Media and the Experts Determine How We See the Rest of the WorldCovering Islam: How the Media and the Experts Determine How We See the Rest of the World by Edward W. Said
Buy new: £5.98 / Used from: £3.67
from what i can see and others reports - tha man when it comes to politics etc :)
The Clash of Fundamentalisms: Crusades, Jihads and ModernityThe Clash of Fundamentalisms: Crusades, Jihads and Modernity by Tariq Ali
Buy new: £7.97 / Used from: £1.29
great read and brief bio of western history to the middle east and other stuff like iraq/iran, wahabbis. israel etc. Im not interested in politics much but this is interesting.
My Forbidden Face: Growing Up Under the Taliban - A Young Woman's StoryMy Forbidden Face: Growing Up Under the Taliban - A Young Woman's Story by Latifa
Buy used from: £2.72
yes the taliban were the epitomy of islamic justice and piety. indeed. a heartbreaking story and i am amazed at the courage of the girl in question and those like her.