Islamic Books by Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood

English convert to Islam, Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood is the author of over thirty books on Islam and other subjects.  A former Head of Religious Studies at various UK inner city secondary schools, she is probably Britain's leading authority on GCSE Islamic studies.  Sister Ruqaiyyah identifies with the "battle to preserve Islam as the one true faith, tolerant, noble, and compassionate - in face of the growth of the 'other Islam' which is extremist and intolerant, and which she regards as both false and dangerous".

Email: Ruqaiyyah@aol.com 
Website: http://members.aol.com/Ruqaiyyah

Articles on Islam at this website by Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood

Dear brothers and sisters-in-Islam, asalaam aleikum wa rahmatullah.

Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to consult my booklist. Alhamdu lillah, I have been very busy since retiring from my teaching job as Head of Religious Studies in 1996, and kind publishers have not only taken up all the works I had ‘prepared earlier’, but have also encouraged me to write more. May our dear Lord bless all their efforts done for His sake. Please forgive me my errors, and accept my intention to draw people towards the love and awareness of Allah, and thus towards their own eternal reward. God bless you,

 Ruqaiyyah. 

(The prices given here were the last known list prices of these books. Various bookshops may charge a different price, and sadly, prices increase from time to time.) 

‘Examining World Religions: Islam’ - Heinemann Ltd.
(ISBN: 0 435 30319 8. 160pp. £10.99).
An introduction to Islam, presenting the life of the Prophet, the articles of belief, the five pillars of Islam, festivals, the mosque, etc. Text plus suggestions for folder work, discussion etc. Many colour photos. Widely used by GCSE students and new Muslims. Recommended by all GCSE boards. (Also the set book for those doing the Do-it-Yourself course in GCSE Islam for Edexcel – see further down the list).

‘Islam: a Dictionary ’ - Stanley Thornes Ltd.
(ISBN: 0 7487 2560 1. 84pp £4.50).
Intended for young scholars, especially those doing GCSE. Includes over 400 definitions of key words, phrases and technical terms, with some line illustrations.

‘GCSE Islam - The Do-It-Yourself Guide’ - Goodword Books, New Delhi,2001.
(ISBN: 81 87570 42 3. 258pp)
A student workbook specifically designed to accompany Sr Ruqaiyyah's two books 'Examining Religions: Islam' (Heinemann) and 'Islam - a Dictionary for GCSE' (Stanley Thornes). It is specifically based on the London University Exam (ULEAC) for full GCSE in Islam, but could equally well be used by students using other syllabi. It enables any interested person, of any age, sex or background, to study the GCSE for himself or herself, bearing in mind that most school situations have neither the staff nor the timetable available to give students the opportunity to study for this exam. It is ideal for madrassah schools, students studying at home or in small groups, prisoners, new converts, etc etc. No age limit. (This book will be priced at around £6, so that the whole pack of this plus the two books required should cost around £20. The only other fee after that is your entry fee to a centre where you will sit the exam - usually a local school or college. The exams take place in June each year).

‘Mysteries of Jesus’ (A Muslim examination of the origins of the Christian Church). Sakina Books, Oxford. 304pp + 8pp colour plates.
Hard-cover £24.95, ISBN 0 9538056 6 2. Paperback £12.95, ISBN 0 9538056 7 0.
Available from Central Books, 99 Wallace Rd, London E9 5LN. Tel: 0208 986 4854.
A text re-examining the origins of the Christian Church. Thoughts and theories about the early texts, 'heresies', prophecies, the Shroud of Turin and other relics, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the gospels not in the New Testament. Was Jesus the same person as the Prophet 'Isa? Was there more than one Jesus? Why do Muslims believe Jesus did not die on the cross? Are the theories that Jesus survived his burial realistic? Should all Christians really be Muslims?

‘What Every Christian Should Know About Islam’ - Islamic Foundation, Ratby Lane, Markfield, Leics LE67 9SY. 154pp. £3.95.)
(ISBN 0 86037 375 4)
A text covering all the theological points concerning the relationship of Christianity to Islam; also covers all the commonly asked questions about the beliefs and practice of Islam, and the most frequent criticisms of Islam. A very useful dawah text, especially for Christians showing any interest in Islam. Very useful for such as welfare workers, police, community workers etc. 

Studies in Islam: Parts One and Two – UK Islamic Mission, 202, North Gower St, London, NW1 2LY.
(ISBN: Part One – 0 9514697 X; Part Two – 0 9515469 53. £3.50 each)
The UKIM course on Islam written especially for madrassah schools. It not only gives information about Islam, but also teaches wudu, tayammum, performance and words of salah, many du’as, and surat 104-114. The hope is that Muslim children will complete both parts by the time they are twelve. (It may then be followed by the Do-it-Yourself Workbook for GCSE Islam (see next), if the madrassah wishes its students to pick up a state GCSE as well as their own Islamic certificates at the mosque).

‘Sacred Texts: The Qur'an’ - Heinemann Ltd.
(ISBN: 0 435 30352 X. £4.50).
A GCSE textbook presenting the Qur'an and its major topics and issues. This exists both as paperback (which has suggestions for work-to-do), and as hardback library edition with no set work for students but extra Islamic sayings (hadiths). Illustrated in colour.

‘Teach Yourself: Islam’ - Hodder and Stoughton.
(ISBN: 0 340 60901 X. 218pp. £6.99).
The well-known TY series. An introduction to Islam in simple terms, widely used by students, police, local officers, probation officers, etc.

The Beloved Prophet – Able Publishing, 13, Station Rd, Knebworth, Herts, SG3 6AP. (Tel: 01438 812320 (ISBN: 0 907616 49 6). 60pp. £7.50).
A book for children, or beginners studying the life of our dear Prophet. It has text, many photographs, plus suggestions for work-to-do. Available from Able Publishing or from Sr. Ruqaiyyah herself.  Another version of this book, published by Goodword Books in different format with different pictures will also be available later 1999.

‘Moral Issues in Six Religions’ - Heinemann Ltd.
(ISBN 0 435 30299 X. 242pp. £8.99).
A text for students written by six authors, on six major world religions including Islam. Deals with all topical moral issues through the eyes of adherents of the six different faiths. The section on Islam was written by Ruqaiyyah, but published in her ‘old’ name of Rosalyn Kendrick.

‘A Story at 'Id’ - Heinemann Ltd.
(ISBN: paperback pack of four – 0 435 01069 7;
hardback (library edition) – 0 431 07755 X).
A 'reader' for 5-7 year-olds. Sold as paperback pack of four, or set of 12 titles including this Islamic one. It explains ‘Id al-Adha, and the story of Ibrahim and Ismail.

‘The Muslim Marriage Guide’ - Quilliam Press Ltd.
(ISBN: 1 872038 11 5. 141pp £5.95).
Advice for those contemplating marriage, or for those whose marriages are stale or struggling. Includes some frank advice. A less explicit version has been published by Goodword Books, New Delhi, available from IPCI, 481,Coventry Rd, Birmingham, B10 OJS.

‘Thinking About God’ - Islamic Book Services, (also available in UK from al-Furqan, 90b Hanley Rd, London, NA 3DW).
(ISBN: 0 89259 147 1. 140pp. £6.50).
An introduction to the general philosophy of religion, written from the Muslim point of view. It covers such issues as classical arguments for the existence of God, creation, freewill v. determinism, the origin and problem of evil, life after death, etc. Useful for those studying ‘A’ level Philosophy of Religion.

‘The Sign of the Gnat’ – Adam Publishers, Delhi. ISBN - 81 7435 181 7). Email: sales@adampublishers.com A study of the existence of God through Design, and His intended signs. The Sign of the Gnat indicates resurrection in a completely different body form.

‘The Problem of Evil’ – Adam Publishers, Delhi. (ISBN – 81 7435 175 2). Email: sales@adampublishers.com A study in theodicy – the philosophical problems caused by the existence of suffering and evil in a world created by an All-Powerful, All-Knowing and Compassionate God.

‘The Separated Ones: Jesus, the Pharisees and Islam’ - SCM Press.
(ISBN: 0 334 02498 6. 194pp. Was £9.95, now available reduced from the author).
A study on the origin, nature and religion of the Pharisees, and their relationship to Jesus and later Islam; the concept of those whose lives were 'submitted to God'. (Now only available from Sr.Ruqaiyyah).

‘Petra: A Traveller's Guide’ - Garnet Press Ltd.
(ISBN: paperback 1 85964 072 9. 188pp. £9.95.
hardback 1 873938 12 8. 188pp. £14.95).
A tourist guide to the 'lost city' of Petra. Includes material on the history of the site, Biblical theories, introduction to the faith of Islam, the Qur'an, the life of the Prophet and the Islamic way of life, notes on the ‘Ad and Thamud, as well as detailed walking tours and excursions, and information about travel and where to stay, what to take, etc.

‘A Basic Dictionary of Islam’ - Goodword Books, New Delhi; also available from IPCI.
(ISBN: 81 85063 30 3. 240pp. Price around £7.50)
A comprehensive compendium of Islamic terms, words and phrases, presented concisely and clearly for the student of Islam and the general reader.

‘Living Islam’ - Goodword Books, New Delhi; also available from IPCI, UK.
(ISBN: 81 85063 27 3. 312pp. Price around £8.)
The biggest challenge for a Muslim is not so much the prayers and fasting, but in living the values of Islam in every aspect of everyday life. This book offers advice and encouragement to all practising Muslims, plus a very valuable resource of many Qur'anic ayat and relevant hadiths to back up all the topics raised.

‘The Muslim Prayer Encyclopaedia’ - Goodword Books, New Delhi; also available from IPCI, UK.
(ISBN: 81 85063 29 X. 328pp. Price around £9.50)
A reference work presenting all the teachings on prayer as set forth in the hadith collections of Bukhari, Muslim and Abu Dawud, with commentary.

‘For Heaven's Sake’ - Ta-Ha Publications Ltd.
(ISBN: 1 897940 17 3. 118pp. £2.75).
Advice for Muslim teenagers struggling in today's western world. How to cope and survive parents, school, the home, at play etc.

‘Living With Teenagers’ - Ta-Ha Publications Ltd.
(ISBN: 1 897 940 28 9. 143pp. £3.50).
A companion volume to the above. Advice for those who have to live and cope with teenagers (including the teenagers themselves!). Good tips on assertiveness training for parents, and realistic aims and expectations. Although written for harassed parents, it is quite an eye-opener for teenagers to read and gain insight.

‘After Death, Life’ - Goodword Books,New Delhi; also available from IPCI.
(ISBN: 81 85063 34 6. 240pp. Price around £6).
Advice to those suffering bereavement, or perhaps facing death – either their own or that of a loved one. There are sections dealing with specific types of death. including suicide, abortion, cot-death, accident and murder. Islamic teachings and personal thoughts about death-bed experiences and the Life to Come. The Islamic way of preparation for burial is also included. 

‘The Beautiful Commands of Allah’ - Goodword Books, New Delhi; also available IPCI.
(ISBN: 81 85063 38 9. 92pp. Price around £5). The first book in a series of important collections. An anthology collection of the direct commands of Allah to all those who seek Him, in good modern English translation and style. Some photographic illustrations of natural beauty. Makes a good gift. 

‘The Beautiful Promises of Allah’ - Goodword Books, New Delhi; also available IPCI. (ISBN: 81 85063 24 0. 200pp. Price around £6).
A companion volume to the former text. A collection of the direct promises of Allah to all those who seek Him. Many beautiful photographs.

‘Aishah’ - A study of her age at the time of her marriage - Islamic Vision, IPCI.
(ISBN: Not available. 24pp. Price £1).

In the pipe-line: 

‘The Beautiful Angels of Allah’ - Goodword Books, New Delhi. Due out later 2001.

(‘The Beautiful Compassion of Allah’ - Goodword Books, New Delhi. In progress – as part of the series.

(‘The Beautiful Message of Allah to Jews and Christians’ - Goodword Books, New Delhi. In progress – as part of the series.)

‘The Muslim Travel Diary’ - Goodword Books, New Delhi. Due out later 2001. 

‘A Qur'an for Little Hearts’ - Goodword Books, New Delhi. Due out later 2001.An anthology of key passages from the Qur'an, specifically selected to give the message to youngsters. Illustrated. A good gift for a child.

‘The Blessed Prophet of Islam - His Life and Loved Ones’ - Goodword Books, New Delhi. Due out later 2001.An unusual 'life' of the Prophet, in that it is written by a woman who has made a specialisation of genealogical study, and has presented family link-ups and the 'female' side of the story, usually not given in books on the Prophet. Much original research, using such texts as the major hadith collections, Ibn Hisham, Ibn Sa'd, Tha'alabi, etc. A very valuable contribution to knowledge about the Prophet's life, family and companions. Around 350pp.

‘Prayers of a Muslim’ – Goodword Press. Due out later 2001. The author has chosen key texts from the Qur’an, and added a thought-provoking series of prayer-meditations of hope and encouragement based on the theme of the text. Illustrated with photographs.

The Beloved Prophet – Goodword Books, New Delhi. Due out later2001. A book for children, or beginners studying the life of our dear Prophet. It has text, plus suggestions for work-to-do.  Another version of this book, privately published in A4 size, is also be available from Sr. Ruqaiyyah.

‘I Love Allah’ - Goodword Books. Due out later. A book especially for our youngsters. Illustrated. ‘I love Allah because………’

‘I Love Allah’s Angels’ - Goodword Books. Due out later.

‘I am Allah’s Friend’ - Goodword Books.

‘Wit and Wisdom’ - Goodword Books. A ‘grown-up’ book. Some food for thought, and some thoughts to make you laugh. An anthology of wise and pithy sayings to blow the mind and cheer the Muslim day. (Fans of A.S.K. Joommal’s publication al-Balagh (South Africa) will enjoy this).

Hopefully, there will be some texts coming up with South African publisher too, insha’Allah.