How do I start learning Islam as a new Muslim?
The scholars did not expect a new Muslim to know everything. They expected one thing first: to begin. Here is what they said beginning looks like.
10 passages from 8 books in the library
Begin with knowledge, and then act on what you learn. Al-Ghazali taught that knowledge is of two kinds, and that the worthy seeker is the one who acts upon what he knows; he likened the Prophet's guidance to abundant rain falling on the earth, nourishing whatever it reaches. He also warns against thinking one must master everything: as al-Khidr told Moses, all human knowledge compared to Allah's is as nothing, for His knowledge is infinite while creation's is finite. So begin humbly, learn, and live it.
Drawn from the classical sources below — in the scholars' own words.
The classical approach.
These passages are drawn from 8 books by Ibn al-Qayyim, Ibn Kathir, Imam al-Nawawī, and Imam al-Ghazali — part of the classical Sunni tradition that carries over a thousand years of reflection on the Qurʾān, the authentic Sunnah, and the consensus of the early community. Nothing below is a paraphrase. The words are the scholars' own, translated from the original Arabic manuscripts.
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"This, altogether, is what is needed by one whose heart is illumined among the allies of Allah, Most High, and it is the station of those firmly rooted in knowledge. For knowledge is of two kinds: knowledge that exists in creation, and knowledge that is absent from creation. Denying the knowledge that exists is disbelief, and claiming the knowledge that is absent is disbelief. And faith is not established except by accepting the knowledge that exists and abandoning the pursuit of the knowledge that is absent."
14th century · Damascus, Syria
Madārij al-Sālikīn — the classical map of the spiritual journey — and a vast body of work on the soul, love, the traps of the ego, and the nature of the heart.
More on Ibn al-Qayyim →
· Provenance →
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"The ruling ceases to exist with the absence of its cause. This is similar to His guidance to His servant before the servant is guided, leading the servant to be guided by His guidance. This initial guidance results in further guidance, for which اللّٰه rewards him with guidance upon guidance. Indeed, part of the reward for guidance is further guidance, just as part of the punishment for misguidance is further misguidance."
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"Chapter: The Ranks of "You Alone We Worship" in Knowledge and Action The concept of servitude has various ranks, determined by knowledge and action. In terms of knowledge, there are two ranks: The first is knowledge of اللّٰه, and the second is knowledge of His religion. Knowledge of اللّٰه encompasses five aspects: knowledge of His essence, His attributes, His actions, His names, and His transcendence above what does not befit Him."
14th century · Bosra, Syria
Monumental history Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, the world's most widely read Qurʾanic commentary, and the classical Stories of the Prophets.
More on Ibn Kathir →
· Provenance →
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"encouraged his followers to seek knowledge, regardless of their circumstances, stating, Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave. This teaching emphasizes that the quest for knowledge is a lifelong endeavor, and one should never cease to learn and grow in understanding. Chapter The Benefits of Knowledge The benefits of knowledge are manifold. It leads to a deeper understanding of one's faith, enhances one's ability to worship Allah correctly, and fosters a sense of responsibility towards oneself and others. Knowledge also cultivates humility, as one realizes the vastness of what remains to be learned. Knowledge empowers individuals to contribute positively"
14th century · Damascus, Syria
Madārij al-Sālikīn — the classical map of the spiritual journey — and a vast body of work on the soul, love, the traps of the ego, and the nature of the heart.
More on Ibn al-Qayyim →
· Provenance →
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"who acknowledged their lack of knowledge before God, attributing all knowledge to Him. Realization means that one's knowledge fades into God's knowledge, becoming as if it were no knowledge at all. All knowledge is returned to its rightful owner, God, whose knowledge is vast beyond comparison. The second degree is about ensuring that one's witnessing does not dispute God's witnessing."
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"let alone divinely inspired knowledge. Divinely inspired knowledge is supported by correct evidence that it came from اللّٰه through His messengers. Anything else is merely knowledge from the human self. The barrier to divinely inspired knowledge has been breached, with many claiming their knowledge is divinely inspired. Those who speak on faith, conduct, and the names and attributes of اللّٰه based on whims or what their devils cast into their hearts claim their knowledge is divinely inspired."
14th century · Bosra, Syria
Monumental history Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, the world's most widely read Qurʾanic commentary, and the classical Stories of the Prophets.
More on Ibn Kathir →
· Provenance →
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"Tabuk, during the days of Umar, he asked the people of Kuba, Chapter, The Importance of Knowledge. Knowledge is a light that illuminates the path of the seeker. It is through knowledge that one can discern right from wrong, and it is the foundation upon which the edifice of faith is built. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, emphasized the significance of seeking knowledge, stating, Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim. This pursuit is not limited to a specific age or gender. Rather, it is a lifelong journey that enriches the soul and guides the heart. In the pursuit of knowledge, one must approach it with sincerity"
13th century · Nawā, Syria
The Forty Hadith, Riyāḍ al-Ṣāliḥīn, and the most widely read commentary on Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim — all produced in a life that lasted barely forty-four years.
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"son, backquote Abdullah, said, The one who is overly lenient in seeking knowledge will find his knowledge diminished. This means that one who is shy in seeking knowledge will end up with little knowledge. Mujahid said, Knowledge is not learned by the shy or the arrogant. Backquote Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said, The best women are the women of the Ansar. They did not let modesty prevent them from understanding religion. Backquote Omar, may Allah be pleased with him, said, Seek understanding before you become leaders. This means striving to master knowledge and diligence"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
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"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The Book of Knowledge Containing Seven Chapters: Chapter One: On the Virtue of Knowledge, Teaching, and Learning Chapter Two: On the Obligation of Individual Duty and Collective Duty in Sciences, and the Definition of Jurisprudence and Theology in the Science of Religion, as well as the Distinction between the Knowledge of the Hereafter and the Knowledge of the World Chapter Three: On What the General Public Considers Religious Knowledge but Is Not, and Clarification of the Nature and Extent of Blameworthy Knowledge"
14th century · Damascus, Syria
Madārij al-Sālikīn — the classical map of the spiritual journey — and a vast body of work on the soul, love, the traps of the ego, and the nature of the heart.
More on Ibn al-Qayyim →
· Provenance →
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"As Hammad ibn Zayd said: I asked Ayyub, "Is there more knowledge today, or in times past?" He replied, "There is more talk today, and more knowledge in times past." So this firmly grounded scholar distinguished between knowledge and mere talk. Books are exceedingly many, and talk, disputation, and mental speculations are many, yet true knowledge stands apart from most of it. Knowledge is what the Messenger brought from God. The Exalted has said: "So whoever disputes with you concerning it after the knowledge that has come to you." And He said:"
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