First Thoughts

• The Mind (A discussion on the basic qualities of a healthy mind and what it will enable a person to do as described in the Qur’an) and Islam: Truth, Virtue and Beauty (The principles of truth, virtue and beauty. What they mean to Islam and how they should be incorporated into our everyday life) -Dr. Jaafar Idris. Another short yet thoughtful piece from him: Why Islam?
• Exposition from ibn al-Qayyim illustrating the methodology of the orthodox scholars as relates to knowing Allah is here. A superb piece of treatise — Why I am Muslim (pdf) — which is almost comprehensive in its coverage of the materials (a bit technical, though). It addresses major points that arise in the areas of Philosophy, Physics, Biology and study of scripture. The author, Ahmed K. Sultan, wrote this when he was a doctoral student in EE. Highly recommended for believer, agnostic and skeptic alike. Retrived from salatino.stanford.edu in 2006. Related Essay by the same author: The Non-Science of Intelligent Design. Dr. Bruno Guiderdoni, a French revert and a first-rate Physicist by profession, sheds lights, with deep insight on the interface/compatibility between science and Islam.
• Who Is The Creator and Atheists are Poletheists ! — Jaafar Idris. Other essays by Jaafar Idris at his site are equally enlightening. Another good treatise on Atheism is here.
• The Search for the Truth — Salman, the Persian [pdf]. A shorter version is here.
• The Miraculous Quran — My Path to Islam [pdf]. Jamaal Zarabozo, one of the most prominent English speaking scholars in Islam, recounts, in retrospect, his conversion to Islam.
• More remarkable accounts of Journey to Islam — Gai Eaton (Former British Diplomat), Leopold Lewiss (Statesman and journalist, Austria), Malcom X (US), Yusuf Islam ( Frormer pop star Cat Stevens, UK), Jeffrey Lang (Professor of Maths, U of Kansas, US), Michael Wolfe (Journalist, US), Jerald F. Driks (Minister of United Methodist Church, US), Yusuf Estets (Former Christian and Federal Prison Chaplain), Laurence Brown, MD (Medical Doctor, US. Some very valuable articles by him are here).
• A Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam By a group of editors and scholars. Also in [pdf]. What is Islam (pdf) — a short book by Jamaal Zarabozo summarizing the essence of the message of Islam.
• Who Wrote The Quran (pdf) – An assessment of the potentially skeptic approaches to this question.
• Biography Of The Prophet and The Orientalists — By Professor Dr. Mohar Ali. Two volume work of high scholarly standard. Analyzes the remarkable paradigm-shifts and evolution of stances among the orientalists as relates to their theories for denying the truth of Prophethood of Muhammad (peace and blessings from Allah be upon him).
• Evidences For The Truth Of The Quran (translated into bangla, pdf) Abdur Raheem Green, a British convert, wrote this piece in response to an Economist article. Original (English) article is here (pdf). Some of his audio lectures are available here. Author’s blog is here.
• Life After Death (Bangla, pdf) – A short piece on the inevitability of the Hereafter.
• Ten Misconceptions About Islam — From University Of Southern California MSA site.

Aqeedah

• Mankind’s Greatest Need. Excellent articles on aqeedah are here sorted by levels (100, 101, 102…).
• [pdf] Explaining three fundamental principles and four basic rules. The Prerequisites of the Declaration of Faith : By Jamaal Zarabozo; also available in [pdf]; here is its translation into Bangla (pdf). A great book with a bit more detailed on this most important topic, The Declaration of Faith – Salih al-Fawzan (pdf).
• Brief Review Of The Essential Aspects Of Tawheed (Bangla, pdf)) : Taken mostly from Dr. Bilal Philips’ book on this subject – The Fundamentals Of Tawheed (pdf). A Bangla translation of this book is also available in print.
• A few more indispensable treatises on Aqeedah: Tenets of Faith (pdf) by Salih al-Uthaimeen. The Pillars Of Faith — Jaafar Idris. Another related book is Fundamentals of Faith (pdf). The Creed of the four Imams [book, pdf (3.7 MB)], Sufficiency in Creed — Imam ibn Qudaama (d. 620H) [pdf]. Creed of Imam Bukhari (d. 256H) [pdf]. General precepts of the people of the Sunnah [pdf].
• [pdf] Lecture Notes on Tawheed (Islaamic Monotheism): Assorted and typeset, with little editing, from the lecture resources as found at Salim Morgan’s site.
• For rather shorter materials (in English), see here, and here. For mostly books, this page, and this page have wealth of materials for knowledge-seekers. (excellent work of mirroring).
• [pdf] A Critical Analysis on Shirk - Yasir Qadhi (Transcribed lecture, here are the audio lectures ). An excellent book: Many Shades of Shirk [pdf, 5.3 MB 64p]
• Regarding the Obligation of Ruling by What Allah Has Revealed (a number of scholars); On Ruling By Other Than What Allah Has Revealed – Salih Al-Fawzan. Claiming the right of Legislation Legalization and Illegalization. A related booklet in Bangla written by a scholar of the soil that clarifies many doubts: Islami Ain na Manar Bidhan (pdf).
• The Book of Waseelah (intercession) — by Al-Allamah al-Albaani (pdf, 3.6M, 169pp). The difinitive scholarly work on the issue.
• Nullifiers of Islam a) by Muhammad bin Jamil Zaino b) From al-Muttaqun site.
• One of the most authoritative texts on aqeedah: Commentary on the Aqeedah of At-Tahawi — by ibn Abi al-Izz al-Hanafi, is now available (in scanned pdf) from this page at saheefah.org. Great read/learning for the serious and advanced students.

Having studied/grasped aqeedah to a substantial degree, cheat-sheet-like this little book (pdf) may prove to be handy.

Knowledge

• Magnificent treatises on knowledge: Laying the foundations for Seeking Knowledge [pdf], Ten Guidelines for obtaining knowledge [pdf], Student of Knowledge and Books [pdf], Book of Knowledge — Imam Nasaae (d. 234H) with checking and notes by Imam Albany [pdf], Book of Knowledge – Imam ibn Baz [pdf], Manners of the Scholars and Students of Knowledge from the Hadith of Jibreel – by Saleem al-Hilaalee [pdf, 1.12Mb].
• Speaking about Allah without knowledge – Jamaal Zarabozo. The Sources Of Knowledge and Their Interpretation – by Jaafar Idris. Bangla translation of both of these is here (pdf)., An extract on the same topic from A’laamul-Muwaqqi’een ’an Rabbil-’Aalameen by ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (d.751H) (pdf).
• Why should I study Islam?, `Ilm- Gotta Have It – Muhammad al-Sharif.
• For relatively brief articles see here, and for a lot of materials with deeper coverage, take from here. Understand Islam – a site launched by Dr. Saleh as-Saleh (rahimahu Allah) – has excellent materials on a number of key topics.
• One of the best sources for knowledge in Islam on the Internet is islamqa. For those who wish to learn Islam making use of the beneficial resources available on the web, Dr. Bilal Philips, with the assistance from some of his students, has done a terrific job by ranking a large number of websites concerned. Here are recommended sites, deviant sites and anti-islamic sites. A brief biography of Dr. Bilal Philips in Bangla (pdf). Also 6 short courses are available at Islamic Online University covering a number of key aspects with very valuable resources as conducted by Dr. Bilal Philips. Registration is required and is free.

Quraan and Sunnah

• The `Return’ of the Quraan — Abu Ammar Yasir al-Qadhi. A series of very good by the same author on Ulum al-Quran are here.
• How To Approach And Understand The Quran (Bangla, pdf). — Excerpt from a few books, especially this one (A Bangla translation to this book is available in print).
• Transcribed Lectures (Translated into Bangla) on : Sura al-Inshirah (pdf), Surah at-Takathur (pdf) - Bilal Philips. Tafsir Surah al-Kahaf (verses 32-44) [pdf]
• [book, pdf] The Hadith is Proof itself in Beliefs and Laws – Al-Albany.
• Hadith: Rules For Acceptance And Transmission – Prof. Mustafa Azami.
• An Introduction to the Sciences of Hadith — Suhayb Hasan.
• On The Methodology Of Hadith : A Bangla Translated Transcribed Lecture of Yasir Qadhi (pdf). A portion from the book “Struggling To Surrender” on Hadith methodology by Jeffrey Lang (pdf). Modern Historical Methodology vs. Hadith Methodology.
• Here is a good Collection of Commonly Quoted Fabricated/Weak aHadith. 100 most famous weak/fabricated ahadith (doc file).

Prayer & Worship (Ibaadah)

• Essay of ibn Taymiyyah (raheemahullah) on Uboodiyyah (servitude). Must Read.
  
• Significance Of The Five Pillars Of Islam (in Bangla, pdf) - Bilal Philips.
• [book, pdf] What Every Muslim Must Know About Purification. (From Islamhouse).
  
• [chm] Prophet’s prayer described — al-Albani. Mistakes in Salat (pdf, 491p, 3.75M) — Mashhoor Hasan.
  
• 33 Ways of developing khushu (modesty) in salah.
• Few short articles are here. Here are a lot of stuff.
• Ramadan in history. Bangla translation of this piece is here (pdf). Also see Ramadan warriors. Ramadan Lessons – (Bangla, pdf) .
• 70 matters related to fasting. [pdf]

Purification (Tazkiyya) and Heart-Softeners

• Hardness Of The Heart (bangla, pdf) – Bilal Philips (transcribed and translated).
• Love Hope and Fear — the Three Essential Ingredients of Eeman.
• Regret (Lessons to learn from awe-inspiring real events) – Muhammad al-Sharif. A treatise on similar theme: Death is Enough as an Admonition [pdf],
• In search of Sincerity, The third parent – Muhammad al-Sharif.
• I have only been sent to perfect good manners – Yasir Qadhi. Guarding the Tongue — Imam an-Nawawi [pdf].
• On Satan’s Ways Of Leading Humans Astray ( in Bangla, pdf).
• [book, pdf] Causes Behind Increase and Decrease of Eeman — Shaykh ‘Abdur-Razzak al-’Abbad.
• [pdf] The Evil of Craving for Wealth and Status — ibn Rajab al-Hambali (d 795H).
• Strengthening the Motives of Reason and Religion — by Imam ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah
• Weakness of Faith (pdf), Means of Steadfastness (pdf), I Want to repent, but … (pdf), Dealing With Worries and Stress (pdf) — by Saalih al-Munajjid, Do Not be Sad – a great book ( pdf, 15.1 MB).
• Forty Hadith On Islamic Personality.
• [pdf, book] Al-Fawaaid, a superb book containing rather independent essays (erudite reflections) — Imam ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah
• A number of rather short essays are here. Several Excellent articles from the back issues of the magazine al-Ibaanah are here.

Methodology (Manhaj) & Bid’a (Innovation in the religion)

• What Is Bid’ah?, ‘Bid’ah – Its Aspects, Meaning, Danger and Solution, How Do We Know What Is (or isn’t) Bid’a ?
• [pdf] Every Innovation is Misguidance — Al-Albany. Saved Sect – Concept, Methodology and Signs (As per understanding of the pious predecessors) [pdf], Foundation of the Sunnah — Imam Ahmad (d. 251H) [pdf], with beneficial footnotes and appendices.
  
• [pdf,book] Criterion Between the Allies of The Merciful And the Allies Of The Devil - ibn Taymiya.
• [pdf] Reality Of Sufism – by Muhammad al-Madkhale. The Other Side Of Sufism [pdf]. Sufism — its origin and development [pdf] by Dr. Saleh as-Saleh. Three excellent short books on this topic. The Dispraise of Hawaa (lowly desires) [pdf, 2.9M, 242p] — A marvelous book based on the work of ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah and appended by Dr. Saleh as-Saleh that exposes the extent to which people have gone into heresy from both classical and later times in the name of sufism. Imam ibn Qudaama on Sufism [pdf].
• Explanation of the Hadith of Hudhaifa (ra) ‘We Were in a State of Jaahiliyah” (.pdf ) — – Saalih al-Fawzaan, also from this noble scholar: Blind Following and its Dangers.
• Ruling on Celebrating Birthday of the Prophet (sm) – Saalih al Fawzaan. Translated into Bangla [pdf], Further misconceptions clarified on mawalid here (doc).
  
• [pdf, Bangla] On the Methodology of Islamic Jurisprudence (transcribed and translated lecture) – Bilal Philips.
• Relying on Allah and Abiding by the Means – Saalih al-Fawzan
  
• On the Evils Of Modernist School Of Thought In Islam – Jamaal Zarabozo .
• Research or Distortion ?– Muhammad Taqi Usmaani.
• Islaam for Our Times : How and Why — Dr. Jaafar Idris.

Dawah (Call To Allah)

• [book, pdf] The Methodology Of The prophets In Calling People To Allah — Dr. Rabee ibn Hadee Al Madkhalee. A must read. Another great treatise, though shorter in length, – Provisions for the Caller by Salih a-Uthaimeen [pdf].
• [book, pdf] Enjoining Right and Forbidding Evil – ibn Taymiya.
• Prophet’s (sm) method in correcting people’s mistake — Salih al-Munajjid. Also in [pdf].
• Dr. Jaafar Idris elucidates on The Process of Islamization (pdf). Some of the key points explained with great insight and erudition.
• The dillema facing the youth – al-Uthaymeen [pdf]. Important (audio) lectures on dawah from audioislam site.
• If you have enough bandwidth, take a look at this (video) lecture by Yasir Qadhi : Perfect Justice – Debunking The Male Bias Myth. Also see his lecture on The Role of Reason and Intellect in Islam.
• One of the Short Courses offered by Islamic Online University (conducted by Bilal Philips) is on Dawah.

Socio-Intellectual Discourses and Contemporary Issues

• Jaafar Idris responds to “brazenly provocative” or “astonishingly uneducated” remarks from pope.
• Reflections on Defamation of the Prophet (sm) — Jamaal Zarabozo sheds lights on the Danish cartoon issue ( pdf ). Shaykh Salih al Munajjid’s reflections on anti-Islamic dutch film.
• Apostasy and Islam – Current Hype by Jamaal Zarabozo. Myths and Realities Of Human Rights. Muslims need not be apologetic. [pdf ]
• Islam : Elevation of Women’s Status – An Ali-Tamimi lecture [pdf].
• True Meaning Of Siyasah in the Shareeah [pdf]; Our Leaders are only responsible for All Evils, Or are They Really? … Inverted Priorities [pdf]
• Research or Distortion ?– Muhammad Taqi Usmaani.
• Characteristics of the Muslim Ummah – Bilal Philips (Bangla, pdf).
• [pdf] The Evils Of Nationalism — Imaam Ibn Baaz
• Separation Of State and Church, Secularism and Moral Values — Dr. Zaafar Idris.
• Which Islam Do you subscribe To? Millitant Islam, Moderate Islam, Political Islam, Wahhabism, Ultra-conservative brand of Islam Or Puritanical Version Of Islam? Here Is Nomenclature Of Deception [pdf].
• To have a good grasp at the production model of the “Information Industry”, please take a look at What makes Mainstream Media Mainstream (Chomsky’s masterpiece), Excerpts from the books Media Control, Manufacturing Consent, and Necessary Illusions: Thought Control in Democratic Societies. A more-or-less neat psychoanalysis on media-industry consumer behavior, lemming effect.

History And Biographies

• Reflections On The Battle Of Uhud – Transcribed & translated lecture of Yasir Qadhi (bangla, pdf).
• Remove him from this land ! – Muhammad al-Sharif.
• The Unique Features of the Seerah – Dr. Mustafa as-Siba’ee, Biography of the Prophet (pbuh). An award winning biography of the Prophet (pbuh) : The Sealed Nectar (Ar-Raheeq al-Maqtum) – [pdf], Biography Of The Prophet and The Orientalists By Prof Mohar Ali.
• The Rightly guided Khulafaa, Biographies of Companions: Abdullah ibn Abbas, Musab ibn Umayr.
  
• Some Guidelines concerning the Scholars. From The Lives of Rightly Guided Scholars: Abu Hanifa Numan ibn Sabith, Imam Malik, Muhammad ibn Idris Ash-Shafi’i, Imam Ahmad, An-Nawawi, al-Hasan al-Basri, ibn al-Jawzi, ibn Taymiya, ibn-Hazr Asqalani, al-Albani – may Allah have mercy on them all. For a lot more about the lives and works of the pious predecessors, see here and here.
• Imam Bukhari: His Life and Works – (parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). History of Imam Malik.
• Memoirs From The Life of Imam Ahmad. A trustworthy biography of Abu Hamid al-Ghazzaali.
• Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab demystified here, here and in this book (pdf)(masterpiece from Zarabozo).
• Here is What I wrote from My Heart – Malcom X, Why America Hated Malcom.