Ramadan offers us an opportunity to step away from our overly packed routines to take time for internal recalibration. While the physical fast defines the daylight hours of Ramadan, the month is not only about abstaining from food but also about deepening our inner awareness. Allowing us space to dismantle old habits and reconstruct a more conscious way of being. A good book can become a companion on that inward journey.
Our selection of books below departs from the standard instructional texts and spans spiritual classics and philosophical explorations, providing a roadmap for those who want to use this time to explore the deeper mechanics of the self and the divine.
The Book of Assistance by Imam Abdallah ibn Alawi al-Haddad
A classical Sufi manual offering practical guidance on Islamic spirituality and devotional practices. This book acts as a companion for anyone navigating the daily demands of a spiritual life. It offers grounded advice on ways to stay devoted amid the distractions of the world. The prose reads like conversations with a wise mentor or a reliable friend, offering guidance on cultivating inner peace and sincere faith in everyday moments.
Al-Ghazali’s Letter to a Disciple by Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali
Written by the renowned theologian, Imam al-Ghazali, this work addresses the common struggles of losing focus and falling into habit. It is a profound and deeply personal treatise that distils vast theological wisdom into an intimate address, reminding the reader that knowledge only finds its value when it is transformed into sincere action. It is a brief but potent reminder to always focus on what truly matters.
Agenda to Change Our Condition by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf and Zaid Shakir
For those looking to bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and contemporary struggle, this is an actionable guide for Muslims to achieve spiritual, moral and social transformation through the cultivation of Taqwa (God-consciousness). It focuses on the mechanics of the heart and the discipline required to shift one’s character toward a more conscious state, as outlined in classical Islamic teachings.
Signs on the Horizons by Michael Sugich
Faith is often best understood through the lives of those who embody it. This book is a remarkable collection of first-hand accounts from the author’s forty years of traveling the world in search of hidden saints and spiritual masters. Rather than dealing in abstract theology, Sugich captures the lived reality of traditional Sufism, documenting the grace, humility, and power of individuals who exist outside the modern spotlight.
The Degrees of the Soul by Shaykh Abd al-Rahman al-Sha’rani
Al-Sha’rani dives into the deeper aspects of our inner selves, providing words for those subtle shifts we often sense but can’t quite articulate. Reading this book during Ramadan is like charting the inner journey we navigate each day. This helps you recognise and understand the various levels of yourself, serving as a mirror that reflects your growth throughout the month.
Self-awareness is essential for spiritual growth, and this text serves as a valuable tool for examining your inner landscape. Shaykh al-Sha’rani details the different levels of the ego, from the part of us that struggles with negativity to the part that finds peace. It gives a clear way to identify the subtle tricks our minds play and the spiritual blockages that can hold us back.
The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga
True spiritual growth often requires a radical departure from the need for external validation. This book explores Adlerian psychology through a captivating dialogue between a philosopher and a young man, dismantling the idea that we are defined by past traumas or by others’ expectations. It argues that happiness and freedom are choices we make in the present, provided we have the fortitude to be misunderstood by those around us.
The Listening Book by W.A. Mathieu
This isn’t just about hearing in the literal sense, it’s about training your attention. Through sound and awareness exercises, Mathieu helps you tune into the present moment. It serves as a beautiful companion for the quiet hours before dawn or the stillness of the late night, teaching us that by refining our ears, we can become more attuned to the divine whispers that are often drowned out by the noise of modern life.
The Inner Citadel by Pierre Hadot
In this masterful study of Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations, Pierre Hadot explores the Stoic practice of building a mental fortress in which the soul remains untouched by external chaos. It details the spiritual exercises used by the ancients to maintain clarity, objectivity and a sense of duty towards the common good. It serves as a reminder that while we cannot control the world around us, we have complete sovereignty over our response to it, making it an essential guide for those seeking to cultivate a more resilient and detached mental state.
Anam Cara by John O’Donohue
Drawing on the rich wisdom of Celtic spirituality, John O’Donohue explores the concept of the ‘soul friend’, a connection that transcends the superficialities of daily interactions. This book is a poetic journey through the landscapes of human presence, solitude, and the inherent sacredness of the natural world. It challenges the modern ache of isolation by reminding us that our souls are deeply woven into a larger, eternal fabric.
The Disappearance of Rituals by Byung-Chul Han
This critique of modern life argues for the return of communal, symbolic acts that give meaning to our lives. We live in a world overflowing with information and a constant drive for productivity, often sacrificing meaningful experiences for efficiency. Byung-Chul Han’s critique of modern life argues for the return of communal, symbolic acts that give meaning to our lives in this digital exhaustion. This critique is particularly resonant during Ramadan, a month that fundamentally centres on the beauty of shared practices.
