Studies for a new Muslim

[Abdullah00]

Assalaam Alaykum brothers and sisters.

I am a new Muslim(Alhamdulliah) wondering what is the most important thing I should be studying right now. Also if you could point me in the direction of books, articles, general information pertinent to the subject you brothers and sisters recommend for me to start studying. hehe I would also appreciate any helpful comments suggestions or anything for a new Muslims.

Assalaam Alaykum :)

[rahma]

Sunnipath offers several courses at reduced prices for new muslims. Unfortunately, the fall semester just got underway, so you'll have to wait for the spring semester

Introduction to Islamic Belief (http://www.sunnipath.com/Academy/OnlineCourses/Belief/Introduction-to-Islamic-Belief.aspx)
Essentials of Islam Hanafi (http://www.sunnipath.com/Academy/OnlineCourses/Law/Essentials-of-Islam-Hanafi.aspx), Maliki (http://www.sunnipath.com/Academy/OnlineCourses/Law/Essentials-of-Islam-Maliki.aspx) and Shafi'i (http://www.sunnipath.com/Academy/OnlineCourses/Law/Essentials-of-Islam-Shafii.aspx).
Understanding Islam (http://www.sunnipath.com/Academy/OnlineCourses/General/Understanding-Islam.aspx)

[Abd'Al-Muqtadir]

Walaikum Asalam Wa Rahmatullah,
May Allah reward you abundantly for coming to the true way of life! Ameen.
So what should you be doing now? I believe you should be studying, the Fiqh books, which is belief books, so you can join a Madhab- School of thought/law. Therefore, you can always look to your Madhab, for advice. I also believe you should look into how to pray, and how to become more better muslims. Insha'Allah I will post some links for you to check out :)

http://www.muslimconverts.com/
http://www.geocities.com/mutmainaa/law/law_resources.html
http://www.geocities.com/mutmainaa/index1.html
http://qa.sunnipath.com/

Also you can ask us in SF, if you need any help or if you are confused about anything. We welcome you to Al-Islam, and we hope that you can be a great Muslim, Inssha'Allah.

Also, study the Qur'an, try and learn Arabic, so you can read the verses that Allah has sent down. Also visit your local Masjid so you can learn more, and there will be brothers there that can also help you :)

Walaikum Asalam Wa Rahmatullah.

[SisterSabiha]

Br what I have found to work for me is to learn to pray first and make baby steps with the rest. Take SP courses when you can, they are incredibly helpful! Also look into what is predominately in your area. If most are Hanafi, Shafi'i, etc, choose the one in your area so that it is easy for you to find a knowledgeable person to speak with. Also it is good to listen to lectures, Hamza Yusuf is really great.

[Abd'Al-Muqtadir]

Br what I have found to work for me is to learn to pray first and make baby steps with the rest. Take SP courses when you can, they are incredibly helpful! Also look into what is predominately in your area. If most are Hanafi, Shafi'i, etc, choose the one in your area so that it is easy for you to find a knowledgeable person to speak with. Also it is good to listen to lectures, Hamza Yusuf is really great.

I would agree to that 100% :)

[Abu Muhsin]

As-salamu 'alaikum,

You should be learning your basic fard Aqidah and Fiqh.
I would recommend the Aqidah of Imam Abu Ja'far al-Tahawi :rahma:.
You can download the audio lectures with explanation on www.ihsanpath.net
I would also recommend you to learn the Fiqh of one of the three madhabs, Hanafi, Shafi'i or Maliki. There is a basic book on Hanafi Fiqh called the Sahifa on the same website. Couple this with reading the Qur'an, the Sirah of the Prophet:saw: and general articles including spiritual wisdom.

May I ask, where do you live and what is your background?

wassalam

[Abdullah00]

As-salamu 'alaikum,

You should be learning your basic fard Aqidah and Fiqh.
I would recommend the Aqidah of Imam Abu Ja'far al-Tahawi :rahma:.
You can download the audio lectures with explanation on www.ihsanpath.net
I would also recommend you to learn the Fiqh of one of the three madhabs, Hanafi, Shafi'i or Maliki. There is a basic book on Hanafi Fiqh called the Sahifa on the same website. Couple this with reading the Qur'an, the Sirah of the Prophet:saw: and general articles including spiritual wisdom.

May I ask, where do you live and what is your background?

wassalam

Assalaam Alaykum brother Abu Ata'Allah

Currently brother I live in nw florida, united states. What do you mean when asking my background? On the new muslim forum I posted a summary of how I came to Islam.

-Also, Jazak Allah Khair for all the responses. :)

[Abdullah00]

Assalaam Alaykum,

I have another question, when going about studying certain material, like the Holy Prophet's(Sallallahu Alahi Wa Salaam) seerah, or Allahs Quran, what are some study tips or some study strategies for self study?

[Abu Muhsin]

:bism:
:salam:

As you do not seem to have access to a scholar, i advice you to read the Qur'an with a good tafsir. You should be able o get Tafsir al-Jalalayn in English translation or something similar.

I would advice you to listen to lectures by scholars as they often contain explanations of Quranic verses and Hadiths. If you go to alhaqq.net or Ihsanpath.net you will be able to listen to the khutbahs of Shaykh Sayyid Muhammad Bin Yahya al-Ninowy, may Allah preserve them, which are often based on Quranic exegesis including the lessons to be learnt from the verses.

I would also recommend you to listen to lectures of Shaykh Muhammad bin Ibrahim al-Yaqubi, may Allah preserve them.

wassalam

[andy8118]

You should be able o get Tafsir al-Jalalayn in English translation or something similar.

:salam: Assalamu alaykum

Depending on your budget i recommend Ma'arifu Quran. If you do a search for it here on SF you should be able to find it. However, i wouldn't encourage you to go around quoting from the translation of the Quran from it. Although for the most part its my favourite English tafsir, i don't think the English translation of the mutashiabihat 'unclear' verses get the same meaning as what they end up explaining. So just be aware that the translation in the Quran part might not be the best choice of words, but the explanations thereof are excellent.

As far as Tafsir Jalalayn - Aisha Bewley's got a translation of it.

And the seerah. Just my opinion that the course of life the Prophet :saw: took is indeed something that we should all know. But at this stage just to develop a love for him and his lifestyle is probably more advantageous at this point. So some good targhib (encouragement) sort of Hadith book just to see the beauty of his patience and personality. I mean, the ideal would be a teacher to sit with you and go through "Hayatus Sahaba" (Stories of Sahaba). That would just show the exact lessons that were imparted in action.

Maybe eTeacher has some contacts in that part of the States or can recommend someone...

:ws:

[Adeel bin Minhaj]

:salam: brother,

In NW florida there must be a Masjid in your locality. I would recommend asking people there if there is an Alim (Scholar) that is affiliated with the masjid.

Knowledge is plentiful, but having the guidance of someone righteous is priceless.

[SisterSabiha]

Br. you can try to use islamicfinder.com to see what Islamic organizations are in your area, that is how I found out about the Masjid in my area :)