As Ramadan arrives, it brings with it an invitation to slow down. Beyond fasting and gathering, it is also a season of self-reflection and spiritual growth, a time to sit with new ideas and revisit old ones. Picking up a book can become part of that rhythm, offering space for perspective, nourishment and renewal. From faith and identity to food and art, here is a thoughtful selection to add to your Ramadan reading list.
Namesake by N. S. Nuseibeh
British Palestinian writer N. S. Nuseibeh’s debut collection of essays draws inspiration from Nusayba bint Ka’ab al Khazrajia, the woman who fought alongside the Prophet Muhammad at the dawn of Islam. In Namesake, Nuseibeh reflects on what it means to be an Arab woman today, weaving together themes of heritage, gender, feminism and home. The essays explore how identity is shaped, remembered and, at times, mythologized, linking contemporary understandings of Muslims and Arabs to their historical roots.
Desified by Zaynah Din
Midway through Ramadan, when inspiration in the kitchen begins to fade, a practical cookbook can feel like a gift. Zaynah Din, known for her popular Ramadan recipe series, celebrates South Asian flavours in Desified. The book offers quick breakfasts, straightforward dinners and generous dishes meant for sharing, bringing warmth and ease back to the iftar table.
A Treasury of ‘A’ishah by Sofia Rehman
Sofia Rehman introduces readers to the beloved wife of the Prophet Muhammad through forty of her recorded insights, spanning theology, ethics and jurisprudence. The book highlights the intellectual and spiritual contributions of women in Islamic history, inviting contemporary Muslim women to see themselves within that legacy and to engage meaningfully with sacred texts in light of their own lived experiences.
Dream, Dua, Do by Ruzina Ahad
Written for the millennial Muslim woman, Ruzina Ahad’s guide blends humor with personal reflection. Dream, Dua, Do encourages readers to clarify their ambitions, turn to prayer with intention and take practical steps toward their goals. It reads as both motivation and companion for a month often dedicated to renewed focus.
Masterpieces from the Islamic World at the Metropolitan Museum, edited by Mariam D. Ekhtiar, Priscilla P. Soucek, Sheila R. Canby and Navina Najat Haidar
For those drawn to visual culture, a richly illustrated volume on the Metropolitan Museum’s Islamic art collection offers a broader perspective. Spanning from the seventh to the nineteenth century and from Spain and Morocco to India, the collection brings together nearly three hundred works, including illuminated manuscripts, ceramics, textiles, glass and metalwork. Together, they reveal the diversity of artistic expression across the Islamic world and the shared visual traditions of calligraphy, geometric pattern and arabesque design.
