"Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave."
— Attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (ṣ)
Every year, hundreds of new Muslims, returning believers, and curious seekers write to us at Shia Books Australia asking the same question: "I want to learn about Shia Islam — where do I start?"
The answer is not a single book. It is a journey — one that begins with the words of Allah and the Ahl al-Bayt (a) and gradually opens into the vast ocean of Islamic scholarship. This reading list is designed to guide you through that journey, step by step, from the absolute essentials to the depths of classical scholarship.
We have organised it into six progressive tiers, plus a special Scholar Picks & Inspirational Reads section featuring titles personally recommended by senior Marājiʿ. Whether you are a brand-new Muslim, a born Shia who never had the chance to study, or someone simply curious about the school of the Ahl al-Bayt — start at Tier 1 and work your way through at your own pace.
Every book on this list links directly to its product page on www.shiabooks.com.au, where you can read the full description, see the price, and order your copy. We ship worldwide.
These are the books that belong in every Shia household. If you read nothing else, read these. They are the Qur'an, the words of Imam Ali (a), the supplications of Imam Sajjad (a), a clear guide to Islamic law, and the most comprehensive prayer and supplication manual in the Shia tradition.
From $48.00 AUD
The 6th edition of Qarai's acclaimed phrase-by-phrase English translation, praised by scholars including Prof. Hamid Algar and Prof. Joseph Lombard for its fidelity to the Arabic while maintaining clear, dignified English. The phrase-by-phrase format, with Arabic text alongside, makes it ideal for those learning to engage with the original language of revelation. This is the translation trusted by students and scholars alike — and the one we recommend above all others.
$35.00 AUD
The Peak of Eloquence: 241 sermons, 79 letters, and 489 sayings of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a), compiled by Sharif al-Radi. This annotated edition by Ansariyan Publications includes a thorough introduction to Imam Ali's life and covers theology, jurisprudence, ethics, history, politics, and science. It has been described as the single most important work of Arabic prose after the Qur'an. No Shia home should be without it.
$43.00 AUD
Known as "The Psalms of Islam," this is the supplication collection of Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn, Zayn al-Abidin (a). These prayers are not merely devotional — they are a complete curriculum in Islamic theology, ethics, and the relationship between the servant and the Creator. This edition includes both English translation and transliteration, making it accessible even if you are still learning Arabic.
$19.00 AUD
A brilliantly accessible introduction to the depth, rigour, and authenticity of the Islamic legal system as developed by Imami Shi'i scholars. Using a dialectical method — posing questions and answering them — Sheikh Arastu walks the reader through how Islamic law works, why it matters, and how it applies to daily life. With a foreword by Sheikh Muhammad Ali Shomali, this is the book we wish every new Muslim could receive on day one.
$92.00 AUD (2-volume set)
The most comprehensive manual of Shia prayers, supplications, and devotional observances ever compiled. Shaykh Abbas Qummi drew from classical sources including Misbah al-Mutahajjid, the works of Sayyid Ibn Tawus, and Kaf'ami. Translator Ali Quli Qarai spent approximately fifteen years producing this English-Arabic edition. Whether you need the supplication for a specific day, the ziyarah for a particular Imam, or guidance for Ramadan and Hajj — it is in these two volumes.
Once you have your foundational texts, the next step is to understand the core beliefs of Islam from a Shia perspective — with clarity, logic, and confidence.
$14.00 AUD
A concise, accessible, and genuinely comprehensive guide to the core beliefs of Islam from the Shia Ithna-Ashari school. It covers Tawhid (the oneness of God), divine justice, prophethood, the Qur'an, Imamah, and the afterlife, and includes a comparative overview with Christianity. If you are completely new to Islam or to the Shia school, this is arguably the single best starting point for understanding what we believe and why. Ideal for seekers, reverts, and anyone curious about Islam.
$20.00 AUD
Written by one of the most senior Marājiʿ of our time, this work presents logical and textual proofs of the fundamental tenets of Islam — the existence of God, prophethood, and Imamah — with the precision you would expect from a scholar of Ayatollah Khorasani's calibre. It bridges the gap between popular introductions and scholarly theology.
$13.00 AUD
Part of the Islamic Reference Series by the renowned scholar Sheikh Muhammad Ali Shomali, this volume examines the concept of God — His existence and attributes — as presented in Islamic scriptures and rational theology. Clear, methodical, and written for a modern English-speaking audience.
Islam did not begin in a vacuum, and the question of what happened after the Prophet (ṣ) is central to understanding the Shia position. These books tell the story — from the prophets before Muhammad, to the political upheaval after his death, to the lives of the Twelve Imams.
$25.00 AUD
A comprehensive study of the political events following the death of the Prophet (ṣ) — the gathering at Saqifa and its aftermath, tracing early Islamic history through to the death of Uthman. What makes this work remarkable is that Allama Askari relies heavily on Sunni sources, allowing the reader to reach their own conclusions from within the broader Islamic tradition. It has been described as "intellectual dynamite."
$38.00 AUD
Described as the first of its kind, this book elevates prophetic stories beyond the dry and fragmented accounts commonly found in English. It weaves together every relevant Qur'anic verse and plausible tradition to present comprehensive, captivating narratives of the prophets from Adam to Jesus — portraying them as the heroic, exemplary figures they truly were.
$40.00 AUD
The earliest surviving comprehensive history of the Twelve Imams (a). Written by one of the greatest Shia scholars of all time, Shaykh al-Mufid, and translated by I.K.A. Howard. The first half focuses extensively on the life of Imam Ali (a), offering rich insight into the religious and social circumstances of early Islam. This is a reference work that belongs on every serious reader's shelf.
$22.00 AUD
A lighter, more accessible entry point into Islamic history. Concise and engaging biographies of the Fourteen Ma'soomeen (a), complete with photographs of related mausoleums and mosques. Originally designed for younger readers but equally useful for adults who want a digestible overview of the lives of the Prophet (ṣ) and his holy household.
Knowledge without practice is like a tree without fruit. These books help you transform what you have learned into a living, breathing daily practice.
Price: see product page
A profound exploration of the inner dimensions of Salat according to the Ja'fari school. Imam Khomeini wrote this work not as a book of rulings, but as a guide to the spiritual disciplines that transform prayer from mechanical repetition into genuine communion with the Divine. Based on his earlier concise work The Secret of the Salat, this expanded edition is essential for anyone who wants to understand what prayer is truly meant to be.
$24.00 AUD
Ninety-nine short chapters of spiritual guidance attributed to the Sixth Imam (a), covering daily behaviour, worship, morals, and the pillars of Islam. Translated by Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri. Each chapter reads like a lamp illuminating a different aspect of how to live as a Muslim — practically, ethically, and spiritually.
The Prophet (ṣ) said: "I was sent to perfect noble character." These books deal with the inner life — the struggle against the self, the classification of sins, and the ethical teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt.
$45.00 AUD
A comprehensive and unflinching work on the classification of sins in Islam, focusing on fifty greater sins — from shirk and fornication to alcohol and gambling — with detailed evidence from the Qur'an and hadith. All three original volumes consolidated into one hardcover edition by Ansariyan Publications. Essential reading for anyone serious about understanding the moral boundaries set by the Almighty.
Price: see product page
Imam Khomeini's selection of forty traditions from the Prophet (ṣ) and the Imams (a), each accompanied by his own detailed commentary. Originally written in Persian under the title Arba'in, this English edition provides deep moral and spiritual reflection on topics including sincerity, patience, reliance on God, and the purification of the heart.
$24.00 AUD | Recommended by Grand Ayatullah Sayyid al-Sistani
This book explores the three components of a human being — body, nafs (self), and soul — and discusses the internal struggle (jihad al-nafs) with commentary drawn from Shia traditions. Selected from a chapter of Shaykh al-Hurr al-Amili's monumental Wasail al-Shia, it comes with the personal recommendation of Grand Ayatullah Sayyid al-Sistani — a distinction that speaks for itself.
For readers who have worked through the earlier tiers and are ready for the classical sources and advanced intellectual works of the Shia tradition.
$26.00 AUD
One of the most important works of Islamic philosophy written in the twentieth century. Shahid al-Sadr — the great Iraqi scholar martyred by Saddam's regime — systematically engages with Western philosophical traditions (materialism, empiricism, Marxism) and demonstrates the coherence and superiority of the Islamic worldview. This is not light reading, but it is transformative reading.
$40.00 AUD per volume | Browse all volumes
The most authoritative collection of Shia hadith. Al-Kafi ("The Sufficient") was compiled by Shaykh al-Kulayni over twenty years during the Minor Occultation and is the first of the "Four Books" of Shia hadith. Volume 1 covers the Usul (foundations) — the Book of Intellect and Foolishness, the Book of the Proof of God, and more. The complete set runs to eight volumes, all available on our store.
$32.00 AUD per volume
Allamah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai's al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Qur'an is widely considered the greatest Qur'anic commentary of the modern era. This new edited and revised English edition by Tawheed Institute Australia makes this monumental work accessible to English readers. Each volume is a deep immersion into the meaning of the Qur'an — linguistic, theological, philosophical, and spiritual.
The following titles have been specifically recommended by senior scholars or have earned recognition as essential contributions to Shia English-language literature. We include them here as a supplementary section for readers who want to go beyond the core tiers.
$28.00 AUD per volume | Recommended by Sayyid Ali Khamenei
The extraordinary true story of Iranian martyr Ibrahim Hadi, translated by Sayyid Haydar Jamaludeen. These volumes compile his sayings, anecdotes, and the remarkable spiritual life of a man who became a legend. Highlighted as recommended by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution. Volume 2 was named one of Shia Books Australia's Top 5 Reads of 2021.
$90.00 AUD | Shia Books Australia Top Pick
The definitive English-language source on the final days of Imam Husayn (a). Meticulously researched, containing only narrations from the earliest extant sources, hand-selected for reliability, and translated into precise English. Includes the Arabic text throughout and five detailed maps of the Imam's journey. Named Shia Books Australia's #2 Read of 2021. An absolute must for historians, students, speakers from the pulpit, and anyone with a love for Imam Husayn (a).
$28.00 AUD
A complete collection of Imam al-Husayn's (a) discourses — both oral and written — from his first conversation with the governor of Madina to the last words to leave his blessed lips on the day of Ashura. With original Arabic text, colour maps, and scholarly commentary. Endorsed by Sheikh Muhammad Saeed Bahmanpour (Head of Research, Islamic Centre England) and Dr. John Andrew Morrow, among others. Find out the truth of Imam al-Husayn's mission in his own words.
$68.00 AUD
An abridged English translation of the celebrated Mizan al-Hikmah — a ten-volume Arabic collection of narrations from the Prophet (ṣ) and the Twelve Imams (a) on ethics, theology, and the foundations of Islam. Translated over several years by a team at the Islamic College in London. One of the most frequently cited hadith compilations in modern Shia scholarship. An indispensable reference work.
$24.00 AUD
An internationally acclaimed, award-winning guide that has inspired over half a million readers worldwide. A. Helwa combines theology, modern psychology, and poetic insight to help readers — regardless of background — discover a deeper, love-centred relationship with Allah through the teachings of the Qur'an. If you know someone who is spiritually curious but not yet ready for formal theology, this is the book to give them.
Browse our full catalogue at www.shiabooks.com.au. We ship worldwide with secure, PCI-compliant payment options.
For bulk orders for Islamic centres, madrasas, university MSAs, or community libraries, contact us directly at info@shiabooks.com.au or call (+61) 433 162 768.
Looking for recommendations for younger readers? Check out our companion blog: From Harry Potter to Imam Hussain: Transitioning Young Readers to Islamic Books.
This list is a living document — we are consistently reviewing and updating it. We welcome your suggestions!
Email us at info@shiabooks.com.au with your recommendations.
Kassamali, T. — Raising Children: Outside Influences (al-islam.org)
Amini, I. — Principles of Upbringing Children: The Habit of Reading Books (al-islam.org)
Mind in Momentum — Comprehensive Shia Reading List (English)
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