The Religion Of Islam: A Comprehensive Discussion Of The Sources, Principles And Practices Of Islam

I'm giving this book 5 stars despite the fact that Maulana Muhammad Ali was of the Ahmadiyya sect, a splinter from the Qadiani sect. I don't believe for a second the Ghulam Ahmad was the Mahdi. However, Maulana Muhammad Ali was an excellent scholar nonetheless. Because the Hanafi School of Jurisprudence allows the Mahdi to be a non-Arab, of course the Ahmadiyya sect uses the Hanafi School of Jurisprudence. It appears from my reading of this book that the Ahmadiyya also follows the traditional Hanafi method of evaluating tradition. Many modern Hanafi shaykhs use Hanafi fiqh, but evaluate traditions according to the method of the Shafie School. Some Hanafi scholars are returning to the Hanafi method of evaluating traditions, which is a good thing because it allows both options to be available.

If a reader knows in advance the distinctive Ahmadiyya teachings that traditional Sunni and Shia Muslims reject, then this book is good for digging deeper or as a refresher, or even as a reference book, so long as one is aware of those distinctive teachings.

I also recommend Maulana Muhammad Ali's Quran Translation, which heavily influenced Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthal's Quran Translation. I personally believe M. M. Ali's translation is better than Pickthal's, and for me that's saying a lot because Pickthal's translation is the one that I read first, and started me on the path to becoming a Muslim, thank Allah (SWT). Again, the commentary is of concern because of Ahmadiyya distinctives. However, if you know what they are in advance, you ignore them and take advantage of the excellent and clear commentary. I find M. M. Ali to be an excellent communicator whose books are still quite usable today.

I also recommend his collection of Hadith as a good introduction to Sunni traditions.

It might be good to read a recommended book on Aqeedah (basic Muslim beliefs) before reading these works, unless you've already obtained that knowledge. As long as you basic Sunni beliefs, Maulana Muhammad Ali's books will give you excellent information, especially when in a study group led by a Shaykh.