Must-Read Books for Muslim Women in 2025

"I'd like to read more" is one of the most common New Year's resolutions, and one that I plan to fulfill in 2025. I've read many books in 2024, but I'm particularly inspired by reads from a class on Women and Gender in the Middle East during the final semester of my undergraduate degree at Sarah Lawrence. I want to share a few of my favorites with you all to read in 2025! My sister Alina (@alinaslifeabroad) is a voracious reader, so I asked her to share some of her favorite picks from 2024 too. I'd like to stress that I don't agree with 100% of the contents of every book I suggest, so keep that in mind and remember to always engage critically with what you read. 

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ALINA’S PICKS

Secrets of Divine Love by A. Helwa

One thing that I got from this book is how the people in our lives are gifts from Allah. Reading it changed my perspective on grief--when a loved one passes away, I view my time with them as a gift instead of viewing them as being "taken away" because we don't belong to each other, we belong to Allah.

Muhammad the World-Changer by Mohamad Jebara

A very readable and approachable history book. You get to know what the Prophet's (SAW) life and family were like and more context behind events. It's an incredibly moving and inspiring read that both Muslims and non-muslims would enjoy--it's one of our dad's favorite books!

Allah Loves… by Omar Suleiman

This is a good book to get to know and connect with Allah better, and to see what success looks like from Allah's perspective.

LIZZY’S PICKS

Believing Women in Islam by Asma Barlas

 This book discusses Quran interpretations surrounding gender. It was academic but still approachable, I loved reading it and learned a lot!

Women and Gender in Islam: Historical Roots of a Modern Debate by Leila Ahmed

 This book is a comprehensive summary of gender and Islam throughout history. It begins in the pre-Islamic Middle East and ends in the late 20th century.

Do Muslim Women Need Saving? by Lila Abu-Lughod

This book crushes orientalist stereotypes about Muslim women globally. It explores how the plights of Muslim women in different regions have been used as a tool to manufacture consent for war from the Western public. It also discusses the headscarf and its meaning to its wearers vs. Western perceptions. This TIME article written by Abu-Lughod covers some of the same topics if you're interested but don't have time to read the book.

Sitt Marie-Rose by Etel Adnan

This story is a beautiful, tragic biopsy into the Lebanese Civil War. It's narrated from the perspective of several different men and centers around Sitt-Marie Rose, a real Lebanese woman who was a peace activist during the war. Her kindness, tenacity, and courageousness is so inspiring to me! While this book is short, it has a heavy message that's sure to linger long after you've finished reading.

Dreams of Trespass: Tales of a Harem Girlhood by Fatema Mernissi

 This is my #1 favorite book I read this year. It's autobiographical; Fatema Mernissi tells the story of her growing up in Morocco during the modernization/nation building period in the country's history. I love the different tensions explored in this book: urban/rural, generational, male/female, traditional/modern, etc. I can't recommend this book enough.

Orientalism by Edward W. Said

An obvious pick that many of you have probably already read because it's so essential. This book's impact cannot be understated!

 

If you've read any of these books or have ones you'd like to recommend, drop a comment below and let me know what you think!