HaReads

Reading list · Qur'an

Understanding the Qur'an: Tafsir and Reflection

From classical tafsir to reflections on single surahs, books that help you understand what you recite.

Mon Nov 09 2026

Many of us recite the Qur'an every day without fully understanding it. Reading a tafsir, or a book of reflections on the Qur'an, changes the way you hear the words in your prayer.

This list includes classical commentaries for those ready to go deep, along with shorter books that explore the themes of the Qur'an or focus on a single surah. Whatever your level, there is a place to start here.

  1. Towards Understanding the Qur'an (Tafhim Al-Qur'an) Volume 13: Surah 13 (Al-Tahrim) to Surah 77 (Al-Mursalat)

    by Sayyid Abul A'La Mawdudi

    Volume 13 of Towards Understanding the Qur'an, Sayyid Abul A'la Mawdudi's well-known commentary. Deep insight into the meaning of the Qur'an.

  2. Living with the Qur'an: A Yearlong Journey to Falling in Love with Allah's Words

    by Aliyah Umm Raiyaan

    A yearlong journey with the Qur'an, with daily reflections to help you fall in love with Allah's words. Warm, practical and encouraging.

  3. Meaning of the Holy Qur'an: Complete Translation with Selected Notes

    by Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    Abdullah Yusuf Ali's classic English translation of the Qur'an with selected notes. One of the most widely read translations in the world.

  4. Tafsir al-Quran: Studying the Quran

    by Ibn Kathir

    An introduction to studying the Qur'an through the tafsir of Ibn Kathir, one of the most trusted commentaries ever written. A helpful companion for anyone who wants to understand the Qur'an more deeply.

  5. Tafsir Ibn Kathir: Volume 1

    by Ibn Kathir

    The first volume of Tafsir Ibn Kathir in English, one of the most widely read explanations of the Qur'an. A treasure for anyone who wants to study the meanings of the Qur'an with the Prophetic hadith that explain them.

  6. Parables of the Qur'an

    by Yasir Qadhi

    Dr. Yasir Qadhi explains the parables of the Qur'an and the lessons Allah teaches through them. A beautiful way to understand the Qur'an more deeply.

  7. Stories of the Qur'an

    by Ibn Kathir

    The stories of the Qur'an as told by Ibn Kathir in his famous commentary. A trusted way to learn the stories of the prophets.

  8. The Straight Path: How Surah Al-Fatiha Addresses Modern Ideologies

    by Nazir Khan

    Nazir Khan shows how Surah al-Fatihah answers the big ideologies of our time. A thoughtful and timely book.

A simple habit: before you read a surah in your own prayer, read what one of these books says about it. You will never hear it the same way again.

10% Off Your First Order for ilm Members. Use Code WELCOME10.Join Free.
|
HAREEDS
ISLAMIC BOOKSTORE

Join our list:

New arrivals and offers by email. Unsubscribe any time.

Read with reflection.
Read with reflection.
Morning & evening
Make room for hope
Stories that take root
Big laughs, bigger hearts

The Marya Khan Series

Saadia Faruqi's funny, big-hearted chapter books about a girl with even bigger plans.

A Story for Every Night of the Year

Short, gentle stories from the life of the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions, one for each night.

Secrets of Divine Love by A. Helwa

The much-loved journey into the heart of Islam, and its companion on hardship.

New This Week

New

The Ocean Would Paint Me Blue

New

Sahih Al Bukhari Volume 4 of 9

New

Productive Muslim: Where Faith Meets Productivity

New

The Story of Imam Bukhari: Islam's Hadith Grandmaster

New

A Treasury of 'A'ishah: A Guidance from the Beloved of the Beloved

New

Under the Ramadan Moon

NewHareeds Pick

Riyad Al-Salihin Volume 1: The Original Arabic Text with English Translation, Commentary, and Vocabulary Notes

New

Miracles of the Prophets

NewHareeds Pick

Riyad Al Salihin: Gardens of the Righteous: Gardens of the righteous

New

Zayd: The Rose that Bloomed in Captivity

Qur'an & Tajweed

Towards Understanding the Qur'an (Tafhim Al-Qur'an) Volume 13: Surah 13 (Al-Tahrim) to Surah 77 (Al-Mursalat)

Lessons from Surah Yusuf

TAJWEED QURAN 30 JUZ SET - Large (Leather Case)

Tajweed and Memorization Quran with Arabic Subject Descriptions

Parables of the Qur'an

Meaning of the Holy Qur'an: Complete Translation with Selected Notes

Juz A Day: Summary of the Qur'an

Heart of the Qur'an: Commentary on Surah Yasin with Diagrams and Illustrations

The Qur'an Has It All: How the Qur'an Answers All of Life's Questions

Lessons from Surah Al-Kahf

Quran Alone: A Holy Book Unexplored

TAJWEED QURAN LEATHER COVER 9.5" X 7"

Books for the smallest readers

Chunky board books and first words — made for hands that grab.

Aqeedah & Islamic Belief

Angels in Your Presence

From Science to Faith: Using a Scientific Approach to Strengthen Faith

Judgement Day: Deeds That Light the Way

Sinner in Jannah: Stories of Repentance, Hope and Mercy

Casual Talk on Philosophy, Religion and Good Life

Taleemul Haq: VOLUME TWO - Aqaaid (Beliefs) of the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah, Masaa'il and Sunnats of Zakaat, Fasting, Taraaweeh, I'tikaaf, Hajj, Umra

Blessed Names and Attributes of Allah

Journey of the Soul

Islamic Creed Series Vol. 7 – Paradise and Hell: In the Light of the Qur’an and Sunnah

30 Signs of the Hypocrites

Celestial Beauty of Jannah

Life in al-Barzakh from Death until Resurrection

Spirituality & Self-Development

Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam

Wings of Faith: Patience and Gratitude

Heart to Heart: A Fatherhood Guide from Surah Luqman

Mercy You Didn't See

Handbook of Sacred Healing

Dec 1, 2026

New

Productive Muslim: Where Faith Meets Productivity

The Muslim Handbook of Etiquette and Manners

Halal Humour On Relationship: Finding Laughter in the Path of Purity

For Those Left Behind: Guidance on Death and Grieving

Shield: Morning & Evening Adhkar

Dec 22, 2026

Big Little Steps: A Woman's Guide to Embracing Islam

Handbook of Accepted Prayers

Our favourite reads

Curated by Hareeds, refreshed each month.

Coming Soon — Pre-Order Now

Meet the Deenos

Jul 13, 2027

Simply Blessed Wedding Guide

Apr 6, 2027

Abdullah's Bear Needs a Name!

Apr 6, 2027

Heartfelt: Poetic Reflections Inspired by Divine Revelations

The Toast of the Town

Allah Hears You and Me

Prophet ISA a Special Baby Activity Book

Nov 24, 2026

Handbook of Sacred Healing

Dec 1, 2026

Shield: Morning & Evening Adhkar

Dec 22, 2026

Constitutional Crisis of Islamic Civilisation: From the Great Fitnah to the Arab Spring

Dec 29, 2026

Revival of the Religious Sciences

Jan 19, 2027

Bounce Back (Reissue)

Jan 26, 2027

HaReads

New post

Understanding the Qur'an: Tafsir and Reflection

Hadith & Sunnah

The 40 Hadith of Imam al-Nawawi

Sahih Muslim (Volume 13): With the Full Commentary by Imam Nawawi

New

A Treasury of 'A'ishah: A Guidance from the Beloved of the Beloved

Treasury of Hadith: A Commentary on Nawawi's Selection of Prophetic Traditions

Prophet of Mercy: How Muhammad (Pbuh) Rose Above Enmity Insult

The Forty Hadith of Imam al-Nawawi: English and Arabic

Sahih Al Bukhari Volume 5 of 9

A Year with A'Ishah (Ra): The Mother of the Believers

40 on Justice: The Prophetic Voice on Social Reform

Hareeds Pick

40 Hadith from Jami' Al Tirmidhi

Qur'an's Difficult Verses Explained: with Commentaries, Hadith, Biographies and History

Al-Arba'in al-Nawawiyya: The Forty Hadiths of Imam Nawawi

Children's Books

The Mess Monster

Noura's Crescent Moon

More Hands

Eid Al-Adha with Yasmin

Race to Prayer (Salah): Sulaiman's Rewarding Day

My Allah is amazing

Planet Omar: Unexpected Super Spy

Let's Visit Masjid Al-Haram

Boldest White: A Story of Hijab and Community

The Toast of the Town

New

The Story of Imam Bukhari: Islam's Hadith Grandmaster

Aisha: Mother of the Believers

Settle in for autumn

Long nights, warm drinks, and an Islamic shelf worth getting lost in.

Bestsellers

Bestseller

The Clear Quran®

Bestseller

The Principle of Patience

Bestseller

Dont Be Sad

Bestseller

The Noble Words

Bestseller

Forty Hadith Qudsi

Bestseller

The Prophet’s Prayer Described – From the Beginning to the End As Though You See It

Bestseller

Colourful Quran

Bestseller

Tajweed Made Easy

Arabic Learning

MADINAH ARABIC READER BOOK-7

MADINAH ARABIC READER BOOK-2

MADINAH ARABIC READER BOOK-8

MADINAH ARABIC READER BOOK-4

Europe Speaks Arabic

MADINAH ARABIC READER BOOK-6

Book of Language: Exploring the Spiritual Vocabulary of Islam

MADINAH ARABIC READER BOOK-1

MADINAH ARABIC READER BOOK-5

MADINAH ARABIC READER BOOK-3

H

Reading list · Qur'an

Understanding the Qur'an: Tafsir and Reflection

From classical tafsir to reflections on single surahs, books that help you understand what you recite.

The Hareeds Team4 min read9 November 2026

Many of us recite the Qur'an every day without fully understanding it. Reading a tafsir, or a book of reflections on the Qur'an, changes the way you hear the words in your prayer.

This list includes classical commentaries for those ready to go deep, along with shorter books that explore the themes of the Qur'an or focus on a single surah. Whatever your level, there is a place to start here.

01

Towards Understanding the Qur'an (Tafhim Al-Qur'an) Volume 13: Surah 13 (Al-Tahrim) to Surah 77 (Al-Mursalat)

Towards Understanding the Qur'an (Tafhim Al-Qur'an) Volume 13

by Sayyid Abul A'La Mawdudi

Tafsir

Volume 13 of Towards Understanding the Qur'an, Sayyid Abul A'la Mawdudi's well-known commentary. Deep insight into the meaning of the Qur'an.

$54.95View book

02

Living with the Qur'an: A Yearlong Journey to Falling in Love with Allah's Words

Living with the Qur'an

by Aliyah Umm Raiyaan

Themes of the Qur'an

A yearlong journey with the Qur'an, with daily reflections to help you fall in love with Allah's words. Warm, practical and encouraging.

$19.58View book

03

Meaning of the Holy Qur'an: Complete Translation with Selected Notes

Meaning of the Holy Qur'an

by Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Tafsir

Abdullah Yusuf Ali's classic English translation of the Qur'an with selected notes. One of the most widely read translations in the world.

$19.99View book

04

Tafsir al-Quran: Studying the Quran

Tafsir al-Quran

by Ibn Kathir

Tafsir

An introduction to studying the Qur'an through the tafsir of Ibn Kathir, one of the most trusted commentaries ever written. A helpful companion for anyone who wants to understand the Qur'an more deeply.

$39.60View book

“And We have certainly made the Qur'an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?”
The Qur'an, Surah al-Qamar 54:17

05

Tafsir Ibn Kathir: Volume 1

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

by Ibn Kathir

Tafsir

The first volume of Tafsir Ibn Kathir in English, one of the most widely read explanations of the Qur'an. A treasure for anyone who wants to study the meanings of the Qur'an with the Prophetic hadith that explain them.

$39.60View book

06

Parables of the Qur'an

Parables of the Qur'an

by Yasir Qadhi

Themes of the Qur'an

Dr. Yasir Qadhi explains the parables of the Qur'an and the lessons Allah teaches through them. A beautiful way to understand the Qur'an more deeply.

$14.94View book

07

Stories of the Qur'an

Stories of the Qur'an

by Ibn Kathir

Themes of the Qur'an

The stories of the Qur'an as told by Ibn Kathir in his famous commentary. A trusted way to learn the stories of the prophets.

$21.99View book

08

The Straight Path: How Surah Al-Fatiha Addresses Modern Ideologies

The Straight Path

by Nazir Khan

Surah Studies

Nazir Khan shows how Surah al-Fatihah answers the big ideologies of our time. A thoughtful and timely book.

$15.94View book

A simple habit: before you read a surah in your own prayer, read what one of these books says about it. You will never hear it the same way again.

Signed in