The Islam Starter Kit by Abdalhaqq and Aisha Bewley is a concise 58-page primer outlining the essentials of Islamic belief and the Five Pillars. Published by Diwan Press, it focuses on the traditions of the School of Madina and Imam Malik.
The Foundation Every Muslim Needs
Starting out in Islam? Returning after time away? Or simply looking to rebuild your practice from the ground up? This is the book you have been waiting for. Islam is vast, but starting out does not need to be confusing. This book distills the core practices, beliefs, and spiritual foundations into a clear, manageable framework. No prior knowledge assumed. No jargon left unexplained. Just the pure essentials, presented with the warmth and patience of teachers who remember what it felt like to be new.
Why You Will Want This Book:
✓ Learn from the best — Over 50 years of combined scholarship and lived tradition
✓ Classical, not trendy — Grounded in orthodox Maliki fiqh and Ash'ari creed, not internet opinions
✓ Complete yet compact — Read it in a weekend, reference it for life
✓ The perfect gift — For new Muslims, born Muslims reconnecting, teenagers, or the simply curious
Over five decades of scholarship. Two of the English-speaking world's most trusted Muslim authorities. One clear, compact guide to living Islam with confidence.
You Will Learn From Teachers Who Have Walked the Path
Both authors accepted Islam in 1968 and have spent over five decades studying, translating, and teaching classical Islamic texts. Shaykh Abdalhaqq has established Muslim communities across Nigeria, the US, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Spain, the Caribbean, and the UK. Aisha Bewley holds a BA in French and MA in Near Eastern Languages from UC Berkeley, studied at the American University in Cairo, and learned traditional Islam among the Arabs in Morocco. This is not theoretical knowledge — it is lived, tested, and transmitted with authenticity.
You Will Get the Essentials Without the Overwhelm
Islam is vast, but starting out does not need to be confusing. This book distills the core practices, beliefs, and spiritual foundations into a clear, manageable framework. No prior knowledge assumed. No jargon left unexplained. Just the pure essentials, presented with the warmth and patience of teachers who remember what it felt like to be new.
You Will Build on Classical Authority, Not Trendy Opinions
The Bewleys are renowned for their fidelity to classical Islamic scholarship — the Maliki school of jurisprudence, the Ash'ari creed, and the living tradition of Sufism. In an age of conflicting online voices and self-taught "experts," this book offers something rare: grounded, orthodox guidance from scholars who have earned their credentials through decades of traditional study and transmission.
You Will Understand Islam as a Whole — Not Just Rules
This is not a dry manual of do's and don'ts. The Bewleys present Islam as a complete way of life — spiritual, intellectual, social, and practical. You will learn not just what to do, but why it matters, and how each practice connects to a coherent, beautiful vision of human purpose.
You Will Have a Reference You Keep Returning To
Compact enough to read in a weekend, substantial enough to serve as a lifelong reference. Whether you need a quick refresher on wudu, a deeper understanding of prayer, or guidance on navigating family and social life as a Muslim, this book stays within arm's reach.
You Will Gift It With Confidence
The perfect present for:
New Muslims taking their first steps
Born Muslims seeking to strengthen their practice
Teenagers ready to take ownership of their faith
Families wanting a shared, authoritative resource
Anyone curious about what Islam actually teaches
Below is a Free PDF of the book 'Islam Starter Kit'
Starter-kit-FREE.PDF.pdf