What books should I read before becoming Muslim?

Start with a clear English translation of the Quran and one good biography of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Add a simple beginner's guide to Islamic practice and, if you like, a convert's story. You don't need a long reading list before becoming Muslim; a few good books are plenty.

1. A Quran translation

The Quran's very first revealed word was a command to read:

ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ "Recite in the name of your Lord who created." Quran 96:1

Popular readable translations include The Clear Quran (Mustafa Khattab), M.A.S. Abdel Haleem's translation (Oxford), and the Sahih International translation. See Which English translation of the Quran should I read? The Quran isn't arranged like a story, so don't worry if it feels unusual at first. See Why isn't the Quran in chronological order?

2. A biography of the Prophet ﷺ

Knowing the Prophet's ﷺ life makes the Quran come alive. Two widely recommended choices:

Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources by Martin Lings: beautifully written, popular with converts.
The Sealed Nectar by Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri: a detailed, traditional account that won an international seerah prize.

3. A practical beginner's guide

Being Muslim: A Practical Guide by Asad Tarsin: short, clear, written with new Muslims in mind. It covers belief, prayer and daily life.
Any good illustrated guide to prayer, or a mosque's new Muslim booklet.

4. Convert stories (optional)

Reading how others found Islam can be encouraging, especially if you feel alone:

The Road to Mecca by Muhammad Asad: a European journalist's journey in the 1920s.
Struggling to Surrender by Jeffrey Lang: an American math professor's honest account, including his doubts.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X: his later chapters on Hajj and mainstream Islam are especially moving.

What you can leave for later

Detailed books of fiqh (Islamic law), hadith collections and advanced theology are better read with a teacher after you've settled in. You also don't need Arabic first. See Do I need to learn Arabic before I become Muslim?

Key points

Begin with a readable Quran translation.
Add one biography of the Prophet ﷺ, like Martin Lings or The Sealed Nectar.
A short practical guide helps with prayer and daily life.
Advanced law and theology can wait until after your shahada.

Tip: Check your local library or mosque before buying. Many mosques give free Quran translations and beginner books to anyone who asks, and some will happily lend you their copies.