Books Recommended for Acquisition

The questioner: Our sister says that she owns some books, and she mentioned among them: *Al-Isra' wal-Mi'raj*, *Riyad al-Saliheen*, and *Men Around the Messenger* (peace and blessings be upon him). She would like you to kindly guide her to other books that would benefit her in matters of her religion, if you would be so kind, O Shaykh?
The answer: As for *Riyad al-Saliheen*, it is a precious and good book, and we advise everyone to acquire it because of the great benefit it contains. As for *Al-Isra' wal-Mi'raj*, it is a book of no value; it should not be acquired, and it is not to be relied upon. As for what concerns *Men Around the Messenger* (peace and blessings be upon him), I have not read it and I am unable to pass judgment on it. However, we advise our sister, the questioner, to acquire other books... the books of the two Sahihs, *Sahih al-Bukhari* and *Sahih Muslim*, should be in her possession; for they are two great books and are the most authentic books after the Book of Allah. We advise her to get *Tafsir Ibn Kathir*; for it is a great and beneficial book. We advise her to get *Zad al-Ma'ad* by Ibn al-Qayyim, which is a guide to the best of creation; it is a great and beneficial book. We advise her to get *Fath al-Majid* by Shaykh Abd al-Rahman ibn Hasan, the grandson of Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab, along with *Kitab al-Tawhid*, *Al-'Aqidah al-Wasitiyyah*, and its commentary by al-Haraz or another, all of these are beneficial books. Yes.
The presenter: Very well. May Allah bless you.