By Anmol Irfan

Jan/Feb 2025

If you’re anything like me and simply need to be reading a book at all times, you know that finding a good Muslim-centric book that isn’t racist, problematic, or stereotypical is incredibly difficult. And with the current state of representation of Muslims in mainstream media being what it is, sometimes you just need an unapologetically Muslim story to connect to. Here are 10 Muslim-centric novels that will scratch that itch.

Hidden Fires by Sairish Hussain 

Sairish Hussain’s second novel Hidden Fires is a gripping tale that moves between the 1947 India-Pakistan partition and the tragic Grenfell Tower fire in West London in 2017. Hidden Fires is a story that connects generations. The relationship between grandfather and granddaughter is at the heart of the novel, and it speaks to all immigrant, multicultural families for whom family ties can be a source of both identity and heartbreak. Pain, loss, and trauma in South Asian, Arab and Muslim cultures can sometimes be swept under the rug, and this novel is a reminder of the work we still need to do on our way to healing. 

You Think You Know Me by Ayaan Mohamud

For fans of The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas, Ayaan Mohamud’s debut novel follows Hanan, who is considered to be  the perfect Muslim student  by her teachers. When a horrifying attack increases Islamophobic abuse, Hanan decides she’s had enough. Hanan and the characters around her are relatable and well-written which makes the message of the book even more powerful for Muslim teenagers who may be able to see themselves in Hanan’s shoes. By the book’s end, readers come to understand that in this world, hate and violence are unfortunately not far off realities, but instead everyday battles we need to fight. 

Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson 

Alif the Unseen is possibly my favorite book on this list because every part of it was so unexpected. Perhaps the only Muslim fiction book out there that links Islamic teachings, the Quran, and Islamic beliefs in Djinns to technology, Wilson’s novel constantly leaves you wanting more. Having a confident niqabi female character as one of the leads only adds to the joy of reading this book and getting swept up in a world that blends the mystique and allure of  Arabian Nights with the harsh, often unsatisfying grind of modern-day politics. 

Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali

On a lighter note, Love from A to Z is the Muslim romance-com we didn’t know we needed. S.K. Ali has long proven that Muslim stories don’t always need to be doom and gloom. Through Zayneb and Adam, she delivers a love story that soothes a  long-standing need to read a romance we can relate to. Between illness, anger, angst, and the need to make sense of teenage feelings within the context of Islam, Zayneb and Adam will have you rooting for them the whole way through.

Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin

As the character I can  relate to the most throughout all these compelling stories, Hana holds a special place in my heart. Despite the book receiving mixed feedback, it was a fresh and interesting take on a young Muslim woman starting her journey into adulthood. From her desire to be the “right kind” of fair, to trying to save her family’s failing business from a handsome rival, to dealing with microaggressions at work, to displaying her fashion choices through her hijab, Hana is relatable, realistic, beautifully flawed, and refreshingly lively. The romance is a bonus.

The Bad Muslim Discount by Syed M. Masood 

Providing equal parts  comedic relief and introspection into the struggles of practicing Islam in a modern world, The Bad Muslim Discount covers what it means to be on the journey of finding faith. This book follows Safwa and Anvar, characters from two families who immigrated to America in the 1990s as they navigate American imperialism, identity, and belonging with humor and sarcasm. 

We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

We Hunt the Flame is a young adult fantasy novel set in Demenhur, a land inspired by ancient Arabia. It follows 17-year-old Zafira who disguises herself as a man to hunt and provide food for people in her community who view women as tainted and unworthy. Opposing Zafira is an assassin named Nasir, who, like Zahira, kills for his family. The two characters clash when they’re both sent on a quest to uncover an ancient artifact, but greater forces and an ancient evil make their journey more complicated than either of them were prepared for. This book is well-written, gripping, and full of exciting twists and turns. It’s refreshing to see diversity within the fantasy genre, and to see such a strong female Muslim-inspired lead dominating the story.

The Map of Salt and Stars by Zeyn Joukhadar

The Map of Salt and Stars is a beautifully written tale of two girls traveling along the exact  same route roughly 800 years apart. The narrative shifts between 13-year-old Nour, who moves to Syria with her mother and sisters only to become refugees during the Syrian Civil War, and 16-year-old Rawiya who dresses up as a boy to become an apprentice to a mapmaker in the 12th century. This book is raw, gripping, and, at times, unbelievably sad. Joukhadar’s writing will make you feel like you are there with both Rawiya and Nour as they look for themselves and a place to call home. 

Six Truths and a Lie by Ream Shukairy

Possibly the most intense book on this list, Six Truths and a Lie follows a group of Muslim teens who find themselves arrested for an act of terror. Secrets threaten to ruin the decisions they make about their lives when they find themselves caught in a system where truth doesn’t matter. This novel explores important issues within Muslim communities like guilt, independence, the rule of law, and  the journey of navigating your religious beliefs alongside your desires. Each character is unique and far from the stereotypical Muslim stock characters we are used to seeing. The uniqueness on the page provides readers  a refreshing diversity in the way young Muslims are represented in contemporary literature. Six Truths and a Lie will play with your emotions throughout the story while the  psychological aspects of this book will thrill you , keeping you hooked until the very end. 

When a Brown Girl Flees by Aamna Qureshi

When a Brown Girl Flees follows the main character Zahra, whose story starts when she’s faced with an ultimatum after her high school graduation.  As a result, she runs away from home, and in so doing, attempts to run away from her darkest secrets. She soon comes to realize though that not everything in life can be solved by outdistancing your problems.  The main focus of this book is  emotional healing through female friendships, a social dynamic that remains extremely underexplored in Muslim communities. What also stands out is the theme of tawbah that Zahra explores throughout her journey and her own personal attempt at reconnecting with Allah which eventually leads her to finding herself. 

Anmol Irfan is a freelance journalist and the co-founder of Echoes Media, a slow news platform based on the global south. Her work focuses on marginalized narratives within global discourse including topics such as gender justice, mental health, climate, and more.

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