Wardah Books: A Haven for Readers in Singapore

By Aref Ghouse
19 Nov 2025

A calm morning on Bussorah Street

SINGAPORE: On a breezy Tuesday morning, Bussorah Street stretched before me,its two rows of shophouses quietly alive.

Cafes were setting up for the lunchtime crowd. In just an hour, the street would hum with activity, but for now, it moved at a calm rhythm in the heart of Kampong Glam.

Located near Singapore’s central business district, the street is lined with cafes, restaurants, clothing boutiques, and dessert stalls, all preparing for midday customers.

In the middle of a long row stood Wardah Books, its white door easily recognisable. At the entrance, a chalkboard carried the words:

“Reading confers a benefit not measured in profit.”

It was a short saying that expressed an insight - an aphorism. Each week, a new line appears on the board, one of several thoughtful initiatives by the bookshop that inspire visitors to read for the love of learning.

Above the doorway, a graceful Arabic inscription reads:
اللهم زدنا علما
(Allahumma zidna ‘ilman – O Allah, increase our knowledge.)

Together, the inscription and the chalkboard message capture the bookshop’s spirit - nurturing both mind and soul.

As I stepped inside, I introduced myself to a staff member and mentioned my appointment with Mr Ibrahim Tahir, Owner and Principal Bookseller of Wardah Books. She smiled and directed me upstairs.

I climbed the staircase and was greeted warmly by Mr Ibrahim, a father of two. He closed his laptop at a cosy window table and pulled out a chair for me.

With that welcoming gesture, our conversation began.

Modest beginnings

When Wardah Books first opened in 2002,it carried just 30 book titles. As interest in Islamic reading steadily grew in Singapore, so did the bookshop’s shelves. Over the years, readers from all walks of life - students, parents, teachers, and professionals - began seeking books that deepen their understanding of faith, life, and the world around them.

Today, the bookshop carries 4,500 titles, a growth that reflects both rising demand
and Mr Ibrahim’s long-standing commitment to making meaningful books accessible to the community.

Wardah Books’ first floor is dedicated to usul, or foundational knowledge, featuring Islamic subjects such as the Qur’an, Hadith, Sirah, Fiqh, and Theology.

Where ideas meet books

The books are arranged according to “foundations” and “extensions” - a system Mr Ibrahim explained as analogous to usul (foundational knowledge) and furu’ (branches
of knowledge) in Islam.

The usul section, covering Islamic subjects such as Qur’an, Hadith, Sirah, Fiqh, and Theology, occupies most of the first floor. The furu’ section extends into contemporary subjects including Better Thinking, Psychology, Personal Growth,Children, Family, Education, Interfaith Studies, Philosophy, Women’s Studies, and Finance, and is found mainly on the second floor.

When asked about the creative steps Wardah Books has taken over the years, Mr Ibrahim paused thoughtfully.

“Creativity is an essential element in any small business. We need to be nimble, adapt
to changing situations, and be problem solvers,” he said in an interview with What’s The Biz, a digital magazine on Muslim entrepreneurship.

The weekly chalkboard message is one such small but meaningful initiative, part of a
broader system that welcomes visitors and encourages reading. Beyond this, the team
has implemented several measures to keep the bookshop engaging, including:

A loyalty programme for customers

A regular email newsletter featuring new book arrivals and events

Daily inventory checks to track sales and maintain tidy shelves

Among the bookshop’s bestsellers are Depression & Anxiety: The Causes & Treatment According to the Qur’an in the Personal Growth category, and the popular The Clear Qur’an series.

In the fiction section, As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow, a poignant novel exploring the Syrian civil war, has also captured readers’ attention. On the first floor, a children’s section features favourites such as Daily Du’a & Dhikr for Kids.

Accessories include tote bags, educational card games, reflective journals, Ramadan action-plan journals, and gift cards. Wardah Books also operates a loyalty programme where every SGD 1 (USD 0.80) spent earns five points, redeemable for future discounts.

Building the bookshop thoughtfully

Wardah Books began as a wholesaler,supplying selected titles from the United States and the United Kingdom to major Singapore bookstores,including Kinokuniya,Borders,and Page One. When sales proved slow, Mr Ibrahim made a decisive shift.

In 2002, he opened his own bookshop in Kampong Glam with what he described as“a good rent”.

The bookshop grew steadily, and by 2010, Wardah Books expanded to occupy both levels of the shophouse to meet increasing demand, offering some 2,000 titles at the time.

On the first floor, the children’s section features popular titles such as Daily Du’a & Dhikr for Kids.

Among the bookshop’s bestsellers is Depression & Anxiety: The Causes & Treatment According to the Qur’an, from the Personal Growth category.

The art of curation

When asked about the biggest challenge he faces, Mr Ibrahim pointed to curation.“People judge a book by its cover, but people judge a bookshop by its curation,” he said.

“I spend a great deal of time on it. I don’t rely on the book synopsis alone. I go into the contents as well. Sometimes the synopsis says very little - sometimes it’s practically meaningless - so reading the contents myself becomes essential.”

Asked what keeps him going, Mr Ibrahim paused.

“Books will always remain relevant to our community. The fewer people who read, the more essential a bookshop becomes.

“We need to provide a space for those who love to read.”

He added that while the reading community may not be large, it is sufficient to sustain the bookshop meaningfully and profitably.

Cultivating a community of readers

Wardah Books regularly hosts events such as author signings and book club activities
on its second floor.

Currently,the bookshop supports three book clubs:

Islamic Civilisation Book Club
Al-Fihriya Book Club (for women)
Pretzel Book Club (for children)

The Pretzel Book Club,for children aged nine to 13, nurtures young readers who
enjoy reading and discussion.

Reflecting on the deeper value of reading, Mr Ibrahim said:

“Reading is often seen as a solitary activity, but its effects are social. It is also a basic
requirement for an informed citizenry.

“Besides, it’s also part of our religious instruction - a cornerstone of a meaningful life.”

Wardah Books features a dedicated children’s section designed to nurture a love of reading from a young age.

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Accessories at Wardah Books include tote bags, educational card games, reflective journals, Ramadan action-plan journals, and gift cards.

The charm of physical books

When reflecting on the appeal of digital media to younger audiences,Mr Ibrahim noted that physical books and digital content each have their place, serving different roles and audiences.

“Physical books continue to offer unique value,” he said.

Summing up Wardah Books’ role in the community, he added:

“A bookshop must not only sell books - it must also anchor a community of readers.”

Wardah Books’ collection and accessories are also available online at wardahbooks.com.