My Maktaba, the online Arabic bookstore for serious readers
An Arabic book rarely exists in a single version. My Maktaba, whose catalogue is entirely in Arabic, picks the edition that deserves a place on your shelf: paper, binding, quality of the edited text, vocalisation. Then we ship it, properly protected.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Contact UsWhat is My Maktaba?
My Maktaba is a French-language online Arabic and Islamic bookstore that sells exclusively Arabic-language books. The catalog covers the Quran and tafsir, the Arabic language, aqida, fiqh, hadith, history and sira, spirituality, family, and youth, in addition to a collection of rare books and out-of-print editions. What sets My Maktaba apart is its selection process: each title is chosen for a specific edition, never based solely on its cover.
Do you sell books translated into French?
No. My Maktaba is an Arabic bookstore: all the books in our catalog are in Arabic, with no translations or bilingual versions. This is a deliberate choice that allows us to focus our selection on the quality of Arabic editions rather than offering a multitude of rough translations. The descriptions, recommendations, and customer service are all in French, and each book page indicates the expected reading level so you know what to expect.
Can I pay for my Arabic books in dollars or pounds sterling?
Yes. The currency selector at the top of the page converts the entire catalog to EUR, USD, or GBP. Payment is processed in the displayed currency via PayPal or credit card through Stripe.
How can I tell if a book in Arabic has vowel marks before I buy it?
On each product page on My Maktaba, the information is labeled with one of the following three options: fully vocalized text, partially vocalized text, or non-vocalized text. Photographs of interior pages also allow readers to assess the font size and the spacing of the layout—two criteria that are just as important as vocalization for a French-speaking learner.
How do you buy a book in Arabic when you're just starting out?
Start with a text that’s fully vocalized: all short vowels are marked, so it’s still possible to read even if you don’t know all the vocabulary. Children’s picture books, picture albums, and graded readers are perfectly suited for this stage, even for adults. The Arabic section of My Maktaba indicates the expected level for each title, and our team is happy to assist you before you buy if you’re deciding between two titles.
Why do two editions of the same Arabic book have such different prices?
Because you’re not buying the same item. The price difference reflects the work that went into preparing the text, the quality of the paper and printing, the type of binding, and the number of volumes. For classic works, an edition whose text has been verified against the manuscripts and annotated costs more than a photographic reprint, and will remain a pleasure to read for decades. My Maktaba details these differences on each product page so that the choice is yours.
Does My Maktaba ship worldwide?
Yes. My Maktaba ships its Arabic books worldwide: France, the European Union, and Switzerland; the Maghreb, the Gulf, and the Middle East; North America; Sub-Saharan Africa; Asia; and Oceania. Shipping costs are calculated automatically in the shopping cart based on the actual weight of the order, and a tracking number is sent to you as soon as the order is shipped. Outside the European Union, any local customs duties are the responsibility of the recipient.