What are the best recommended books on the history and virtues of the Companions, the history of the Umayyad state, literature, high resolve, the biographies of scholars (such as Ibn Taymiyyah, the Four Imams, and the early Muslim scholars), the accounts of ascetics and pious individuals, the wonders of peoples and nations, and the stories of the Prophet (peace be upon him), while avoiding misguided ideas and false reports?

Beneficial books vary depending on the reader's level. For non-specialists, some books are recommended in several fields:

Biographies of the Companions: "Pictures from the Lives of the Companions" by Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, and "The Companions" by Mahmoud al-Masri. History of the Umayyad State: "The Umayyad State: Factors of Prosperity and Consequences of Decline" by Dr. Ali al-Sallabi and his historical series. Literature: "Uyun al-Akhbar" and "Adab al-Katib" by Ibn Qutaybah, "Al-Mathal al-Sa'ir fi Adab al-Katib wa al-Sha'ir" by Ibn al-Athir, "Kitab al-Sina'atayn" by Abu Hilal al-Askari, "Rawdat al-Uqala' wa Nuzhat al-Fudala'" by Ibn Hibban, and the writings of Mustafa Sadiq al-Rafi'i and Muhammad al-Bashir al-Ibrahimi, and al-Baroudi's selections of poetry. High Aspirations: "Uluww al-Himmah" by Dr. Muhammad Ismail al-Muqaddim, and "Uluww al-Himmah" by Dr. Sayyid Hussein al-Affani. Biographies and Scholars' Biographies: "Siyar A'lam al-Nubala'" by al-Dhahabi. Beneficial Stories and Incidents: "Encyclopedia of the Stances of the Salaf in Creed, Methodology, and Education" by Sheikh Muhammad bin Abd al-Rahman al-Maghrawi. Wonders and Curiosities: "Aja'ib al-Makhluqat wa Ghara'ib al-Mawjudat" by al-Qazwini.