About The Book

Extracted from the celebrated Ibn Kathir’s al-Bidayah wa’n-Nihayah Qasas al-Anbiya is a detailed look at the rich, lesson-filled lives of the Prophets, upon them be eternal blessings and peace. This classic work seeks reconnect Muslims to the stories of the Qu’ran and the excellent example of the Prophets.

In this book, Ibn Kathir presents verses from the Qur’an, complimented by narrations from the final Prophet ﷺ. Sources from the previous scriptures are also consulted but with critical analysis of their veracity. May Allah (SWT) instil in us the beautiful qualities of the best humankind and may He unite us with them in Firdaws al-A’la. Amin.

About The Author

Ismail ibn Kathir ‎ (1301–1373) was a highly influential Muslim Muhaddith (narrator), Faqih, Mufassir, and Historian. He was the author of Signs Before the Day of Judgment. He is also well known for his Tafsir, which is widely considered authoritative.

He was born in Mijdal, a village on the outskirts of the city of Busra, to the east of Damascus, in the year 701 A.H. and was taught by Ibn Taymiyya, Al-Mizzi, Ibn Qayyim, Al-Dhahabi, Ibn Al Firkah,‘Isa bin Al-Mutim, Ahmed bin Abi-Talib, Ibn Al-Hajjar, Baha Ad-Din Al-Qasim bin Muzaffar bin ‘Asakir, Ibn Ash-Shirazi, Ishaq bin Yahya Al-Ammuddi, Zahriyyah Shaykh, and Muhammad bin Zarrad.

Upon completion of his studies he obtained his first official appointment in 1341, when he joined an inquisitorial commission formed to determine certain questions of heresy. Thereafter he received various semi-official appointments, culminating in June/July 1366 with a professorial position at the Great Mosque of Damascus.

Ibn Kathir wrote a famous commentary on the Qur'an named Tafsir al-Qur'an al-'Adhim which linked certain Hadith, or sayings of Muhammad, and sayings of the sahaba to verses of the Qur'an, in explanation. Tafsir ibn Kathir is famous all over the Muslirm world, and among Muslims in the Western world is one of the most widely used explanations of the Qur'an today.