The book "Al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya"
First edition, original 1351 AH - 1932 AD
It is a massive historical encyclopedia by the scholar Ibn Kathir, covering history from the creation (the Throne, the heavens, and the earth) through the stories of the prophets and the biography of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, then the Islamic history up to the author's time (the eighth century AH), concluding with events of the end of times, signs of the Hour, resurrection, and the Day of Judgment. It is a fundamental reference in Islamic history, relying on verses, hadiths, and authentic narrations.
Key information about the book:
Author: The scholar Ibn Kathir al-Dimashqi (Imad al-Din Abu al-Fida Isma'il ibn 'Umar), who died in 774 AH.
Content: A comprehensive historical journey starting from creation and reaching the end of times, divided chronologically.
Beginning: Creation of the universe, angels, Adam, then the stories of the prophets.
Middle: Detailed history of the prophets, the prophetic biography, the Rightly Guided Caliphs, and the history of Islam until the year 768 AH.
End: Signs of the Hour, great battles, resurrection, the Day of Judgment, and the terrors of the Day of Resurrection, along with descriptions of Paradise and Hell.
Methodology: Based on reliable sources from the Quran, Sunnah, and authentic reports, with verification of the hadiths in the authenticated editions.
Importance: It is considered one of the fundamental books of Islamic history and its essential references, providing a comprehensive and documented view of historical events.