AL-BIDAYAH WA AN-NIHAYAH english pdf all volumes

Al-Bidayah wa An-Nihayah – 7 Parts All in One

AL-BIDAYAH WA AN-NIHAYAH

Al-Bidayah wa An-Nihayah (The Beginning and the End) Ibn Kathir wrote. It is a renowned Islamic historical book that covers the history of humanity from the creation of Adam (peace be upon him) until the author’s time. Ibn Kathir was a prominent Islamic scholar and historian who lived in the 14th century.

Al-Bidayah wa An-Nihayah” provides a comprehensive account of various events, prophets, civilizations, and historical narratives. It begins with the creation of the universe and goes through the stories of the prophets, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them). The book also covers the rise and fall of empires, such as the Pharaohs of Egypt, the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and the early Muslim caliphates.

Ibn Kathir relied on authentic sources, including the Qur’an, Hadith (sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad), and the works of earlier scholars, to compile his historical account. He provided commentary and analysis on the events, drawing lessons and moral teachings from the stories.

“Al-Bidayah wa An-Nihayah” is a valuable resource for those interested in Islamic history and provides insights into the events that shaped the Muslim world. It has been translated into several languages and is widely studied by scholars, students, and researchers.

Work of the author

The author’s plan of action for this book involved several key steps:

1. Summarization of the Text: The author concentrated on the most significant events narrated in the book, ensuring that no vital details were omitted to preserve the text’s meaning and significance.

2. Reliance on Various Copies: The author relied on both printed and handwritten copies of the book. In cases where contradictions or omissions were found, the author painstakingly worked to establish the most accurate and authentic text.

3. Selection of Authentic Ahadeeth: The author excluded ahadeeth that were baseless or weak, focusing on those that were either authentic or hasan (good and sound). Occasionally, the author included some weak ahadeeth that were not excessively weak when no other narrations were available in a particular chapter.

4. Takhreej of Ahadeeth: The author performed takhreej of the ahadeeth, providing references to section and page numbers, hadeeth numbers, and the precise source of the hadeeth. The author also noted the authenticity of ahadeeth that were not from the Saheehain (Saheeh Al-Bukhari and Saheeh Muslim) because the ahadeeth in this book were widely accepted by the Muslim Ummah.

5. Summarization of Asaneed: In most cases, the author mentioned only the Companion who narrated the hadeeth or the person who reported it from the Companion.

6. Omission of Isra’eeliyyat: The author omitted many of the Isra’eeliyyat found in the book, as indicated in the author’s preface. These were stories that neither conflicted with the Quran and Sunnah nor were they believed or disbelieved. The author included them for additional details or to provide names for people and places mentioned briefly in the Quranic text without relying on them as evidence or for support.

The idea of the book

Al-Bidayah Wan-Nihayah holds a revered place in the hearts of Muslims worldwide. It is a treasure trove of Islamic knowledge, an indispensable addition to any Islamic library. In this monumental work, Ibn Kathir meticulously unfolds the tapestry of human history, commencing with the creation of the Throne, the Kursi (Footstool), the heavens, and the Earth, along with their inhabitants, including angels, jinn, and devils.

The author proceeds to describe the divine creation of Adam and narrates the stories of the prophets, leading up to the era of the Children of Isra’eel and the Days of Ignorance (Jahiliyyah). The narrative culminates with the advent of the final Prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him), signaling the conclusion of prophethood. Ibn Kathir then expounds upon the life of the Prophet, recording the events that transpired during his time. The book delves into the trials and battles that punctuated the Islamic history, offering insights into the signs heralding the approach of the Hour, the resurrection, and the terrors of the Day of Judgment, all described with meticulous detail.

Ibn Kathir’s profound work also delves into the descriptions of Hellfire, replete with its terrifying horrors, and Paradise, with its myriad delights. One volume of this vast work, known as “An-Nihayah Fil-Fitan Wal-Malahim” (The Ending in Trials and Battles), explores these themes.

The idea to create a summarized version of this remarkable book was conceived in a meeting between the author and Abdul Malik Mujahid, the general manager of Darussalam Publishing in Riyadh. With the grace of Allah, a plan of action was devised, encompassing ten principal points. A team of dedicated individuals with knowledge and experience in this field undertook the task with the help of the Almighty. Countless revisions and corrections were made to ensure accuracy and clarity until, by the permission of Allah, the project was successfully completed and published in the form that you hold in your hands today.