Author: Compiled by Ibn Kathir
Hardback: 576 Pages
Published: 2003
From the back cover:
In this book, the stories of the
prophets have been compiled from 'Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah' (The
Beginning and the End) which is a great work of the famous Muslim
exegete and historian Ibn Kathir and has a prominent place in the
Islamic literature. The stories of the prophets and all the events in
their lives have been supported by the Qur'anic Verses and the Sunnah
(traditions) of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). Wherever
it was necessary, other sources have also been reported for the sake of
historical accounts, but on such places a comparative study has been
made to prove the authenticity of the sources. Ibn Kathir has
reproduced the views and interpretations of all the great exegetes of
the Qur'an of his time. The systemic narratives of the Stories of the
Prophets have been written in chronological order which renders a
historical style to the book.
Allah the Most Exalted says in the Qur'an:
* "We are relating unto you the most beautiful of stories in that
what We have revealed to you from the Qur'an, though before it you were
from among those who were not aware of them." (12:3)
* "We have indeed sent aforetime Messengers before you, of them
there are some whose stories We have related to you, and whose stories
We have not related to you..." (40:78)
* "We relate to you the important news of their story in truth..." (18:13)
* "And all that We relate to you of these stories of the
Messengers, We strengthen with them your heart. Through them there come
to you the truth as well as admonition and reminder to all those who
believe." (11:120)
* "There is, indeed, in their stories lessons for people endowed
with understanding. It is not any invented tale, but a confirmation of
what went before it, and a detailed exposition of all things, and a
guide and a mercy to the people who believe." (12:111)
* "...so relate the stories, perhaps they may reflect." (7:176)
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