The Four Imams (P/B)

Darussalam is proud to present the abridged English translation of the classic work: Al-Bidayah wan Nihayah, focusing exclusively on the battles, expeditions and Peace Treaties undertaken in the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). This volume contains a detailed account of the most momentous events from the Battle of Badr to the Battle of Mu’tah -that occurred to the Muslims under the leadership of the Messenger of Allah. Many of these events have become immortalized by the Noble Qur’an and continue to provide invaluable lessons to humanity, now and forever.

Al-Bidayah wan Nihayah (The Beginning and The End) by the renowned scholar Abu Al-Fida ‘Imad ad-Deen Isma’eel bin ‘Umar ibn Katheer/Kathir, is considered one of the most authoritative sources on Islamic history.

Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was known to be the friend of Allah. There was a reason why this was true. His Love for the Lord was unparalleled and so were his trials.However, through his life history one can learn a lot about life as well as the attributes of being a great human being. Includes the Life and times of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), explained in detail by the author. Every story of the prophet is linked to a moralistic and educational value. All stories provided in the book are authentic; they are taken from the Quran and the authentic Sunnah. Each story is supported by further research and commentaries from Muslim Scholars. The language level is easy to understand and it targets the students of Elementary school. Although everyone else is free to read it. The prophets were all Allah’s messengers, and they were the perfect example of what had to be offered in order to maximize the message of Allah. So why not learn from them, and make our world a better place?

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 (S). 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

The exact number of prophets and messengers sent by Allah is not known, but the Qur’an makes clear that all of the prophets were sent to various nations to preach Islamic monotheism. Muslims believe that all the Divine Messengers ? including those in common with Judaism and Christianity ? conveyed the same message of true monotheism and submission to the one God, Allah. Belief in these prophets and messengers is an essential part of the Islamic faith and Muslims do not differentiate between them, according them all the same respect and reverence.