Al-Bidāya wa l-Nihāya

The book Al-Bidayah (The Beginning) by the Hafiz, the Imam, the scholarly critic, Ibn Katheer is an incomparable work regarding the study of the events and their chronological order, the knowledge of which he strove hard to acquire. He began by describing the start of creation – from the creation of the Throne and the Kursi and the heavens and the Earth and all that is in them and all that lies between them, such as the angels, the jinn and the devils and he described the manner of Adam’s creation. He recounted the stories of the Prophets and the events that took place therein, up to the times of the Children of Isra’eel and the Days of Ignorance, which ended with the advent of the final Prophet, Muhammad . Then he gave a detailed description of his life and what happened after that, up to the time in which he, lived. He then wrote a separate volume called
An-Nihaya Fil - Fitan Wal-Malahim ( The Ending with Trails and Great Battles )

Beyond the ancient past, the text serves as an expansive chronological record of Islamic civilization, detailing major political shifts, battles, and the biographies of notable scholars up to the author's own lifetime in the 14th century. The final volumes of the work transition into a profound examination of the future, discussing the signs of the day of judgment, theological prophecies, and the ultimate destination of souls in the afterlife. By balancing meticulous historical documentation with deep spiritual insights, it remains a definitive masterpiece for understanding human existence through a traditional Islamic lens.