Bidayah Wan Nihayah Pdf -

Report: Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah (The Beginning and The End) Subject: Availability, Content, and Analysis of the PDF versions of Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah . Author: Imam Ismail ibn Kathir (d. 774 AH / 1373 CE). Category: Islamic Literature / History / Eschatology.

1. Executive Summary Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah (The Beginning and the End) is one of the most renowned works of Islamic historiography. Written by the classical scholar Imam Ibn Kathir, it serves as a comprehensive universal history, starting from the creation of the universe (The Beginning) and culminating in the events of the Day of Judgment and the afterlife (The End). Due to its massive size in the original Arabic, the "PDF" versions available online generally fall into two categories: the complete Arabic sets (often spanning 15-20 volumes) and abridged English translations (usually 1-2 volumes focusing on specific sections).

2. Book Structure and Content The book is unique because it does not merely list political events; it filters history through a theological lens. It is generally divided into three major sections: A. Al-Bidayah (The Beginning)

Creation: Detailed accounts of the creation of the Throne, the Chair, the Heavens, and the Earth. Prophetic History: Stories of the Prophets mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, etc.), relying heavily on Quranic exegesis rather than weak Israeli traditions ( Isra'iliyyat ). Seerah (Prophetic Biography): A detailed biography of the Prophet Muhammad. This section is often published as a standalone book titled Al-Sira al-Nabawiyyah . bidayah wan nihayah pdf

B. Historical Period

The Rightly Guided Caliphs: A detailed history of Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali. Dynasties: History of the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates up until the time of Ibn Kathir.

C. An-Nihayah (The End)

Signs of the Hour: The Minor Signs (e.g., the coming of knowledge, construction of tall buildings) and Major Signs (e.g., the Dajjal, the descent of Jesus/Isa). The Afterlife: Detailed descriptions of death, the grave, resurrection, judgment, Heaven, and Hell. Important Note: This final section regarding the Day of Judgment is extremely famous and is often published separately in English under titles like "The End" or "The Last Day."

3. Analysis of PDF Versions Available Users searching for "bidayah wan nihayah pdf" will encounter different types of files. Below is an analysis of what is currently available digitally: A. The Arabic Original (Complete)

Format: Scanned PDFs or digital text (usually 14 to 20 volumes). Size: Extremely large (often 500MB - 1GB+ total). Quality: High-quality scans are widely available from Islamic digital libraries (such as Shamela or Al-Maktaba Al-Shamela). Verification: The Arabic text is generally reliable. Readers should look for the Tahqiq (verification) notes by scholars like Dr. Abdullah Abdul Muhsin At-Turki, which are considered the most academic editions. Report: Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah (The Beginning and The End)

B. English Translations There is no complete, unabridged English translation of the entire 20-volume set currently in circulation. Most PDFs available in English are abridged versions:

"The Beginning and The End" (Abridged): Translated by an assorted group of scholars (often published by Darussalam). This version summarizes the creation, stories of the prophets, and the Seerah.