Muftisays Islamic Forums :: Book of the End - Great Trials & Tribulations

http://www.kalamullah.com/Books/Book%20of%20The%20End.pdf

By Hafiz Ibn Kathir (رحمه الله)

Like everything, the present universe will also come to an end, and it is a part of our faith to believe in the Last Day. The signs of the Day of Judgment have been foretold by our Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). Ibn Kathir has collected all the prophesies of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) in his book Al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah. In this volume, we have presented from them the signs of the Hour and the events that are yet to take place, although mentioning very few examples of those prophesies that have already been realized.

About Hafiz Ibn Kathir (رحمه الله)

He was Emaad Ed-Deen Isma'eel Ibn 'Umar Ibn ibn Katheer (رحمه الله), originally from Busra (Syria) and raised in Damascus. He followed the Shafi`ee school of thought. Ibn Kathir (رحمه الله) was born in the year 700 AH or little later in an area called Majdal, near Busra, west of Damascus. His father died when he was only four years old and was taken in by his brother and moved to Damascus in 706. Here, he learned from great scholars such as Ibn Asakir (رحمه الله), Ishaq ibn Yahya al-Amudi (رحمه الله) and the great Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) who was extremely close to him. He also studied under various other sheikhs who gave him permission in Fiqh and Hadith. He made many academic contributions to Islamic sciences.

He made many academic contributions to Islamic sciences. The following are amongst his most prominent:

Tafseer of the Qur'an, Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah: a history of Muslims from Adam until Ibn Kathir's time, At-Takmeel: a book on the science of Asmaaul Rijal (profiles of transmitters of Hadith), Jami`ul Masaneed: a book that collects the Hadith from ten major books of Hadith, , The classes of Shafi`ee scholars: a list of scholars following the Imam, Extraction of the traditions of Tanbeeh (a Shafi`ee book of jurisprudence), The commentary on al-Bukhari (which he did not finish), The book of laws (again, he did not complete it), The summary to the science of Hadith; a synopsis to the introduction of Ibn Saahi's work, Extraction of the traditions to the summary of Ibn Hajib, Musnad of the two sheikhs (Abu Bakr and Umar may Allaah be pleased with them), Biography of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, The epistle of Jihad.

Many of These have been translated into the English Language (Even though some are Abrdged Translations).

Al-Hafiz Ibn hajar Al-Asqalani (رحمه الله) said, Ibn Kathir (رحمه الله) lost his sight just before his life ended. He died in Damascus in 774A.H. May Allah grant him Mercy and make him amongst the residents of Jannah (Heavenly Garden). Ameen.