Today, we will discuss about Ibn Kathir, one Syrian Scholar who popular at Islamic Historiography with his mega project, Book of al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah. He is one most popular Islamic Traditional Historian . Ok, please read this article until end and subscribe my blog for more informations about Islamic History and Civilizations. It is easy verb for you, but have big role for help us progress our blog that focuss at Islamic History and Civilizations.
Ibn Kathir, born at 1301 AD, at Majdal, Syria. He has full name Ismail Ibn Umar Ibn Kathir al-Qurahi al-Bashrawqi ad Dimashqi as-Shafii. At 707 H, Ibn Kathir moved to Damascus, Syria and he studied to his brother, Abd Wahhab. He loved many knowledges, from them Hadiths ( Islamic Oral Tradition from Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Tafsir/ Koran Interpretation, Fiqh ( Islamic law), and history. He also studied to Salafi Founder, Ibn Taimiyya ( die 728 H) and he so loved his teacher. He also studied to several teachers, suchas Alamuddin al-Qashim Ibn Muhammad al-Barzali, Abul Hajjaj Yusuf Ibn az-Zaki al-Mizzi, and Shamsuddin Ahmad Muhammad Ibn Muhammad ad-Dhahabi/ Imam Dhahabi. Imam Dhahabi praise him as man who expert at Fiqh, Hadiths, and Koran Interpretation.
He popular as scholar who doesnt has fanatism at Madzhab and he always refer to religions theorem. His student, Ibn Hajj, said Ibn Kathir is man with strong memory and he can understanding many Koran Interpretation books. Ibn Kathir, write many books. He write Tafsir Quran al-Azhim, Jami al-Masanid wa as-Sunan, at-Takmil fil Marifah at-Tsiqat wa adh-Dhuafa wa al-Majahil. And, he also write big encyclopedy at history, titled al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah. This book, is complete informations at Islamic History. He split his book into 4 parts.
First part discuss about world creating according Islamic perspective. He also discuss Propeths stories according Islamic tradition, from story of Propeth Adam Alaihissalam until Propeth Isa Alaihissalam. Second part discuss history Of Israelites and other ancient nations, and part three discuss about Pre Islamic Arabian History. Fourth part about Propeth Muhamad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam s histoy and five part about Islamic History after Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam until 14 TH Century.
Six part, discuss about day of judgement according Islamic Faith. This part, published separated from al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah, titled an-Nihayah fi al Fitan wa al-Malahim.
When write his work, al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah, Ibn Kathir used Koran ( Islamic Holy Book) and Sunnah ( Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam s traditions) as refrences when write about Islamic Propeths stories. When write about biography of Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam and Islamic Caliphate, specially Rashidun Caliphate, he used several book as Maghazi by Musa Ibn Uqbah and Tarikh al-Umam wa al-Muluk by Imam Tabari. And, when write about middle age Islamic History, such as era of Ayyubid and Mameluke Dynasty, he used several contemporaries sources, such as Mirah az-Zaman fi Tarikh al-Ayan by Sibt Ibn al-Jauzi and Wafayah al Ayan wa Anba u Abna az-Zaman by Ibn Khallikan. He also many quoted from his teacher s book, Tarikh al-Islam by Imam Dhahabi. Adn other. He also doing source critic when write Islamic History s narration. It i make his work, al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah as one quality Islamic History work. One Islamic Scholar, al Allama al-Ayni said about Ibn Kathir: “He is refrence at History, Hadiths, and Koran Interpretation”.
Imam Ibn Kathir, married Zaynab binti Mizzi, daughter from his teacher, Abul Hajjaj Yusuf Ibn Zaki al-Mizzi. At end of his life, Ibn Kathir suffered blindness and at 774 H, he die at Damascus, Syria and burried beside his teacher, Ibn Taimiyya. May Allah Subhanahuwataala bless them.
Refrences:
Al-Hafizh Ibnu Katsir: Perjalanan Hidup Empat Khalifah Rasul Yang Agung, Penerbit Darul Haq, 2012 M.
Imam Ibnu Katsir: Al-Bidayah Wa an-Nihayah, Penerbit Insan Kamil, 2020 M.
Khuzaeni: Biografi Singkat Ibnu Katsir : Profil, Pendidikan, Karya dan Pemikiran -, diakses 20 April 2025, 10: 07 WIB.
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