Say: "Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger: but if ye turn away, he is only responsible for the duty placed on him and ye for that placed on you. If ye obey him, ye shall be on right guidance. The Messenger's duty is only to preach the clear (Message)
 [TM Qur'an Al-Nur : 54]

The Life of the Prophet Muhammad
AL- SIRA AL- NABAWIYYA by Imam IBN KATHIR
Translated by Professor Trevor le Gassick  
 Paper Back  Reviewed by Dr A Fareed / Dr.M Fareed
Garnet Publishing - UK
Full 4 Volume set        

Al-Sira al Nabawiyya by Ibn Kathir is a full examination, in chronological order of the background, life and the mission of the Prophet Muhammad (saw). Drawn from the earliest and most reliable Arabic sources, it offers, in this close English translation, the Fullest available account of the historical circumstances and personalities most important in the foundation of Islam.

Ibn Kathirs work offers a fine example of the Islamic scholarship; the quotations and anecdotes that constitute its core are evaluated in terms of trustworthiness of the sources. Variant wordings that are related through differing lines of transmission are noted, and Ibn Kathir gives both his own assessments and those of the earliest Islamic authorities concerning the likely authenticity of these records. The comments and conversations, derived from ancient texts, that are quoted in this work constitute the basis of our knowledge of Islam during the life time Muhammad (saw)

Volume I - Prior to Prophethood to First Revelation
Relates the history of the Arab tribes who were the Prophet’s forebear, the lives of his parents and the accounts unusual events surrounding his birth. It then goes on to relate anecdotes regarding his childhood, the signs of the Prophet hood and the first revelations.
Reviewed by Dr. F Fareed PB 424 Pages - 

Volume II - Early years to 2 AH
Looks at the early years of the prophethood and includes such episodes at the Night Journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and the ascent to Haven, the Prophets marriages to Aisha(RA) and Sawda (RA) and the emigration to Madina. It gives details of events in the two years following the emigration, including the building of the Holy Mosques and various military expeditions and reveals how Islam as a faith developed.
Reviewed by Dr. M Fareed. Paper Back 412 Pages - 

Volume III - 3AH - 8 AH
gives details of the numerous battles and campaigns waged between 3 (AH) and 8 AH  to defend and spread the religion of Islam.
Reviewed by Dr. M Fareed. Paper Back 600 Pages -  

Volume IV - 9AH AND 10 AH
continues with the events of 9 AH and 10AH and presents the different accounts of the hajjat al –wada ( the farewell pilgrimage) and the events surrounding the death of the Prophet Muhamad.(saw)
Reviewed by Dr. M Fareed. Paper Back 600 Pages -  

This valuable work on the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and Blessings of Allah upon him) by Imam Ibn Kathir  hardly stands in need of any introduction.
Ibn Kathir
He was Emaad Ed-Deen Isma'eel Ibn 'Umar Ibn ibn Katheer , originally from Busra (Syria) – and raised in Damascus. He followed the Shafi`ee school of thought. Ibn Kathir 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, Ishaq ibn Yahya al-Amudi and the great Ibn Taymiyyah 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 Saah’s work, Extraction of the traditions to the summary of Ibn Hajib, Musnad of the two sheikhs (Abu Bakr and Umar), Biography of the Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, The epistle of Jihad. 

Many of These have been translated into the English Language (Even though some are Abrdged Translations), <Click Here to see a list of Translations Currently available at Kitaabun>

Al-Hafiz Ibn hajar Al-Asqalani said,”Ibn Kathir 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) .         For a Detailed Biography please visit the  web page.

Our Comments:-  This book  is part of a series of Arabic Works, made available in English by the  "Center for Muslim Contribution to Civilization".  it has been reviewed by Dr F Fareed and M Fareed.
The Quality of Print is exceptionally good and any Translation of Ibn Kathir is as always highly Commendable.   

Kitaabun (KBS)

Send a Kitaabun Gift Voucher to a Friend

"And say: truth has  arrived, and falsehood has  perished: for falsehood is ever  bound to perish." [TMQ Al-Isra:81]

Top       old links              New Articles     All Articles    Classical Biographies     Excerpts - Classical     Excerpts - Other