Authors · Islamic scholarship
Ibn Kathīr
إسماعيل بن عمر ابن كثير
≈ 701–774 AH
Ibn Kathīr grew up in Damascus, studying Shafi‘i law, hadith and history.
At a glance
- Quran and exegesis
- Tafsīr al-Qurʾān al-ʿaẓīm · تفسير القرآن العظيم
- He explains verses through other Quranic passages, hadiths and early statements.
Timeline
- ≈ 701 AHBirth
- 774 AHDeath
Biographical overview
- Full name
- Abū al-Fidāʾ Ismāʿīl ibn ʿUmar ibn Kathīr
- Arabic name
- إسماعيل بن عمر ابن كثير
- Birth
- ≈ 701 AH
- Death
- 774 AH
Life and education
Ibn Kathīr grew up in Damascus, studying Shafi‘i law, hadith and history.
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Understanding the work
His Tafsīr al-Qurʾān al-ʿAẓīm explains verses through the Quran, hadith and early reports. Al-Bidāya wa-n-Nihāya presents a universal history extending to his own time.
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Method and contribution
He explains verses through other Quranic passages, hadiths and early statements. Attention to chains enables criticism of particular traditions, including reports from earlier religious traditions. “Transmitted exegesis” therefore does not mean reproducing every collected report without examination.
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Transmission and legacy
His reputation rests on exegesis and history. Al-Bidāya wa-n-nihāya extends beyond a prophetic biography, from origins to events close to his own time. Modern abridgements may select only part of these works, so their titles and scope matter.
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A guide to reading
Read the Quranic passage in context before its explanation. Distinguish linguistic analysis, transmitted reports and interpretive choices. Comparing commentaries clarifies their aims; citing an earlier opinion does not always mean endorsing it.
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Selected works
Tafsīr al-Qurʾān al-ʿaẓīm · تفسير القرآن العظيم
Quran and exegesisA Quran commentary explaining passages in their textual order.
Al-Bidāya wa-n-nihāya · البداية والنهاية
History and biographyA historical account bringing together events and reports about earlier periods.
Biographical sources and references
References for further reading on the life and works of Ibn Kathīr: