Ibn Kathir facts for kids

Abū al-Fiḍā’ ‘Imād ad-Dīn Ismā‘īl ibn ‘Umar ibn Kathīr al-Qurashī al-Damishqī, known as Ibn Kathīr (ابن كثير), was a very important Arab Muslim scholar. He lived from about 1300 to 1373. He was a historian, a Quran expert, and a legal scholar during the Mamluk era in Syria.

Ibn Kathir was an expert in tafsir (explaining the Qur'an) and fiqh (Islamic law). He wrote many books, including a 14-volume history of the world called Al-Bidaya wa'l-Nihaya. His tafsir is famous for carefully checking its sources. It is especially popular among Muslims today. His way of studying Islam was greatly influenced by his teacher, Ibn Taymiyyah.

About His Life

Ibn Kathir's full name was Abū l-Fidāʾ Ismāʿīl ibn ʿUmar ibn Kaṯīr. He also had an honorable title, ʿImād ad-Dīn, which means "pillar of the faith." His family was connected to the ancient Quraysh tribe.

Early Life and Education

He was born in a village called Mijdal, near the city of Busra, in what is now Syria. This was around the year 1300. When he was young, he studied with famous scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah and Al-Dhahabi. These teachers greatly shaped his thinking.

Career and Family

In 1341, after finishing his studies, Ibn Kathir got his first official job. He joined a group that looked into religious questions. He married the daughter of Al-Mizzi, who was a leading scholar in Syria. This marriage helped him connect with other important scholars.

In 1345, he became a preacher (khatib) at a new mosque in Mizza. This was his father-in-law's hometown. Later, in 1366, he became a professor at the famous Great Mosque of Damascus.

Later Years and Death

Towards the end of his life, Ibn Kathir became blind. He believed this happened because he worked late into the night. He was trying to reorganize a large collection of Hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad) called the Musnad.

He passed away in February 1373 in Damascus. He was buried next to his beloved teacher, Ibn Taymiyyah.

His Approach to Islam

Ibn Kathir followed a traditional way of understanding Islam. He was greatly influenced by his teacher, Ibn Taymiyyah. Both scholars believed in focusing directly on the Qur'an and the Hadith (sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad). They preferred these original sources over complex logical arguments.

Ibn Kathir was a Shafi'i jurist, meaning he followed one of the main schools of Islamic law. However, his overall approach was very similar to the Athari school of thought. This school emphasizes understanding God's attributes as they are described in the Quran and Hadith, without trying to explain them using human logic.

Modern scholars have noted that Ibn Kathir's methods were different from some earlier scholars. He carefully checked the sources of information, especially when explaining the Quran. He tried to remove stories that might have come from non-Islamic traditions.

His Important Books

Ibn Kathir wrote several important books that are still studied today.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

His most famous work is his commentary on the Qur'an, called Tafsīr al-Qurʾān al-ʿAẓīm. It is usually known as Tafsir Ibn Kathir. In this book, he explains verses of the Quran by linking them to Hadith and sayings of the Prophet's companions. He was careful to avoid using stories from other religions that might not be accurate.

Many Sunni Muslims consider his Tafsir to be one of the best. It is especially popular among the Salafi school of thought today. Its clear and direct style has made it very popular, especially among Muslims in Western countries.

Al-Bidaya wan Nihaya

Another major work by Ibn Kathir is Al-Bidaya wan Nihaya, which means "The Beginning and the End." This is a huge 14-volume history book. It covers the history of Islam from the very beginning of creation up to his own time.

Al-Jāmiʿ

Ibn Kathir also wrote a large collection of Hadith texts called Al-Jāmiʿ. This book was meant to be like an encyclopedia of Hadith. It lists the companions of the Prophet and the sayings that each of them passed on. This helps scholars understand the chain of people who shared each Hadith.

See also

In Spanish: Ibn Kathir para niños

• Ibn Taymiyyah
• Al-Tabari
• Al-Qurtubi
• Asad Mayhani