What did Ibn Kathir say about the end times?
Ibn Kathir's collection of eschatological narratives gathers the minor signs, the major signs, the coming of ʿĪsā, and the final events with the authentication rigor he is known for.
10 passages from 7 books in the library
Ibn Kathir gathers prophetic reports about the signs of the end times. The passages mention the coming of the Dajjal, who is forbidden from entering certain protected places, and the appearance of al-Mahdi, recalling a meeting in which Sufyan came before him. They preserve the Prophet's warning about what would befall people "in the end times," including the loss of beneficial knowledge, and note narrations from his family about how people would be in that age. The material is largely fragmentary here, so it is best read as a reminder of these signs rather than a complete eschatological account.
Drawn from the classical sources below — in the scholars' own words.
The classical approach.
These passages are drawn from 7 books by Ibn Kathir, Imam al-Ghazali, and Ibn Battuta — part of the classical Sunni tradition that carries over a thousand years of reflection on the Qurʾān, the authentic Sunnah, and the consensus of the early community. Nothing below is a paraphrase. The words are the scholars' own, translated from the original Arabic manuscripts.
14th century · Bosra, Syria
Monumental history Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, the world's most widely read Qurʾanic commentary, and the classical Stories of the Prophets.
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"the Dajjal, mentioning, The Dajjal will come, and it is forbidden for him to enter the barriers"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
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"Sufyan entered upon al-Mahdi while holding a white scroll, and al-Mahdi said, O Sufyan,"
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"It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to mourn for a deceased"
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"It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to mourn for a deceased"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
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"not permissible for a man who believes in Allah and the last day to pray while holding back. A"
14th century · Tangier, Morocco
The Riḥlah — a 30-year, 75,000-mile journey across three continents, and the most important travel account of the pre-modern world.
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"The length of the mosque in al-Walid's construction was 200 cubits, which al-Mahdi extended to"
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"At the top of the Western Arcade wall is inscribed the command of Abdullah Muhammad al-Mahdi,"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"which is the beneficial knowledge. The Prophet, peace be upon him, warned, In the end times,"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"In a narration from the family of the Prophet, it is said that at the end times, people will"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"The hadith states, Whoever believes in Allah and the last day should honor his guest, agreed"
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