What did Ibn Kathir say about the prophets?
Ibn Kathir's Stories of the Prophets is the standard classical retelling — drawing from Qur'anic narrative, authentic hadith, and the earlier tafsir tradition to reconstruct each prophet's life.
10 passages from 7 books in the library
Ibn Kathir affirms the long, unbroken line of prophets sent by Allah, culminating in Muhammad, peace be upon him, "the unlettered prophet," the trustworthy. The passages relate the Prophet being asked how many prophets there were, and the vision on the Day of Resurrection in which a prophet passes with a whole nation, another with only one or two followers, and another with none. They preserve his words describing himself as "the messenger of mercy, the messenger of repentance," and honour Yusuf as a prophet, son of a prophet, son of a prophet. The accounts weave together the prophets' shared mission and the Prophet's own character.
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-Dhahabī, and Ibn al-Qayyim — 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.
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"that he could see its whiteness in the Prophet's palm. Anas ibn Malik further narrated that the inscription on the seal of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, was Muhammad on one line, Messenger on another line, and Allah on another line. The Prophet, peace be upon him, wrote to Kisra, Caesar, and the Negus, and it was said to him that they do not accept a letter except with a seal. So the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, made a seal, its band was silver, and it was engraved with Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah. Anas reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, would remove his ring when entering the restroom."
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"Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, shared his experience of serving the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, for ten years. He noted that the Prophet never expressed annoyance or questioned his actions. Anas described the Prophet as the best of people in character, with a touch softer than silk, and a scent more pleasant than musk or perfume. There was an incident where a man with a yellowish mark was with the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. The Prophet, peace be upon him, would not confront anyone with something they disliked. After the man left, the Prophet suggested to the people that it would have been better to advise him to remove the mark."
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"without performing ablution. Abdullah ibn al-Harith recounted that they ate roasted meat with the messenger of Allah peace be upon him in the mosque. Al-Mughira ibn Shuba narrated that he was a guest with the Prophet peace be upon him. One night when a roasted shoulder was brought the Prophet took a knife sliced it and shared it with him. When Bilal came to announce the prayer the Prophet dropped the knife and commented on Bilal's full mustache offering to trim it for him. Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet peace be upon him was presented with meat and he particularly liked the foreleg taking a bite from it. Masood mentioned that the Prophet peace be upon"
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.
More on Ibn Kathir →
· Provenance →
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"inform them first that he had visited al-Aqsa Mosque that night. Abu Jahl, may Allah curse him, saw the Prophet sitting calmly in al-Masjid al-Haram and asked, Do you have any news? The Prophet replied, Yes. Abu Jahl asked, What is it? The Prophet said, I was taken on a night journey to al-Aqsa Mosque. Abu Jahl responded, To al-Aqsa Mosque? The Prophet affirmed, Yes. Abu Jahl then proposed, What if I call your people to hear you tell them what you have told me? The Prophet agreed. Abu Jahl gathered the Quraysh to hear the Prophet's account, while the Prophet wanted to convey the message to them. Abu Jahl called out to"
13th–14th century · Damascus, Syria
Siyar Aʿlām al-Nubalāʾ — the monumental biographical dictionary of Islamic scholarship, from the companions of the Prophet ﷺ through al-Dhahabī's own era. A working-scholar reference used for seven centuries.
More on Imam al-Dhahabī →
· Provenance →
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""I will judge according to the Book of Allah. If it is not found there, then according to what the Messenger of Allah has judged." The Prophet further asked, "If it is not found in what the Messenger has judged?" Mu'adh responded, "I will exert my own reasoning and will not fall short." The Prophet praised him, saying, "Praise be to Allah who has guided the messenger of the Messenger of Allah to what pleases the Messenger of Allah.""
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"There is a narration about the polytheists capturing Ammar and not releasing him until he spoke ill of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and praised their idols. When Ammar came to the Prophet, the Prophet asked, "What happened?" Ammar replied, "It was bad, O Messenger of Allah. By Allah, they did not leave me until I spoke ill of you and praised their idols." The Prophet asked, "How do you find your heart?" Ammar replied, "At peace with faith." The Prophet said, "If they return, then you should return.""
13th–14th century · Damascus, Syria
Siyar Aʿlām al-Nubalāʾ — the monumental biographical dictionary of Islamic scholarship, from the companions of the Prophet ﷺ through al-Dhahabī's own era. A working-scholar reference used for seven centuries.
More on Imam al-Dhahabī →
· Provenance →
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"Similarly Wab noted that the Torah states whoever insults his parents should be stoned Amr Ibn Murrah Al-juhani narrated that a man approached the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him and asked Oh Messenger of Allah if I pray the five prayers fast during Ramadan gives a cot and perform hajj. What will I have? The Prophet peace be upon him replied whoever does that will be with the prophets the truthful the martyrs and the righteous Unless he disobeys his parents The Prophet peace be upon him also said may Allah curse the disobedient child to his parents It is reported that during the night journey the Prophet peace be upon him saw people in hell hanging from trees of fire"
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.
More on Ibn Kathir →
· Provenance →
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"knowing and wise, as he said, Allah knows best where to place his message. This is why the messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said when asked, Who are the most honorable of people? He replied, Yusuf, the Prophet of Allah, the son of the Prophet of Allah, the son of the Prophet of Allah, the son of the friend of Allah. It is narrated that a man from the Jews named Bustana came to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and asked, O Muhammad, tell me the names of the stars that Yusuf saw as bowing to him. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, remained silent and did not answer. Then Gabriel, peace"
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.
More on Ibn Kathir →
· Provenance →
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"While Adam was between the spirit and the body. This narration is supported by multiple sources confirming its authenticity. Abu Hurairah narrated from the Prophet, peace be upon him, regarding the verse, And when we took from the Prophets their covenant from Surah al-Ahzab, the Prophet said, I was the first of the Prophets in creation, and the last of them in resurrection. This report highlights the mention of the Prophet in the highest assembly, known as the seal of the Prophets, even before Adam was given life. Allah's knowledge of this was established before the creation of the heavens and the earth."
14th century · Damascus, Syria
Madārij al-Sālikīn — the classical map of the spiritual journey — and a vast body of work on the soul, love, the traps of the ego, and the nature of the heart.
More on Ibn al-Qayyim →
· Provenance →
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"achieve. He said, That is the favor of Allah. He grants it to whom he wills. An Arab once approached the Prophet peace be upon him and said, O Messenger of Allah, The duties and laws of Islam have become numerous for me. Please inform me of something comprehensive that will suffice me. The Prophet replied, Let the remembrance of Allah be your main focus. The man asked, Will it suffice me, O Messenger of Allah? The Prophet answered, Yes, and it will surpass you. In this way, the Prophet peace be upon him guided him toward something that would encourage him to fulfill the duties of Islam, increase"
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