Shaikh Hafidh Ibn Kathir (Rahmahullah)

    He was Hafidh Abul Fida Ismail ibn Abi Hafs Shihabuddin Omar ibn Kathir ibn Daw ibn Kathir in Zar` the Quraishite – originally from Busra (Syria) – and raised in Damascus. He followed the Shafi`ee school of thought. Ibn Kathir was born in the year 701 AH 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 wrote one of the most authentic
and accepted explanations of the Quran and was famous for his understanding
of the Quran.  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  (amazing work)
• 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