In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate

Qasas-ul-Anbia (Stories of the Prophets) is a book that has been compiled from 'Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah' (The Beginning and the End) which is a great work of the famous Muslim exegete and historian Ibn Kathir and has a prominent place in the Islamic literature.

The stories of the prophets and all the events in their lives, that are related in this book, have been supported by the Qur'anic Verses and the Sunnah (traditions) of the Prophet (S). Wherever it was necessary, other sources have also been reported for the sake of historical accounts, but on such places a comparative study has been made to prove the authenticity of the sources. Ibn Kathir has reproduced the views and interpretations of all the great exegetes of the Qur'an of his time. The systemic narratives of the Stories of the Prophets have been written in chronological order which renders a historical style to the book.

Allah the Most Exalted says in the Qur'an:

* "We are relating unto you the most beautiful of stories in that what We have revealed to you from the Qur'an, though before it you were from among those who were not aware of them." (12:3)

* "We have indeed sent aforetime Messengers before you, of them there are some whose stories We have related to you, and whose stories We have not related to you." (40:78)

* "We relate to you the important news of their story in truth." (18:13)

* "And all that We relate to you of these stories of the Messengers, We strengthen with them your heart. Through them there come to you the truth as well as admonition and reminder to all those who believe." (11:120)

* "There is, indeed, in their stories lessons for people endowed with understanding. It is not any invented tale, but a confirmation of what went before it, and a detailed exposition of all things, and a guide and a mercy to the people who believe." (12:111)

* ".so relate the stories, perhaps they may reflect." (7:176)

This book is a wonderful source of inspiration for any person, Muslim or non-Muslim; and gives one food for thought to reflect upon and also be motivated from the patience and perseverance of the Prophets of God (Allah).

You can buy the book from the following book publishers and retailers: Dar-us-Salam Publishers, Astrolabe - Urdu edition, Astrolabe - English edition, and Soundvision. You can also buy it in UK from: Kitaabun

You can also download it for free in .pdf format (Adobe reader required); from IslamBasics by clicking at this link.

InshAllah, we too would also be posting a new chapter from the book every few days, under the rights of this link, where the book can also be read online.

JazakAllah Khair.

ALHAMDULILLAH.

Table of Contents

1. The Story of Adam and Eve (Hawwa)
---A-Ahadith about the Creation of Adam
---B-The Story of Cain and Abel (Habil and Qabil)
---C-The Death of Adam and His Son Seth (Shith)

2. The Story of Enos (Idris)

3. The Story of Noah (Nuh)
---A-Noah's Mission
---B-The Ark and the Flood
---C-Noah's Will

4. The Story of Hud
---A-'Ad and Idolatry
---B-'Ad's Punishment

5. The Story of Saleh
---A-The She-Camel
---B-Thamud and the Punishment
---C-The Prophet (S) through the Thamud's Ruins

6. The Story of Abraham (Ibrahim)
---A-Abraham and His Father
---B-Abraham and the Idols
---C-Abraham and the Fire
---D-Argument between Abraham and Nimrod
6. The Story of Ishmael and Isaac (Ismail and Ishaq) - continuation to the Story of Abraham (Ibrahim)
---E-Migration of Abraham to Syria
---F-The Birth of Ishmael (Isma'il)
---G-Hagar and Ishmael in Makkah
---H-The Story of the Sacrifice
---I-The Birth of Isaac (Ishaq)
---J-The Construction of Ka'bah
---K-Allah praises His Prophet Abraham
---L-Age and Death
---M-Abraham's Children