Book of the End (English)

Book of the End: Great Trials and Tribulations is the final section of Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir's monumental history Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah ("The Beginning and the End"), translated into English by Faisal Shafeeq and published by Darussalam. Where most of that fourteen-volume work covers what already happened — the Prophets, the early Muslim community, the Caliphates — this closing volume covers what Ibn Kathir believed was still to come: the signs of the Hour, the major trials facing the Ummah, and the events leading up to the Day of Judgment.

Who was Ibn Kathir

Isma'il ibn Umar ibn Kathir (born around 701 AH / 1300 CE, died 774 AH / 1373 CE) studied under Ibn Taymiyyah in Damascus and became one of the most widely relied-upon scholars of Quranic exegesis and Islamic history. His Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azim — known simply as Tafsir Ibn Kathir — remains one of the most-read Quran commentaries in the world, and Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah is his equally significant work of history, running from the creation of the universe through the events of his own lifetime.

What this volume covers

The book is built around the hadith in which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described the signs that would precede the Day of Judgment, and Ibn Kathir organizes the historical and textual evidence around them. It covers the minor signs already understood to have appeared, the major signs still awaited, the emergence of the Dajjal (the False Messiah) and why Islamic teaching treats him as the greatest trial the Ummah will face, the descent of Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him) and his role in ending that trial, the release of Ya'juj wa Ma'juj (Gog and Magog), the blowing of the Trumpet, and the Resurrection and Judgment that follow — closing with a description of Paradise and the Fire.

Part of a wider English series

Darussalam has published several standalone English volumes drawn from different sections of Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah, and this is the one covering its final section. If you're building out a fuller picture of Ibn Kathir's history in English rather than just this closing volume, The Valley Came Alive covers the Prophet's (PBUH) biography from the same source, Winning The Hearts and Souls covers the delegations and expeditions of his later life, and In Defence of the True Faith covers the Wars of Apostasy and the early Caliphate. Readers who want Ibn Kathir's Quran commentary rather than his history can also see Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Abridged).

Specifications

• Author: Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir
• Translator: Faisal Shafeeq
• Language: English
• Publisher: Darussalam

Who this is for

Readers studying Islamic eschatology (the signs of the Hour and events of the Last Day) who want the subject handled by a classical scholar working from hadith and historical sources, rather than a modern popular summary. It's a reference to keep and return to rather than a single read-through.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this book about?

The signs of the Day of Judgment and the major events Islamic teaching says will precede it — the Dajjal, the descent of Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him), Ya'juj wa Ma'juj, the Trumpet, Resurrection, and Judgment.

Is this a translation or a summary?

It's an English translation of the closing section of Ibn Kathir's Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah, not a modern retelling.

Do I need to have read the rest of Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah first?

No — this volume stands on its own. It covers the end-times material as a complete section, whether or not you've read the earlier historical volumes.

What language is this edition in?

English.

How long does delivery take?

Most orders arrive in 3–5 working days anywhere in Pakistan, with same-day dispatch from Lahore for orders placed before 1 PM.

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