Biography of Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir: His Teachers, Works, and Legacy
This episode explores the second part of the biography of Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir (RH), focusing on his prominent teachers in Damascus and his mastery of various Islamic sciences. It highlights his famous works, including Al-Bidayah wa-al-Nihayah and Al-Takmilah, and discusses his lasting legacy in history, Hadith, and Tafsir.
“And among people and moving creatures and grazing livestock are various colors similarly. Only those fear Allāh,
from among His servants, who have knowledge. Indeed, Allāh is Exalted in Might and Forgiving.” (Quran 35:28)
Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah ﷻ be upon you.
“In the name of Allāh, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.”
“[All] praise is [due] to Allāh, Lord of the worlds -” (Quran 1:1-2)
And may Allah ﷻ send peace and blessings upon His Messenger.
Welcome, my brothers and sisters, to a new episode of this program,
"Biography of an Imam." Of course, this is the second part of
the biography of Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir al-Dimashqi (RH). In the previous episode,
we explored the biography of Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir,
especially his early life, and also mentioned some of his circumstances
in seeking knowledge, how he loved Damascus, and how he settled there and was attributed to it.
I also mentioned a number of the teachers of Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir.
But if we wanted to enumerate the teachers of Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir, I believe it would be very difficult to do so.
Why? Because he traveled to many places,
and Damascus was indeed the incubator of knowledge and scholars.
It was home to giants of knowledge, the greatest scholars who were the destination of students of knowledge.
But indeed, among the most famous of those he studied under was Al-Hafiz Al-Mizzi,
as well as Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (RH).
If we want to mention some of his teachers,
among those we mention is Al-Hafiz Abu Abdillah Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Dhahabi,
and also Al-Hafiz Abu al-Abbas, known as Ibn al-Shahnah, Ahmad al-Hajjar,
and also Abu Ishaq al-Fazari, and Kamal al-Din
Abd al-Wahhab ibn Qadi Shuhbah, whom I mentioned to you in the previous session, as he was influenced by him and learned from him.
Also Ibn al-Zamalkani, and others besides them among the scholars.
For example, Shams al-Din Abu Nasr Muhammad al-Shirazi and Shams al-Din Muhammad al-Asbahani.
He was not partisan only to the jurists of his madhhab;
he even learned from Hanafi and Hanbali jurists.
Whenever he heard of a scholar who was sought after, he would seek him out and learn from him.
He even learned from those skilled in the craft of calligraphy and writing.
He learned from them, may Allah ﷻ have mercy on him.
This indicates his passion for seeking knowledge,
and it was not limited to only one aspect over another.
He learned from Muhammad ibn Ja'far al-Labbad, the Sheikh of Recitations, may Allah have mercy on him.
This is why you find Ibn Kathir (RH) studying the Quranic sciences.
That is, after memorizing the Quran,
he studied the sciences of language, the sciences of Hadith, the sciences of Fiqh,
he studied the sciences of grammar — he left nothing out.
He studied under Diya' al-Din 'Abdullah al-Nahwi, who was famous in his time.
And this is indeed the proper way for a student of knowledge.
This is the way. That is why, when I mention these scholars,
I mean that a student of knowledge must pay attention to this matter,
and learn from a variety of scholars and sheikhs, and not be partisan to a single sheikh,
meaning, staying at his lesson and never leaving it. No, they should move around,
moving around as long as these scholars' foundations of learning and deduction are sound.
Why not learn from him?
Of course, as for his students, as I always mention, it is very difficult
to list the students of such giant scholars,
because, first of all, you find the study circles of these scholars in the thousands.
You also find the scholarly journeys in which he traveled between countries.
He sits to teach, and others study under him. It is difficult,
but there are scholars who are guided to...
a thabat, for example, in which he mentions his teachers' names, or writes biographies,
He also writes even for his students, or some students write about their teacher,
about their teachers, and they also mention his peers.
But generally, for the most part, the students who are mentioned
are those who benefited from this scholar's knowledge and became prominent.
And there might be some students for whom Allah ﷻ did not decree prominence,
and they were pious and hidden, right?
And they might be stronger than those who became prominent.
For this is success granted by Allah ﷻ.
If the divine decree comes that so-and-so is granted acceptance,
by Allah, no one will be able to...
to hide it or suppress it at all.
This is something from Allah ﷻ.
For this reason, among the most prominent students of Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir (RH)
was 'Ala' ad-Din ibn al-Hajji, the Shafi'i, who wrote his biography,
and he used to mention his Sheikh, meaning Ibn Kathir, and quote him.
Also, Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Khidr al-Qurashi.
Also, Sharaf ad-Din al-Antaki, the grammarian.
And also Muhammad ibn Abi Muhammad al-Jazari, the master of Qira'at.
Ibn al-Jazari, and the maternal uncle of Ibn al-Jazari — among the students of Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir.
Also, Ibn Kathir had a son named Muhammad,
who also learned from his father.
Also, there is the well-known Imam Ibn Abi al-Izz al-Hanafi.
He was also among the students of Ibn...
Ibn Kathir.
Of course, as I mentioned, Ibn Kathir had many students, but these are the most prominent.
Ibn Kathir (RH) also excelled in various sciences; he wrote on the sciences of the Quran.
Namely, his book "Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azim"; this is one of the best books.
Some scholars mentioned that he abridged "Tafsir Ibn Jarir al-Tabari,"
but this is incorrect—or rather, inaccurate.
They say that Ibn Kathir abridged "Tafsir Ibn Jarir al-Tabari,"
but this is inaccurate.
He benefited from it, but disagreed with Ibn Jarir in his choices.
Anyone who reads "Tafsir Ibn Kathir" will see his distinct personality in this Tafsir.
He mentions the opinions and also mentions the trends,
and he also mentions, among other things, the choices of Ibn Jarir, and he often refutes him (RH).
And this book is truly a beneficial and great book.
It is indeed one of the best books of Ibn Kathir (RH).
And it has received, praise be to Allah, a great service, and it continues to be served.
He has "Fada'il al-Qur'an".
He has, for example, in the Sunnah, "Ahadith al-Usul".
And "Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari".
When we look at the biography of Ibn Kathir,
they mention among his books "Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari".
He has "Al-Takmilah fi al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil wa Ma'rifat al-Thiqat wa al-Majahil".
Also, "Ikhtisar Ulum al-Hadith".
Jami' al-Masanid wa al-Sunan al-Hadi li-Aqwam al-Sunan.
Also, the Musnads: the Musnad of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (RA) and the Musnad of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA).
He also has "Al-Ahkam al-Sughra fi al-Hadith",
and 'Takhrij Ahadith Adillat al-Tanbih fi Fiqh al-Shafi'i', published in two volumes.
This is one of the best of his books (RH),
which demonstrates his proficiency in the science of Hadith.
and 'Takhrij Ahadith Mukhtasar Ibn al-Hajib'.
He has an abridgment of 'Al-Madkhal ila Kitab al-Sunan'.
This 'Al-Madkhal' is by al-Bayhaqi, which he abridged.
There are also many Hadith tracts,
such as on the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, and on the Hadiths regarding killing dogs,
and the Hadiths regarding the expiation of a gathering, and indeed, many other tracts.
He also wrote on fiqh and usul.
He has 'Al-Ahkam al-Kubra', 'Kitab al-Siyam', and 'Ahkam al-Tanbih'.
He also has a monograph on "The Middle Prayer",
and one on "The Inheritance of the Two Parents with Brothers",
this well-known issue among scholars and inheritance experts:
Do brothers inherit along with the father, and in the presence of both parents?
He also has a monograph on "The Slaughtered Animal that...
“And do not eat of that upon which the name of Allāh has not been mentioned, for indeed, it is grave disobedience. And indeed do the devils inspire their allies [among men] to dispute with you. And if you were to obey them, indeed, you would be associators [of others with Him].” (Quran 6:121)
You know, this issue is one of those where the disagreement is very strong.
He also has a treatise on "The Virtue of the Day of Arafah",
and "The Introductions to Usul al-Fiqh".
As for books of history and biography, there is no end to them.
He has one of the best books on Seerah: "Al-Fusul fi Sirat al-Rasul ﷺ".
As for the book "Al-Bidayah wa-al-Nihayah", it is indeed a wonder of wonders.
A wonder of wonders, printed, and praise be to Allah.
It is printed; indeed, it is a lush garden,
a lush garden that no one can do without.
Moreover, it is clear, easy, and accessible,
and it really structures all of history for you from the beginning to...
...to his own era and time.
Of course, he wrote "Tabaqat al-Shafi'iyyah".
He has a book on Imam al-Shafi'i's biography: 'Al-Wadih al-Nafis fi Manaqib Muhammad bin Idris'.
Who is Muhammad bin Idris al-Shafi'i? He is Muhammad bin Idris bin Shafi' al-Shafi'i (RH).
He has a book on the virtues of Ibn Taymiyyah, Shaykh al-Islam, who greatly influenced him.
He has 'An Introduction to Genealogy'.
I do not wish to elaborate further; these are some of Ibn Kathir's (RH) books.
Indeed, the scholars praised Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir with very great praise.
What does Al-Hafiz al-Dhahabi say in 'Tabaqat Shuyukhihi'? He says:
"'I heard from the jurist, the mufti, the Muhaddith, the virtuous Imad al-Din Isma'il bin Umar bin Kathir al-Basri al-Shafi'i,"
He heard from Ibn ash-Shihnah, Ibn az-Zarrad, and a group [of scholars].
He paid great attention to narrators, texts, and fiqh,
and he extracted [hadiths], debated, authored, explained, and excelled.
Of course, is al-Dhahabi one of Ibn Kathir's teachers? This is a matter of discussion, of course,
but out of al-Dhahabi's humility, he praises Ibn Kathir. He says: "The Imam, the Mufti, the skilled scholar of Hadith."
He says: "A versatile jurist, a precise scholar of Hadith, and a narrating exegete."
Allahu Akbar. This is why the scholars praised him.
Of course, Abu al-Mahasin al-Husayni was one of the students of al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir al-Dimashqi.
He said of Ibn Kathir:
"He married into the family of our Sheikh Abu al-Hajjaj al-Mizzi,
and gained much from him."
Meaning, he benefited from him.
"He issued fatwas, taught, debated, and excelled; he excelled in fiqh, Tafsir, and grammar, and scrutinized the narrators and defects."
Ibn Nasir al-Din, in his biography of Hafiz Ibn Kathir, said:
"The Sheikh, the Imam, the great scholar, the Hafiz, 'Imad al-Din — trusted hadith scholar, reference of historians, scholar of exegetes."
Allahu Akbar.
Truly, the scholars praised Hafiz Ibn Kathir (RH) with remarkable praise.
For example, what does Ibn Hajar say?
He says about Ibn Kathir: "He had an excellent memory,
pleasant in conversation. His works spread throughout the lands during his lifetime, and people benefited from them after his death."
And people benefited from them after his death.
Indeed, regarding the praise for him — truly,
there is no one who wrote biographies of these scholars and mentioned
Ibn Kathir specifically by name except that they praised him.
Ibn Habib says — meaning, speaking about Ibn Kathir, he says: "An Imam...
who narrated glorification and praise, and the leader of the masters of interpretation,
He heard, compiled, and authored; he delighted and adorned the ears with fatwas,
He narrated and benefited others, and the pages of his fatwas flew to all lands,
He was renowned for precision and refinement,
and the leadership of knowledge in history, Hadith, and Tafsir culminated in him."
Allahu Akbar.
Al-Ayni, in his commentary on Al-Bukhari, says about Ibn Kathir (RH):
"He was the role model of scholars and memorizers, and the mainstay of the people of meanings and words.
He heard, compiled, authored, taught, narrated, and wrote,
and he had vast knowledge in Hadith, Tafsir, and history.
He was famous for precision and refinement,
and the leadership of history, Hadith, and Tafsir culminated in him.
He has numerous beneficial works."
Ibn Hijji, who was one of his close associates,
says, speaking about Ibn Kathir (RH):
"The greatest memorizer of Hadith texts among those we met,
and the most knowledgeable of their criticism, narrators, authenticity, and weakness.
His peers and teachers recognized that of him,
He could recall a great deal of fiqh and history,
rarely forgetting, and a jurist of sound understanding,
with a good command of the Arabic language.
And he composed poetry. I do not recall meeting him,
despite my frequent visits to him, without benefiting from him.
In fact, Ibn Kathir (RH) is praised by everyone.
What does al-Dawudi say? He says:
"He devoted himself to memorizing texts, learning chains of transmission, hadith defects, and narrators, excelling in that while still a youth.
While still a youth. Ibn Kathir (RH)
truly has great and beautiful advice and counsel,
and indeed he has precious words
that represent principles. When you read his Tafsir, or al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya,
read in al-Fusul for example — he also paid great attention to mentioning scholarly consensus.
Ibn Kathir (RH) led a fragrant and beautiful life.
And these are his lasting works, may Allah ﷻ have mercy on him.
Ibn Kathir's appointed time came on Thursday, the twenty-sixth of Sha'ban,
in the year 774 AH.
He passed away (RH) in Damascus and was buried in Damascus,
near the grave of his teacher Ibn Taymiyyah (RH).
Ibn Nasir al-Din said: "His funeral was highly attended and witnessed by many,
and he was buried, according to his will, in the cemetery of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah."
Allah is the Greatest. Many eulogy poems were written for him,
among which is: "For your loss, students of knowledge grieved, shedding abundant tears that do not cease,
And even if they mixed their tears with blood, it would be too little for you, O Ibn Kathir."
I ask Allah to forgive Ibn Kathir, have mercy on him, and place him in the Gardens of Delight,
and to gather us with him, along with our Prophet ﷺ, his family, and his noble companions.
And I ask Allah ﷻ to grant us and you knowledge, understanding, and contemplation
of His Book and the Sunnah of His Prophet ﷺ.
Glory and praise be to You, O Allah. I bear witness
“And [mention] the man of the fish [i.e., Jonah], when he went off in anger and thought that We would not decree [anything] upon him. And he called out within the darknesses, "There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers."” (Quran 21:87)
I seek Your forgiveness and repent to You.
May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.