Before you is the English translation of Al-Fusūl Fī Sīratir-Rasūl (Chapters from the Life of the Messenger) by the great Imām, Al-Hāfiz Ibn Kathīr (may Allah have mercy upon him). This translation was carried out over several years by the esteemed scholar and translator, Shaykh Abū Talhah Dāwūd Burbank (rahimahullāh), who, along with his wife, passed away in 2011 CE while performing Hajj with brothers from Salafi Publications. May Allah have mercy on them both.
The preparation of this book for publication has taken a number of years, and it is an honour to finally present it to our respected readers. We pray that Allah makes it a source of benefit, and rewards both the original author and the translator for their immense efforts.
The translator has provided extensive endnotes throughout the work. These include clarifications on the authenticity of narrations, definitions of key terms, and valuable insights derived from the Sunnah and scholarly writings. Breadcrumb references within the main text guide readers directly to the corresponding endnotes.
It should be noted that this translation was completed many years ago. Since then, the status of some individuals referenced in the notes may have changed. While they were regarded as being upon the correct creed at that time, some have since deviated from the straight path — may Allah guide us and them. As the great Imām Muhammad Ibn Sīrīn (rahimahullāh) warned: “Indeed, this knowledge is religion, so be careful from whom you take your religion.” With that, we leave the reader to benefit from this tremendous work.
About the Author
Al-Hāfiz Imāduddīn Abū al-Fidā’ Ismā‘īl Ibn Kathīr (701–774H, may Allah have mercy upon him) was born in Mijdal, a village near Busra in the province of Damascus. Orphaned at a young age, he moved to Damascus with his brother in 707H.
By the age of ten, he had memorised the Qur’an along with its various recitations, and he excelled in tafsīr. He later married Zaynab, the daughter of the great scholar Al-Hāfiz Abul-Hajjāj Al-Mizzī, under whom he studied closely. Ibn Kathīr also benefited immensely from Shaykhul-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah, becoming one of his most devoted students and defenders.
He mastered the sciences of tafsīr, hadīth, fiqh, and history, with particular expertise in narrators and hidden defects in chains of transmission. He served as the head of the Sālihiyyah School after the passing of Imām Adh-Dhahabī and briefly as the head of Dār al-Hadīth al-Ashrafiyyah.
Firmly upon the creed of the Salaf, Ibn Kathīr’s works—especially his renowned tafsīr—stand as a lasting testament to his scholarship. He passed away in Damascus on Thursday, 26th Sha‘bān 774H, where he was buried.
About the Translator
Abū Talhah Dāwūd Burbank was born on 20 October 1963 in Coalville, Leicestershire, UK, into a Christian family. At the age of 19, while studying at the University of Leicester, he embraced Islam after reading an English translation of the Qur’an.
In the mid-1980s, he travelled to Saudi Arabia to study at the Islamic University of Madinah. There, he learned Arabic and studied under leading scholars of the Sunnah, including Imams Ibn Bāz, Ibn ‘Uthaymīn, Rabī‘ al-Madkhalī, Hammād al-Ansārī, Muhammad Amān al-Jāmī, and others. He also became a close companion of Shaykh Abū Uwais ‘Abdullah Ahmad (rahimahullāh).
Upon his return to the UK, Abū Talhah dedicated himself to teaching and translating, refuting misguided ideologies, and clarifying the pure methodology of the Salaf. Alongside Shaykh Abū ‘Iyād Amjad Rafiq, he produced translations that provided much-needed clarity to English-speaking Muslims. His works include Explanation of the Creed of Imām al-Barbahārī, The Methodology of the Prophets in Calling to Allah by Shaykh Rabī‘, and Foundations of the Sunnah by Imām Ahmad (co-translated).
He co-founded Salafi Publications in 1997, where he remained a pillar of da‘wah. Known for his humility, sincerity, and precision, he was respected by both scholars and students of knowledge. Scholars such as Shaykh Rabī‘ al-Madkhalī and Shaykh ‘Ubaid al-Jābirī recommended him and acknowledged his reliability in translation and hadīth sciences.
Abū Talhah was known for meticulously following the Sunnah in every aspect of life. On 1 November 2011 (5th Dhul-Hijjah 1432H), he and his wife Umm Talhah passed away in Saudi Arabia en route to perform Hajj. May Allah envelop them in His vast mercy.
The life of Al-Hasan ibn 'Ali ibn Abi Talib ( may ALLAH be pleased with him ), a grandson of the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him), demonstrates that one should give the highest priority to the unity of the Muslim community.
This is an important lesson for leaders at all levels and all times. Sometimes, it is essential to yield graciously and give up positions of status and authority for the greater good of the Ummah. By giving up the caliphate to Muâwiyah, Al-Hasan ( may ALLAH be pleased with him ) clearly demonstrated that the differences among the Muslims were purely political.
Even though the Muslims were fighting amongst themselves, they still regarded each other as brothers as sisters in faith. The life of al-Hasan ( may ALLAH be pleased with him ) sets an example for all Muslims, especially our Muslim leaders. It shows us how we should be willing to sacrifice the adornments of this transient world for the sake of Allah, the Exalted.
The Al-Muwatta, ‘The Approved,’ which was said to have been regarded by Imam Shafi’i, may Allah be pleased with him, to be the soundest book after the Noble Qur’an.
The first formulation of Islamic Law based on the behaviour of the people of Madinah during the time of the great Companions, Al-Muwatta is the blueprint for a just and radiant society: the earliest, clearest, cleanest record of early Islam. It is divided into 61 books on different subjects, each book containing many Ahadith. The numbering system used by Imam Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, is consecutive per book.
Imam Malik’s Muwatta (the well-trodden path) is a collection of two items:
The sayings and deeds of Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, (also known as the Sunnah).The reports of the Prophet’s, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, sayings and deeds are called Ahadith.The legal opinions and decisions of the Prophet’s, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, Companions, their successors, and some later authorities.
The legacy of the greatest teacher the world has known, the greatest man to ever walk the Earth, the Messenger of Allah, is attested to by the greatness of his students: the Ṣaḥābah. None more so than his four successors, the four men famed as the Rightly Guided Caliphs.
The Blessed Prophet’s words and deeds have reached us from across the centuries and still inspire billions. It was these men who were charged with carrying those teachings to others, and within one short century spread them across the breadth of the world.This book collects the teachings of these great men; their words and their actions; how they lived and how they died. Each of them was a giant upon whose shoulders the great scholars and sages; the orators and leaders; the warriors and heroes; the ascetics and mystics in every age of this Ummah have built their places in the halls of history.
Each of them was shaped for greatness by the blessed hands of the Beloved in a singular and unique manner. Together, they built a community, an empire, and a legacy that shall inspire this Ummah until the end of time.
Written in the second Islamic century by al-Imam al-Shafi’i (d. 204AH/820AD), the founder of one of the four Sunni schools of law. This important work gives the fundamental principles of Islamic jurisprudence and its influence continues to the present day.
During the early years of the spread of Islam, the exponents of Islamic legal doctrine were faced with the problems raised by ruling and administering a diverse and rapidly growing empire. In Medina and Kufa, as well as other cities of early Muslim rule, schools of law had to be developed, but it took the genius of Muhammad b. Idris al-Shafi’i, born in the year 150AH/767AD, to establish the principles by which the various legal doctrines could be synthesised into a coherent system. In the Risala, which laid down the basis for such a synthesis, al-Shafi’i established the overriding authority, next only to the Qur’an, of the Sunna or example of the Prophet Muhammad as transmitted in the traditions.
Al Wala Wal Bara is one of the key foundations of Islam, to love and hate for the sake of Allah and the alliance and enmity offered to Muslims and non-muslims according to the Quran and Sunnah. Sheikh Muhammad Saeed Al-Qahtani details the limits and details of this important principle in this extensive dissertation.
Part 1 of 3 - Al Wala Wal Bara is one of the key foundations of Islam, to love and hate for the sake of Allah and the alliance and enmity offered to Muslims and non-muslims according to the Quran and Sunnah. Sheikh Muhammad Saeed Al-Qahtani details the limits and details of this important principle in this extensive dissertation.
This islamic book was originally submitted in the form of a thesis for Master’s Degree to the Department of ‘Aqeedah of Umm al-Qorah University in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. It is impossible to provide a literal translation in English of the words al-wala’ wa’ l-bara’, but the meaning of this Arabic term indicates, on the one hand, drawing near to what is pleasing to Allah and his Messenger and, on the other hand, withdrawing from what is displeasing to Allah and His Messenger, may Allah and His Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.
In this book, Shaykh al-Islam Ahmad Ibn Taymiyyah explains in detail the purpose of our existence, which is to be true slaves of Allah, making Him the focus of our love and attaining happiness and fulfilment by making Him our goal. It shows us how to purify our hearts, since a heart that is not pure cannot find tranquility.
Following a similar theme to Patience and Gratitude, this book also offers practical advice for our everyday lives taken from the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Why you will want to buy this book:
» Clear, concise and readable translation of a classic scholarly work.
» Learn the true purpose of existence.
» Understand what brings happiness and fulfilment.
From the Beginning to the End - Al Bidaayah Wannihaayah (4 Volume Hardback)Author: Imam Ibn KathirBook Binding: HardbackPages: 3236Size: 18 x 25cm (approx)Publishers: Darul IshaatAn abridged Engligh translation of The Classical work Al-Bidayah wa ‘l-Nihayah (The Beginning and the End) or Tarikh ibn Kathir (The history [book of] Ibn Kathir), one of the most comprehensive sources of Islamic history.This set contains: The story of creation and the sending of man upon the earth Ummahs (Prophets) of the Past Life of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) The Lives of the Noble Caliphs and Islamic History up to time of the author (768 AH) Before and After the last Hour This book is essentially a History of Muslims from the Prophet Adam (Peace be Upon him) until the author’s time.
